Dear Baby

Dear Ricey,

I guess firstly I should apologise for the days of sobbing after I discovered your existence. You were, um, unexpected. Very. The only person who was probably more surprised than me was Mary. But I'm betting not by much.

I guess I should thank you for at least giving us a year before gracing us with your presence. Trust me, given that your Dad was a surprise honeymoon baby, I'm grateful you were a little more relaxed.

Your grandparents are, of course, thrilled about you. And all the newfound psychics on your Dad's side are now insisting that they "knew" over Christmas. Funny how they never mentioned this great insight to me as I was knocking back the liquor and chowing down on cold seafood and days old deli meats. Sorry about that. Though I am intrigued to see if you have any great aversion or love for pomegranates when you grace the world with your presence, since you spent a good part of your first couple of weeks sloshing around in various pomegranate infused cocktails.

While we're on the topic of food, let's talk about consistency. Truly, I can deal with it if you don't like something. Even if it breaks me heart to give it up. We both know that this time next year I'll be getting revenge by force feeding you that revolting sludge Wattie's call "baby food". But, I would really appreciate it if you could pick a team and stick with it. This whole craving plums one day and projectile vomiting them the next is really uncool. Almost as uncool as walking into a meeting and discovering I have remnants still splattered on my suit.

Nap time. Wow you really like these don't you? I can only hope that my Saturday and Sunday afternoon writing time, that has now become 3-4 hours of coma-like unconsciousness, is a good omen for how much you plan to sleep once you arrive.

And your Auntie Bec has already bought every gender neutral onesie in the Wellington region so would like me to request that you let her know somehow if you're a he or a she so she can branch out into either trucks or flowers. Your father has christened her the most excited out of everyone, and trust me, the competition is super stiff on that front.

Can't wait to meet you in September.

xox