Dearest Baby

Precious little one,

For over 40 weeks, you have been growing in my belly and have provided me with so many wonderful days as your father and I have thought about the moment that we meet you. Soon you will enter our lives and we will be able to touch you, hold you, cuddle with you. That, I believe, is truly the best blessing of all of this. In a few short days, you will be our child - created with the love of two parents committed to giving you the best life possible and raising you in the happiest home we can.

I have enjoyed every kick and punch. While your daddy was able to feel you, sometimes I felt like this was the special thing that you and I shared - just our time. I would poke you, you'd poke back. At times, I could feel your fingers pressed against mine. I can't wait to hold those little fingers, feel that soft skin.

I will easily forget everytime I was sick or uncomfortable. Lemonheads worked wonders, as did watermelon. A part of me didn't mind being sick because I knew it meant that you were growing and flourishing off my nutrients. It was a small price to pay for such a precious gift.

I will miss watching you grow in my belly - seeing every ultrasound, hearing every heartbeat. But, what we look forward to more is seeing you grow up in front of our eyes. Watching you as you smile for the first time, as you take your first steps, your first Reds and Bengals games, your first day of school, the day you take your driver's test, the day you meet your own husband.

I want to teach and show you so many things. I want to teach you about what true love is and show you through example of the love that your dad and I share. I want to teach you the glory of Christ and the power that he has. I want to teach you to love sports as much as your dad and I do - it's my hope that one day you can recite to me the roster of the Bengals or get as excited as we do about Opening Day of the Reds. I want to show you how to make Grammee's special chocolate cake and the Kroner snickerdoodles. I want to take you to Kings Island for your first time and talk to you about how, while it was a time of hard work, the place brought your daddy and me together and also taught me uncomprising work effort. I want to teach you about your Grandpa Miller and what a wonderful man he was and all of the other grandparents that Kevin and I have been blessed to have in our lives. I want to teach you that the man you will end up with may not be the man you expected to. I want to teach you how to play flashlight tag, hopscotch, uno, and every other fun game! I want to teach you to be the best possible human being, you can be - not to be something everyone else wants you to be.

I just want to be a good mama to you and Kevin to be a good papa to you. And if we can just love each other and enjoy our time as a family, this truly will be life's biggest blessing.

I love you forever,
Mom