Dear Precious Child,

Your mommy and daddy are so excited to meet you. We’ve been praying for you before we even found out we were expecting you. Your dad and I have wanted you and anticipated your birth for 9+ months now and the anticipation builds as you’ve decided to stay in my belly for a little longer than your expected due date.

We cannot wait to see what you look like. To watch your personality bloom. To discover your talents. If you are anything like your father and I– (and from what I’ve experienced since the moment I felt you move inside my belly) you will be a dancing machine! It’s okay if you think you look silly– that is part of the fun! The heart of a good dancer is one that lets loose and doesn’t care what people think! I pray that you have your daddy’s gift of music. Mommy loves to sing– but your dad has an amazing voice. Daddy and I also have an amazing talent to write our own songs– you’ll blush many times I’m sure– but you’ll always know we love you and hopefully you’ll love to make up songs and sing along with us!

Mommy and Daddy were so excited to find out we were expecting you the day before Easter (May 22nd 2008). We took the pregancy test four days before we were supposed to– but we couldn’t wait a moment more. We were up visiting your Grandpa & Marmee Marshall along with your Aunt Pinky, Uncle Epic, Uncle Evan, & Aunt Natalie. We were actually celebrating the engagement of Uncle Evan and Aunt Natalie.

While I Was Pregnant…

Even though I had a rough pregnancy, I’ve loved you every single moment. I got very sick with you about a week or so after Easter. I ended up in the hospital with dehydration because I was nauseous and couldn’t keep anything down. I ended up with a Zofran pump to help with the nausea. I was on the medication from March-June and then one day the nausea lifted. In July, while on a missions trip (REACH 200 we had slight spotting and after a trip to the ER discovered I had a kidney stone! (Mommy probably had the kidney stone before you were conceived) They sent mommy on her way… but that wasn’t the end of the precious stone I carried in my kidney while carrying you in my tummy! In October, the kidney stone struck again. Of course, I thought I was in labor with you since my back was in a lot of pain– but after 6 hours of horrific pain, daddy took me to the hospital where they told me the stone was causing the problems. Because your mommy has the best of luck, this wasn’t all. I was also having contractions with you because the kidney stone was making you uncomfortable too. (you just thought it was time to meet us) (but we wanted you to stay in my belly a little longer) They gave me some medicine to take away the pain and also have my contractions stop.

The End…

So– your due date was November 30th (three days after Thanksgiving) Everyone expected we’d meet you before then. We were hoping you’d come a day or two before Thanksgiving so that we could sit back and enjoy you with our families– but you had other plans. We had a great time. Both sides of the family came to celebrate the holiday together. Opa and Grandma Stube, Grandpa and Marmee Marshall, Uncle Nat & Aunt Heather (and guess what… they are giving you a COUSIN!!), Uncle Eric and Aunt Pinky, & Uncle Andrew and your soon to be Aunt Kristen were there. Everyone brought food and we celebrated at St. David’s Episcopal Church. We had a great time. Your daddy and the guys went out and played Whiffle Ball while mommy and the ladies stayed inside and chatted. Over the weekend– we did all kinds of things to bring you into this world. The families took a hike at Balls Bluff (nothing), played games (laughed a lot… still nothing), shopped until I just about dropped (nothing)!! It was a great time with family but we would have loved for you to be a part of the celebration!

We love you little one! Can’t wait to meet you!

Love Always,

Mommy & Daddy