On the eve of a new beginning...

Charlotte,

Tonight as we were putting you to bed I asked your Daddy if there was anything else that we wanted to tell you.  We both shook our heads and I said with disbelief, "I think she gets it."  You are really excited about becoming a big sister tomorrow and I can't wait to watch you step into that role.  From the moment we found out that James was James you have delighted in talking about "Baby James" and since we've been pulling bouncers and swings and pack and plays out you are always checking something out and then looking at us saying, "Baby James will really like this!"

I can't wait to see you take on this role and become an awesome big sister to your little brother.  Because I know that you will be great and James is a very blessed little boy to have you to look up to.  But tonight, after tucking you in and saying your prayers and singing "Jesus loves Charlotte" over you and giving so many buddy hugs and kisses, I'm also a little sad because our time of just the three of us has come to an end.

I want you to know that these 120 weeks that we've had as a family of three have been precious.  You taught your Daddy and I how to be parents and that will always be special.  I'm glad that you will most likely not remember any of the transition from a family of three to a family of four because I want you and James to grow up as best friends your entire lives.  But I am sad that you won't remember any of the time of just the three of us and I hope that in the craziness that our lives become over the years I won't forget it either.

We went from being newbie parents learning how to swaddle and obsessing over every time you cried to being slightly less obsessive parents who still kept you on a tight schedule.  Despite all of the scheduling you were always a baby who went with the flow.  I don't ever want to forget taking you across country at seven months old to the National Championship game.  Rocking you to sleep while you slept on my chest at the Rose Bowl and then taking a picture with us holding your little finger up in a number 1 symbol after the game.  As you've grown you've gone to more football games than a lot of people and love everything about Tuscaloosa which makes us smile.  You have grown into a little girl who is rambunctious and loves to play and have fun.  You aren't afraid to tackle your Daddy but you also love snuggling to watch movies.  Rocking you before putting you in bed while singing "Jesus loves Charlotte" with a blanket covering you will always be one of my favorite memories.  And recently you've started repeating the main phrase from "Love You Forever" which threatens to make me cry every single time you do it.  And hearing you sing "Twinkle Twinkle" from your bed over the monitor gives me the best feeling every time I hear it.

You are an amazing little girl Charlotte Lee and I don't ever want you to forget it.  Our family is going to change tomorrow in an amazing way and I know that you'll go with the flow like you have the rest of your life and will embrace this change like everything else.  Your Daddy and I will always be thankful for every second of getting to be your parents.  We can't wait to watch you shine as a big sister!

You will always be our baby girl!

I love you,
Mommy