Darling George,

I have tried to write this letter to you at least a dozen times...and every time my eyes well up with happy tears and I can hardly make it through to the next sentence! You are HERE! It was you all along!

I can't even begin to tell you how much your Dad and I love you. My parents used to say that all the time...You'll understand when you're a parent...I get it now. I really do! It's an all-encompassing, crazy, joy-filled, heart-breaking, intense kind of love! You made your Dad and I parents! That's still weird. And fun! We stare at you all the time. Your smiles, your laughs, your little fists, your long arms and legs...we are just crazy about you!

It has been the sweetest summer with you, precious George. You made your arrival one day after our second wedding anniversary and the days and weeks since then have been one big happy blur. We've mostly camped out at home, but we've made it to church and your grandparents' homes many times. We even celebrated your Uncle Stephen and Aunt Elinor's engagement and vacationed with my family in Williamsburg! We've enjoyed lots of walks around the neighborhood, too. I hope I get around to recording your birth story--it is one of my favorite stories! I loved giving birth to you!

We had SO many visitors in the first few days after you were born. It was a revolving door around here of happy grandparents and aunts and uncles and family friends. And the gifts! SO many gifts! Every day packages were arriving from Florida and California and New York and Hawaii...the FedEx truck was a welcome sight. :) And the cards! Some of them would come addressed to "Master George Fossen" and my heart would feel so full.

My friend Jenna graciously offered to organize meals for us after your arrival...and George, boy did we enjoy some good eatin'! We had friends bringing us meals every week for the first two months of your life! I've yet to go to the grocery store once since your birth--we have been spoiled! But, not spoiled rotten (I hope) because I feel so, so grateful for our community of friends and family. Oh sweet George...when I was pregnant with you I stressed about the nursery coming together and whether your layette was complete and if I had the right diaper cream and what your going home outfit should be. Those things were important, yes. But the most important thing we needed for your arrival was something we already had...our community. Oh, you need people. And my goodness did we ever rely on our community in those early postpartum days and weeks. I feel so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we received. And still receive! God was and is so good to us.

George, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. We included verses from Psalm 139 on your birth announcement, and those verses resonate with us now more than ever:

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Psalm 139: 13-14a (ESV)

You are a precious gift from God, sweet George. Your Dad and I pray every day that you will grow into a man who knows and loves God. We pray that your masculinity will be deeply rooted in your Creator. You have energy and strength already...and we pray that you would use that energy and strength to fulfill God's good purposes in your life. We feel so honored and humbled and privileged to be your parents. We are learning, too! Bear with us. We have already made mistakes and I'm sure there will be many to come. But, we love you so, dear George!

We thank God for you--our precious, precious son!

All our love,

Mom & Dad

Two days old with your wonderful Dad!

Your Uncle Isaac sent us flowers that arrived the morning after you were born...

...and your Aunt Courtney brought over a beautiful bouquet when she visited later that evening!

Hand-delivered cookies from Nani's dear friend Brenda!

Our wonderful neighbor Denise (who was also at your birth! more on that later...) tied a few blue ribbons to our front door to announce the news of your birth to the neighborhood

Admiral Byrd...still not sure what to make of all this baby crying. ;)

Just shy of two weeks old!

First bath! (Dad is wearing shorts hah!)

Aloha! Wearing the onesie from your Hawaiian-living Uncle Isaac

Celebrating at your Uncle Stephen and Aunt Elinor's engagement party (and wearing your first Swedish outfit)!

Our wonderful Beatrice!

The newly engaged couple!

Meeting one of your great grandmothers for the first time!

Where would we be without our Nani?! She has helped me adjust to motherhood all summer long...I am so grateful for her!

Letters to Baby Fossen // Volume 5

Sweet Baby Fossen!

I'm wondering every day now...is today the day?! Is this my last letter to you? Is this the last time your Dad and I will have dinner just the two of us? Is this my last pregnant walk waddle around the neighborhood? We are down to a waiting game now! Almost 40 weeks sweet babe! Take all the time you need...but, not too long...please! ;)

Your Dad and I can't wait to meet you! I feel like I say that over and over but it is so true. The very first feelings we had about you are still there...what will you look like and be like? What kind of music will you enjoy? Will you be outgoing or quieter? Will you like the farm? The ocean? Will you think Admiral Byrd is as funny and weird and jolly as we do? What will your one wild and beautiful life be like?

