First of many letters to our baby.

First of all, I wanted to thank all of our sweet friends for your encouragement and support regarding our little surprise. What fun it was to share it this way with all of you! All of your sweet comments brought our family such joy. Thank you!

Dear Sweet Poppy,

I bet you are wondering why we are calling you 'Little Poppy'. The afternoon that Mommy and Daddy found out about you, we looked in all of our baby books for some information. The books all said that you are the size of a poppy seed. Little one, that is amazing to me. My limited math skills can't even put a measurement on how tiny that is. So tiny. So fragile. Yet, life.

You have been on Mommy's heart and mind long before you were conceived. I have whispered your name and dreamt of our life together. There have been many times in the last year that I have actually missed you. We had a wonderful vacation at the beach last Christmas. As I watched Z and L playing together and playing with cousins, I missed that you were not there. I know that is so silly of me. But my heart has ached for you for some time. I am so excited that you are finally coming.

I can't wait until you meet your Daddy. I feel like I have you all to myself right now and he is an outsider to all that we are experiencing and feeling. But your daddy is someone so special. You will fall madly in love with him the instant he touches you. He will adore you. Daddy will be your best friend and ally against your crazy siblings. He will protect you, snuggle you, tickle you, teach you, discipline you, pray for you, help you with any struggle. You will feel safe in his arms and I promise that you will cry when he leaves for work each day. You will shout for joy when he returns and run into his embrace. He is the one for Legos and Lincoln Logs, not me. He is the one for baseball games and hallway golf. He will be the first one to cradle you at night when you cry, mommy will come but daddy is always there first (probably because mommy can't hear, not because he loves you more!) You and your daddy will be thick as thieves. Oh, I can't wait until the two of you meet. You will love him instantly.

Your brother and sister are thrilled with our good news of you. Each of them claiming you for their very own. Of course, Z wants a brother. Actually, he wants you to be 10 years old when you are born. I think he just wants a chance to be the little. He is a terrific big brother. You will love his humor and his tendency for mischief. I know the two of you will be instant friends but don't lay on the floor too long or you will be his wrestling partner. Loulabelle is already making a home for you. She will be your other mother. I think you will find refuge with her when Big Z is being too wild. She will invite you into her world with no questions asked. She will teach you how to craft and care for all things small. You will be loved by both of them. You will complete our family.

Oh, sweet one. Do you feel our love for you? Do you feel the hand of God forming you in my womb? We love a mighty and awesome God. His mighty hand can shake the heavens and move mountains. With the power of His words, He formed the entire Earth. Yet His touch is so delicate, so tender that He can form something as small as you. To quote Z's favorite song, "Our God is an AWESOME God." Oh how I pray that you will follow Him all of your days. I pray that your heart will beat with His throughout your life. Poppy, He knows the plans for you. Plans for a hope and a future. My lips will praise Him.

As of right now, you are about 2.5 inches from head to toe. This week in development, you are forming eyelids to protect your eyes, fingerprints, and your ears are continuing to shape. Your progress from that little poppy seed has been a work of God alone. You are a miracle. I hope you are not feeling my outward effects of this pregnancy. I hope you are getting nourishment even when there is no food staying in. I know you are well protected and that I shouldn't fear. But I am your mom and I worry. I was laughing tonight thinking about what I have gone through so far. Someday in the distant future (when you are being naughty!) I will remind you of all this. I will remind you of what it was like to walk around with you in my belly and all that came with that. These days are long, but I know you are worth every minute of it.

You are precious to us. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and smell the smell of you. Come quickly.

Love, your Mommy