First Letter to Baby C

Dear Baby C,

Welcome to our family! Your arrival was quite a surprise and definitely beyond what we could have hoped or imagined. Your first mother and aunt messaged me a couple of days after you were born to let me know you had arrived. Although you were born about 6 weeks too soon and came in an emergency sort of way, you’re healthy and beautiful in every way. You came home weighing 5.5 pounds and yesterday the doctor said you are already up to 6 pounds 11 ounces! Your Bubbie and I were able to bring you home from the hospital 10 days after you were born. We had to spend some extra time with you in the NICU to make sure we were ready for you and you were ready for us. You’ve been home for 11 days now and have fit right in.

One of the first things I whispered in your ears was that we have a crazy beautiful family and I was happy to welcome you to it. We’ve heard from your first mom that she’s hoping you can stay with us and be a forever part of our family. She wants you to be in a stable family and grow up with your sister. We want that too. We have court January 5 and will know more about what is going on after that date.

Speaking of your sister…Sam is so excited you’re here. She had a little cold when you first came home so she had to wait a few days to be able to hold you. She was patient and was SO excited when she finally got to hold you and kiss your hands. She knows you have the same Gigi. She doesn’t quite understand all that that means but she knows you are her sister and she loves you. Most every night when I ask her her three special questions she says what she’s most looking forward to about tomorrow is holding and seeing you. When I ask her what she wants to teach you to do she says “clap and jump on the jump-o-line.” Santa brought us a trampoline for Christmas. We’ll try to take good care of it so she can teach you to jump on it when you’re ready.

You’ve also met your other siblings in our home. K loves you too. He recognizes when you’re in the room and wonders where you are when he can’t see you. He loves to kiss you. He wants to give you toys to play with but we’re helping him know you’re not quite ready for toys. He has been with us since he was a tiny baby. We hope to adopt him soon and make him a forever part of our family. We’ve hit a roadblock with that process and there are a lot of uncertain things about that. We’re still working and praying and waiting to see what happens.

F is less concerned about you than K is. R is F’s baby sister and she definitely knows you’re here. You’re her (and our) roommate. She’s still not sure how she feels about having to go all night without a bottle when you get two during the night. She’s been pretty chill about sharing our attention though. We think you’re going to get along well. We’re not sure how much longer R&F will be in our home. They have lots of other siblings (and one on the way) and we’re hoping that soon they can move to a place where they can grow up with more of their biological siblings.

C, we have a very strong village that has worked hard to welcome you! We’ve had extra hands around to help and several friends to come stay with you as we had to run errands or work. Friends have brought meals and stayed for baby cuddles. Others have sent gift cards for meals or groceries. Other have dropped off boxes of diapers and wipes and have made sure we have clothes that fit you. Our family helped make Christmas happen even in the chaos of five kids.

One thing that we know for sure is that babies rarely come to us when it is easy and convenient. We weren’t entirely sure we would be able to bring you home. You came to us in a season of waiting that is all about one particular baby. That baby had an especially strong mother who wasn’t expecting him at first either. Now, I’m fully aware you’re not baby Jesus (I’m pretty sure the Son of God wouldn’t create so many dirty diapers) but you’re just as much a sign of new life and hope for us. I’m sure one day I’ll tell you more about it, but we were hoping for a new baby soon in our lives and you just might have been the answer to that hope. We love you baby girl and are delighted to be the ones that brought you home and get to introduce you to the world. We do indeed have a crazy beautiful family and are so glad you’re a part of it.

Love you,
Mama