Dear Baby Girl.
Dear Baby,
I've been thinking about your face. Your hands. Your little feet and the chubby cheeks I've seen countless times on the ultrasound monitor. I've been thinking about the round swell of your baby belly, and the teeny nails on your little hands. Your petite ears. The little rosebud of a mouth.
Growing up, I didn't have fantasies about the wedding with the white dress and the table seating charts and the guest list. I just knew I would end up with a man who loved me and treated me both like a best friend and a partner for life. And I found that man. Your daddy is one of the kindest, most special people I've ever known, and you and I are lucky girls to have him in our life. He's taken such good care of me for the last few years, and he'll continue to take care of both of us as our family grows.
But while I didn't dream about my wedding, I've always dreamt about you. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted you in my life. It's different than the dreams I had of being a writer and a race car driver and the owner of a breakfast restaurant with a cat that hangs out in the kitchen. My dreams of you were always a little cloudy, veiled in the insecurity of what a pregnancy with diabetes would be like. Doctors told me for years that women with diabetes, particularly those diagnosed when they were really young, like me, would have a tougher time getting pregnant and seeing the pregnancy through. I pretended not to hear them, but their words settled in my head and I was always hopeful, but never sure, that you would become part of my life.
And then your daddy and I prepared for you, working so hard to control diabetes so that it would be as minuscule a factor in your creation as possible. We got married. We celebrated a year as husband and wife. And then we took the leap to make you ours. We traveled overseas without you, but returned home with you as our secret.
Time has gone by quickly, little girl, and over the last eight months, we've watched my belly grow as you've grown, too. Ultrasounds and blood tests and fetal monitors confirmed that you were inside of me, strong and healthy and preparing for your debut. The first few months of pregnancy were comfortable, the last few a bit tougher, but all the while we continued to work hard and pray and wait for you.
And now we're here, baby. Today is your birthday. You are my greatest achievement, my proudest moment, and my whole heart.
Your daddy and I couldn't be luckier than we are today. We can't wait to meet you.
All my love,
Mommy
Comments
Beautiful, just beautiful.
My mascara is running.
Posted by: Deb | April 15, 2010 09:49 AM
That is one of the most beautiful welcome letters I have ever read. It really spells out the thoughts of a diabetic mother-to-be. God Bless you.
Posted by: NC Mom | April 15, 2010 09:59 AM
AHHH!!! Beautiful!!! Can't wait to see your baby girl! What did you name her? So, so, so happy and excited for you!
Posted by: Lindsay | April 15, 2010 11:27 AM
Happy Birthday BSparl! I hope everything goes well today and I can't wait to hear all about her.
Posted by: Linda | April 15, 2010 11:34 AM
What a wonderful welcome to your baby girl - thinking about your family today, waiting for news and pictures! :)
Posted by: Shannon in CO | April 15, 2010 11:36 AM
Congratulations, Kerri and Chris. Welcome to the world, BSparl! =)
Posted by: Anonymous | April 15, 2010 11:37 AM
Happy Birthday BSparl!
Posted by: Judie | April 15, 2010 11:39 AM
Crying my eyes out with pride & happiness for you & Chris.
Welcome little girl...you are one lucky lady.
{{Hugs}}
Lindsay
Posted by: Lindsay R. | April 15, 2010 11:41 AM
Absolute joy! Congratulations!
P.S. Since you "returned" home with her from Spain, you should have a shirt made for her that says, "Made in Spain." HAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Holly | April 15, 2010 11:41 AM
Absolutely beautiful. I'm totally crying over here.
Posted by: Adriana | April 15, 2010 11:43 AM
Happy, happy birthday, Sweet New Life!
Posted by: kassie | April 15, 2010 11:43 AM
We've been thinking about you guys all day! Congratulations, Sparling family!!!!! Hope that you had an easy delivery and we look forward to hearing about it and, of course, seeing pictures of Miss BSparl soon!
