A Letter
all photos in this post by Katie Nesbitt Photography
Date: August 7th, 2013
Dear Sweet Baby Stillman (aka: “Embry”),
I’m sitting here, it’s 2:01am on the morning of your due date.
I never thought this day would come. It has seemed to take forever to get here, yet the time has gone by so fast. It’s this really weird feeling that I’m not quite sure how to articulate.
It’s one of those feelings that I know is only going to get worse once I meet you – the feeling of time both coming to a stand still, yet completely flashing before my eyes.
So, I thought it would only be appropriate to write you a letter, that you may or may not ever actually read. Because, well, why not? What else do you do at 2am?
First, I want you to know how much your daddy and I love you already. (I also have to let you know how weird that sounds to me right now. Your daddy and I. That phrase just sounds strange, but I know we’ll get used to it.) Sure, we may not know yet if you’re a boy or a girl, but we love you. We know we do. So much.
The way you rock and roll in my belly all day and night? We love it.
The way you were such a little rule breaker already and tried to see if you could hang out in my belly the wrong way? We love it.
The way you are already late for everything? I love it. Your dad doesn’t love it. Wait, I lied. I don’t love it.
But I love you. We love you.
I love how your personality is already making itself very well known and you haven’t even breathed a breath of oxygen yet.
Second, I want you to know how much your daddy and I pray for you. We pray for you every single day. We pray for you to grow up healthy and strong. We pray that you know how much you are loved. We pray for you to learn to love and serve others. We pray that you laugh all the time (which I know is going to be very easy to do in our house). And most of all, we pray that you grow in your faith and that you know the Lord and how much He delights in you.
Ultimately, we pray that while you are ours here on this earth, we hope you know that you have a Father in heaven who loves you more than we ever could (and we love you a lot… so that just goes to show how much your heavenly Father loves you).
Now, thirdly, I want you to know a little about your daddy. He is the best daddy you could ever ask for. How do I know this? Because he is the best husband I could have ever dreamed of. He has shown me over these past nine months with you in my belly what it means to REALLY love unconditionally… for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.
He has served me in ways I didn’t even know were possible. He has told me I’m beautiful on days I feel far from beautiful. He has held my hand, helped me out of bed, driven to the store to get me ice cream, and prayed for me – and never once complained. About anything.
I can’t put into words how much I love your daddy and how much he means to me. I want you to know, that while I love you so much and I will always love you, I will always love your daddy first.
Our marriage is our priority and our love for each other comes first… because that is what is best for you, sweet baby.
We want you to know that your mommy and daddy love Christ and love each other more than anything.
We also plan on totally grossing you out on a regular basis by kissing as much as possible in front of you.
You will just have to deal with it.
But seriously, your daddy has worked so hard on your nursery and prepping the house for you. He has absolutely blown me away and I know that he is going to continue to do the same (and then some) once you’re here.
Fourthly, I plan on never telling you that I’m sorry for the amount of pictures that will be taken of you in your early life. I love being behind a camera and I love you. So, naturally, there will be a ton of pictures of you.
You will just have to deal with it.
Now, fifthly, let me tell you about the rest of your family. Tom and Bonnie, Bridgid, Bob, and Kyle, John and Gretta… they love you. So much. And you’ll love them (mostly because they’ll probably spoil you to death). They’re hilarious, they’re silly, and they’re totally weird. But that’s okay, because they’re family. And I’m way weirder, sillier, and more hilarious than they are… so you will just have to deal with it. 🙂
I also want to tell you about Lynda. She was my mommy. You won’t get to meet her, but I know that she would love you, too. She was the best mommy there ever was and I’m going to do my darndest to be half the mommy she was. Because if I’m half the mommy she was, I’ll be doing a pretty dang good job. We call you “Embry” right now because that’s what she called me when she was pregnant with me. My mommy and daddy didn’t know if I was a boy or girl till I was born either. The little red “We <3 Embry” sign? Yeah, my mommy made that when she was pregnant with me… well, I still have it and so I’m using it, too.
Oh, and when you’re a teenager and it’s no longer cool to hug or kiss your mom (especially in public), I’ll understand. I won’t like it, but I will understand. I was like that once, too. But you should also know that I’ll totally pull an “I told you so” when you decide you need your mommy after a bad day. Or something.
So, sweet baby, you’re welcome to come out any time now. We’re ready for you. And I know that I have all these hopes, dreams, ideas, and prayers surrounding your birth and your arrival – and I will continue to pray those things. But I know that God’s plan for your birth is bigger and better than my own – just like His plans are bigger and better than all of my plans in all aspects of life.
I know that He is testing our patience and our trust in Him. And we are okay with that.
But, if He could just speed things up a bit… we’d be okay with that, too. 🙂
In all seriousness, we love you and we are so ready for you.
