My youngest sister, Kimmy, is pregnant with her third child. Our family is thrilled at the prospect of having another lovebug join our happy little clan. But, it hasn’t been an easy pregnancy for my poor sister.

Kimmy’s second child, Sadie, came 3 months early, weighing just 2.5 pounds. She was in the neonatal intensive care unit for 3 months and there were some pretty scary moments when we thought we might lose her. Miraculously, Sadie survived  her ordeal unscathed and is now a happy, healthy, delightful little girl, who is excitedly making plans for her 4th birthday in February.

We had hoped this third pregnancy would be much like Kimmy’s first, when her son Calvin made his way into the world at 41 weeks, tipping the scales at 9 pounds 15 ounces. Andy & I were there at the hospital with my sister & brother-in-law when Cal was born and I was blessed to be in the room when he took his first breath. It was one of the most profoundly beautiful experiences of my life….something I will never forget and hope to experience again this time around.

But, things got scary for my sister, when, at 23-weeks, she once again started having problems. As a precaution, doctors ordered her to bed rest. Unable to walk around too much or lift anything, it’s been really hard on her. Me & my dad have been helping out by going up once a week, on Tuesdays & Thursdays, to take care of the kids, do laundry, grocery shop…whatever she needs. And, Kimmy has the most unbelievably supportive group of friends & neighbors, who have been dropping off meals, taking the kids and just generally providing the most loving support.

Still, it’s hard for Kimmy….relying on the kindness of others and having two children to take care of, while also needing to take care of herself and her baby.

As she enters her 32nd week, and we continue to move past the marker of when Sadie arrived, I’ve been thinking a lot about the sacrifices mothers make for their children and how being a mother starts long before our children officially make their way into lives.

I am so in awe of my sister…of the incredible mother she is to her two amazing children, and of the grace she has shown as she struggles bravely through her pregnancy.

I was fortunate enough to go with her to her most recent ultrasound appointment, with Cal & Sadie in tow. Getting a peek at our sweet girl in 3D was so cool and although we want her to stay put a bit longer, seeing her sweet little face made me excited for the day she does finally join the family.

In honor of my sister, of the sacrifices she has made for her beautiful children, and the boundless love she has for them, I wanted to share one of my favorite poems by E.E. Cummings, along with some photos from Kimmy’s ultrasound appointment.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) I am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life: which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

With much love & admiration,

Auntie Chrissy xoxo