I’m A Girl! I’m Rachel!

I’m so excited!!! You finally found out!!! I’ve wanted you to know for so long!!

You were so sure I was a boy. I’ve heard you and Daddy talking, and I couldn’t help laughing. Boy, did I surprise you both!! You were so sure, at least most of the time, but every once in a while I heard you saying, “well, maybe it IS a girl…”

2015-12-13 13.50.44My grandmother knew though, even before she found out for sure. And I’m so surprised you didn’t give in and let her go ahead and tell you. I know you wanted Daddy to find out with you, and you wanted to see each other’s reactions, but I don’t know whether I could’ve waited, knowing all you had to do was ask. I’m still amazed you wouldn’t even let her tell my grandfather though.

It was so funny that day when my grandmother said something about me, and said “he”. You were sure you knew then, and I was laughing so hard, and clapping my little hands….I almost did a cartwheel inside you, I was laughing so hard! I may be only the size of a peach right now, but I’m surprised you didn’t feel me jumping and kicking!

I heard you all making plans for the day you’d find out, and I was as excited as you were! I thought Daddy would never get home from his work!!! I know you felt the same way.

2015-12-13 13.34.45I woke up early that morning…did you feel me moving around?? I just couldn’t keep still!! You and Daddy were excited, too, and when my grandparents got there I knew it wouldn’t be long! Now I heard you talking about a big balloon, and it sounded like there was a party going on, from all the excitement I heard!

Then all of a sudden you were yelling, “Pink??? Are you sure??”

Yes! I’m sure!! I’m a girl!!! Now you all finally know!!

I don’t know how many people were there today, but I sure heard a lot of voices, and a lot of people talking about dresses and ruffles and bows and all kinds of fun girly things! Mommy, we’re going to have such a special relationship, you and me! I can’t wait! And I know Daddy will be so protective of his little girl…you’ll probably have to talk to him about that, because I heard him say when I’m older he’s not going to let me out of the house without him!

2015-12-13 13.55.49And by the way, that cake my grandmother brought over for the party? It was delicious! I’d like some more of that, please. With some ice cream? And a big glass of milk!

I’m sure you have lots of pictures from today, too, and you know I’m going to want to see them! I want to see your faces when you found out that I was Rachel and not Ryan. Ryan will come along a little later I’m sure.

So now instead of just calling me “baby” and “it”, you can call me Rachel and talk about “her” and what “she” will be like! Isn’t this exciting, Mommy? I knew you’d be happy!

And by the way, your friend who lives down the street, who was there today, well, she’s going to have a baby also. She hasn’t told you yet, and I can also tell you she’s having a little boy. How do I know this? Because God told me. I’m going to have a lot of fun playing with him, too. He might even be my first boyfriend!

But don’t tell Daddy! I don’t think you and Daddy are ready for that just yet. After all, I’m not even in your arms yet. I’m still inside of you.

And it’s been a busy day for all of us, so I’ll say good night now. I know you’re tired, because I hear you yawning. Good night, Mommy. I know you’re going to dream about me tonight. And I’m going to dream about doing fun things with you, going for walks, having you read to me, swinging on the swings in the park, oh, it’s going to be wonderful!!

Sleep good! I know I will! I love you!

XOXOXOXOXO

Telling the World

We sure had a good time today, didn’t we? I heard Grandmom ask you so many times when you were actually going to tell everyone about me, and so finally you did! I know it must have been really tough not to tell people until you had your announcement planned just right, but I’ve been wanting you to announce me since I came to be inside of you!Three dogs

And I’m glad you got my doggie brothers involved in the whole thing, taking their pictures and letting THEM make the announcement. I heard all of the commotion when you were trying to get them to cooperate with the lady taking the pictures! They sound like they’re going to be such fun to be around, and I’m sure when I’m a little bigger, we’ll all have a wonderful time together.

Drake with signEspecially that Drake puppy! You kept telling him what to do all the time, and it didn’t sound like he was cooperating too well. I bet he’s really going to be a lot of fun! And please don’t let him steal my socks!

I heard you talking about all the people congratulating you because of me. It’s so exciting, isn’t it! Your grandmother told me everyone would be so excited for you and Daddy! Just like all her friends were when she told them you were coming into the world. I heard you reading some of the congratulations messages, and it sounds like you have some really great friends! I can’t wait to meet them all! Do you think they’ll like me? Will they babysit for me?

