How To Upset Your Grandmother

Dear Laney,

You were due to arrive on August 12th, but you were growing so fast that we all thought you'd be here any minute. So, Peg Peg and Tex came here on the first of August so they could be sure that they would be here for your birth.

And we all waited...and waited...and waited...but you just weren't ready to come out. We walked a lot every day, thinking that would hurry you up. One afternoon, we went to Macy's and the saleslady said "OOoh, you better not have that baby in here!" And your grandmother said "She can have that baby anywhere she wants! That's why you have housekeeping staff!"

Every time we would drive down the interstate, we would pass a billboard for Community Hospital with a big picture of a newborn baby. Finally, your grandmother said, "I'm so sick of looking at that baby. Where's OUR baby?"

Three weeks passed and your grandmother had no choice but to go home to Florida. She waited as long as she could, but I guess you just weren't ready. I understand that everything happens in its own time, but your grandmother will probably hold this over you forever.

Love,

Mom

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Dear Laney,

Welcome to Babywatch 2009.

Love,
Mom

Yay, Amy!

Dear Laney,

A big highlight from the summer was having my friend Amy come to visit from California. She stayed with us a few days, and we had a great time - we went down to the river, and your dad showed her how to skip rocks. We also learned that with your help, I have become too big to buckle my life jacket. Thanks a lot.

Love,

Mom

Upside down, you turn me

Dear Laney,

All through my pregnancy, you haven't given me one bit of trouble, EXCEPT... It seems you like to hang out upside down. Before it's time for you to get here, we need to find a way to get you turned the right way. Peg Peg says the problem is that you're nosy and you want to hear what everyone else is saying, so you refused to tuck your head.

We read somewhere that if I lie upside down, that we might get you to flip. Your dad built me a ramp, and I would lie with my head hanging down every night, but it didn't work. We tried shining a flashlight on my belly for a little while to show you where you should go. You thought it was cool for about a minute, then you were over it.

Finally, we heard about an ancient Chinese remedy. I ordered some herbs online, and your dad and Amy helped me follow the directions. We were supposed to light the herbs and hold them next to my pinkie toes. We tried it, but all it did was fill our house with funny smelling smoke and give your dad a reason to play "Bob Marley's Greatest Hits." Someday, I will explain to you why this is funny.

Even though we didn't convince you to flip, we all had a great time trying. I can't remember when I've laughed so hard.

Love,

Mom

Fun Visit

Dear Laney,

While we were waiting on you to arrive, Peg Peg, Tex and Granny Jack all came out for a visit. We had a great time - Dad drove us over to Blodgett Canyon, where your grandmother and I accidentally sat on a log that was covered in ticks. To help her recover from the shock, we stopped at an ice cream place for a treat - one of your grandmother's favorite things to do.

Dad's hoping that you learn to love nature, so we took you on a walk to (literally) expose you to the great outdoors.

We had a cook-out and Grandma Sue, Erik, and your great-grandfather Ron came over to eat. If this many people want to come see you BEFORE you're born, I imagine you're going to be very popular once you get here.

Love,

Mom

P.S. It was Tex's birthday on May 20th, and I have a tradition of making him Martha Stewart's Chocolate Malt Sandwich cookies for his birthday. Maybe in a few years, you can help me make them, because they're HARD.

Is That A Whale, Or Is It Just Your Mama?

Laney,

I'm having a wonderful summer, but sometimes it gets hard to carry you around all day, so your dad took me to the Frenchtown Pond so I could go swimming and let you float around a while.

We brought the canoe, and your dad paddled around while I floated - it took TWO life jackets to keep me up, but I didn't care - I was having so much fun.

I don't remember why, but while your dad and I were sitting on the bank of the pond, I started doing an "I told you so" dance. I was jumping back and forth and singing "Told ya so! Told ya so!" ...And that's when I slipped and fell on my butt.

This should be a lesson for you: God really seems to like your dad, so watch out.

Love,

Mom

Your Hipster Parents

Dear Laney,

We had a few musicians staying with us last night, because they were on tour and needed a place to stay in Missoula. I keep telling you that your mother is cool - I hope you believe me.

