Your Sister

Our dearest Nora,

You are going to have a little sister. She already has all her bones and organs. She waves her hands and arms. She kicks her legs. She does not like to roll over. She grows bigger and stronger everyday. Right now she lives in my belly. You think babies are in everyone's bellies. We play with baby dolls alot. You are very good to your babies. You feed and cover them with a blanket and take them on walks in the stroller. You say hi to your sister in my tummy.

You have no clue what's going on.

In July, reality will hit. Your sister will come home and live with us. Permanently. We will feed her and change her and cover her with blankets and take her on walks. No amount of play will prepare you for the shock and despair you are sure to feel.

But.

You will have a sister. A sister to share your secrets with, to share your memories with, to share your life with. Sure a brother would also do these same things... but not as deeply as your sister will. Having a sister will be my greatest gift to you and her. There are endless examples in literature, pop culture and real life of the bond that sisters create... Little Women, the Bennett sisters in Pride and Prejudice. Heck all of Jane Austen's novels pretty much celebrate the wonder of sisterhood. The Kardashians, although not my favorite. We have the Bertling and Jernander sisters in Wisconsin and the Todd sisters in Homer. My own sisters too.

Before you pull this blog entry up in 14 years to shove in my face, I know it won't be all rainbows and sunshine. I did grow up in a house with three sisters. Oh I know too well the dramatics and anger that will transpire. However, just as one day you will return to me from your wild teenage years, you will one day realize the unique and inseparable bond that you have with your sister.

For now, she remains a mystery to us. Who she will be, what her personality will be like. We have some inklings of what is to come. I was deathly ill for three months, then at 14 weeks when the sickness weaned the doctor couldn't find her heartbeat. Two scary hours later, there she was asleep facing my spine so her little heart was undetectable. Last week, we went for the big ultrasound where she slept the entire time. I had to go back this week where the same thing happened. She doesn't roll over or flip when poked or proded. All the tricks in the world won't get her to do anything but wave at us. So next week, I go again for a 5th ultrasound (you only had 3 routine ones) since she won't show anyone her spine. Her heart is perfect, her brain shows no problems, all her limbs work. We are not worried.

I have come to the conclusion with all these "issues" that your sister will either be a slug or a diva. I am hoping for a slug.