I love this. Even though it made me cry.

My baby shower was this past weekend at my parents' lake house. Even though it was a miserable 105 degrees, it was still a pretty perfect day. There's much more to say about that day-- and pictures to come later-- but I wanted to share this piece that my sister gave to me as part of a gift. She came across it when she was pregnant with her second child and thought it was very fitting. I think most moms who have more than one child already, are currently pregnant with their second child, or who are considering having more than one child can probably relate to these feelings. I know I can.

(This may or may not have had half of the room-- including myself-- crying as my sister read it. Consider yourself warned.)

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of

our magical relationship.

Suddenly I feel a kick from within,

as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.

And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you.

I watch the pain you feel at having to share me

as you've never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me."

And I hear myself telling you in mine, "I can't",

knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry, I cry with you.

I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship

we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being,

and feeling almost guilty.

I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her- as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change...

first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.

The memory of the days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two.

There are new times-- only now, we are three.

I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other,

touch each other.

I watch how she adores you-- as I have for so long.

I see how excited you are by her new accomplishments.

And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you,

I've given something to you.

I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.

And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.

Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you-- only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time,

I now know you'll never share my love.

There's enough of that for both of you- you each have your own supply.

I love you- both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

-Author Unknown