Dear Lady Who is 30 Weeks Pregnant

I want you to know that when you told me you were 30 weeks pregnant, it scared me. Bringing back all the feelings I had when I was 30 weeks along, and never made it any further. Hearing that made my brain flood with memories of the scariest time of my life thus far. Have I said it was scary? It was scary.

I want you to know a few things about the babe growing inside you. It is a special baby who chose you as an incubator until it is ready to join this world. Right now your baby is growing, sleeping, and even practicing to breath. I want you to know that 30 weeks is a huge milestone for your baby's developement. If born today, he might be able to breath on his own in a few weeks.

I want you to know that he will have ten toes and ten perfect fingers all including perfect miniature fingernails. He will have more hair than you would have thought. He will have really big eyes, that he will only peek open when the lights are dim. He will have a translucent layer of skin covering his bones with no fat for padding. He will like his hands up by his face, and his boney legs will be thrown over the blankets surrounding his little body. Just relaxing, hanging out, like being on a lazy boy recliner.

I want you to know that he knows the sound of your voice and his siblings voices. He will respond to your touch but will think that you are tickling him, so you will have to hold your hand still. He will always calm down when his daddy lays a hand on his tummy, covering his whole stomach. His grandparents won't be able to touch him and it will drive them crazy, but just being able to see him alive and healthy for the time being will make them feel a little better.

I want you to know that you might feel unattached to him at first. He will look like your baby and feel like your baby. He will be everything you expect and nothing you ever imagined. He will begin to feel more like your own and you will become so attached to him, your heart will flutter when you think about him. At first it will be hard to see the teeny tiny clothes he will someday fit. It will be hard to see the nice cards the sweet nurses made for you with his picture on them. It will be hard to see all the pictures of him on the internet and to read all the nice things people are saying to help comfort you and your family.

I want you to know that people will be praying for him. People you have known your whole life will be praying. People that you have not seen since you graduated high school will be praying. People that you have only met a few times will be praying. People who you have never met will be praying. He will have an impact on the lives of people around you. People will want to visit him, to see him while he is on the earth because only time will tell how long he will be here.

I want you to know that he will struggle. He might get sick and leave nothing for the doctors to help him with, but he will be strong and will prove he can do it all on his own time. The same way he did when he chose to be born on that scary day, when you were only 30 weeks along.

Just thought I would let you know,
Ciera