Before Baby

Dear Cora,

At some point in the next few weeks, a really humongous change is going to take place in our family.  I know we’ve been talking about it for awhile now, and you seem to be pretty excited about baby sister’s arrival.  But I know it’s got to be impossible for your little three-year-old mind to wrap around exactly how much of a life altering moment this is going to be.  Up until now, you’ve been the center of attention, completely and utterly the apple of your mama and daddy’s eye since the day you were born.  And now that you’re three, you’re turning into this incredible little firecracker who (as evidenced by the photo above) likes to push your limits on occasion.  Don’t worry, I stopped you from cutting Barbie’s hair (this time at least) because I remember how devastating that was for me when I discovered (with horror) that it doesn’t grow back.

Back to this whole sibling thing, though.  I have a feeling you are going to rise to the occasion just like you have with every other tumultuous event that’s taken place in your young life, and I’m probably worrying about it enough for the both of us.  There’s just a few things I want to say to you before I’m completely consumed with labor, and then a newborn, and then the uphill battle of parenting multiple children.

First, I love you.  Please don’t forget that when I suddenly have to pay attention to a little bundle of squishy baby.  Or if my patience is a bit thinner now that I have a screaming little one on my hip and you’re asking me to watch Octonauts for the 800th time that day.  Life’s been pretty cushy for you up until this point, so I hate the fact that you may feel like the world is a bit tougher now that little sister’s here.  I remember wishing I was an only child growing up, but I promise you little siblings aren’t so bad in the end.  I will have plenty of love to go around for you all, I can promise you that as well.

Second, I am proud of you.  I have a feeling you’re going to do a lot of growing up in the next few months.  You’re going to have to be more independent, and mommy’s going to need your help with grabbing diapers, finding pacifiers, and entertaining baby sister.  If the way you treat your baby dolls is any indication, you’re going to do great.  I might just be too exhausted or too overwhelmed to remember to tell you all the time.  So I’m letting you know right now: I am so proud to be your mama, and you will be the best big sister.

Third, I’m going to miss you.  This one feels a little selfish, and it may end up seeming a bit crazy to have felt this way after baby has arrived, but right now it seems like a chapter in our little mother-daughter relationship is coming to a close.  It’s been just you and me a lot with Daddy traveling for work, and I know that’s all about to change.  I won’t always have time to just snuggle in bed with just you and soak in all of your childhood joy.  I think there may be a part of me that will always miss what it was like to be so close to you, but I also know your baby sister is going to add even more happiness and fit another piece of our family puzzle.  I’m sure we won’t be able to fathom what life would be like without her, but I’ll always treasure these first three years that I got to be just YOUR mama.  It’s been the greatest honor of my life, and I hope you know that.

XO,

Mama