Posted by: Elizabeth Edelman | April 15, 2010 11:45 AM
Dear Kerri--You make me so proud and happy. I have been reporting on your journey to motherhood to my Type 1 daughter. Just so she can see how it is possible and wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world, you are an inspiration.
Best of luck, Can't wait for the next post!
Posted by: Victoria | April 15, 2010 11:48 AM
beautiful ♥ utterly beautiful ♥
Posted by: Samantha | April 15, 2010 11:55 AM
Beautiful. A baby born is a beautiful and wonderful thing. Diabetic pregnancies are certainly a feat with all the constant monitoring - but definitely worth it.
God Bless,
Bethany
Posted by: Bethany | April 15, 2010 11:56 AM
So happy for you all :):):)
Posted by: Kathy | April 15, 2010 11:56 AM
You have such a way with words...beautiful. You are the best mommy!
Posted by: Michelle | April 15, 2010 11:56 AM
I want you to know that you give me so much hope for my own future.
I think you will be a wonderful mother, and I look forward to reading more about how you live your life to the fullest in spite of the Big D.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Melanie | April 15, 2010 11:58 AM
So wonderful Kerri :) I am SO happy for you and your family! Today is the reward for ALL of your hardwork!
Posted by: Amy | April 15, 2010 12:03 PM
Such a touching letter, Kerri. Welcomg to the world, Bsparl!
Posted by: Annie | April 15, 2010 12:19 PM
Beautiful! That brought tears to my eyes!
Posted by: David Wenger | April 15, 2010 12:32 PM
Beautiful and Sweet!
Posted by: Amanda | April 15, 2010 12:36 PM
I am 21 years old and have had diabetes for 20 years. You truly are such an inspriation to me. I am so happy for you. I hope I can be as happy as you with the wonderful things that you have in your life once I get out of school. Yay for you! :)
Posted by: Katie | April 15, 2010 12:36 PM
Well done, Kerrie. Congratulations.
Posted by: Steve | April 15, 2010 12:37 PM
Fantastic, she's here!!Love to you all.
Posted by: Amanda | April 15, 2010 12:58 PM
That was beautiful. I can't wait to have children some day. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!
Posted by: Addie | April 15, 2010 12:58 PM
Congratulations!!!!! And welcome to the world, BSparl!
Posted by: Pubsgal | April 15, 2010 01:15 PM
Oh Kerri! I am just a puddle of tears right now, and so very, very happy for you!
I've been following you (lurking and cheering in the background) for a long time, and I've been so thrilled to live vicariously though you on this journey.
Congratulations to you, Chris, and precious little BSparl!
Posted by: Karen | April 15, 2010 01:17 PM
Beautiful post. Congratulations!
Posted by: Rob Halper | April 15, 2010 01:28 PM
Congrats Kerri and Chris. Welcome to the world BSparl. You have wonderful parents who love you more than anything.
Posted by: Cin | April 15, 2010 01:32 PM
That is the second time in six months that you have made me cry in a public place.
Congratulations Kerri and Chris! You so did it!
And welcome to the world BSparl! It's a scary place at times, but you've got a great mommy and daddy to take care of you.
Posted by: Caro | April 15, 2010 01:35 PM
I am not even wearing mascara and it's running. WTH?
I am so happy for the Sparlings. Ugh, I love you guys a bunch!
Congrats.
Posted by: SuperG | April 15, 2010 01:48 PM
That was absolutely beautiful. BSparl is blessed to have such a wonderful mom, and so much love to welcome her. Enjoy every precious moment with your new little one!
Posted by: Kathy | April 15, 2010 01:57 PM
She's here? Happy Birthday BSparl!
Posted by: Grace | April 15, 2010 02:04 PM
Kerri, that may be the most wonderful blog I have ever read. Your daughter will love reading it someday. Congratulations to you and your husband. It is easy to see the three of you are going to make a wonderful family!
~Richard
Posted by: Richard Vaughn | April 15, 2010 02:07 PM
Darn it, you made me cry at work!! But for a good reason. I hope all is going well. Please post an update soon so we know that everything is ok!!
