dear fern, i hope one day you marry a man like your daddy.

Dear Fern, 

The other day I was feeling particularly un-lovely.  You're totally worth it, but some days I just feel gross being pregnant.  I look haggard and tired and bloated.  But, when I woke up, there was a note sitting on the kitchen counter waiting for me.  It was from your dad and it was incredibly sweet and just what I needed right then.

I hope that one day God will bring you a husband who is as wonderful a man as your father is.   I hope your future husband is someone who will love you unconditionally, be steadfast and loyal and a leader.  I pray that he will love Jesus.  I pray that he will love you with abandon and not be too cool to take you to plays and to have picnics in the park.  I hope that he will call you out on your crap and challenge you to become a better person every day.  I hope that he will be a hard worker and provide well for you and the family you will hopefully have one day - not because you will not be capable of providing for yourself or because you need him for that reason, but just because he loves you and wants to provide for you.  I pray that he will make you laugh and be a good listener and that he will encourage you in your dreams - big and small.  I hope he will love all the little things about you and will know you so well that he'll know what you need even before you know you need it.  I hope he will be understanding of your faults.  I pray that he will respect and honor your marriage and treat it as precious.

These are all things that I appreciate and love about your father and they are things that I am hoping and praying for you.

I know that one day your own "list" will probably have things on it that are different than the things on my own list for you and that's ok.  I mostly just wanted you to know how much I love your daddy and how lucky you would be to have a man even a little bit like him.

Love,

Mom

dear fern, you've got another nickname.

Dear Fern, 

Your dad gave you a rather fitting nickname recently.  

Fern-ace.  As in "furnace".  It was just a play on words, but it's actually pretty accurate, because you've been heating me up like a little furnace these days.

Before I was pregnant I would sleep in sweats and t-shirts and could even comfortably fall asleep in a sweatshirt, but now....it's shorts and tank tops and it's almost December!  I've even asked your dad to turn down the heat and open the windows on a few occasions, which is definitely saying something.  Soon enough you'll learn about your daddy and his heat-miser ways.  One day I'll have to tell you the story of how he turned off the breaker to our heat when we were first married.  Yep.  That's your dad.  But, I sure do love him.  In coldness or in warmth :).  Love you Fern!

Love,

Mom & Dad

dear fern, i hope you're a fighter.

Dear Fern, 

I found this quote from Charlotte's Web the other day and it got me thinking...

I hope this quote is true of you - our little Fern.  I hope that you are a little fighter - trying to rid the world of injustice.  I hope that you stand up for what is right.  If you're anything like your daddy, I know you will.  We are already praying for you that you will be kind and thoughtful and that you will love others.  We pray that you will also grow to know and love Jesus.

I pray that we'll be able to teach you these things and that we'll be good examples for you...or at least not screw up too badly at this whole parenting thing :).  We love you.

Love,

Mom & Dad

dear fern, we're getting ready for you.

Dear Fern,

This weekend I started nesting.  I finally found a dresser for your room and spent a lot of the weekend washing your teeny tiny clothes to put in it.  It's pretty exciting to think that I'll actually get to put you in those teeny tiny clothes pretty soon!

I also went to a class to learn how to feed you.  I'm a little nervous about breast feeding, but I'm hoping you'll be a natural.  Either way I guess we'll figure it out together.  The class was a little awkward, but at least now I'll (sort of) know what I'm doing when the time comes.

We also went to a family baby shower for you hosted by your Grandma Sally.  It was lovely and you got lots of fun things.  Lots of sparkly pink things that made your daddy (and ok...me too) cringe a little, but a lot of really nice things nonetheless.  Your Grandma Sally did a very nice job.

The guests painted these little wooden dolls for you too.  Hopefully you'll have fun playing with them when you're a little older.  Maybe dad will even build you a dollhouse to play with them in.  I always loved mine when I was younger, but I'm sure your dollhouse will be even cooler, because your daddy is pretty handy.  

The little dolls in front are our little family:  Daddy, Mommy, You and Marley.  Dad has a beard right now and I think it's pretty handsome, so I made sure to include it :).

We can't wait for you to get here, but, we're doing our best to get ready while we wait!

Love, 

Mom

dear fern, was is your very first party.

Dear Fern,

This weekend you had your very first party!  It was a baby shower hosted by my friends Becca, Lindsey, Jamie and Ashley (you're going to love them all by the way) in your honor!

The theme was your name: Fern...of course :).

These were pom-pom bouquets. Favors for your guests to take home.

This is Becca's house.  It's so pretty.  I'm sure you'll be spending lots of time hanging out here with your buddy-to-be Bennett and his little sibling who will be arriving just a few months after you!

Everyone guessed your birthday. I think you'll be a little late, but I hope not - I'm so anxious to meet you!

Yummy brunch food: french toast, blueberry muffins, scones, egg casserole and so much more....

Homemade gingerale made by Chris.

Homemade hot cocoa bar.

Kira, Baby Pearl and Ashley.

Presents for you.

You are spoiled already!

Opening presents with friends.

Everyone finger knitted you garlands for your nursery.

I can't wait to read you this book.  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" reminds me of your daddy.  He's never full either!

Look how big you're getting!

This is your Auntie Lisa.

All of my favorite people who threw you your first fabulous party!
James, Ash, Lindsey & Becca.

I'm pretty sure you had a wonderful time :).

Love, 

Mom