Letter #2 (3/17/2008)

Dear little one,

We’re at 13 weeks now, and we had a bit of scare with you last week.  We had heard your heartbeat just a few days before the bleeding, and the doctor had me come back in (your Gramma C. came with me) on Monday and we heard you again.  I can tell you’ll be stubborn like your dad (and, let’s be honest, me).  Stick in there, little one.  We want to meet you in September.

Now that you know a little about your dad, I suppose it’s time that I do a brief introduction of me.   Here’s a recent picture of me:

Like my mom, I was born in California.  There were great times there, especially when we lived in the same town as my mom’s family.  We got to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins often, and I really liked that. 

We lived there until the summer before 5th grade, when we moved to San Antonio, a place I now consider to be my hometown.  We were far away from any family, but we found great community at church.  It was also a time for the four of us (I have an older sister, little one) to grow closer together.  I have great memories of our house on Encino Crest, playing outside with neighborhood kids, and growing up in a rather simple time.

I made some great friends in high school, both at church and at school.  My church youth group was awesome, and some of those friendships have been rekindled thanks to the Internet.  I also met your Auntie Laura my freshman year, and she’s been my best friend since.

After high school, I stayed in town for college.  I made new friends and got my teacher’s certification.  By the time I was 23, I had a class full of amazing students…In the meantime, my mom and dad had moved to another state and I was getting a little lonely for family.  When they decided to move to Missouri in 2004, I moved too.  I met your dad a couple of months later, we fell in love, and the rest is history.

More to come…

We love you, little one!

*** 

Letter #1 (1/30/2008)

Dear little one,

It’s been nearly seven weeks now, and I can stil hardly believe it.  Your dad and I are so excited that we’re going to be parents!  We lay in bed at night and dream about you, usually out loud to each other.  It sounds silly, but we want you to know how much we love you already.

So, who are we?

Well, here’s a picture of your dad:

Your dad is absolutely my favorite person.  He is so genuine and so kind, incredibly selfless and nurturing.  I also have a feeling he might be a little strict with you, little one.  I’ll tell you now that it’s because he loves you so much.  I’m sure we’ll have this conversation more than once!

Your dad grew up in a small town in Iowa.  A really small town, little one.  They only had one movie theater when he was growing up.  One movie a week, and then it was gone.  That still amazes me. 

So, in this small town, your dad did a lot of things.  He played football and basketball.  He sang in the choir and had a starring role in the high school musical.  (We have that on tape, little one!)  He also had several part-time jobs, so he was a busy guy.  That hasn’t changed a whole lot.

Your dad is the youngest of three children, so he’s learned a few things to even the playing field.  Watch out for the tickling, ’cause he’s just not ticklish…he sure can dish it out though!

After high school, he went away to college.  He sang in the choir, worked for the university’s radio station, and made very good grades.  He worked for a radio station and a newspaper before taking his current job at a retirement home.  Your dad works very hard and I admire him a lot.  But more than that, he’s my best friend and the love of my life, and now he’s the father of my child(ren). 

That’s all for now, little one.  We love you more than you’ll ever know.