Before writing this letter, I re-read my very first letter to you: the one I wrote not knowing what would lie ahead, not knowing there were two of you, the one when I was so unsure about having a baby and your father was equally unsure. Boy do I feel differently now! It was just in July, not that long ago, yet so far away, so different now from how things were. Our mindsets have changed, our behaviors are staring to change, and our desires are changing too. Over the last sixth months I have grown used to the idea of having not just one, but two babies and I am so excited to meet you. I have started imagining your little faces looking up at me and what you will each be like. I think about you when I wake up in the middle of the night and how in a few more months I will be waking up to sit with you and feed you. And I can only imagine how much I will love you. I know once I meet you face to face, I will not be able to believe that I ever doubted that this was the exact perfect plan for us, the perfect moment for each of you to come into our lives. I am falling more and more in love with each of you every day and it scares me a little because I know that this love I have for you will just increase exponentially once you arrive! The Lord has been providing everything we have needed for you and I know He will take care of all us when you are finally here.
I have been feeling you more and more these days and Daddy can now feel you very easily too! Sometimes I don't know who is doing the kicking or if you are both kicking each other, but it has been truly amazing to feel all of your movements. It still catches me off guard and surprises me sometimes.
Christmas was a few days ago and we were home to see all your family members who are getting excited for your arrival. My high school friends also threw me a shower and gave us some gifts for each of you. Everyone has been talking about you and when you will come and what you will each be like. We all reminisced about next Christmas when you will be crawling and interacting with us and how fun it will be. Your cousin Harison is getting bigger every week and he will be fun to play with next Christmas as well.
Overall, we had a wonderful holiday, except for one minor accident. Your Mama took a pretty hard fall down the stairs. It was really scary! You see, my feet and ankles were super swollen so I bought these compression socks that are more like nylon stockings to help with swelling. Well, the socks are really slippery and as I was walking down Mammy's stairs, I lost traction and my feet just flew right up from underneath me and I slammed onto the stair and slid down the rest of the way. I was in a lot of pain, but mostly I was full of fear that you two weren't okay. I immediately burst into tears and sat on my hands and knees groaning in pain. Your dad was right behind me and saw the whole thing. His arms were full and since I was in front of him, he couldn't catch me, but he said he knew you were fine since I fell on my back and not anywhere near my belly. My back is still healing, but is much better now. I was so worried because though you were moving, neither of you were as active as you had been during that night. I am sorry if I scared you and I have since been much more careful walking in general, especially up and down stairs. I know now you are both okay though and I am so so thankful! I have been feeling so much movement from each of you, which I am enjoying very much.
Over the holiday, I also had a chance to go pick out some things for your room with Auntie Tabitha. She is making you curtains and bed skirts and pillows. Your room is going to be beautiful and I can't wait until it is finished to show everyone!
Your dad and I are getting more excited each week and are feeling more ready for you as time goes on. My belly is getting bigger and bigger and I am sure you are each going to run out of space soon. Right now I can tell you keep changing positions and have moved closer to each other. Get ready, because it's going to get tighter and closer soon! Your growing has slowed down a little bit over the last few weeks as my belly isn't increasing in size quite as fast and I haven't gained weight for a couple weeks. It's pretty crazy that we may get to meet you in just 10 weeks. But I'm hoping you wait until 37 or 38 weeks to arrive which would be right around spring break time. That would be perfect! Stay in there as long as you can and be nice to one another. And know that your Mama is uncomfortable too! We will all hang in there though! We can do it!
And now, for the BIG NEWS! Your father and I have decided on your names. We have known for a while, but couldn't say they were final until just recently. It is a lot of responsibility to chose a name for someone. It will be your name for your entire life and be part of what makes you, you. We are still making sure we like the middle names we are thinking of, so for now I will just share your first names. My little man, you will be named Benjamin after your great, great grandfather, which is also your dad's middle name. And little girl, you will be called Eleanor. I hope you like them as much as we do! We love you and we are working on getting everything ready for your arrival! Muah! Give each other a hug for me.
Love,Your Grateful Mama
