20 week letter--Momma's life

Dearest LPG,

Hello my little thumper! I am so happy to be increasingly aware of your presence. I can't wait until Daddy can feel you, too, but for now, I am SO happy to be able to feel your kicks and rolls.

I wanted to give you a little background as to who I am. You know, since you will spend the rest of your life stuck with me, anyway :) So I should properly introduce myself and tell you a little bit about myself when I was younger.

I was born on November 16th, 1984. Your Granny will never forget it, as I was 2 entire weeks late (due on Halloween!). I was the first baby to my family, just like you will be. Your Granny and Grandpa were so happy to have me, and I like to think I was a pretty good baby. I was active, but I was smart, and generally helpful.

Granny likes to tell me stories of how eager I was to read and learn. I had many of my books memorized at a young age. I also liked to be helpful, and was especially helpful while Granny was on bedrest during her pregnancy with your Aunt Chelsey. Basically, I loved to learn however I could.

The most tramatic event I suffered was breaking my leg when I was 2 and a half. Thankfully, I don't remember it! But I know I wore a full leg cast for a long time! Granny even still has it! Unfortunately, it had long-lasting impacts on my life, but that's ok, as that's just a part of life.

I started kindergarten at a younger age than most students. It was a blessing and a curse--I was ready for it academically, but not so much socially. After a rough start, I figured things out and by 2nd grade, was being tested for the gifted school. Unlike your daddy, I wasn't accepted, but I was generally regarded for my intelligence throughout school. Growing up, I was a pretty big tomboy. I liked to play with my cousins, get dirty, and watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But my primary love? It was for reading. I LOVED to read and couldn't get enough of books. So I spent a lot of my time with my nose in a book. I also enjoyed writing, and was doing it from an early age. I had little books published, and also wrote for our elementary school's newsletter. Overall, I was happy and fun-loving, even if I wasn't the most popular or the prettiest girl.

Middle school and high school were a challenge for me, as they are for many young adults. I was trying to figure out who I was and how I fit into the social schemes at school. It wasn't for many years that I realized how pointless this quest was. I wish I would have been happier with who I was. Regardless, I was involved in a lot of things. I played cello in the orchestra, sang in choir, was the editor of my high school newspaper, helped open and run a writing center, and took a lot of challenging classes. I had some wonderful friends, more than enough, but was by no means well known. As I was nearing graduation, I really wanted to attend U of M, but I turned in my application on the deadline duedate! So I was waitlisted originally, and thought I would go to Michigan State instead. But then, U of M accepted me and there was nowhere else I would rather be!

In college, I feel that my personality really began to flourish. I finally began to love myself and who I was, flaws and all. This took some hard lessons, but that's ok, it was worth it. I had a job at a coffee house, and at the Housing office at U of M. I was involved in an improv comedy group that was so wonderful, even if I wasn't incredibly funny. But the most important part, aside from my world class education, was meeting your Daddy. He forever changed my life, and gave me the direction I needed. I am so endlessly thankful for him, and for the universe for guiding us to one another. I couldn't imagine my life without him.

Who is your mommy today? Well, she is a lot of things. She is a wife, a daughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, a best friend, a godmother, an aunt, a devoted English teacher, a mommy to the best animals ever, and a fiercely passionate person. Sometimes, I talk a little too much when I should keep my mouth shut. Sometimes, I get a little to into causes that I can't change. Sometimes, I'm just annoying :) But I do everything I do with my whole heart. I stand up for what I believe in and I'm not afraid to let my voice be heard. I also adore sports, playing online, the internet, and enjoying my wonderful life in California. I like to think I am pretty relaxed, but I am still not a social butterfly. I only have a few close friends, and I like it that way :) I am dedicated to getting everything prepared for your arrival, and can't wait to start setting up your room. Mommy likes to DO things at home, and have little projects to complete. I hope this will mean that I can always keep you busy and occupied.

But who I am most of all, my dearest LPG, is your mother. I promise to give all of who I am to you. I want to ensure your happiness at all times, and try to protect you from going through negative experiences. However, I also acknolwedge that these experiences are what teach you about life, so I promise to always help you find a method in the madness, even when life doesn't seem to make sense. While I am a lot of things, and while those things won't change, I am first and foremost, ALL YOURS.

I love you, LPG. Hopefully, this has given you a little insight to who I was, who I am, and who I will be forever.
Love,
Your Momma