Dear LBK,
Our last trimester starts today, my darling. Time has gone by so fast! In just three short months, you’ll be here. Yesterday was Christmas, and your presence was certainly felt. And not just by all the kicking and moving around you were doing. For someone who’s technically not here yet, Santa was sure good to you this year. You received several Christmas gifts from people who love you already.
Grandma Mary and Poppa Steve gave you a new crib and dresser for your room. Your Uncle Aaron sent you a DVD set of Christmas classics with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Grandpa Rocky sent you your first piece of mail, addressed to LBK and everything. It contained your first Christmas card and a generous gift card to Babies R Us.
Grandma Lori sent you Taylor, a plush, white puppy dog, and profits from the purchase went to a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in your honor. She also sent a blanket and some baby clothes that my grandmother and great-grandmother crocheted for me when I was a baby. It’s so special to be able to pass those items on to you. Grandma Lori also made a special trip to Bronner’s, the year-around Christmas megastore in Frankenmuth, MI where she bought two special ornaments for our tree this year. One is a snow lady with your due date written on it, and the other has an Irish baby blessing, welcoming you into the world.
Daddy and I wrapped a little something for you, too. A soft giraffe rattle and Sophie, the classic teething giraffe from France, just like the one your friend, Claire, has. The giraffes match the décor in your bedroom. I can’t wait for you to see it. We washed the blankets and crib set, and spent a few minutes on Christmas night putting your bed together. Now your room is really starting to look like a nursery. I washed the tiny clothes that you’ve received so far, folded them up and put them neatly away in your new dresser.
I spent much of the day thinking about what next Christmas, your first Christmas, will be like. You will be about nine months old and will probably get more joy out of tearing the wrapping paper then what’s inside the packages. When your Uncle Aaron was a baby, he thought tearing paper was the funniest thing ever. He wouldn’t just giggle when we tore the paper in front of him. He cracked up! He’d laugh deep belly laughs until he got the hiccups, and we would laugh at him laughing. I wonder if you’ll think tearing paper is funny, too.
I tried to imagine you on Christmas morning – what cute, festive pajamas you might wear, what your stocking will look like, what kind of toy you will be most drawn to. I hummed Christmas carols to you as we cleared the breakfast table and made cookies for our friends. When you started kicking again during dinner, Daddy put his hand on my belly, hoping to feel those strong legs of yours and offer you his comfort and love. He’s so proud of you already.
You’ve already made a place for yourself, my sweet LBK. Under our tree, in our home, and in our hearts. Merry Christmas, baby.
I love you,
Mommy
Mommy
