Dear Baby,

This morning Dad and I went for another ultrasound. They said you are doing great — growing like a champ. You weigh about 4 pounds right now. You were also NOT in the mood to have your picture taken! You kept hiding behind your hands! You look much more like a baby now, too. We’re really excited to see your little face in person!

Love,
Mama

Your Face (You have to look really closely!)

Your Profile (Not two chins — you are resting your chin on your fist!)

Dear Baby,

It was VERY hot outside today, so I decided to stay inside and sew. I made a quilt for you! It is made of flowery and pink flannel and is 3 feet x 4 feet so it will be perfect for when you are playing on the floor… I think you will like it!

Love,
Mama

Your Quilt

Dear Baby,

Thought you might like to know that you have a name. Your dad and I have read about 10,000 names trying to find one we both like that will be great for you! I can’t share it with you here because your dad and I have agreed to keep it secret until you are born, but I think you’ll be happy. It is a name that will suit you well your whole life, doesn’t have any bizarre nicknames that we can think of, and your initials won’t spell anything absurd. So, we’re happy — hopefully you will be, too!

Love,
Mama

Dear Baby,

Thought you might like to see how your room is coming along. We’ve added furniture and some stars for ya!

Love,
Mama

Your Room

Your Room

Dear Baby,

So, for your dad’s birthday (May 30) I got him a special stroller for jogging, so that he (and I — when he’s busy) can take you walking/jogging around the neighborhood on adventures! Anyway, we decided to take it out of the box this weekend to make sure we had all the parts, etc. so we could return it if we needed to. Well, we got a little carried away and I decided to strap a doll into it utilizing the 5-point safety harness. Then, your dad decided to take it on a test run! It was too hilarious not to capture for you — so here it is in photos. I was thinking of this, too :

“He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers.”
– Malachi 4:6

Your dad’s heart is definitely on you!!

Love,
Mama

The skid marks in the road are NOT from the stroller test jog! It’ll be fun, but not that fun!

Jogging…

Bet you can’t wait!

Dear Baby,

I just wanted to share with you what 2 men, who both love you very much, spent this weekend doing! Your dad and your Grandpa K. spent this weekend working on your bedroom. They are doing each job with precision; a true labor of love! I can’t wait until you are here, so I can rock you to sleep in your special room!

Love,
Mama

Grandpa K. and Dad working on your room!

Your room is painted!

Dear Baby,

Dad and I went to have an ultrasound today and we learned that you are a girl! We are so very excited!

Love,
Mama

Your Face, 19 Weeks

Your Foot, 19 Weeks

You are a Girl!

Dear Baby,

Thought you might like to know what I’ve been craving while you’ve been growing! The two things I have craved (separately) are lemons and mashed potatoes. I wonder if you will like lemons and mashed potatoes, too!

Love,
Mama

Dear Baby,

Here’s a drawing that Madison did of me. Take a close look — there you are in my belly! You are probably shaped like a bean because we have been lovingly referring to you as the bean.

Love,
Mama

Dear Baby,

Now I want to talk to you a bit about a subject that is kind of sad. Nature works in such a way that it is likely that I will die before you do. I know this is very sad to think about, because just the thought of losing either of my parents causes both an emotional reaction (I get very teary-eyed) and a physical reaction (my stomach hurts) in me. I believe the strength of this reaction is why I need to talk to you about it. First, you need to know that my belief structure is such that I am confident that I will be in Heaven and I will be there with many people whom I have loved and lost. Second, I want you to know that if you feel called to action as a result of my passing, let that action be to be your true self. You see, I believe there are many ways to leave a legacy. Some very lucky individuals find a way to leave a legacy through their work. For the most part, though, for parents, I believe our greatest legacy is our children. I don’t mean what you decide to do for a living, or how much money you make. I believe my legacy will be in how you treat others, the way you prioritize and raise your family and the respect you show to those you are able to help.

There is a song about death and dying that your dad and I love because while it is sad, it is very hopeful. I’ve pasted the lyrics here.

Breakfast Table
by Chris Rice

Then save me a seat at the breakfast table
Save me a dance around the Milky Way
And save me a thousand years to whisper in your ears
All I’ve wanted to say
Save me a smile and an angel’s feather
Save me a walk down the streets of gold
And baby, we’ll change our minds just like old times
And maybe we’ll just fly away
Or maybe we’ll stay

Love,
Mama