On the Night Before You Were Born

It’s 10:50 p.m., and your Grandma, two big sisters, and big brother Teddy are all sound asleep. The house is dark and quiet except for the sound of Sadie’s white noise machine blaring from her room and your dad tinkering around in our room putting a few last-minute things in his hospital bag. He is 90% excited and 10% nervous. I’m sitting at the 50/50% mark because I have some work to do before you’re in my arms. But every minute closer to you leaves me feeling more and more euphoric. It’s almost time!

You’re currently very quiet in my belly but might be exhausted from the show you put on for your grandma and neighbor Alyssa 45 minutes ago while we sat around the living room talking out my anxious nerves. You were quite the acrobat! Your dad missed your last big “belly show” because he was in the garage working out to kill some time. It was his last workout before he focuses fully on you for the next few days. He has been dreaming of chest snuggles with you for months!

We head to the hospital in less than an hour to get things – lots of fun things – underway to meet you tomorrow, and you’ve got my nerves and excitement through the roof, sister. I am nervous for all of the things that will happen before and after your arrival, but I cannot wait to lock eyes with you for the first time. I can’t wait to hear you cry and then comfort you that you’re in your safest place – my arms.

I can’t wait to watch your dad beam while giving you your first bath like he did with your sisters. I can’t wait for your sisters to run in in their “big sister” dresses and the shy smiles they’ll surely be wearing as they see you in my arms. They have been so ready to meet you, the third member of their little trio. You are Sadie’s “baby Ji-wee-in” and the little sister that Hadley cannot wait to take care of like her own. I can’t wait for your Grandma and Grandpa to bound in and light up when they see you and hold you. Your Miya and Papaw and aunt and uncles will all be here soon too to snuggle you and love on you; Your family is simply on pins and needles ready to see your face. You are very loved and I hope/think you’ll always know it. We show a lot of love in this family, my girl!

Today your sisters and I went out to run errands and get doughnuts in celebration of your approaching arrival. It was our last little “girls day” before we add you to our crew too.

I watched them play and laugh so hard together and thought about how they have no idea how much their worlds will change once you’re home. They’re going to be obsessed with perfect little you!

We came home and your Grandma cooked us all a big meal – a delicious pot roast, carrots, broccoli, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more. We finished it off with a graham cracker strawberry pie because it was pink (our brains are all on you!)

It’s funny how our dinner table felt complete tonight but how once we meet you tomorrow, we’ll never feel complete without your presence again. You are the missing puzzle piece to our family that we didn’t quite know we were missing. You’re going to be everyone’s baby girl and your dad’s little JJ.

I am so glad you have always been a part of the plan for this family. July 11th, 2019 is going to be one of the best days of my life because of you. Your mama loves you Jillian Jamie! Let’s do this!