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

I DO!

Dear Laney,

Your dad and I had a beautiful wedding. We had about a hundred of our closest family and friends, and everyone seemed to have a great time. When you get a little older, be sure to ask Granny Jack about the food - she can tell you all about it.

When I met your dad, I knew he was the one for me. He did everything he promised he would do, and never let me down. I remember on one of our first dates, we were holding hands crossing the street on our way to dinner and I thought “Nothing bad will ever happen to me when Thor’s around.” I knew he was the kind of man who would make a great husband to me, and a great future father to you.

When you start thinking about getting married (which shouldn't be for a LONG time to come), be sure to look for someone who makes you feel like this. I think it's the secret to happiness.

Love,

Mom

See? Your Parents Are Fun

Dear Laney,

I'm sure there will be times in your life when you'll think we're no fun.

I just wanted to let you know - you'll be wrong.

Love,

Mom

Engaged!

Dear Laney,

You won't be born for a few years now, but I thought you'd like to see how our little family got started.

Your Dad and I had been dating for a year and a half - he lived in San Diego and I lived in Los Angeles, but I missed him so much when he wasn't around that I would drive up and down the Interstate every weekend to see him. Which brings me to my first bit of Mom Tip:

Mom Tip #1: If you're ever in LA, avoid the 405 and stick to surface streets.

For Christmas 2007, we went to Cedaredge, CO to visit with your great-grandparents Ron and Barbara. On New Years Eve, your Dad said he wanted to take me for a drive to see the Colorado National Monument. You may have learned this on your own by now, but your Dad isn't very good at keeping secrets. He starts to fidget and look guilty. So I knew he was going to propose. Anyway, we went on a long drive and as we wound up and up and up this mountain, and the whole time I was thinking "I wish he'd just pull over and give me the ring already!" When he finally thought he had found the perfect spot, he pulled the car over and suggested we get out. It was 13 degrees outside, so he gave me his coat. He said "There's something in the pocket for you." When I reached my hand in there, I felt a ring box. Your Dad got down on one knee and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and I agreed right away - and not just because I wanted to get back in the heated car.

What's funny about this picture is I was SO sure that your Dad was going to propose, that I made him stop at Wal-Mart on the way to the Monument so I could buy a camera.

The next morning, we had champagne with Grandma Sue and your great-grandparents, and then we went skiing. It was a beautiful day, and we were very happy. But not as happy as we were going to be when we met you.

Love,

Mom