To my Husband, Before we Become a Family of Four

Late pregnancy is no picnic. For the most part, I’ve been fairly active and healthy this pregnancy. I’ve been fortunate to not have complications and to be able to go about my normal life and routines. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy, and it’s been a challenge for our family, and my husband especially, as well as myself.

So, to my husband, before we become a family of four…

I want to start by saying thank you. I know this pregnancy has been a challenge for you as well as me. I want you to know that you’ve been amazing these last 37 weeks, even more so than normal. I want you to know that I see that – I see all the extra effort you’ve been putting in.

I see the extra effort you’ve put in with Abbie, taking over the things I physically can’t do right now. I see you picking her up so she can fly around the house. I see you taking her to the playground every weekend that it’s nice enough because I can’t do the walk there anymore. I see you being silly with her, smothering her with extra love and kisses. I see you handling bath time most nights since it’s hard for me to kneel down to do it nowadays. I see you leaving the quieter, more stationary ways to play to me – coloring, blocks, legos, and snuggles. I see all that.

I see you doing more around the house. I see you taking on cleaning up the living room and vacuuming without me saying a word. I see you surprising me by making the bed on the weekend before I can get to it. I see you wiping down the counters in the bathroom, doing the cat litter, and offering to cook dinner during the week. I see you taking on everything you know I physically can’t do, and more.

I see you getting so excited for this baby girl and helping me get ready. I see you helping me organize her clothes and figure out what we’re missing. I see you give me ideas on the things I’ve chosen for her room. I hear you call her by name and talk to Abbie about being a big sister, and I see your smile when you feel and see her moving in my stomach.

Finally, I see you doing so much for me, and forcing me to rest. I see you helping me buckle my shoes in the morning, picking up things off the floor that I can’t anymore, and bringing me new glasses of ice water before bed. I see you putting up with the snoogle in our bed (that I know you hate) so I can get some sleep. I see you helping me balance when I’m feeling unsteady. I see you pushing me to take time for myself and time to rest, even when I resist you. I see you pushing me to take time to do things I want to do, even when it puts more responsibilities on you (like my Houston trip).

I see all of it, and all those things are the many reasons I love you, and know you’re going to help me rock this family of four thing. I know that even though I’m a little nervous about how this is going to change things, you’re ready. I know, watching you and Abbie together, that this little girl is going to adore you just as much as she does. I know, watching you, that you’re beyond ready for this, and that you were just meant to be a dad to girls. As Abbie’s gotten older, I’ve seen you grow and change as a dad. I’ve seen you become more sensitive to the things girls have to deal with, and I’ve seen some of your opinions change because of it. You’ve learned how to put her hair in a ponytail, play with her dollhouse, and to embrace her love of pink and purple. At the same time, you’ve been preparing her to be able to hang with the boys, or anyone that matter, and you’ve helped instill a confidence in her that shows her she can do and be anything she wants to be.

I see so much about you that I’m so, so thankful for. Thanks for being my partner in our parenting journey. Thank you for being an amazing dad. I love you so much – thank you for being you.