Posted by: Andie | April 15, 2010 02:08 PM
Congratulations, Kerri and Chris!! You give people like me (this August will be my 20th anniversary!) hope that I CAN bring a baby into this world!
Side note- today is my birthday too! Happy birthday, BSparl!!
Posted by: Janine | April 15, 2010 02:22 PM
I'm super proud that you faced the "D" fears and are healthy & happy. You are truly an inspiration and I adore you for sharing your life with all of us.
You have put a great twinkle of hope in my heart for the day I am able to have a precious bundle of joy. Like you, that whole Steel Magnolias movie hung-heavy in my mind, but now that I've followed your blog, I know it is possible and totally worth it.
Thanks again and congratz on the beautiful baby girl.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 15, 2010 02:50 PM
Beautiful...Happy Birthday Baby! BSparl may not know it, but she has many fans praying and anxiously awaiting her safe arrival. Much love and happiness to your new addition.
Posted by: Suze | April 15, 2010 02:59 PM
Congratulations! You have a little tax day baby. :) I have one of those too who is celebrating his 3rd birthday today. Enjoy every minute of it....it goes by so quickly!
Posted by: Christi P | April 15, 2010 03:06 PM
Wonderful news! Happy Birthday BSparl!
Posted by: Alan | April 15, 2010 03:16 PM
Congratulations, Kerri and Chris! Welcome to the world Bsparl!
Posted by: Jenna | April 15, 2010 03:18 PM
I hope you are well Kerri and everything is fine!!
And, welcome little BSparl (what a cooool name!)!!!
All the best
Posted by: diabatissa | April 15, 2010 03:28 PM
Happy birthday, BSparl!
You guys are such an inspiration, Kerri. I can't to become a mom one day :)
Posted by: Faye | April 15, 2010 03:34 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 15, 2010 03:36 PM
Congratulations Sparling family! Welcome to the world BSparl!
Posted by: Scott | April 15, 2010 03:38 PM
Bawling my frickin' face off! Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!
Posted by: Jessica | April 15, 2010 03:40 PM
That was one of the most beautiful letters I have ever read. BSparl is coming to a wonderful family!
Posted by: Tracy | April 15, 2010 03:40 PM
welcome BSparl from the uk
Posted by: sami | April 15, 2010 03:41 PM
Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see photos!
Posted by: Holly | April 15, 2010 03:45 PM
Wow! You made me cry. And as always, you impress me, K. Congratulations to you on this incredibly special day. All my love! N
Posted by: Nicolep | April 15, 2010 03:55 PM
Wow, how beautiful you write...I hope everything has gone perfectly today and you and baby are doing well.
We all can't wait to meet her.
Congratulations to you Kerri and your beloved Chris.
Posted by: Louise Sharabi | April 15, 2010 04:08 PM
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Best Wishes to you and your husband.
Posted by: dargirl | April 15, 2010 04:11 PM
Happy Birthday Bsparl!!!!
Posted by: Wendy | April 15, 2010 04:13 PM
Kerri!
That was beautiful. Congratulations and good luck!
Posted by: nikki | April 15, 2010 04:16 PM
Kerri- When BSparl is up late at night, sing her camp songs! Wishing you a lifetime of hugs and giggles.
Posted by: Brooke | April 15, 2010 04:23 PM
Happy Birthday, baby girl. You are a lucky little lady to have such a fabulous Mummy and Daddy. Welcome to the world.
Posted by: Jules | April 15, 2010 04:41 PM
Happy Birthday, little girl!
Congrats, Kerri and Chris!
Tough luck, Siah & co : )
Posted by: val | April 15, 2010 05:14 PM
Thinking of you today, Sparlings.
Posted by: MelissaBL | April 15, 2010 05:28 PM
Aw Kerri....what a great memoir you have of these months and moments leading up to right now.
Happy birthday to your little pumpkin, and happy birthday to you both as you become the parents you were always meant to be!
