Dear Baby Girl,

Here we are at 2:30 in the morning, wide awake. Just the two of us. You are moving around like crazy and pushing so very hard! I never felt this much pressure with any of your siblings.  I really think you are just eager to get here, although I don't think my body is quite ready to let you out.

I just finished up with a big church assignment last night and I am thrilled to finally push that out of my mind and now just focus on YOU!  The house has been a disaster, closets are being organized, clothing shifted, and my mind has been so scattered and jumbled. They haven't been as often as I would like, but I have had a couple moments while walking the aisles of the baby section in different stores (grabbing last minute things like pacifiers and bottles) when I've suddenly gotten major butterflies and completely teary-eyed. Teary-eyed because of excitement. Those sweet, rare moments seem to be when it hits me that this is real and that you're coming. Soon! Tuesday at the latest, actually.

The whole family is so excited for you to get here! Reese and Claire have been on a count-down for MONTHS! I wish you could see the way they look at each other and squeal as they say in unison "5 more days?!" You are going to be SO loved! You already are. Even your brother, Everett, who has no idea what's coming, is going to love you like crazy. We're actually a bit scared for how much.  He LOVES, loves, loves babies and dies to hold them when they're around; his face beams when he does get that chance. I have a feeling he's going to try and hold you all on his own...a lot! And if how he treats Bruce (our guinea pig) is any indicator of how that may go, be prepared to be smothered with not-so-gentle hugs and kisses! I've seriously considered buying a dog cage to put you in on your bouncer when I can't be right next to you.

You have been named pretty much since we found out you were a girl. We've tried out other names (really there's only one other spunkier name that was ever a serious contender), but we always come back to loving this one the most. It just feels right. I've never felt that comfortable and confident with a name this early and I love that!

We all wonder what you're going to look like. Reese is hoping you'll end up with blond hair like her. Claire, of course, hopes you'll look more like her and have "blondish-brown" hair. Then there's your daddy who is hoping you'll look just like me and have super dark hair and eyes.  His genes are proving to be more dominant in this little family of ours though, so we shall see!

I'm not going to lie, I love babies, but they also kind of scare me. So just be ready for a sleep-deprived, out-of-it mommy for a little while. But please always know that that out-of-it mommy, no matter how crazy she may seem, loves you so very much and is so beyond excited to hold you and have you be part of our family! 

We'll see you soon, sweet baby girl!

Love,
Mommy