Sweet baby boy!

Baby Boy #3,

It is hard to believe that you will be joining our family in a little under 6 weeks!  Yikes!

In some ways, we are ready....in others, I don't know how you can ever prepare.

Baby Boy, it is no shock to know that in the beginning Mommy wanted you to be a bundle of pink, a sweet baby girl, with ribbons and bows and a nice knit hat with big pink flower to adorn your beautiful newborn head.  Yes, you will always be my "we were trying for a girl" baby.  Please don't feel slighted...your big brother Payton and big brother Owen were also "we were trying for a girl" babies.  Let's face it, this Momma has always wanted a girl.  In some ways, I am sure that "craving" for a baby girl will always be there....but, the best news of all is that over the past few weeks I have realized that I was in fact meant to be the mother of boys.

Last week, I spent a few days reorganizing closets and getting all of your clothes out of storage, washed, and hung in your closet.  I realized that it was really going to be SO much easier to add a third boy to our family.  I can't even imagine how we would have managed to add a baby girl.  Sure, the pink clothes and bows would have been cute....but, jerseys, baby Tar Heel outfits and sports themed bibs are pretty cute too.

I have enjoyed sorting through all of the baby outfits and imaging what you will look like when you are born.  I wonder how big you will be....and, if I had to guess, I would say you are going to be a 9 lb baby.  I think you are huge.  My belly is plenty big but you just can't seem to find enough room!  I bought you a few new winter outfits...and they are just too cute!  I can't wait to find three matching Christmas outfits for you and your brother...and to see you in three matching jerseys for all of our favorite teams!

God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave us another boy....here is all that remains on my "to do before baby arrives" list:
- register for c-section at the hospital
- buy a new baby book
- diaper bag - buy a new one?
- newborn photographer vs. using my new camera to capture my own shots (thus saving $300 - $700)
- buy my new camera
- by my new lens
- wash/sterilize bottles
- by new nipples for bottles
- finish organizing nursery
- make up crib

Luckily for you, this list is not too long and not too expensive (aside from the camera, but that is really for Mommy and not for you anyway!).  Looks like we will still be able to afford to feed you, take you on a few vacations as you grow up and save for college.  If you had been a little girl, we would have credit card debt, need an addition on our house and wouldn't be able to take a vacation for years!

Aside from the practical reasons, I have really had a sense of peace and excitement with the fact that we will be welcoming another little boy.  We may spend all of our free time at ball games and practices but that is what we were meant to do.  For the first few years of your life, you will spend so much time around sports that you will either grow to love them or grow to hate them.  Owen has spent two years watching Payton from the sidelines....and, finally, he is old enough (really???) to play soccer this fall.  He could not be more excited!  Maybe you will be an athlete like your brothers....or maybe not...but the excitement of watching you grow and seeing what you will become is what it is all about!  I look forward to watching you grow up into the little boy that you want to be...no matter what, I can't wait for all the joy you will bring.

Yes, our house will be loud and messy.  We will be tired and our schedules will be hectic.  Some days, I am sure I will wonder what we were thinking.  At the end of the day, when I am surround by all my boys, I will know that I am one lucky lady...surrounded by love and lots of energy!

And, maybe you will like to get pedicures one day!  Hey, some guys love it!

Sweet baby boy, I can't wait to meet you....we are quite ready, but in 6 weeks we will be!

Love,

Mommy