You and Your Dad

Dear Laney,

You've only been around for a day, but you and your dad seem to enjoy hanging out together. He says that the two of you will talk when you have something to say to each other, but in the meantime you seem to enjoy staring at each other with serious expressions. I guess you both have a lot to think about.

Love,

Mom

Your First Bath

Dear Laney,

This is a picture of your dad giving you your first bath.

I can't believe you were able to fit into that little pink bucket.

Love,

Mom

Sitting Pretty

Dear Beautiful Girl,

One day, you'll probably hate me for letting other people see these photos.

But in the meantime, we think they're pretty funny.

Love,

Mom

The scariest, longest, HAPPIEST day ever!

Dear Laney,

We woke up on August 24th, and you still weren't here. Our wonderful midwife Jeanne came over and spent the day with us at Nate and Brynn's. We tried everything we could think of to convince you to come out, but you just didn't want to budge. I guess you were happy right where you were.

At 8pm, we decided that we needed to go to the hospital - maybe THEY could talk you into making your grand entrance. We met with Dr Braak, who told us that you might be bigger than we thought you were. We all started making guesses at how big you were going to be. Dr Braak guessed ten pounds. We had the nicest nurses you can imagine, and they helped your mom get ready for surgery. Your Aunt Brynn was there, and since she's a nurse, she got to come with us. We walked down to the operating room to get ready to bring you into the world.

Your dad came in and looked so handsome in his scrubs. He held my hand while I laid on the table. This wasn't at all how we thought your birth would be, but it didn't matter. All that we cared about was that you were safe and healthy and almost here!

But you STILL didn't want to come out. I heard Dr Braak say "Work with me, kid!" Then, at 10:41pm, she lifted you out of me and held you up for me to see. Your face was a little smushed up - you had had a VERY hard day, and you had a full head of VERY dark hair.

The nurses took you over to the scale to be weighed and I heard them say "Oh...my...GOD!" It turns out you were a little over 11 pounds. Then you started to cry and we knew you were going to be okay.

Your dad and I got to hold you for a little while, and I think we were both in shock - we couldn't believe that we were finally parents, and that we were going to be responsible for this little person. Your dad had tears in his eyes, and he just kept whispering "You're so awesome. You're so awesome."

We all slept together in the hospital room - our first night as a family.

Welcome to the world, Baby Girl!

Love,

Mom

August 23 - A Surprise on The Way...

Dear Laney,

Your grandfather Philip told me that he's always had a weird feeling about August 23rd, and every time that date would roll around on the calendar, he would get this sneaking suspicion that something should be happening.

On August 23, 2009, your dad and I went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse with your Uncle Nate and Aunt Brynn. We were planning on having you at their house, with the help of a midwife. You were supposed to come on August 12th, but you were late, and we were starting to wonder if you were ever going to come out.

After dinner, we stopped by our midwife's office for another check-up, to see if you were any closer to making an appearance. Right there in her office, I went into labor. We drove over to Nate and Brynn's house, ecstatic that we were about to have a baby.

We watched some TV, and then I got on my pajamas and got into bed, but I couldn't sleep because I was so nervous and excited (and because I was having contractions).

But you decided you didn't want to be born on the 23rd, so we'll have to continue this story tomorrow...

Love,

Mom

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