Dear Gemma,

Hi there, little one. This is your dad.

Right now it's 3:30 in the morning and I'm sitting in a hotel lobby (my "real" job) while trying to write some articles (what I need more money to become my "real" job) and I can't, because I keep thinking about you. You're so close and I can't wait till you're here, can't wait to see what your presence adds to our family. Our lives are changing again and we're so excited.

Watching your big sister grow up these past two years has been a trip, to say the least. Your mother and I have done pretty damn well raising her, if I say so myself, but it helps that our little girl's such an awesome person. It sounds weird to say that about a nearly 2-year old but it's obvious that she's got a good heart- she's sympathetic to other kids in distress and generous with people she's just met. Your big sister is going to be amazing to you. Sure, she's got her cranky moments (quite a few of those this last week, actually...) and you guys will undoubtedly fight here and there but I have hopes that you'll be close.

This pregnancy has been really rough on your mom. Someone apparently didn't tell her that you're only supposed to have morning sickness the first trimester, because she had it almost the whole run. Migraines, pain, the works. Also, I thought Aviva kicked hard but she's got absolutely nothing on you- you reguarly kick my hand right off your mother's stomach.

It might sound horrible but it was easy to forget you were there for the beginning of the prgenancy, your mom's discomfort nonwithstanding. Aviva had a marginally inserted umbilical cord so we had to keep a close eye on her development, going to the hospital every single month for sonograms. This time I only got to see your little body bouncing around in there twice. Add up work and family craziness and it was easy to forget, especially since we've been through it all before.

But now, near the end of your time nestling in your mom and attempting to kick every single internal organ of hers, it's hard to not think about you constantly. I know you're going to be great even though I'm so curious who you're going to be. I can't wait to hold you and read to you, to take you around the neighborhood, to dance with you to music, to introduce you to your whole family, which can't wait to see you. We can't stop talking about all the things we're going to do with you guys and are working on doing bigger and better things to get us all more comfortable and stabilized as a family.

All we need is you to come out. Be seeing you soon,

Daddy