A letter written to my last baby before she arrived.
Letter to My Last Baby
*Originally written in 2015*
Dear Baby #4,
You indeed will be my last baby, my last child. I write this with a hint of sadness, because, after all, having you will start a new era for me. A new time in which I won’t have a belly bump, an infant to carry, a toddler to chase… Don’t get me wrong, though. There are no words to truly describe how happy I am and how excited I am to meet you.
As the fourth baby, you should probably know some things, some vital information that will help you survive when you arrive. You’re going to be joining a family of five as our sixth member. As the youngest sibling, there will be some initiations for you, as I’m sure your brothers and sister will want you to fit in. You see, they already rule this roost (or at least we let them believe that).
Your oldest brother is very verbal. He always has been, talking in full sentences at the age of 1 and never stopping. It’s like his brain just wants to share everything it experiences, and then some. Sure, he’ll talk your little ears off, but just listen. He shares a vast amount of his 7 year old knowledge. You could learn a lot from him, and increase your vocabulary without making a peep.
Your sister is the infamous Super Ninja of the family. She’s not as vocal as your oldest brother, but man, does she pay attention to every little detail. You wouldn’t think she’s listening or knows how to react as quickly, but she is like lightening with her actions. She knows how to complete a mission without you even knowing she has left the room. She’s a girl of action, getting done what needs to get done without wanting any help. Follow her lead and you can survive any situation.
Your other brother is a trip. He’s still in the toddler stages, but he’s determined to do everything his older siblings do. You can’t tell him otherwise. If they can do it, he can do it. If Mommy or Daddy can do it, he can do it, and he’ll try and try again until he can do it himself. He perseveres through it all, climbing over any obstacle that gets in his way (no, really. He’s a climber). Take note of his willingness to keep on fighting, and you too can overcome anything.
They are all exited to meet you, just as your dad and I are excited. You’re going to be a surprise for us since we will not find out if you are a boy or a girl even though we found out with all of your older siblings. We each have our suspicions, but I can’t tell for sure one way or another. I have always been able to tell without even seeing the ultrasound report, but you a true mystery to me. I kinda like that since I’m otherwise not very good at waiting for surprises!
However, this brings up a new problem for me: your name. With the others, your dad and I came up with the baby names fairly quickly, knowing the genders already and finding our favorites. We tried to keep their names as unique as possible without using crazy spellings or anything like that, but of course two of the three ended up being popular (ask Aidan and Declan about it.. they’ll tell you). But your name? I don’t even know where to begin. I’m afraid you’ll arrive and I won’t have any ideas what to call you! Maybe I’ll just look at you and know what your name will be.
What would you say to your last #baby? Read this letter for inspiration. #parentingBeing My Last Baby
I should probably mention a few other things about being my last baby. Let’s start with photo albums and photo books. Your oldest brother has about 5-6 photo books, a few photo albums, one professional photo shoot, and is in the family photo collage. Your sister has 1 or two photo books and maybe one photo album, and made it to the family photo collage. Your other brother has no photo books, a few printed pictures, and one canvas print of him as a baby. He has yet to make it to the family photo collage…but I have thousands of digital images of him, just as I have for the other two as well.
Don’t worry, I’ll capture all of your milestones, all of your firsts, all of your messes, all of your triumphs…you may just not have a physical book to hold. Maybe someday when you’re all in school I’ll have time to complete that..
Moving on. As the last baby, you get the best of me and Dad. We might be a little older now and a little more crazy, but we’re wiser. In fact, we have had lots of parenting practice with your older brothers and sister. I’m sure you’ll throw some curve balls at us as they all did, but we’re ready.
We’re so ready. Okay, maybe your bedroom won’t be done until next summer, but you’ll be sleeping in our room until you can go in the crib. And maybe I still don’t have my other baby things out of storage yet, but I’ll work on that soon. I expect you’ll be coming weeks before your expected due date like the others, so I’ll plan on having the newborn things out and ready by Thanksgiving at least.
Above all, know you’re loved. Know you’re wanted. You are my rainbow baby, and despite all of our setbacks and complications, I have rooted for you since the second I knew you were inside of me. I silently cheer every time I feel you kick and nudge. I’m even grateful for the nausea and the other ailments that let me know my body is doing its job this time, keeping you safe and alive.
I’m looking forward to meeting you soon, my last baby. I’m going to treasure every second with you, since you’ll be the last to go through it all. I’d love for you to stay in your warm cozy place forever, but soon you’ll be here, ready to join the family.
We’ll be waiting!
