dear baby

Dear baby,

I wish so much for you. But more than anything I want your daddy and I to be able to provide you with the experiences that make up the precious, precious gift that is a happy childhood. I want you to have:

• A big, goofy dog to love. One that is a part of the family and that you'll miss long into adulthood.
• The excitement that holidays bring. I want you to know that Halloween means pumpkins on the porch and homemade costumes. Christmas will mean dedicating a day to decorating the house and another one to making cookies.
• Family movie nights on the couch. 
• The thrill of catching fireflies.
• Vacations that require long car rides. At least one to Disney World. Because a childhood isn't complete without the ordeal of a family road trip. 
• Curiosity. The kind that results in muddy knees.
• The best kinds of afternoons that are made up of nothing more than a trip to McDonald's for lunch, a visit to the library for new books, and a stop at the YMCA pool.
• A little brother or sister to pester. And to pester you.
• Forts made out of couch cushions.
• Special nights where you are allowed to eat dinner on trays in front of the TV.
• Sledding in the winter snow followed by hot chocolate made on the stove. Barbecue chicken and drippy popsicles eaten on the deck or patio in the summertime.

This is a short list. There are many more things to add. We probably won't be the family that has the giant trampoline in the back yard. And you might not get the Barbie dream house (mommy didn't get one either). But you will be loved. So, so much.

Love,

Mommy