AliceLayne

We found out today, your father and I, on this day September 12, 2011 that you are a little gal inside of my belly. How sweet. I cannot stop thinking of caring for a little girl!

Your name? Alice Layne. Hope you like it. It’s yours for the rest of your life. I wanted something classic for your first name. I think older, more feminine names for girls are great. I wanted Alice to be in your name since I found out I was pregnant with you. Your Great Grandmother’s name was Mary Alice. I named you after her. She died in 2009. As I was cleaning out your room to prepare you coming into this world with us, I found her funeral card which said the date that she died on it. Which reminded me that we find out the sex of our baby on this same day. September 12. I had been hoping for a girl, and I knew that she would have been honored to have you named after her. I know with all of my heart that she was there today in the ultrasound room with us when the doctor told us the news. I wore her favorite watch that I can hopefully pass down to you someday. I wish you could have met her. She was an amazing, funny, witty, crazy woman who loved to drink Crown Royal and coke.

Layne is a name that your Dad has always loved. It is my middle name, my Uncle’s name, and my late cousin’s middle name. He always wanted to include it in your name whether boy or girl. Alice Layne just seems to flow real well.

After we found out your gender, your father and I thought it would be fun to announce the big news in a big way. There is a boat in Charleston that was washed up during hurricane Hugo back in the 1980’s right next to Folly Road on the way to the beach. Since 1992, people have been painting and decorating it for major highlights in their lives such as birthdays, anniversaries, and so on. Your Dad thought it would be a good idea to paint it when we found out what you were.

So, Alice Layne, a new step for us in our pregnancy and a new step in your life. It is becoming so real to me now. Your grandparents are going to spoil you so much as you are the first granddaughter on both sides.

PS: While we were at dinner tonight, I noticed we were right next door to a ‘little girl’ store, so I popped in just to buy you something since I had just found out you were a girl today.

Welcome my sweet little girl. Daddy and I are so elated.

Mom