They had a good visit, and took this photo of your dad and me standing in front of Nate's truck. There aren't a lot of photos of the two of us together while I'm pregnant with you, so I thought you'd like to see this one.

Love,

Mom

The Taj Mahal of Cribs

Dear Laney,

When he found out you were on your way, Tex called and asked if he could build you a crib. It was an amazingly generous thing for him to do, and I can't even imagine how many hours it took him to do it. The finished product is the prettiest crib I have ever seen, and I'm sure we'll have it in the family for generations to come.

Lucky you, lucky us.

Love,
Mom

Happy Easter!

Dear Laney,

Being pregnant with you has been amazing. You hardly give me any trouble, and I'm starting to be able to feel you move around in there - you're even hiccuping! Even though I'm getting bigger and bigger, I feel beautiful and I like the idea that I'm taking you with me everywhere I go.

Your dad took me out to eat in town for Easter, and we had a great time. There was still a little snow on the ground, but the days were getting warmer and sunnier.

Next year, we will buy you a beautiful Easter dress of your own, but this year, you had to share mine.

Love,

Mom

Fun with Gus

Dear Laney,

Here's what happens most nights at our house:

I get down on the floor and lie down on a big fluffy blanket while your dad and I watch a movie. Gus sneaks over and rests his head on my belly. I'm not sure if he knows you're in there, but I like to think that he knows he has a friend on the way. You always move over to whatever side of me Gus is lying on - probably because he's so warm.

I hope that when you finally get here that you and Gus will be big buddies - I can already tell he wants to meet you.

Love,

Mom

...And I thought I couldn't get bigger

Dear Laney,

Your dad took this picture of me one night while I was brushing my teeth (brushing your teeth = very important). When I saw the picture, I thought "I can't possibly get any bigger than this.

Boy, was I wrong.

Love,

Mom

You're Very Photogenic

Dear Laney,

Your Dad and I went to the Birth Center today and had your picture taken. We think you look like a very relaxed baby. It almost looks like you're hanging out inside my belly, watching TV.

At this point, we don't know very much about you; we don't know if you're going to be a boy or a girl, shy or outgoing, a drama major like me or a science major like your dad.

The one thing we know for sure is that we already love you to pieces and can't wait to meet you.

Love,

Mom

Merry Christmas

Dear Laney -

We've known about you for 6 weeks now, and it's still hard to believe that one day soon, you will be a little person who walks and talks.

This is the first picture ever taken of you. You're just a little peanut, but since it's almost Christmas, I made you a little Santa hat.

You're welcome.

Love,

Mom

Goodbye, Grandma Barb.

Dear Laney,

We got the awful news today that your Great-Grandmother Barbara passed away. It was especially sad, because she didn't get to meet you, and you didn't get to know what a great woman she was.

I'm sure someday, your Dad and I will explain to you what happens when people you love pass away, but in the meantime I think we should concentrate on how amazing Barbara was, and how lucky we all are are that you have part of her in you.

Nate, Brynn, your dad and I all drove down to Colorado for the memorial service, and it was nice to see so many people in Ron and Barbara's living room sharing stories of how Barbara touched their lives and encouraged them to be better people.

This is a good goal: to live so that when you're gone, everyone remembers the good things you did and the good friend you were.

Love,

Mom

We're Having A Baby!

Dear Laney,

This is the day I found out I was going to be your mom.

I didn't know how I was going to tell your dad that we were going to be parents. I drove my car around town, thinking about how I felt - I was excited, scared, nervous, thrilled, overwhelmed...

I called my friend Heather B from the parking lot of the mall, and she answered the phone with "You're pregnant." I don't know how she knew before I told her, but she told me to march right in that mall and buy something for my new baby and celebrate. I bought a onesie that read "Baby Griz" and a winter hat shaped like a puppy. I gift-wrapped them both, and drove off to pick up your dad from school.

When he opened his present, he knew right away. He picked me up and hugged me, and took me out to dinner to celebrate.

I wish we had a picture of ourselves on this day, but we didn't take one because we were too busy calling everyone we knew to tell them we were going to be parents. Your grandmothers cried - all of them.

Only 9 months til we'd get to meet the littlest Burbach...

Love,

Mom