I have loved being pregnant with you! Aside from some small discomforts here at the end the majority of this time has been, thankfully, so smooth--and really wonderful! We've traveled a lot together...New York City and Bermuda and Hawaii and all over Maryland and Virginia! I will never forget experiencing so many firsts with you...the first sonogram, the first "I'm going to lose my dinner" wave of nausea, the first kicks, the first baby outfits, the first time someone prayed for you, the first time someone asked me when I was due, the first maternity clothes, the first birthing class and birthing books and highchairs and nursery decor and baby showers and baby names...I hear your heartbeat at every prenatal visit and it still fills me with joy each and every time.

Your Dad and I are so thankful for you and can't wait to meet you. There are so many things I want to tell you. So many things I want you to know. Our pastor, John Yates, said something in a sermon the other week and I thought-yes, that! That about sums it all up..."Always remember...the way of Jesus is the way of life...the way of fulfillment...the way of purpose." If you remember that all the days of your life, the rest is just details.

Dinner last night at Outback Steakhouse! :)
We wondered the whole time,  "Is this our last dinner out before Baby?!"

Our Hawaiian babymoon!
We talk about going back to see your Uncle Isaac allllllllll the time!

My wonderful coworkers hosted a baby shower for me last month, and one of the activities involved writing down hopes for you. Each guest took time to fill out a little sheet of paper, and afterward we went around the room and shared our hopes out loud. It was seriously one of the most precious times...I was in happy tears by the end! I saved every one of those sweet letters and put them in a scrapbook in your nursery.

Here is what I wrote to you...

I hope that you know how much you are loved!

I hope that you aren't afraid to start over. It's totally okay to fail.

I hope you love the smell of the ocean.

I hope you get your Dad's dimples.

I hope you laugh at yourself first.

I hope you never forget where you've come from.

I hope you ignore too many opinions. You can't please everyone.

I hope you become the man or woman God designed you to be.

I hope you respect the people who are most different from you.

I hope you learn to not take life too seriously.

I hope you grow in grace and knowledge and love for God and His people.

Come soon sweet babe! We love you so, so much.

xoxoxo

Your Mom and Dad

Letters to Baby Fossen // Volume 4 {A Nursery Tour!}

Darling Baby!

Your arrival is imminent now! Your Dad and I are so excited! Less than two weeks to go. I can hardly believe it. This time has just flown by. Are you really going to be in our arms soon? This is the happiest kind of surreal there could possibly be! :)

Your Dad and I have been working to get everything ready for your arrival. Your Dad has worked so hard. Long days at the farm for him and then nights spent putting together bookshelves...and nightstands...and highchairs...and changing tables. He's had so much on his plate. And so much I'm sure he'd rather be doing. But he gives of himself over and over and over again. He is amazing! He loves you so much.

{Mother's Day flowers from my sisters-in-law! // Ina May's Guide to Childbirth...one of my favorite pregnancy reads // Boon highchair}

Sweet Baby, here is your nursery! We've got items in here from Craigslist and J.C. Penney and HomeGoods and Amazon...and gently used items from lots of friends and relatives! That precious "Big Love" banner is from a shower my coworkers hosted for me last month...we all thought it would look perfect in your future room.

Could we talk about your Jellycat family for a minute? I am obsessed with these ultra soft creatures! Oh goodness, they are adorable! I wish they came in adult sizes.

And your little sheep mobile! Have you ever seen anything so precious?! My college friend, Becky, told me months ago that she wanted to make this for your nursery. She sent me photos of the wool and texted me progress updates...and I could barely contain my excitement when I saw her last month in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and she revealed THIS!

{Becky and I! Friends for 10+ years // Lancaster, PA // April 2015}

I was--and still am--all heart eyes over these precious little lambs! My Mom has always said homemade gifts are the best. And I thought that when Becky gave us this priceless gift. Every time I look at this mobile I'll be reminded of the gift of friendship. Sweet Baby Fossen, I hope you have deep, lifelong friendships!

We've got books galore for you! And a John Deere tractor, too. Of course. ;)

This little print hung in my bedroom years and years ago! It's still one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture.

The beautiful print below was given to Andrew as a gift from his friends the Boyers several years ago. When I found this picture months and months ago (maybe even longer than that--it was certainly during our moving-in/unpacking phase!) I just knew it had to go in your nursery...right alongside the Psalm 23 print. 

{Make Way For Ducklings! When some longtime church friends hosted a baby shower for us in March they used this book as the guest book--so many precious notes fill its opening pages!}

We snuck a photo of Admiral Byrd in your nursery, too. I hope you guys will be best buds one day!