Posted by: Heidi | April 15, 2010 05:34 PM
Congratulations Kerri and Chris!!!!!
Happy Birthday BSparl, you have such extraordinary parents who love you so much!!!!!
I've thinking of you all day! BIG Kisses for you all from Portugal!
I'm really burst into tears :)
Posted by: Célia | April 15, 2010 06:16 PM
Congratulations Kerri - I am SO HAPPY for you and Chris! :-)
Posted by: Scott K. Johnson | April 15, 2010 06:27 PM
That is a truly special post. Many congratulations on your new arrival.
Posted by: jennifer | April 15, 2010 07:26 PM
My favorite, ever! You speak for those of us who 'know'. One very powerful line for me is: "Doctors told me for years that women with diabetes, particularly those diagnosed when they were really young, like me, would have a tougher time getting pregnant and seeing the pregnancy through. I pretended not to hear them, but their words settled in my head and I was always hopeful, but never sure, that you would become part of my life."
SO TRUE!!!
I'm sitting with my own baby girl in my arms and the joy and pride I feel at having had a 'healthy' pregnancy and HEALTHY (as a horse) baby girl while also living with diabetes - just keeps growing in my heart. My heart is outside my body now actually. Freya says 'heyy' in a 7 month old baby voice.
Congratulations so much!! I remember you as a young girl at camp (& me as a slightly older young girl) ~ baby twinkles in our eyes and now we are both moms in the world!
As far as that incision goes - just heed the advice to get up and move as much as you can muster ~ and please feel free to use me as a resource for anything. Go T1 moms!!! We rock the planet!
Posted by: J. Davis Harte | April 15, 2010 07:50 PM
Congratulations Kerri and Chris. Welcome to your first day of parenthood!
Posted by: Brenda | April 15, 2010 08:24 PM
Happy birthday, BSparl! And congratulations, Kerri! Becoming a mom is the best. thing. ever. You will never be the same. And it's the best change ever. You go, mama!
Posted by: Katie | April 15, 2010 08:42 PM
That made me tear up!! I am so happy for all of you, and can't wait to "meet" BSparl
Posted by: Chrissy | April 15, 2010 08:50 PM
Congratulations Kerri, this post made me cry and I am so happy for you. You really are an inspiration, and I am so glad that your dream came true!
Posted by: Brenda W. | April 15, 2010 09:01 PM
Many congratulations Kerri + your loving husband and welcome Baby Girl!!!
ps Girls have superior software!!! xxx
Posted by: Sara Parker | April 15, 2010 09:17 PM
Beautiful letter! Congrats to you and Chris!
Posted by: Cherise | April 15, 2010 09:19 PM
Beautiful, blessed baby girl. Congratulations Keri and Chris.
Take care.
Bethanne
Posted by: Bethanne | April 15, 2010 09:42 PM
Kerri! Reading this makes me remember why I am enduring my personal "heck" with my teenaged daughter right now, and why I love her in spite of it all. Thanks for helping me remember. And welcome, baby girl, you have one wonderful mama - just remember that in 16 years. All my love to you and your family - Jill
Posted by: Jill Proehl | April 15, 2010 09:50 PM
Congratulations Mommy and Daddy! My Mommy wrote a letter very similar to me the day before I was born. Then she wrote to me everyday for the first year of my life without missing any more than 5 days. It is my most treasured possesion, well that and the stuffed pig she made for my 30th birthday out of the outfit I wore home from the hospital. I hope you and your little girl will be best friends as I am with my Mommy. It sounds like you are off to a great start.
Posted by: tina | April 15, 2010 09:56 PM
Happy Birthday!
Congrats to Mommy and Daddy - your whole world just changed, but in such a good way. All the best to you and your family.
Kerry
Posted by: Kerry | April 15, 2010 10:15 PM
Congratulations!!!!
Happy Birthday BSparl! You are lucky to have such wonderful parents!
