Last days of Pregnancy and Letters to my loves.

 My beautiful amazing talented friend, Jessamyn took my Maternity Pictures. I wasn't even going to do them because I've gained so much this pregnancy. Nothing in my closet fit and we just moved my mind is crazy with last minute unpacking and endless things to do but I'm so glad we decided to do it because my Lily girl is going to look back on these photos and LOVE them. Jessamyn has an amazing eye and is so patient with people with kiddos. She also has such a gift capturing the love. I've always believed that candid photos are the best and what you see is us being real. So a million thanks to Uptown Photography for these photos.

 Dear James,
Your little life is about to be turned upside down in a few days and I pray that you are good for your mommy and daddy! Haha, but most of all, I hope you know that we love you with everything we have. You are literally our lives and what we live for. You're perfect in our eyes and we know you are going to be a great big brother once you realize what is even going on. Lily is one lucky little lady. Just know little boy, that throughout this pregnancy I have been sad many times because I now have to share you. Doesn't mean my love for you or Lily is any less. I've just loved giving you my all and I know things will have to change a little bit. I'm still going to take you to the park and spoil you with "chicken and fries" from McDonalds and better believe Chocolate milk and fruit snacks will be involved whenever it is possible. As much as I can, I promise to sing you 'Our song' while you fall asleep and also let you sleep with us in our bed because I know you get scared of the dark. Little boy, I'm still going to spoil you rotten. I love you James Ryan and I can't wait for you to meet your little sister for the first time.
-Love, Mommy.

 Dear Lucas,
Even though we have been very caught up in kids, work, moving and just the overall stress of life, I feel like we handle our life beautifully. You working nights is so hard on all of us but I'm happy that we can still laugh at the same things that we did 5 ish years ago when we met and we still hear songs that remind us of our each other and our love. Our relationship is definitely different from when we first got married because so much has happened in the short time we've been married. We may not be able to go to movies and Ruby Tuesday every friday night for date night but we also have gained the sweetest little boy that is basically like watching a movie. Also, a little gal in about a week or so that we get to snuggle to no end. I know you are beyond excited about Lily but I can also tell you are scared to have a little girl. believe me, me too. I cannot wait to see your face when you hold her for the first time. You are such a good Daddy to James, I have zero doubts that you are going to be a great daddy to Lily.  Just know Lucas that I love you and our inside jokes and I love that we can somehow know what the other is thinking without saying at all. One more thing. I want to thank you for putting up with my pregnancy craziness and constant feeling of insecurity that I have felt the past 9 months. You are such an amazing person and one thing I've learned being married to you is that things ALWAYS get better. I can't thank you enough for working as hard as you do. I love you.
-Hailey

 Dear Lily Bea,
Your time is just about here. I'm so scared but I'm also feeling calm because I know what to expect a little bit. I am very emotional this pregnancy and I have a feeling I'm going to be when I hold you for the first time because you know your grandpa Rash in a way that non of us have known. You are the second child born in our family since my dad has passed (Nova Jo was first in January) and I just know that I'm going to ball my eyes out when I meet you for the first time. We are almost ready for you just a few more things to get done so my mind is eased. For the most part though, I have your cradle all ready and all your clothes and blankets in the drawers and sorted. My hospital bag has been packed for about a month :) We're just over the moon excited to add you to our family. I want you to come soon but It would be pretty awesome if you came October 3rd because Oct 3rd, 2009 your Daddy proposed to me. That would be pretty rad if you came that day. But on the other hand, my due date is October 2nd and my body feels like it might fall apart if you don't come soon! ;) So anytime baby girl. I hope you get here easily and that you are healthy. I have no doubts that you are going to be beautiful so I'm not worried about that. Can you please have James cheeks?! :) That's really all I ask. We love you! See you so soon!
-Love, Mommy.

This is james in all this glory. Pretty much how last week looked for us. Not even kidding. We really do love parenthood! Bring on the Crazy of two kids!! :)