Dear Little One,
Though your arrival is still two weeks away, my doctor has suggested you might make your debut sooner than expected. The news left me stunned and breathless on the exam table, as I suddenly became acutely aware of my body’s changes. After months of denial, the reality is hitting home—you will be here before we know it.
Caught off guard by how quickly time has flown, my days since that appointment have been a whirlwind of activity. I’ve tried to tackle endless piles of laundry, disinfect every surface in our home, and keep up with the daily mess of food spills and crumbs on the kitchen floor, all in a frantic attempt to prepare for your arrival. I can’t bear the thought of visitors encountering our everyday chaos when you finally make your entrance.
In truth, I feel no more ready than I did before. This feeling is magnified by the fact that your siblings seem to create an equal and opposite force of mess that matches every cleaning effort I attempt. I often find myself feeling drained and anxious, and those emotions have begun to overshadow the gratitude and excitement I should be feeling about you joining our family.
As we approach this bittersweet moment in our journey, I want to make some promises to you, our family, and myself. In the countdown to your arrival, I am committed to savoring every precious moment of this pregnancy.
- I will set aside the relentless housework and meal prep for another time, perhaps even for someone else to handle. Instead, I will sit on the floor among the crumbs and play with your siblings. We will fill these final days with laughter and imagination, allowing ourselves to forget, if only for a moment, that soon I will be sharing my attention with a third child. We will ponder your name (your brother is particularly fond of Stinkbug Fire Truck, so good luck navigating high school!) and witness the delightful dance of your movements within me as we race toy cars and build towers together.
- I will allow my tears to fall as I tuck them into bed at night, quietly grieving for all the changes you will bring to our lives. Yet I also know that you will bring joy and laughter, often at the expense of both our sanity and our living room decor. I will envision the days ahead, when you will hold hands on your first day of school, shed tears when parting for college, and stand side by side on your wedding day. I can already picture the mischievous glances you’ll share when you realize you can join forces to outnumber me.
- I will shift my focus from the discomforts of pregnancy and the fears surrounding labor and delivery. Instead, I will close my eyes and truly connect with you—feeling your tiny life within me. I’ll wonder about your appearance, your dreams, and whether you feel my hand responding to your little nudges. No one else on this planet has experienced you the way I have, and this unique bond we share will come to an end all too soon. While I know I’ll miss your kicks, I look forward to the warmth of your embrace, the safety of your hand in mine, and the gentle twirl of my hair by your tiny fingers as you drift off to sleep.
- Lastly, I will cherish these final moments of this remarkable experience that is pregnancy—something that is special and often celebrated in a woman’s life. As the seasons change in our home and hearts, the pressure of everything that remains to be done before your arrival can overshadow the fleeting beauty of this journey. It may be unrealistic to savor every moment (I still chuckle at the time I accidentally wet myself while inflating birthday balloons), but I feel fortunate to have this reminder to hold my other children close for just a moment longer. I want to be fully present and grateful for the incredible weight I carry each day. It has been an honor to nurture you, and I can’t wait to gaze into your eyes and express the immense love I already feel for you.
With all my love,
Mom
For those exploring their own journeys in fertility, this blog post might offer valuable insights: Couples’ Fertility Journey for Intracervical Insemination. You can also find expert advice on pregnancy at Medical News Today. And don’t forget to check out Cleansing Wipes for helpful tips as you prepare for this exciting time.
Summary
This heartfelt reflection captures the emotions of an expectant mother as she prepares for the arrival of her third child. She emphasizes the importance of cherishing the final weeks of pregnancy, balancing the chaos of family life with moments of joy and connection. The author makes promises to savor these experiences, embrace the changes, and focus on the love and anticipation of welcoming a new member into their family.