Lanni,
We love you! I can't believe we get to start our family with you. We are so much more than excited. I love feeling you swim around in my belly. You always move when your dad touches my belly like you are letting him know that you know it's him. He loves it. The other day he tried to hear your heart beat. He sat there quietly listening and after 30 seconds his head flips around to me with the biggest smile on his face. " I can hear it! I hear her heart beat!" He was on cloud nine being able to hear something so perfect, little, and ours.
Today I am 39 weeks pregnant. For the past 2 weeks I have told you everyday to "come out". We want you to make your way into the world right now. I am not very patient, so maybe this is teaching me, or at least trying to teach me, a lesson about patience. We have been trying all the "natural ways" on Google to start labor. We have walked, rubbed feet, hands, legs, ate pineapple, blah blah blah. Obviously, nothing has worked for me. It is true what they say, "Your baby will come when she's ready." But we are ready! We are just waiting on you. So please hurry.
We named you after people we love dearly. Lanny is your Grandpa and Great-Grandpa's name. They are such wonderful men. They have taught me so much in life. Your Great-Grandpa would always call me princess, tell me that I am special and express how important it is to do what is right. One time he gave me a blessing and told me I would raise my kids in righteousness in the last days. I was 16 when I got this blessing. It is now becoming reality. All your dad and I want is to teach you, and future bothers and sisters, what is right. To be kind. To be respectful. To listen to the Holy Ghost. To love and build a relationship with your Father in Heaven and Savior. And all the little great things in between like: making cookies, laughing, hunting (your dad can not wait to take you), and so much more. Your Grandpa taught me lots of great things. He is the best dad in the world. Among many things, he taught me how to fish, check the oil, and work hard, my favorite life lesson serving others. He is the perfect example of selfless serving. One example: one Christmas my dad told us he knew a family that didn't have much. We were going to give our Christmas to them. Honestly I was a little bitter. I love Christmas, I love all the gift giving and receiving. It was important to me at the time. We still decorated and such, but I was just clinging to the thought that I wasn't getting any presents this year. As the holiday approached I was taught by my dad that "stuff" truly does not matter. That giving is what matters. That is all our Savior did. We always would talk about the true meaning of Christmas, but it never mattered to me until now. I finally understood. To my great surprise Christmas morning Santa still came! I still love the gift part of Christmas, but I love being with my family more, and I love the true meaning of the holiday. That is one of many wonderful memories I have of your Grandpa and his serving. I hope one day I can be just like him. Your middle name, Lanae, is your dad's sister's name. We love her. (We love all our family) Your Aunt Lanae has 5 boys, and we wanted her to have a girl in her life! Your dad loves both his sisters, but him and Lanae have a different relationship. I know she helped your dad through some of those rough patches in life. We can't wait for you to meet everyone, they love you.
Well, so I don't miss a day, "Come out!!!!" I am looking forward to when I finally get to hold you. I know I will immediately feel a kind of love that only comes from holding my sweet baby. I also look forward to seeing your amazing, wonderful dad look at you and hold you for the first time. I can only imagine how much my love for him will grow as I see the "new love" he has for his sweet princess. As you grow up we are always here for you. We will always listen to you, love you, guide you. We love you more than words can express.
- Love
Mom and Dad
