Sweet Baby,

Where has the time gone?  I've been carrying you around for 20 (almost 21) weeks now.  It seemed we would never reach this point, now it's here and I have absolutely no idea how it happened.  It seems like just yesterday I was telling your Daddy that we were expecting a baby!  I love having you with me.  I love that I can feel you.  About 5 minutes ago you decided to have a poking session with me.  I would poke you, and you would kick me back.  It went on for a good minute. You are currently kicking just to the left of my belly button.  You are so fun! I wouldn't mind if you kicked all day long! I love those little love taps (: It reminds me that you are alive, active and in good physical condition.  Sometimes... I think it's your way of telling me you love me..

Mother's day was this last Sunday.  It was a special day for me.  I got to reflect on a lot of things.  One of my biggest questions of the day was; Am I a Mother or not this Mother's day?  I came to the conclusion, that even though I have no children to show for it yet, I am a Mother.  I am sustaining your life as your Mother.  I am providing you with shelter, nourishment, and love.  Even though we haven't met, I am still so in love with you and cannot wait to finally meet you.  We are sharing a body, and even though it's hard to see the numbers on the scale constantly increasing and to see the once toned areas of my body jiggle like jello, I enjoy this time we have together.  I hope you hear my voice and know it's the voice of your Mother.  I am your Mother and always will be. 

I pray, constantly, that I will be a good Mother.  It worries me that I don't have what it takes to raise you the right way nor to be the perfect Mom.  But I know, that there is no such thing as perfect.  I may not clean the house perfectly, cook dinner perfectly, handle the finances perfectly, or act perfectly, but I will always love you perfectly; with all of my heart.  I have gained a strong testimony of the Lord's hand in my life.  He is here and always helping your Dad and I.  We are so blessed to be a part of this Gospel and to have the knowledge that we do.  I know that through my steadfastness in prayer, scripture study, and Temple attendance, he will be there to help me in those areas that I can't make perfect on my own.  He will be satisfied with me at the end of the day when I have given it all I've got.  Even if "all I've got" consists of getting you and I showered and fed for the day.  If one day the chores go undone, he isn't going to love me any less.  He might ask that I try harder the next day, and I hope I always will.  But he will remember the good things I have done that day.

I hope these thoughts stick with you through your times of trial and tribulation.  And heaven bless you to not expect perfection from yourself.  It's impossible baby doll.  Your best is the only true "perfect".  We love you and always will.  The Lord will be there to help you and the Spirit will be there to guide you.  If you mess up along the way, we (your earthly and Heavenly parents) will be there to help you up, dust you off and to get you back on your way.  We have all been in those positions. Obviously, your Mother is a perfect example of this. But with constant effort to strengthen your relationship with your Father in Heaven and your brother Jesus Christ, you will have the protection and assistance you need to overcome your trials.  Whether they be big, small, easy or hard.  We fall, it's inevitable.  But we get back up and pray for strength to see that crack in the pavement more clearly next time.

I love you and always will.  I pray you have a wise mind, a compassionate heart, and a pure spirit.
I pray for strength in your growth and development both physically and spiritually.
May you always turn to your loving parents as well as the Lord with your questions and needs. 
We love you forever and ever.

Love,
Your Mother