1/31/15

Hey Little D,

Short story: you REALLY like chocolate chip cookies. 

You're just like me!

Love,

Mama

1/30/15

Hey LD,

We ended tonight at a friend's house where they cooked us dinner and we spent time talking about parenting, relationships and life. Your brother was there, as were our friends' kids and it was just so perfect. 

See, about 8 years ago I was living in Paris and I had a conversation with a good friend about how we envisioned our future families. I felt strongly that I wanted my kids to grow up with good people at our dinner table - friends, colleagues, family. And what I've learned is that it's really hard to make that a reality on a regular basis. 

But when it happens it's just as wonderful as I hoped it would be. And this weekend in Portland is a big opportunity for us to have dinner with good, strong friends. I know you won't remember it but we'll do much more of it once you're out here in the world.

I promise.

Love,

Mama

1/29/15

Hey Little D,

We're in Portland! We came up here for a long weekend - it's just a short flight from  where we live - and we really love it here. From the food to the friends to the size and vibe of the city, we love spending time here.

One day when you're much older, you'll have the chance to explore places and find one that feels like home. I'm so curious to know where that will be! Will you prefer the city or the country? The east coast or the west coast? The US or living abroad?

I never saw myself living in California and now one of my kids will be a native. How bizarre that is! No matter where you end up or where you are born, you'll always have a home wherever Daddy and I live. That's the beauty of family... it's more a feeling than a place for me. Wherever we are, you'll be there too - and vice versa.

Hope you liked that bacon Mac and cheese tonight...

Love,

Mama

1/28/15

Hey LD,

I used to joke that your brother was going to end up as a mediator for the UN because he marinated in the womb of a woman who did hours and hours of employee annual reviews before he was born. These days I run my own business and today, like lots of other days, we took care of some humans together, me and you. 

I hope you always remember that everyone is to be respected, that everyone is trying their best. That's true for me, for your dad and for all of the other people trying to make it on this planet. It will be true for you too, sweets.

Love,

Mama

1/27/15

Hey Little D,

We've been trying to figure out what to call you for weeks. Not your real name (though we have talked about that too)... but what I'll use for this blog and how we'll refer to you for the next 22 weeks. For a while we called you Tater. Then it just didn't feel right. So we settled on Little D-- your brother was "Tiny" and though it's tempting to refer to you as Tiny 2, no one wants your existence to be any less unique because you're not the firstborn in our family.

Oh, buddy. Welcome to existence!

So Little D it is! And you're only gender-less for another 10 days or so, then we'll be able to nail down pronouns too. :) 

I've been feeling you move around for a week now but Dad felt you last night for the first time and he was so surprised! He said it felt like there was a cat moving around in there. I do wonder what you're up to these days, growing mostly I guess. 

We can't wait to meet you, little one. It feels like the last member of our party is arriving and we can finally be seated at our table and start navigating life as a full set of Darys. Whoever and however you are, we are thrilled to be your family and that you're going to spend this life with us. 

Love and kisses,

Mama