Dear Elouise,

Tonight Daddy got to rock you to sleep, but as always I came and prayed with you first. You held my hand and mumbled along with my words. Then when it was time to give smoochies you reached up and grabbed my face and pulled it in for a big kiss. If that didn’t melt my heart, the way you freely stated “I love you mom” all on your own put me right over the edge. You are the sweetest, most wonderful thing.

I never knew how much love I could feel for someone or something until I found out that you were growing inside of me. For those 41 weeks that you grew, you were always on my mind. I ate special foods, thought about what you would look like, and prayed for you constantly. Then you came bursting into the world and I will never forget seeing your sweet face for the first time and holding you close as your Daddy and I cried. We couldn’t believe you were ours, and we still can’t. 

For the last 20 months it’s just been the three of us sharing adventures, snuggles, and giggles. Most nights after you go to bed we talk about how much we miss you and love you and look through videos and pictures of you on our phone. We even joke about waking you up just to get in some more cuddles and playtime. You are so smart and we are amazed at the things you have already accomplished in your short little life, like walking at 10 months, counting to 10 at 1 year, or singing your ABC’s at 18 months. Your Mama and Daddy are so proud of you baby girl.

Soon, you won’t be the baby anymore, and we will be adding another adventure buddy to our team. You are already so excited about your baby brother, but I’m not sure you fully understand how things will be changing in just a few weeks. Instead of coming into our bed in the morning and saying “Morning baby brudder” and hugging my belly, you’ll get to share my lap with an actual baby and kiss his sweet head. Instead of reaching up and patting my belly when someone asks you where brother is, you will be able to show them your new baby. Instead of practicing giving pat-pats, burps, and cuddles to your dolls, you can be mama’s big helper and do those things to your brother.

Things will certainly be changing around our home and in our family, but the one thing I can promise you that won’t change is how much we love you. In fact we will only continue to love you more and more every day. Even though you will have to share a lot of things with brother, the one thing you don’t have to share is our love for you. When you came, our heart grew just enough to love you, and when brother comes our heart will grow again just for him. You see, you have your own special love from Mama and Daddy, a special love that God gave us that’s only for you.

I promise to still give you smooches, cuddles, and love. I promise to still help you learn and grow. I promise to include you in the little moments of my day, just like I do now. Things may be changing, but they are changing for the better because our family is growing just like God had planned. I can’t wait to watch you be a big sister, because I know you will be the best one in the whole world.

I love you Janey girl.

Love you always,

Mama