A Letter To My Unborn Child

Dearest Squashy,

          
            First of all, Mummy just wants to assure you that you will not be stuck with the name Squashy all of your life.  Mummy and Daddy have been, and will continue, looking for suitably appropriate, beautiful name for you.  For now, Squashy is a convenient moniker, especially in the beginning when we didn’t know if you were going to be a daughter or a son.  Besides, isn’t “Squashy” perfectly adorable, darling name for a soon-to-be-born baby?

            And now, it is almost certain that you are going to be a daughter.  Another little girl to light up Mummy and Daddy’s life.  Yes, you are going to be our second daughter.  But just because you are our second, that doesn’t mean you come second or that you are in the second place.  You and your sister both occupy the first place in our heart.  Mummy has to admit though, that you were not exactly planned.  Actually that’s not strictly true, Mummy and Daddy have been talking about having you, but because of the situation our family was in (Daddy’s work and absences, our planned move, etc etc) we thought the time was not right.  But you!  You had other ideas.  You decided the time was exactly right, and so, two blue lines appeared!  Is this a glimpse of things to come? 

            You’re unplanned, but certainly not unwanted or unloved.  On the contrary, you are very much wanted, very much loved.  Right from the beginning, when you were just a cluster of cells.  Words cannot describe how Mummy felt knowing you were growing inside, and that in less than eight months you were going to be in Mummy’s arms.

            Mummy is rather big now, and ungainly, and uncomfortable most of the time, and definitely full of trepidation about the impending labour (an unpleasant first experience didn’t help!) but all that pale in comparison to the anticipation of your arrival.  Naturally, Mummy  and Daddy have also wondered about what you’ll be like.  After your extremely active sister, we thought a good, docile baby would be a pleasant change.  But after feeling you move, we have decidedly given up the fantasy of having a good, docile baby!  Your sister was very very active while still inside Mummy.  But you surpassed her!  Do you know that you’ve actually woken Mummy up from a nap with your hefty kicks??  Oh well, life with a baby who isn’t  docile, and who knows her own mind is bound to be more interesting anyway J

            My darling baby, until we meet, Mummy will be thinking of you, and dreaming of you, and loving you. 

                                                                                       With all the love in the world,

                                                                                                       Mummy