I can’t wait to meet you, Mommy! And Daddy, too! I mean, I’m already here, sort of, even though I’m only about the size of a lime. And you’ve already heard my heartbeat. Wasn’t that a great moment? I’ve been hearing yours all along, and now you’ve heard mine. They beat together, you know, yours and mine. Isn’t that amazing how God designed us? And everything you eat or drink, I get to taste as well. I particularly like ice cream, and milkshakes, just like you do, so please keep giving me those. They’re yummy!

Some of the people are already asking you if you think I’m a boy or a girl! I wanted to scream out, “I’m Rachel, and I’m a girl!” But of course, I can’t talk yet, and no one could hear me either, if I did. But your grandmother also told me that YOUR mom already knows, just because…. I know your mother, my grandmother, is a very special person, and she’s going to be a big part of my life, just like her mother was such a big part of yours!

You’re already showing that little bump in your belly where I’m growing. And you’ve already had to get some new clothes because of me, but I think you’re enjoying that part as well. I know how much you like to shop, and I also know as soon as you find out I’m a girl, you’re probably going to have a great time buying things for me. And I’m sure I’ll love them all!

It’s been an exciting day, and I’m yawning, so I’m going to say good night now, and I imagine you are, too. I know I’m making you tired, and we both need our sleep right now.

Good night, Mommy! I love you! I’ll talk to you later!

XOXOXOXOXO

Love At First Sight

Today was a really big day wasn’t it mommy? You and Daddy actually got to see me for the first time! I was right there, just taking it easy, resting inside of you. I was trying to pose for the pictures but that ultrasound wand sort of tickled me and every once in a while, and I had to move around and start laughing. You couldn’t tell though, because I’m still only about the size of a raspberry.

My arms and legs aren’t quite formed yet, so I couldn’t wave at you like I wanted to, but I was smiling at you. Did you see me smiling? Your grandmother told me I have a beautiful smile, just like yours. And just like your mother’s!

I heard you and daddy talking about me while you were looking at me on the screen. You were both so amazed to see tiny little me right there inside of you. Now you really understand that I’m here with you, and you’re really going to have a baby. Me!!!

And my grandparents were excited, too! Especially Granddad, because I heard him crying. That was so cool!! And I heard my grandmother saying how she was just so overwhelmed that her little girl was having a baby of her own! I heard her starting to cry as well!!

2015-10-14 16.40.14And I heard the nurse giving you all my first baby pictures. I may not look a lot like a baby to you right now, but that’s ME in those pictures! Over the next few weeks my arms and legs, and fingers and toes, will be forming. My heart is already beating, and soon you’ll be able to hear it. Just like I hear yours every minute I’m awake. It lulls me to sleep when I’m tired, and reminds me how close we are. Mother and baby. Inseparable.

2015-10-14 16.07.05I know you’re already wondering what I’m going to look like, and in the next few months you’ll get a few glimpses from the ultrasounds, but you really won’t truly know until I’m here. Which will be sooner than you think. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but the days will pass by quicker than you think. Not quick enough for me either, because I can’t wait to be in your arms and look into your eyes. That’s going to be the most special moment ever!!!!

Well, I need some more sleep, so I’ll say good night for now! Don’t lose those pictures, because I’m going to want to see them all when I’m old enough!

I love you soooo much!!!!

XOXOXOXO

Surprise!

Hi, Mommy! It’s me again! It’s sure been a week of surprises for everyone, hasn’t it!? And I’m so glad it’s all because of ME!!!

You had no idea at all, did you, Mommy, when you went to the doctor that you’d get such news!? You just thought you had a bad cold. Little did you know the doctor would come back in and say, “I have some good news for you. You’re going to have a baby!”

How did you feel at that moment? You actually had to ask the doctor to repeat what he’d said because you were so shocked! You and Daddy had wanted to have a baby, but you didn’t really think it would happen this soon.

I was jumping up and down for joy to know you finally knew about me. Even though I’m not quite as big as a blueberry, and you certainly couldn’t feel me moving around yet, but I was sure excited! Finally, you knew I was there!

