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my dearest sweet babe,

we found out a few days ago that you are a GIRL! it's exciting and relieving news for me. i just love being a girl-mom, and i cannot wait for you to get here! i've been dreaming up matching dresses for you three girls for when we bring you home from the hospital. this is just going to be the best summer! dad and i went to the ultrasound on wednesday and closed our eyes while the technician took a peek at your anatomy and filled out and sealed an envelope. you are our first baby to have crossed legs during the ultrasound and needed some coaxing to reposition-- what a lady! on thursday, the girls and i went to zurchers with the envelope and a box and requested that it be filled with the "correct color." your grandparents and aunts and uncles and older cousins took a guess, and it was about 50-50. uncle ryan and uncle travis were sure you were a boy and complained that we waited an extra day to find out. grandma and remy and aunt collette came to the balloon reveal to share the excitement with us. grandma videoed and face-timed grandpa simultaneously, and grandpa yelled out "ornaments, jeremy!" when the pink balloons came out (yes, we got it all on video). aunt collette took these sweet pictures for us to keepsake forever. dad and i weren't entirely surprised, but i'm grateful we have pictures to remember the moment we found out you are a girl! something that touches my mama heart is how easygoing your dad was about your sex. it makes me smile that he had no preference of you being a boy or a girl, despite the fact that we already have two daughters. he was simply excited for another healthy baby, which in turn made me that much more excited to have another girl! three little girls, it's a mama's dream come true! the ultrasound technician told me that your placenta is located on the anterior part of my abdomen, which is why i've been unsure of your movement the last few weeks. however, i've been feeling quite a few undeniable nudges and twitches the last few days! i'm excited for you to get a little bigger so your dad and sisters can feel you too, but i'm also content to keep you just for myself a little longer.

we love you so,
mom