The killer whale print below was in Andrew's nursery when he was a baby!

Sweet Baby Fossen, we can't wait to meet you. We are in the homestretch now! All these special things are just trimmings and trappings. You are the real gift. The real star of the show. We love you so much. 

{Burt's Bees goodies from my Sis // a photo from our Hawaiian babymoon // the softest swaddling blankets from dear Stephie // Mother's Day roses from my Mom!} 

We are praying for you and we can't wait to meet you...soon!

xoxoxo

Your Mom and Dad

Letters to Baby Fossen // Volume 3

Dear Sweet Baby Fossen,

We're enjoying another snow day here in Virginia! Oh this March weather...it sure can be unpredictable! Your Dad and I went for a walk in the snow this afternoon and we couldn't help but laugh at how different our scenery was a few weeks ago! We love the snow, and there is something so peaceful and soul-filling about the quietness of a winter wonderland...but we also love the beach and palm trees and warm weather! God's creation is so varied and gorgeous.

One day when you're older we'll tell you all about our little Hawaiian babymoon to go see your Uncle Isaac in Oahu. We'll tell you how he just rolled out the red carpet for us (greeting us with leis as we pulled onto his street!) and gave up his bedroom/bathroom/kitchen/and pool for us to takeover for the week. 

We'll tell you about visiting the Dole Pineapple Plantation and riding the Pineapple Express (and the pineapple ice cream...that was the highlight!).

We'll tell you about visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Remind us to tell you about your Dad's experience on the USS Bowfin submarine. We won't soon forget that claustrophobia inducing moment!

We'll tell you about visiting Hanauma Bay and getting to swim for all of 15 minutes before the Honolulu Fire Department declared the beach closed...due to jellyfish!

We'll tell you about sweating our way up Diamond Head and the incredible view from the top.

We'll tell you all about Kailua (your Uncle's home away from home!)...the beaches, Kalapawai Market (the best coffee in town!), Island Snow, the Sunday farmers market, and Lanikai Juice.

We'll tell you about the waves on the North Shore.

And the whales on the South Shore.

And the cows on Kualoa Ranch. 

We'll tell you about the gourmet sea salts we couldn't get enough of, and the shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, the sandwiches at Waialua Bakery, and the way the pancakes tasted at Cinnamon's after an hour and a half wait on Sunday morning.

We'll tell you about meeting up with our sweet friends Chris and Leslie for a wonderful dinner at Haleiwa Joe's on Friday night.

And we'll tell you about the huge rain storm that blew through the island the next day. It cleared up in time for your Dad and I and your Uncle Isaac to head to the Paradise Cove Luau. We'll tell you about the sunset from that night, and your Dad dancing on stage (we got it on video).

We'll tell you about driving on base with your Uncle and hiking the Lanikai Pillboxes and swimming at the Marine Corps. beach and how I cried when we drove away from your Uncle's house for the airport because I was pregnant and hormonal but also because we didn't want to leave and I was missing your Uncle already and Hawaii is such a long, long, long way from home.

We'll tell you how we got on the plane in Honolulu and thought what a wonderful trip it had been. How grateful we were to have had the time to drive and eat and laugh together in the warm Hawaiian sun.

You did it all, Baby Fossen! You may not remember any of it, but we'll remind you one day. You little adventurer you. :)

Maybe one day you'll get to visit Oahu, too! Until then we have lots of cozy Virginia snow days for you to look forward to. We love you heaps on heaps. Cannot wait to meet you!

xoxoxo

Mom & Dad

Letters to Baby Fossen // Volume 2

Dearest Baby Fossen,

It's your Dad's birthday tomorrow! I'm up late thinking about him and about you. 

Your Dad is such a wonderful man. The love of my life. He's just the best. Sweeter than anything I could have imagined. And I have a pretty good imagination. :) I love celebrating him, especially since he likes to fly under the radar with his birthday. I'm all, where's the cake? Do we have balloons? How many candles can we light at once? Is there a mariachi band available? I like to pull out all the stops for him.

Your Dad is a good man.

Sometimes I feel like there aren't enough things said about good men today. Your grandfathers are good men. Your uncles are good men, too. And your Dad is such a good man. He's so manly, too. He's rugged and muscular and outdoorsy and tough. But I don't think those qualities necessarily make him a good man. 

