I thought it would be fun to write a letter to you before I met you. We could read it together later and laugh about how clueless I was about you!
Dear Stella,
It's Christmas 2011 and I honestly haven't thought at all about the holiday this year. All I can think about is March, when I get to meet you for the first time.
Your Dad and I went to the hospital this week to check out where you would be born! I thought for sure going to the hospital would make me anxious but instead it made me incredibly excited. What a gift it is to bring someone into the world and because of you I get to experience that.
You have no idea how much you were prayed for, wanted, hoped for, for so many years. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, even back in high school when I worked in a toy store and joked about getting my tubes tied. :-) But, when I found out about YOU I couldn't have been happier. I remember standing in the bathroom completely convinced that I had willed the second blue line to appear, there was no way I was blessed with a baby. But, I was wrong, I have been blessed, actually the whole pregnancy. So far (at 26 weeks) you have been perfect. No morning sickness, cramps, bleeding, nothing.
You kick everyday now, especially after I eat or drink a lot of water. I also discovered just this week that you love music. Not just any music though. We were in the car on the way to work and Sir Mix A Lot came on "Baby Got Back". You were dancing! The song stopped and so did you. I thought this was probably just something I had willed to happen (like those little lines on the test) until I got to work and went on youtube. I put my earphones on my belly and let Sir Mix A Lot do his thing and boom, you were all over the place again. If this is a taste of the type of kid you're going to be then we're going to have a blast together!
Speaking of music I keep hearing this song and it reminds me of you. It's by a band called The Wanted (pardon the pun). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ggzxInyzVE&ob=av2e
Your godmother sent me 2 CDs for you yesterday. I will give them to you someday so you can hear all the music that made your godmother and I so excited to meet you!
I read something a few years ago (okay I saw it on Oprah) that we choose our parents based on what we feel we can learn from them. I chose very well and I hope you feel the same way. It did make me think of all the things I want/need to teach you. So here is a list of random advice in no particular order that I have either learned or someone wise shared with me and it made me a better person.
Mom
Dear Stella,
It's Christmas 2011 and I honestly haven't thought at all about the holiday this year. All I can think about is March, when I get to meet you for the first time.
Your Dad and I went to the hospital this week to check out where you would be born! I thought for sure going to the hospital would make me anxious but instead it made me incredibly excited. What a gift it is to bring someone into the world and because of you I get to experience that.
You have no idea how much you were prayed for, wanted, hoped for, for so many years. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, even back in high school when I worked in a toy store and joked about getting my tubes tied. :-) But, when I found out about YOU I couldn't have been happier. I remember standing in the bathroom completely convinced that I had willed the second blue line to appear, there was no way I was blessed with a baby. But, I was wrong, I have been blessed, actually the whole pregnancy. So far (at 26 weeks) you have been perfect. No morning sickness, cramps, bleeding, nothing.
You kick everyday now, especially after I eat or drink a lot of water. I also discovered just this week that you love music. Not just any music though. We were in the car on the way to work and Sir Mix A Lot came on "Baby Got Back". You were dancing! The song stopped and so did you. I thought this was probably just something I had willed to happen (like those little lines on the test) until I got to work and went on youtube. I put my earphones on my belly and let Sir Mix A Lot do his thing and boom, you were all over the place again. If this is a taste of the type of kid you're going to be then we're going to have a blast together!
Speaking of music I keep hearing this song and it reminds me of you. It's by a band called The Wanted (pardon the pun). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ggzxInyzVE&ob=av2e
Your godmother sent me 2 CDs for you yesterday. I will give them to you someday so you can hear all the music that made your godmother and I so excited to meet you!
I read something a few years ago (okay I saw it on Oprah) that we choose our parents based on what we feel we can learn from them. I chose very well and I hope you feel the same way. It did make me think of all the things I want/need to teach you. So here is a list of random advice in no particular order that I have either learned or someone wise shared with me and it made me a better person.
- Math is fun, don't be intimidated. Trust me on this one.
- Smart girls have more fun. My grandmother used to tell me "beauty fades, dumb is forever". She was right!
- If someone makes you feel bad about yourself then they are not your true friend/boyfriend. Peer pressure is not cool! You're better than that.
- Don't be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone, this is the only way you learn and grow. (unless it is illegal, endangers your health or it involves peer pressure)
- Brush and floss your teeth everyday
- Never forget where you came from and who you are. I keep pictures of my parents and my grandmother in my wallet at all times in case I forget.
- I may not always agree with your decisions but I will always love you.
- Your Dad is pretty cool. He's a hard worker and a self made man. You'll be impressed with him, I promise. You picked a good Dad!
- Uncle Matt is fun but if he tells you "Mom and Dad won't care if I buy you this (drum set, baby anaconda, dirt bike or beer when you're older)" don't believe him. We do care and the answer is NO!
- If you don't know the answer look it up. Nothing is scarier than the unknown.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. That's the only way you learn.
- When you make decisions think of everyone involved, not just yourself.
- Share
- One of the reasons Christmas is my favorite holiday is the gift giving. I love to see people's faces when I give them the perfect gift. Giving is more important than receiving.
- Spend time with your grandparents. You'll learn something new every time you talk to them.
- Middle School isn't forever, it does get better
- Spend less than you make. Debt is right up there with peer pressure....not cool!
- Be comfortable in your own skin. This is a hard one but one day you will be and the world will be your oyster!
Mom
SO much here.
ReplyDeleteFirst. Your godmother. Little chills. THAT IS ME!!!!!!! I wasn't sure if we were telling every one or not, but you know I am taking this godmother business seriously. I will probably go back and read this post often, just so I can see "your godmother" in all of its officiallness. You are right- we are so excited!
Second. You signed this, Mom. More chills. You are A MOM!!!!!!!!!!!
Third. This is the best advice! I may have to print it out and pretend like it was really advice for me (except for the Uncle Matt thing. Unless he wants to adopt me as a niece and buy me alcohol?). Good for you...I hope Stella is not afraid of Math. I LOVE that. I also love the part about middle school ending! YES! Haha. You know I laughed out loud at "dumb is forever". Hahahaha.
I love you and Stella (and the awesome hard working dad! Stella IS lucky!).
Next Christmas...you will have a baby Stella!!
Very sweet :) You are already an awesome mom! Also, I love your list of advice - especially about middle school! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are going to be the best mom!! I laughed about middle school. I was right there with you!! And yay for no debt and smart girls :) Oh, and math too....I am such a nerd.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful!! love the math, middle school, debt advice. Love you both, can't wait to see you!!
ReplyDeleteOk, Our kids can't be friends b/c i am just going to copy your advice and give it to Molly and pass it off as my own. I would say all the same things (EXCEPT math is so, so, so NOT fun if you suck at it. I still have nightmares about learning my times tables..shudder)! Middle school is the other thing I still have nightmares about. I never thought the hell would end!! You are going to be the best mom and I can't wait to meet baby Stella! She won't have to worry about the beauty vs. brains thing b/c i am pretty confident she will have both!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Stella is a lucky baby:)
ReplyDeleteEmily, I love the name Stella.
ReplyDeleteI am super late seeing this, but what a wonderful post, Emily! You give excellent advice, Stella is one lucky kid!
ReplyDelete