But you had to keep the news all to yourself, because Daddy wouldn’t be home for another week, and you didn’t want to tell him on the phone, because you wanted to see his face when you told him. And it wouldn’t be fair to have told Grandmom and Granddad before Daddy, so you couldn’t tell anyone except the doggies. How in the world did you manage to keep such a secret? Were my doggie brothers excited when you told them? I couldn’t really tell from the way they were barking.

But your mother, my grandmother, knew. She knew as soon as she saw you that next weekend. I guess it’s just something that moms know. I’m sure you’ll find out one day as well. You just looked different; you acted different. And you wanted a milkshake so bad you thought you’d starve if you didn’t get one immediately. That milkshake tasted pretty good to me, too, although I would have preferred chocolate rather than vanilla. Next time, please remember that!

2015-10-11 14.31.08And when you told Daddy when he finally got home from the boat, was he ever surprised! I wish I could’ve seen the look on his face, but I can only hear your voices. I’m sure when I’m older you’ll show me the pictures so I can see his reaction for myself. I wonder what was going through his mind when it all sank in. He was going to be a daddy! Just like you’re going to be a mommy! I wanted to listen to your conversations that night, but I fell asleep. Too much excitement for one day!

And my grandparents’ reactions were wonderful! I heard the excitement in my grandmother’s voice, but what really got me was hearing my grandfather choking back tears. I’m sure he was crying. I can’t wait to meet him, because I know he’s going to be the best grandfather ever! He and I will have so much fun together! We all will.

Well, Mommy, it’s sure been an exciting week, hasn’t it?! There’s so much to think about, and dream about. Just remember when you’re dreaming about our future, I’m doing that, too. Before I left heaven, your grandmother told me all sorts of things to think about, and look forward to. And she especially asked me to smile at you every day, and kiss you as soon as I’m able to, to remind you how much she loves you. And so does your grandfather. I wish you could have met him, because he’s just as wonderful as your grandmother. My great-grandparents.

I promise to smile at you every day, and kiss you, and hold your finger tightly, and just remind you of all the love that’s surrounding you, and me, and our whole family. We have so much to look forward to!

I love you and Daddy already! And my grandparents! So very much! Good night, until we talk tomorrow!

XOXOXOXOXO

Good Morning, Mommy

Good morning Mommy. Yes, I’m talking to you. That little voice you’re hearing is me. You don’t even know about me yet, but guess what!? You’re going to be a mommy. MY Mommy! And I already know that you’re going to be the best mommy in the whole world!!

Did you know I already hear your heartbeat? I hear each and every breath you take. I hear the sound of your voice when you’re talking to Daddy. I hear you when you’re talking to my grandparents. I love to hear the sound of your voice. You don’t even know I’m in here yet, but I’m listening to every word you say.

But you will. And very soon.

Right now I’m really, really tiny. Actually I’m about the size of a poppy seed. I’ve only been here for a little while, so it’s really too early for you to know I’m here. But soon you’re going to go to the doctor, and she’s going to tell you the wonderful news. I sure hope you’re going to be as excited as I am! We’re going to have a wonderful time together, you, me, and Daddy.

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

You see, God created me just for the two of you. I have your eyes. And I have Daddy’s laugh. I have your smile. I have Daddy’s chin. Without the beard of course. I have my grandmother’s spirit, and my grandfather’s funny sense of humor.

Your grandmother, my great-grandmother, has been taking care of me for the last few months while God prepared me for you. She’s been telling me all about you. She is so proud of you, and she loves you so much. She’s so excited about giving me to you. She even knew my name before you did. Because she knew you’d be naming me after her. I’m your Rachel.

Mommy, we’re going to have so much fun together. We’ll go to the beach. We’ll play in the park. We’ll go shopping, and you’ll buy me all kinds of pretty clothes. Daddy will teach me to fish and hunt. I know they’re not really girly things to do but that’s what Daddy likes, and I know he’s going to have a great time teaching me. And I’m really going to make him proud of me. And you, too.

I can’t wait until you find out about me. We have a while to wait before we officially meet, and I’m already counting the days! And soon you will be, too!!!

Well, I’m getting tired, and I need my sleep. And so do you. You have been feeling a bit tired lately. I’m sorry, but that’s because of me. But I’ll be worth it! I promise!

I love you so much, Mommy, and I’ll talk to you later!

XOXOXOXOXO