2004-09-11 - 12:03 p.m.
Dear Sippy Cup,
I love you, little baby inside me. I love everything you make me feel.
I love that you make me giggle every time you kick. I love that you make me cry out of happiness. I love that you have captured my heart like no one else ever has.
I love that you make your Papa melt like butter and you're not even out yet. I love that you're going to be in my arms one day. I love that you'll cry for me when you're hungry or crabby or need to be changed. I love that you'll need me to protect you. You will trust me with all your baby might.
I love that you'll never be afraid of dogs. Our dogs will love you like no other dogs will. They will sit by your crib, lick your fingers, and jump at the sound of you stirring in your sleep. They will let me know when you are awake. They will protect you like they protect their Mama...fiercely.
I love that I can hear your heartbeat when I go to the doctor. I love that it beats so hard for your Papa and me. I love that your Papa enjoys this new shape I'm taking. I love that you make me think about you so much. I can't stop thinking about you and what our home will be like once you're here.
I love that you'll make this home warmer and louder. I love that the Christmas tree will be surrounded with presents just for you. I love that there will be a highchair in this house that will actually be used. I love that I'll be able to smell your baby smell and know that it's you. You'll grasp my finger, look into my eyes, and smile at me one day. You'll laugh with your eyes, you'll giggle that special baby giggle, and you'll make me change thousands of poopy diapers. I won't mind at all because I've waited for you all my life.
You'll make me stand next to your crib to make sure you're breathing. You'll make your Daddy and I stare at you and hug. You'll take a bath in the kitchen sink when you are brand new. You'll uncover the layers of my heart while I cover you with your blanket at night. You'll wake me up in the middle of the night, not just because you're hungry, but because I'll want to make sure you're still there.
You are so real to me. I can feel you when you're awake. I can feel you when your Papa walks into the room. The dogs put their heads on my belly when I'm laying down. Why? It's because they know you are there, too. And you kick. Why? It's because you can't wait to meet them.
We are a family. Papa and I love you like nobody else ever will. We can't wait to see your face, hold you hands, and rock you to sleep. We have dreams about you. You will be a lucky baby because this house is full of a lot of love. From the outside, I can see that house is smiling because it knows it will have a very special member in it in a few months. We will all grow here together. You will have many, many wonderful memories here that you'll take with you for the rest of your life.
I'm excited about seeing your face. I want to hold you and never let you out of my sight. You may be inside of me, but you're already etched in my heart. You have taken over my heart. My heart beats for yours. We share the same blood, the same food, the same life. You are my dream come true. I have wanted you for my whole life.
When I first saw your Papa, I knew he'd be your father. He took my heart the way you just have. You were meant to be ours. This will be the best place for you...right here with us.
As you stretch your tiny arms and legs out, bouncing off the walls of my womb, I'll be here in the outside world with a smile on my face, knowing that I have the greatest thing to happen to me right here with me. I will smile when you kick because only I will know that you are saying something to me. You will be telling me you love me in your own special way. When you get bigger and keep me up at night with your kicks, I will know that you don't want to be alone. You'll be reminding me that we will always be together. When you start making your way out in a few months, I will know that the moment I've been waiting for is very near. You will be in my arms shortly and that will help me during our labor. It is OUR labor, after all. You want to get out as much as I'll want you out. We'll need to work together.
This is not an easy world to live in, but I will do my best to give you the support, guidance, and encouragement you need when tackling it. I want you to know that I've loved you since I found out you were inside me and I will love you for all the days. We will have a bond like no one else. You grew inside me, you'll grow outside of me, and we'll plant the seeds of the future with each other until the end of time.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
Love,
Mama.