Love,
Your mommy
Wow. That is such a sweet, sweet letter. Made me tear up!! You are going to be such an amazing mom. 🙂
Xoxo thank you Jamie!
This is so sweet Molly. It made me tear up! Your son/daughter is going to have a great set of parents, that’s for sure!
thank you so much, allyssa!
That little guy needs to hurry up and get here! Because I can not cry at another post…haha.
Tara
Penniless Socialite
$10 Target Giveaway!
Hahaha love it!!
ahh this is the sweetest!! how precious. isn’t it amazing how much you already love your baby even though you don’t know the gender of it or what your baby looks like
thank you so much, meg <3
No words just ♥
love you!
Such a sweet letter!!! You are going to be amazing parents!
xo,
Angela
you are so sweet. thank you so much, angela!
You look fabulous! You are going to be such a good Mamma. Also, this is something I really believe and I hope you don’t mind if I pass it on, but I think that your baby has already met your Mom. I think they met before the baby came to you. I hope you are doing well and baby comes soon.
ohhhh and now you made me cry. <3 thank you so much for your comment, lacey. <3
Love this, Molly! What a sweet, sweet letter. It’s so great that you already know that your #1 priority in the home has got to be your relationship with your husband. So many vital lessons in childhood stem from roots in Christ and growing up under a stable marriage. Blessings for the birth of your sweet little one (I just had mine 10 days ago…amazing!!) Praying for your health and the baby’s as well as a beautiful welcome and adjustment period for your whole family.
thank you so much, jelli! congratulations on your little one, too!!! amazing!!!
A treasure.
thank you so much, kristin!
Molly, this brought tears to my eyes. Especially the parts about your mom and the We <3 Embry sign. I'm a mess. It's so beautiful and so well-written. Baby will definitely look back on this one day and love and appreciate it so much. And your photos are BEAUTIFUL! Those tiny cowboy boots!
aw thank you so much, niki!
XXOXO
love you, martha!
ugly crying uncontrollably right now…..you guys are going to be the BEST parents ever……we are all waiting for you Baby Stillman :))))
brooke @ what2wear
aww sorry to make you cry!! 🙂 thank you so much, friend!
What a beautiful letter, you made me tear up. I bet you can’t wait to meet your precious baby! XOXO.
thank you so much, shannon!
What a great letter to your baby, who is surely going to read it one day. HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!!!!!!
aw thank you so much, neti!
This is so sweet Molly!! Your baby will be here before you know it… and you will be the best mommy!
thank you so much, laura! you are so sweet.
Love this post Molly. I’m still on vacation but I am trying to catch up on my blogs. I Love this post. It brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of waiting for my son to be born. It is the best feeling in the world. Enjoy these last few moments before this beautiful little one arrives.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
oh thank you so much, agi!! <3
Okay, this made me a little teary eyed, not going to lie. And I hope your child does get to read it someday! It is so sweet and I LOVE that you said you are making your marriage a priority because it is what’s best for the child 🙂 I think this is very true! You guys are going to make amazing parents and I can’t wait to see photos of your little one!
thank you so much, rachel!! we know it won’t be easy, but we are going to work at it every day!
If only more people had parents like you two….this world would be a much much MUCH better place 🙂 <3
love you, girl!! thank you so much!
This is so beautiful Molly! You’re going to be such a good Momma, I can’t wait to see your and your little one on here. Wishing you a healthy & happy delivery for baby Embry.
Lindsay
LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com
oh girl thank you so much, lindsay! <3
This is so sweet Molly!
thank you so much, tara!
I wish that I could blame the fact that I teared up reading this on pregnancy hormones, but I can’t. Beautiful letter to your little one Molly. They are so loved already 🙂
thank you so much, marissa <3
Love this, love you and REALLY hope today is the day!!!
thank you so much, carly!
What a sweet post, Molly! I hope you let baby Embry read it when he/she is older. 🙂
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Rad Market Giveaway!
i definitely hope to read it to baby someday. 🙂 thank you so much, sharon!
This is so beautiful. Best wishes for a birth that is healthy and happy. Can’t wait to ‘meet’ your little baby!
thank you so much, rachael!
Such a sweet post – like many, I too was crying as I read it – I am praying for you for a healthy safe delivery and a beautiful baby very soon!
aw thank you so much, beth!
So beautiful. Your little one will treasure these words!
Now come on Baby Stillman, time to come out!!
thank you so much, katie!
Baby Embry is already so loved! This is such a beautiful letter Molly. I hope that you do let Embry read it one day! You are going to be an amazing mother. 🙂
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
thank you so much, yi-chia!
Well, that’s just the most awesome thing I’ve read on the Internet in a long time.
I mean, we all knew this, but your kid has clearly picked his/her parents well… 🙂
Best of luck, and I’m looking forward to having my Facebook feed blown up with baby pics real soon now.
hugs, rob. straight up hugs to you. thank you so much.