I think a good man is one who sacrifices and serves. Someone who puts the needs of others above his own needs. Someone who spends his time and energy and passion and money for others. Someone who stays up late to take the dog on one last walk. Someone who helps you buy nursery furniture instead of spending Saturday hunting. Someone who treats even your girlfriends with abundant generosity. Someone who genuinely loves your parents. Someone who holds your hand and watches the Will & Kate Lifetime movie with you and lets you hog the covers and makes pizza for dinner and brings home flowers just because. Your Dad is that kind of man. 

Yes, he's terribly rugged. And an excellent shot. And a terrifying display of force on the basketball court. 

But, he's also kind. And forgiving. And tender-hearted. And faithful. 

Those qualities make a man a man. Good men have more than skin deep character. Good men have depth.

Baby Fossen, I don't know if you're a boy or a girl, but I hope you'll grow up to know, and love, and appreciate good men. I hope you'll recognize that real manhood comes when you bend low to serve and sacrifice for others. Good men deserve our respect. 

I'm so thankful for the father you'll have, sweet baby. He sacrifices for you already. I hope you'll love and enjoy and respect and celebrate him for a lifetime.

With much love,

Your Mom

{engagement photos by Katie Stoops}

Good Eats

I loved food before I was pregnant. But, since making it through that first trimester I have realllllllly loved food. Every meal is just so good. I know it must sound like the goofiest thing! I'm just enjoying this whole new appreciation for all kinds of food!

I pack most of my cooking into weekends since weeknights seem to get so full with work, errands, and social commitments. Here are a few recipes I'm making this weekend (and one I made this past week!) that you might enjoy, too!

1. I'm making this carrot cake for Andrew's birthday. His actual birthday is Tuesday but we're celebrating a little early with my family tomorrow after church. I've made this cake a few times and it is hands down the winner of the most compliments from my husband. A few nights ago he asked if I might make make this for his birthday. Well, twist my arm! Yes, goodness! He asks for so little. And, if I'm honest, we BOTH love this cake. :)

2. This egg salad. Oh my heavens, you will love it (If you're into egg salad. Which I am.)! I made this earlier last week (doubled the recipe) and had egg salad sandwiches every day for lunch. I love the addition of the cherry tomatoes...so tasty.

3. Andrew and I are in a couples small group that meets twice a month at rotating houses. Earlier this month the couple that hosted served this chili. And my life has never been the same. I begged them for the recipe and they kindly shared the link with me. This is so easy to throw together...perfect for the Super Bowl weekend!

4. I've never made a pot roast, but I feel like Ree Drummond's Perfect Pot Roast might be the place to start. I'm serving it for Sunday lunch tomorrow...hoping it's as easy as Ree's photos make it look! (Don't you love picture tutorials?)

What are you cooking these days? I would love to hear some of your favorite recipes!

Letters to Baby Fossen // Volume 1

21 weeks pregnant! // Rifle Paper Co. iPhone case // Target Maternity sweater

Dear Baby Fossen,

You precious lamb! We can hardly wait to meet you! We're over the halfway point now! Soon it will be Maytime and we will be meeting you face to face. What an overwhelmingly happy moment that will be.

You are prayed for and loved and wanted far beyond anything we could express. Your Dad and I are SO excited to be your parents. We feel a bit daunted at the idea, too. We're going to be parents? Isn't that something that, like, older people do? :) This whole thing feels a bit surreal and wonderful.

Even feeling you move (which I've just started to feel...and recognize!) is surreal! Your movements are miraculous! There you are...still such a tiny creature...fashioned by the hand of a loving God...moving and flipping and stretching. You do your thing, Baby Fossen. Be all that He's made you to be!

We are filled with so much wonder about you. We wonder, will you be a boy or a girl? Will you like farming? Will you be mesmerized by the sound of the ocean the way we are? Will you enjoy music? And if you do, will you lean more toward Bruce Springsteen (that'll be your Dad's genes), or Bach (that will be mine)? We wonder what color your hair will be and if you'll have blue eyes or brown (or green?). We wonder whether you'll be introverted or extroverted, whether you'll like engineering or the arts, whether you'll feel more at home in the country or the city. We wonder and wonder and are filled with wonder.

We pray so many things for you. Your Dad prays for you and it melts my heart whenever he does. We pray that you'll be healthy and strong, and that you'll come to know God in a personal way. Our hearts are always restless until they find their rest in Him. We pray that you'll recognize that all of life points to the wonder and magnificence of a Creator God, and we hope that you'll come to know and love Jesus in a deeply personal way. 

We adore you. We can't wait to meet you! You are a gift from God and already we treasure you so immensely. Baby Fossen, we love you!

Hugs and kisses galore,

Your Mom (and your Dad, too!)