Dear Baby Towers, Letter 3

Dear Baby T,

As our time tummy to tummy ends and we will soon meet you face to face, your dad and I feel a mixture of excitement and a little nervousness. Well, your dad is not really nervous, just me.

We are so excited to finally meet you! And we are excited for the birth - we have been preparing for some time now for a "marathon" of contractions and hard work. I hope that you are able to come into this world naturally and healthy. I am nervous about not having control over the labor process - basically, all of our preparations going out the window. I know this could happen based on circumstance, so, most important, we just want you to arrive healthy and happy.

Also, this pregnancy has been wonderful. I really can't complain about too much - you've been a joy to carry. :) I will miss it, miss protecting you like I am right now.

Last, I feel nervous about motherhood. We have been preparing so much for birth, but I'm not really sure how to prepare to be a mother. Your dad doesn't seem too worried though. You'll change everything - in a wonderful way. I hope I will be a good mother and a good example for you. I know I will make some mistakes, but I hope more good choices. Your dad is going to be awesome and lots of fun - not worried a bit about him! You couldn't have picked a better dad and role model. Plus, you have two great sets of grandparents, a loving extended family, and lots of friends.

Come soon so we can shower you with love!

All my love,

Mom

Dear Baby Towers, Letter 2

Dear Baby T (as we affectionately call you now),

What are you doing in there? I feel like you are making waves, punching your way out, and kicking in response to your dad's voice. I would love to see what things look like from your perspective and how you respond to everything. It has been really neat to feel you move a lot more - this is the time of the pregnancy where you are super-active (weeks 24-28) and you still have lots of room to somersault and move around. Your movements are really special, they always make me smile. It's like a constant reminder that you are growing and coming into the world very soon.

Your dad and I are getting more and more excited each day for your birth. It feels much more real now. We are currently working on building a garden in our tiny backyard, and we hope that you will like growing things with us next year. Your dad is the real green thumb, so please ask his advice. There are still lots of things that we have to do to prepare for you - buy your bed, sew some clothes, get a carseat, decide our birthing method, etc. Speaking of the last one, we have been watching more birth videos and learning more about the birth process. I feel more confident about it as I learn more; your dad and I hope that your birth can be as natural as possible. We are getting ready for your big debut!

Last, we have been thinking about what you will be like - personality, physical, emotional, and spiritual. I mentioned this in the last letter, but know that your dad and I will love and accept you no matter what!!! We have been talking a little bit about handicaps. In my opinion, each of us is handicapped in different ways, to varying degrees. If you have a profound functional handicap, we will do our best to support and help you. One of our past church leaders said that those that have profound handicaps are special and blessed. In many instances, they are blessed because they do not go through the temptations and trials that most of us do. They have a ticket straight to the celestial kingdom! This is reserved for some of the most choice spirits, and that is really wonderful.

I wanted to write to you about that last point because I feel it is very important. Keep growing healthy and know that you have two parents that love you unconditionally and a whole bunch of other folks that can't wait to meet you and support you throughout your life!

All my Love,
Mom

Dear Baby Towers

One of the motherhood-inspired bloggers I follow wrote an open letter to her baby. I thought this was a neat idea, so I am starting periodic letter-writing posts to our little guy or girl.

Dear Baby Towers,

It's week 19 of your prenatal experience (almost halfway!). I have been able to feel you move much more lately, although these feelings are still pretty faint. I wonder what you are doing in there. I expect you are exercising just like I like to exercise. I wonder how much you can hear and perceive. Do you know my voice yet? Do you know your dad's voice yet?

It still feels a little strange to say "mommy" and "daddy" when I'm talking about Aaron and I. We'll likely get used to it really quick once you are born. Being a parent is going to change everything, and I hope and pray that we will be good parents to you. Your dad talks about how much he wants to meet you and thinks this pregnancy is far too long to wait. He talks to you, I read and sing to you, and we both are planning and preparing for you to be born.

I want you to know that you are very, very wanted and very, very loved. Your dad and I felt a special spiritual prompting that it was time to start a family. And then you came right away! You are a special spirit that God wanted to be born soon. We were amazed at how that prayer was answered. Your life thus far has strengthened our testimonies, especially of how God knows each of us.

I have so many things to teach you, and I imagine lots of fun things to share and do with you. I am excited to meet you and learn all about your personality. Your dad and I love you as you are already, and we want you to blossom and grow up happy and self-confident.

I'm going to keep writing letters to you. One day I hope you read them and find joy in them.

All my love,
Mom (that is still strange to write!)