Posted by: Mandy | April 15, 2010 10:39 PM
Congratulations Kerri!!! I am so happy for you and Chris. What a happy girl you were when you told me about Bsparl in the coffee shop below dLife that day :) You will be a great mom!!!!
Posted by: Laura G | April 15, 2010 10:44 PM
Congrats!!! Thinking of you all on this wonderful day !! Hoping and praying all went perfectly!! You both are an inspiration, I am in awe of the remarkable job you have done in preparing for pregnancy and then taking such wonderful care of yourself and Bsparl. I also would love hearing from all the other T1 moms out there who have also succeeded in healthy pregnancies. It gives me such hope for a bright and healthy future for all of our children living wonderful lives with T1.
Posted by: SiriP | April 15, 2010 11:14 PM
so sweet...
Posted by: Nan | April 16, 2010 12:49 AM
This really made me smile and...cry...So.. simply said...It was beautiful....Hope everything went perfectly today.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 16, 2010 01:18 AM
Kerri
I hope that the last 24 hours have been great for Chris, you and BSparl. I wish you all a life blessed with an abundance of joy and glee!
Posted by: Bernard Farrell | April 16, 2010 08:23 AM
Congrats on Baby Sparling's safe arrival Kerri! Happy Mothering! I wish you a speedy recovery!
Posted by: Bethany | April 16, 2010 08:26 AM
congratulations kerri!!! all of your HARD work has finally paid off! ;-) happy birthday bsparl!
Posted by: myriah | April 16, 2010 11:27 AM
I've had T1 for 16 years. Last September, I had my little bundle of joy. He is now 6 months and is more fun than we could ever have imagined. My husband and I have never been happier. All of the hard work was definitely worth it. Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Whitney | April 16, 2010 11:45 AM
congrats on the baby girl im an uncle of two boys and each day is a blessing when i spend time with them
Posted by: josh o'day | April 16, 2010 01:04 PM
Kerri,
This is just too touching for words. So beautiful and poignant! We can feel what you are saying. All the best to you and Chris. I am so happy for you both!
Posted by: Lori Weintraub | April 16, 2010 01:21 PM
Oh, happy, happy day (and days to come). I wish you, BSparl, and Chris much joy and love. Hope things are going smoothly.
Yippee! Hooray! Woot-woot! Huzzah!
Posted by: denise | April 16, 2010 02:00 PM
Wow! What an utterly beautiful letter. I am so deeply touched.
Happy Birthday, dear BSparl! You are coming into a family filled with love, warmth, and joy, and your mother is one of the most special and remarkable persons I know.
I wish all of you a lifetime of joy, love, peace, and laughter.
Namaste.
Posted by: Robert | April 16, 2010 04:37 PM
beautiful words from a beautiful woman, wife, daughter, sister, writer, blogger, diabetic, goofball, advocate, friend, and now mother! Woo-hoo! I am so happy for you--and Chris--and your baby girl!!
Posted by: amylia | April 16, 2010 09:04 PM
Congratulations!!!!! Wishing you and your new family all the best :D Welcome to BSparl from New Zealand!
Kerri, your blog has given me new hope and confidence in my own quest to have kids.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us all!
Posted by: Philippa | April 18, 2010 05:57 AM
Congratulations Kerri and Chris!!! We're so happy for you!!!!!! Thank God you have a beautiful, healthy baby girl!!! :)
"You Can't Say Love Enough,"
MJ2
Mollie, Molie, Jackie, and Jackie
Posted by: MJ2 Mollie, Jackie, Mollie & Jackie | April 19, 2010 01:42 AM
Kerri, Chris, BSparl,
Congratulations (I've been out of internet range for a while, sorry I missed the Big Day)!
Fair Winds,
Mike
Posted by: Mike Ratrie | April 19, 2010 05:07 PM
Girls are so much fun!
Congratulations!
elizabeth snouffer
Posted by: esnouffer | April 20, 2010 09:05 PM
Mazel Tov. That was beautifully written. I'm so happy for you and Chris.
Posted by: Cynthia | April 30, 2010 12:33 PM