Dear baby

Things have calmed down since we are now on break from this thing, you will soon learn about it and I'm sorry, we call school. You "kind of" experienced Christmas even if it was in utero, and from the best I can tell you LOVED it!!! You even got gifts even though your name was technically available to be drawn, and you couldn't give anything in return - other than the anticipation of your wonderful presence.

You are still moving and moving and moving.......all that I have read says that it should be harder for you to move around because you are getting bigger and space in your "house" is limited, however you haven't slowed down one bit! Your dad and I love resting and feeling you move and trying to guess what part of you that you are exercising.....so far we aren't very good at guessing.

This week: you are still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and you could grow up to another full inch this week. Your pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows.) Antibodies are being passed from ne to you as you continue to develop your own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once you are outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs.

It is about 7 weeks until your debut, and your dad and I cannot tell you how very excited we are to meet you. You consume each of every one of our thoughts, and we are absolutely giddy with anticipation for the day you are here. We undoubtedly have those moments when we are scared, nervous, or questioning what kind of parents we will be but in spite of all of that we know that God purposed you in our lives for this exact time. We also know that you will never lack for anything and in fact we will have to hold back on all that we want to show you, teach you, and have you experience. Always know that from before we even knew you were growing inside this belly of mine you were wanted - you will always be wanted and loved.

Can't wait to meet you!!
Mommy and daddy

Christmas cheer.....

I will admit that I am a slacker when it comes to taking pictures at things/times that I SHOULD take pictures of/at. Case in point: Thanksgiving. I have no pictures of any of the things I cooked, any of the family time, or any of the eating festivities. I always tell myself, "Don't forget to take pictures at (blank)..." but I always do....

I assure you that our Thanksgiving was great, the food was delicious, and time with our families was also great - there is just no proof - you will have to take my word for it!!

HOWEVER!!! I WILL do better for Christmas.........so without further ado........here's the TREE!!

Dear Baby (From Dad)

Dear Baby:

Your mom told me last night, you are going to be a dad – I was kind of surprised. I know, I know, should it really be a surprise now? I am not ready to be a dad. I don’t know how to be a dad. All of these things may or may not be true, but I promise I am going to be the best dad I can be. This week marks 10 weeks, give or take a few days, until your arrival. I think that we are ready for your arrival – your crib is ready, your closet is packed full of clothes that you are going to look super cute in, your Cadillac car seat is waiting for you to take your first ride home in, and your changing table is stocked with diapers, wipes, and all kinds of other things that I am not really sure what we are supposed to do with. I am sure that we will figure it all. I know that we will figure it all out.

My favorite time of the day is bedtime. This is when I have my chance to connect with you. When your mom and I are in bed, I touch your “house” (mom’s belly) and without fail I can feel your strong kicks, punches, flips, and other little movements. We count your kicks together to make sure you are strong and healthy. Every night as we do this, I pray for you. I pray that you will be healthy, happy, successful, and smart… my prayers for you are endless. I don’t think you know this, but I have your life planned out. I don’t know if any of our plans will work out, but if you only know one thing, know that your mom and I love you more than you will ever understand. You are a blessing from our Heavenly Father and we are thankful every moment of the day that you have been sent to this earth for your mom and I to care for you, nurture you, teach you, pray for you, support you, and love you as we begin our family.

My love for your mom has grown beyond measure during the past 30 weeks. I can only imagine the love I will have for her as we raise you together. It is my hope that you will someday find a helpmate that will bless you in the same ways that your mother has blessed me. Your mom is an amazing woman…strong, intelligent, educated, successful, spiritual, funny, insightful, driven, and passionate….I can only hope that you are the woman, wife, mother, and daughter that your mom is. I don’t need to tell you these things. You will learn all of these things as you spend your days being nurtured by, cared for, and prepared for life by your mom.

Anytime your mom and I are driving somewhere in the car together we listen to a song from a Primary CD. I don’t think there is a time that we don’t hear the words of the song and become emotional as we think about your arrival and the beginning of our own eternal family.

The Family Is of God

Our Father has a family. It’s me!It’s you, all others too: we are His children.He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,To live and learn here in fam’lies.

A father’s place is to preside, provide,To love and teach the gospel to his children. A father leads in fam’ly prayer to shareTheir love for Father in Heaven.

A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,To nurture and to strengthen all her children. She teaches children to obey, to pray,To love and serve in the fam’ly.

I’ll love and serve my family and beA good example to each fam’ly member. And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,I’ll help my fam’ly remember:

[Chorus]God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.
Words and music: Matthew Neeley

We are eagerly awaiting your arrival little one. I don’t know much about what the days and years will hold, but I can promise you this, you are loved beyond measure by your mom and I. We will keep praying for you and preparing for you as February 14th draws closer.

Love forever and always,
Dad & Mom