Dear Sawyer Maddox,

Sawyer,

Today is August 13, 2012 and you are still inside of my belly. You’re due date is fastly approaching and you are only a couple of weeks away (possibly days) from entering this world. Your mommy and daddy hope that it is sooner than later- we are super anxious to meet you little guy :) I can only imagine the feelings that will overcome me as you enter this world and I am able to meet you for the first time. You are MY little boy and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you!

I want you to know that I have thoroughly enjoyed all LONG nine months of my pregnancy with you. We found out that we were having a baby on Christmas Eve 2011 right after church! What an incredible Christmas gift, nothing else will ever compare!! Your daddy and I have been totally amazed with this whole process and have both enjoyed watching you grow inside of me. God is so good! It has been remarkable hearing your tiny heart beat and watching you move around inside of me.....it is beyond amazing! When we saw your little face on 4D ultrasound you instantly melted my heart. I’m thinking that you may favor your mommy more – yay! But I’m so so sorry son, I think that you may have your daddy’s feet :) You have already brought your daddy and I so much joy and closer as husband and wife - we cannot wait to become a “family of three.” We have tried to prepare for you as best as we know how and have read the “best of the best” parenting books, bought all of the “latest and greatest” gadgets and clothing and prepared what we feel is “the perfect nursery” all we are missing now is you! Although there are not many “things” that you don’t have, life isn’t about “things” I hope to teach you that as soon as you are able to comprehend it all - Life is about love and what you can do to help others. 

Sawyer - I was never a person that had to think about whether or not I wanted children.  I always knew I wanted children.  There wasn’t a doubt in my mind! I want you to know that since I was a little girl I have always dreamed of being a “mommy.” I have always dreamed of the time in my life when the time was "right" and I would have a little baby of my very own and YOU are about to make that happen! I can promise you that I will do my VERY best to be the best mom possible. I will always put you FIRST ahead of myself and I will do everything in my power to show you how much that I love you and how much that God loves you. I will always try and protect you from harm and keep your best interests at hand, and it pains me already to know that I will not always be able to do this. Your daddy and I will support you 100% in all of your hopes and dreams.

I feel that it is also very important that you know how much your mommy and daddy love one another. Here is the yucky stuff- I know I know, I'm sorry....but you will appreciate it one day! We started dating when we were just young sophomores in high school at Hewitt Trussville High on September 11, 2000 at 16 years of age I knew that I loved YOUR daddy. We went on to Auburn University together and had the time of our lives there for 4 ½ years, we hope that you choose this same path- WAR EAGLE!! Your daddy then went on to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian and I couldn’t be more proud of him. It was a tough road for he and I as we were apart for nearly 3 ½ years- but WE MADE IT and HE DID IT! Your daddy is a doctor- he saves animals, how cool is that? I think its pretty cool! With that being said- it does not make him any better than any other daddy out there, it just means that he is able to use his talents and abilities to help people and there pets.  We hope that you choose a career one day that you enjoy and love and can use your special abilities and talents. August 29, 2008 your daddy asked me to marry him at Sanford Hall in Auburn. On August 22, 2009 we were married! It is only fitting that you are due to arrive in our lives in the month of August!!!

We both look forward to all of the milestones in your life and we commit that we will always and forever be there for you. We only want the very best for you please remember that! Your first smiles, words, steps, home runs, and A+'s  are all just around the corner and we will cherish every one of them. We are also not foolish enough to realize that there will be hard times ahead when you pitch your first fit or talk back to us - we will discipline you purely out of love and I feel quite sure it will be one of the hardest things that we have to do as parents. Remember we are doing it for you, to make you a better person. We look forward to seeing your personality shine and pray that you will have a heart for God and become a leader and not a follower. Nothing could make us more proud!

   Currently, you have a brother and sister at home waiting on you. You have a brother – Tobie who is a 2-year-old Morkie and you have a sister – Shiloh who is a 9-month-old Great Dane.  These are some super special animals- at least we think so! We love animals, LOVE them – okay mommy may be a little crazy about animals but I do not think that is a bad trait or quality to have. I pray that you have the same love and compassion for animals. We are praying and hoping that they adjust well to your arrival and we can’t wait to introduce them to you!

Lastly, you have TONS of family and family friends who have showered you will love and gifts over these past nine months. THANK YOU TO THEM ALL! You are one lucky little boy, you have NO clue how lucky you are! People who love you already cannot WAIT to meet you and see your little face. There are just too many to name them all and I do not want to leave anyone out. I pray that you are able to having the incredible relationship with your grandparents, as I have been lucky enough to have with mine.
         

WE LOVE YOU further than the moon and stars - always and forever our baby you'll be!

Mommy and Daddy