This is SO sweet Molly. I can’t wait for you guys to meet your little one, you’re going to be the best Mamma. Also, these photos are gorgeous–you need to frame them and treasure them!
thank you so much, alyssa!! definitely!!
Oh my goodness. You definitely made me cry at work. This letter is so heartfelt and sweet. I really hope you read it to your little one one day!
aw thank you so much, lauren. <3 <3
What a beautiful letter for your little one. It’s obvious that Embry will be born into a family of unconditional love and a baby can’t ask for anything more! I believe this post is enough to show the pride your mom must feel from a much better place. Wishing you a safe delivery, a speedy recovery, and a bouncy, beautiful, healthy baby soon!
Jenn
With Luck Blog
thank you so much, jenn!
so sweet, and goregous pictures. cannot wait to see the adventure that baby stillman brings to your life.
thank you so much, b!
So sweet : ) The photos are amazing too.
bisous
Suzanne
thank you so much, suzanne!
gorgeous photos molly — you look so beautiful and glowing!! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com
thank you so much, girl!
What a beautiful letter Molly! I hope baby comes very soon and is healthy! Best wishes!
thank you so much, jodi!! <3
This was a beautiful letter. These are awesome pictures of you. You look beautiful! While I don’t personally know you, I do read your blog everyday. I’m praying baby ’embry’ decides to come soon and you have a safe delivery!
oh goodness thank you so much for your sweet comment, jaime. thank you for reading!!
Oh, Molly, I cried. Like ugly face crying. This is beautiful and I am overwhelmed with happiness for you and hubby. I can’t wait for you to meet Embry. I’m praying so hard that things go according to your plan, but more importantly, God’s plan. This baby could not have been chosen to better, more loving parents. Love you girl.
love you, lins. <3 thank you!
How sweet! And great photos! Your baby will be so lucky! Not many parents seem to have as much love for each other – and certainly not as much love for God – as you seem to. They’ll be very blessed!
Just curious – is Embry a play on embryo or am I reading too much into it? lol
– Toria
http://toriamasons-treasures.blogspot.com/
thank you so much, toria! and yes! Embry is short for embryo. 🙂 🙂
You’re welcome! And that’s so adorable!! 🙂
That did bring more than a few tears to my eyes. I have been inspired by that Gmail commercial featuring the Dad who writes emails to his daughter, and I am going to do that if – no, when, because we are still optimistic that somehow, I will be ble to give Kristi the children she is beginning to despair we will never have – we have children.
You will be a great mother, and your mother is proud of you, and she delights in you and your children, and you will do a great job as a parent, as your parents did in you. I can say this with absolute confidence that your parents were and are great parents, because their love and care and skill is evident in the person that you are. You are kind and thoughtful, patient, caring, and generous in spirit, and these are qualities that arise from being on the receiving end of good parenting. You will impart the same to Baby Embry, because you want so badly to be a good parent that you will succeed.
I can also tell you with confidence that your mother is very proud of you. I say that because I am also short a parent. My father died of complications from lymphoma not long before I came to CNU, and one of the great sadnesses I carry with me was that he never saw me graduate, never met my wife, and will never know my children. But I have to remind myself, as you might have to too, that my father, and your mother, presumably, were saved, and thus they are in the eternal kingdom, and also always with us, because they live in us. Baby Embry will meet your mother – the part of your mother that lives on in you.
So, thank you for a good catharic cry, and I hope Baby Embry comes out to meet you soon.
wow, Jim. i have no words for how much your comment means to me. seriously. i am speechless. i had no idea about your father and we obviously share the same sentiments having lost a parent. i will be praying for you and kristi because i know you both will make amazing parents! thank you for this. you are wonderful.
Oh my gosh…I’m crying right now…this was super sweet! Wishing you a safe delivery and easy recovery!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
thank you so much, jessica!
OK, I am up waaaaay tooooo late tooooo! Girl, this brought tears to my eyes. Ross & I both wrote letters to our girls and we read them out loud to them often. I cry every time I read them. This is the best thing ever and you will cherish this post all your days…and so will your sweet child. It has gone by so fast….you will blink and 5 years will have gone by!! Beyond excited for you!!! Big hugs!!
shanna thank you so much. that is amazing that you and ross have those letters for your girls. you are both amazing parents!
Way to make me cry at 1:01 in the morning. I hope baby Embry decides to make his or her appearance soon and does so in a easy and speedy way. Praying you have an easy labor and delivery and that things go the way you want but if they don’t remember that at the end of all of this you will have a beautiful little baby in your arms and that’s really all that matters. Blessings to you and your husband and that darling little Embry. Now go get some sleep cuz soon it’ll be hard to come by! xoxo
thank you so much, vilma! love and blessings to you <3
Way to make me cry! This is so sweet, Molly. I love it! Praying for you and the baby and a speedy, safe delivery and recovery!
thank you so much, ashley!