Love,
Mommy
Read next: What It’s Like Raising a Rainbow Baby
Rachel L Alba says
How precious this letter will be to your child when he/she is old enough to understand it. You certainly have a gift for words. I don’t. Some say I talk a lot, but mostly I’m just rambling. This letter is just beautiful.
Aunt Rachel
Beth Gesualdi says
Marissa,
This is beautiful! I did something similar and sealed them away…it has been years since I read them. All four of our babies were surprises. With our #4 we were soooo sure it would be another boy we never settled on a girls name and then the big surprise! Worth the wait for that moment of joy! Enjoy this time!
Love you, Beth
Marissa says
Thanks, Beth! I didn’t realize all of your kids were surprises! I do remember being so excited when you had your little girl. <3
Stacey Loring says
This was so beautiful. I wish I had thought of something like this when my children were small. I may write a letter to my first grandchild who is due in May. Wonderful idea.
Marissa says
Congrats! I’m sure he or she would love a letter from you!
Callie (CreaTEAvity) Carling says
Oh Marissa, what a beautiful letter to your unborn baby – it made me cry, with tears of joy and happiness! Your baby is so blessed to be joining your gorgeous family; what a divine Thanksgiving gift to be waiting on. Wishing you all much joy, happiness, laughter and excellent health.
With blessings, Callie – London, UK #blogelina
Marissa says
Thank you! Although, I’m hoping the baby waits until at least Christmastime, closer to the due date 😉
Kara says
What a beautiful idea. It’s not only wonderful for your impending arrival, but also the descriptions of your older kids. They will love having the descriptions of their young personalities! I really enjoyed your writing.
Kara says
What a beautiful idea! Not only will your newest little one love reading it when she is older, but also your other kids will love reading the descriptions you’ve written of them. I really enjoyed your writing!
Marissa says
Thank you!
Jillian says
Awh! Absolutely love this idea. When my son was a newborn, I wrote a blog post to him every month sharing what he was doing, and how he was growing.
I look forward to reading those with him when he is much older.
Great post!
Marissa says
Love the idea of blog posts to the kids. 🙂
Jamie says
How adorable!! I love to see parents doing these things for their kids to read later in life. Thank you for sharing this with us at the #BlogelinaCommentathon
Marissa says
Thank you!
Toiia L. Rukuni says
This is a beautiful letter to your unborn child. I do something by writing poems to my children, and a personal letter in their baby book. I think that is so touching when your children hear the words that you wrote to them before they came into the world.
#Commentathon
Marissa says
I love the idea of writing poems! I also write in personal journals for each of them, like my mom started to do when I was a baby. I want to give them to the kids when they’re old enough to have kids of their own. 🙂
Dash Kitten says
Your bit about having photos, maybe not, hit home with us. Our cat Peanut died recently – but we have photographs, lot of them, and they are real, printed ones, and they go back to 1998. This is a heck of a long way for one life. Maybe a busy mum won’t have time to make an album but somewhere like Snapfish could create a book for a busy mum – right? So you have some lovely, loving memories to share!
Marissa says
Someday I will.. It takes me a few hours at a time to upload and organize all of the nice photos. I’ll catch up before they’re all adults. 😉
chaitali says
This is a beautiful and heartfelt letter to your unborn child imparting memories and wisdom. I love how you’ve captured the personalities of your other kids and what they can teach to the unborn child.
Marissa says
Thank you!
Lindsey says
This is such a cute idea! I’m sure this child will love reading this letter one day when they are older. #Blogelina
Marissa says
Thanks!
Sarah Thornton says
Marissa this is so beautiful. It made me cry. In a good way.:-) My last baby is now almost eight, and I do miss having a little one in the house. But every day presents it’s own surprises, and milestones. Motherhood is a lovely journey. Thank you for sharing a little of yours.
Marissa says
Motherhood is definitely a lovely journey, one that never truly ends. 🙂
Kari @The He Said She Said Experience says
Very sweet! It sounds like your little one will have lots of fun with their brothers and sisters. Reading this made me want another baby!
Marissa says
Oh, he or she will definitely have a ton of fun! There’s always something going on in this house. 🙂
Tina Collins says
Aw that is so moving! I’d love to know your son’s’/daughter’s reaction when he/she reads it much later!
Marissa says
I’ll have to try to remember that! 🙂
Tracy says
Awww…. so precious and your kids are adorable! Congrats on the new addition to your family and thanks for sharing! 🙂 #blogelinacommentathon
Marissa says
Thank you!
