the fourth.

to my dear little fourth,
i am so sorry if you feel as though you are already feeling neglected, the fact that i often forget i am even pregnant with you might have something to do with it. it must be because you have three siblings already and mom is a busy lady. so, really you can't feel that neglected, it just means you have extra loves and mauls awaiting you. i'm sorry you don't have a name yet, maybe that would help mommy feel like i am paying a little more attention to you. you have very stubborn parents who for some reason can not agree on a name. if it were up to just one of us you would be named by now. maybe i feel as though you are being born at a crazy time in our little family's life...but wait, so was your little brother and he has turned out just fine. it could have something to do with the fact that you will live in a mini 950 square foot apartment with four other people. but let me tell you, it has a great view of the ocean and who doesn't want a constant snuggle from a family member? besides, you will be getting a free lift up the three flights of stairs from your mom...with emilia on her back and rock in her other arm because your siblings have a severe case of lazy legs. i will promise you several things though little man, i love you so much already. i promise you will get even more loves than a first child, whether you want them or not. you will probably be sick more often than the first, but you will have three mothers to make you all better. you will have a built-in playmate named rockwell and let me tell you, his south-paw will give you a run for your money. you most definitely will have a deep scruffy voice like the rest of us. i promise to take a lot of pictures of you, your siblings might be in them as well, but that is o.k. i already have a baby book for you, it might be because i accidentally bought two when rock was born because i have a horrible memory. this is no promise though that every tooth that comes in will be recorded but your dad is a dentist and that is his job, right? i promise your siblings are already obsessed with you, they talk about you all the time and remind me how fat i am getting(even in an elevator full of strangers). let's hope you look a little like your big sister julia because she prays every night you will have dark hair and olive skin to match hers. you might not be obsessed over as much as the first from extended family but you sure have a large group of cohorts who are ready for another trouble-maker to help them out. i do promise though that your aunties and grandma's will smooch on your cheeks until you cringe. you will be older in school which was never the luxury of your mother. you might be born on your daddy's birthday meaning you will have a party of your own every year unlike your siblings who are all born within a month and a half of each other in the summer.

hopefully by writing this you will feel a little more love and attention for being the fourth little one. i know your auntie raquel was the fourth in my family and she is nothing short of a blessing and a perfect angel. we are so excited to have you join the lake family. there are just a few things you need to promise mommy...i need chubbiness, pliable gushy cheeks to squeeze and smooch on, a perfect thumb to fit in your little mouth, and a leather stomach like your father's...deal? i love you little man.

love, mom

p.s. if you are a fourth child and still reading...i love you too.