Dear BH2

We can't wait to meet you.

Your sister is especially excited, but I wonder what in her mind she has conjured up thinking about you. She talks about you all the time and already, she is protective of you. She hesitates to hug me because she doesn't want to squish you. Do you know that that's your sister giving you raspberries - that thunderous noise you hear randomly throughout the day, yeah, that one. That's your big sis. She also gives you kisses. When she comes home from school, she runs up to me and lifts my shirt up so she can see how much you've grown. She calls you her baby. She says, "Mommy, you have my baby!"

About your sister... you'll have to cut her some slack. She's had us all to herself for three years. She may not share well right away and she may be a little rough with you. But I'm guessing you're a pretty tough cookie (like your sister). Bella may over hug and over squeeze, but in time she'll learn that she's got to be gentle with you. She's been practicing with her baby Sally and so far, Sally's in pretty good shape.

I wish there was a way to catch you up on all the places we've been and all the things we've done, all of our little family's history. Someday we'll show you all the pictures and share with you all the memories from before you came -- I'm sure you'll grow tired of the same old stories one day. Except for pictures, I'll soon not remember life before you, just as I can't imagine life without Bella.

I can't wait for all the new memories our little family of four will make. I picture you and Bella together all the time -- in the backseat on a road trip, at restaurants, at playgrounds, on rides, sitting on Santa's lap. My imagination runs wild with thoughts of all four of us laughing and playing, giggling and holding hands and I turn into a sappy, happy pile of mush. (Which I'm sure you'll grow weary of as well... every time you have a first...)

I know my schedule hasn't been easy on you (then again, you're not exactly taking it easy on mommy either!). I'm up early and on the go all day; I know I don't get enough sleep. My job is stressful and emotional and perhaps you'd like some more balance and regularity in there. I enjoy you poking and playing with me during meetings; I'm sure my colleagues wonder what I'm smiling about. People at work are always asking me if I'm ok, because I've always got my hands on my belly. If only they knew we were holding hands and high-fiving. I love having you with me all day.

Your daddy is amazing. He's super excited to meet you. What you'll learn about daddy is that he's got banks of energy like nobody else. He works hard and the gears in his mind are always turning. Daddy likes to make up silly songs and they'll stick with you until you're old. Daddy's pretty much a natural at being a dad. When you get stronger he'll roll around on the floor with you, toss you in the air, have tickle wars, and he'll teach you many things that I can't teach you. He loves you fiercely.

We can't wait to meet you.