Charity says
How very precious to write a letter to your baby. I hope you print this out or copy and paste it to a digital scrapbook so your last little one can read what you had to say to him/her.
Marissa says
It never crossed my mind to print it out. I’ll have to do that today! 🙂
Jennifer says
Marissa (that is my daughter’s name as well), this is beautiful. I love how you point out each of your children’s abilities, and how they make them unique. Baby # 4 will be just as beautiful and unique as his/ her siblings. I know you will cherish every moment with your last baby.
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
I’m not a mom but I find this precious. #commentathon
Erin says
What a fantastic letter. I was writing blog posts to my kids on each of their birthdays but the last few years got a bit crazy and I haven’t done it. I need to get back to doing that for them.
Raquel C says
How sweet! I knew that my second child was my last, and even today I think about the what if I had another scenario.. Alas, I am slightly older now and I have my perfect pair so for that I am thankful. Again such a sweet letter.
Shauna S. says
This is a beautiful letter to your baby. As my kids get older, everytime I see a little baby I get all mushy. Ah, I miss those tiny toes. Well my daughter is now 3 and still has tiny toes. She’s getting big though. It’s good to cherish each and every moment with the kids.
Denise Murray Wong says
I am in tears after reading such a precious, lovingly crafted letter. The sweet memories and moments described in this letter will be a treasured keepsake for your entire family. I wish all of the best for your family as it grows to welcome your sixth member!
Shann Eva says
This is such a sweet post. Your 4th baby will cherish having this letter some day. I can’t wait to hear the gender and the name. Congratulations, and best wishes for a healthy delivery.
Karen says
Amazing! I so enjoyed reading your lovely post! Congrats on your new bundle-of-joy!
Jeryl M. says
My last baby just turned double digits this month. Your post fills me with nostalgia and makes me really miss having a baby in the house.
Patti Barnes says
What a lovely idea, I wish I had thought of doing this for our last baby (baby number 5, nolonger a baby but 7 years old!). You will have to keep us updated on a name..We found it more difficult to choose names as we had more children – you use up your favs first!
Karen says
What a fabulous keepsake for the new child, and the rest of the family to reflect back on! It’s so exciting to look back and see how each child develops their own unique personality traits!
Jesska says
This is such a nice letter, I can’t imagine your baby’s face when they read it when they are older! Thanks for sharing 🙂 xxxxx
Jenni@DitchingOurDebt says
So exciting! We had our 4th and final last year (at least I think it’s final :)), and I do find myself cherishing every single moment with her. It didn’t hurt either that she was our first girl after 3 boys!
Andrea says
OK I am crying:) What a beautiful idea and I can wait to hear your babies reaction when you read it to her or him.. All the Best!!! #commentathon
Brooke Bumgardner (Brooke Blogs) says
What a sweet post. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful letter. I have two daughters and I am hoping we aren’t done quite yet. 🙂
Brooke @ Brooke Blogs
#blogelina #commentathon
MsCrookedHalo says
Aww. That’s such a sweet letter to write to the future newest member of your family. You forgot to mention what issues Dad might have. Lol.
Tanya says
Very beautiful! This is so touching, and your baby will love reading this letter when he or she is older. 🙂
Yona Williams says
What a lovely letter to your baby! This will serve as a special memory to stick in one of those photo books, and I think it’s exciting to not know the sex this time around.
Pamela says
This is a beautiful letter to your last child. I think your child will really appreciate it when they get older. I just had my last August 2014. Congrats.
Cher says
So cute! I always think to write a note to my kids but never do… one day….
Jen says
Love it. I wrote a letter to my daughter when she was a few months old and then gave it to her when she became a teenager. She loved it.
Jen
#blogelina
Natalie says
This is so incredibly touching and will be a treasured keepsake for your child in the distant future!
Ashley says
It’s so true about the pictures and photo books haha. My poor second child wont ever know half the crazy stuff he’s done and said if I ever forget because it’s not written down anywhere. I do however have thousands of high quality digital images of him that I never got of my oldest with my crappy first camera!
Kari Ann says
What a beautiful letter to your baby! How great for them to be able to read this in the future, you write beautifully.
Nicole R (@AlwaysReiding) says
This is a fabulous letter to your child. And what a new era for you. Congrats to facing this new era strongly and head on!
deborah dennert says
This was so sweet and endearing. You should print and frame this. Such a keepsake for everyone.
ellen beck says
I love this letter and had to smile at some of it. I liked the part about the photo albums. There sure is a difference between first second third and so on!
I know you finally came up with a name but were so honest.