32 Week Baby Bump

31 Week Baby Bump

30 Week Baby Bump

29 Week Baby Bump

28 Week Baby Bump

27 Week Baby Bump

28 Weeks

Dear Baby,

We made it! 28 weeks is such a big milestone, baby, and your Daddy and I are so happy and feel so blessed that you're still inside your Momma's belly. We're hoping and praying that you'll stay in there for many, many more weeks to come.

At the same time, we also can't wait to finally hold you and meet you, baby! Since you're at such a high risk for coming early, though, instead of saying that we wish we could hold you, now we say that we wish it was November and you were with us.

Your Momma went to the doctor's and saw you again in 3D - you are just so cute! You had your hand up by your face and your nose looked kinda funny because you had it smashed up against your Momma's belly!

The doctor said you weighed 2 pounds and 5 ounces - you sure are getting big, baby!

Love you,
Mommy

Time.

28 weeks. It seemed so far away when I was dilated and had the emergency surgery at 21 weeks, just 2 months ago. I thought it'd be a miracle if we made it to 24 weeks, much less 28 weeks. This morning I woke up - happy and ecstatic that my cervix had been doing well - and that we'd made it to this huge milestone. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, a sack of worry that had been slung across me that I bore without ever noticing how heavy it actually was until it had been lifted.

I went for my regular checkup at the doctor's office today. And, again, was surprised at how much things can change in just a week. You'd think I'd have gotten used to being surprised by my cervix by now. I guess I don't learn very quickly that things could be going along just fine and all of a sudden there's a change - one tiny little thing is different, and your whole perspective on life shifts. One second I'm worried about if the doctor will let me begin exercising, and the next I'm left wondering if I'll go into labor tomorrow.

Today we saw that the only thing keeping our son from arriving now are the stitches. That's it. Just a couple tiny strings stand in the way of a preterm birth and months of visiting our son in the NICU unit. Nobody knows what will happen. The doctor tells me I am a unique patient - that pregnant women usually have signs of labor if they have an incompetent cervix like mine. Luckily, I've had no signs of labor thus far, and pray that this will continue to be the case for many more weeks. And I pray that the stitches will hold.

The doctor is giving me medicine that may or may not help my cervix to lengthen again, which would put less pressure on the stitches and hopefully buy us more time. The studies done on the medicine have inconclusive results, but it's our only option, and we have nothing to lose.

Time is a funny thing. It flies, so fast that you might be left dizzy or confused. But when you really want it to fly, when you want nothing more in the world than be 36 weeks along with all this worry and stress and confusion behind you, time stops and slows to a crawl. Everyday I'm thankful that our son is still with me, but I always find myself wanting more - more time with him in my belly, more time for him to develop, more time feeling his punches and kicks and rolls. I feel as if we're already running on borrowed time, and find myself reflecting on the completely different path our lives would've taken if our son was born at 21 weeks or if the surgery had failed. I savor each day of this borrowed time we've been given to let our son mature and develop - would it be so wrong to ask for just a little more?

For now, I have faith and I pray that the medicine buys us just a little more of this precious time.

26 Week Baby Bump

27 Weeks

Dear Baby,

You're getting so big! This week your Momma noticed that you were getting so big you were making her belly button really shallow - it won't be long before you're so big you push it out!

You are also developing a regular sleep cycle, baby. So far you seem to be very much a morning person - you like to wake up at about 2AM and don't go to sleep until 2PM. One morning while your Momma was still sleeping, your Daddy put his hand on your Momma's belly and felt you kicking and squirming around like crazy. Your Daddy thought it was the neatest thing ever.

This week you weigh about 2 pounds - roughly the weight of a head of cauliflower.

Love you,
Mommy

25 Week Baby Bump

24 Week Baby Bump

Thoughts on Pregnancy

Since I'm officially over halfway now, I thought it would be fun to share some of my thoughts on pregnancy thus far.

• I really like not having to suck in my gut. In fact, I admit to sometimes pushing it out just to make a point that no, I'm not fat (although I've certainly gained in that department), I'm pregnant. Duh.
• Getting up 123,845,908 times a night to pee has it's advantages: it makes the night feel longer and thus I can trick myself into believing that I'm actually getting more sleep than I think I am. Plus I can rest assured that the toilet, infact, is in perfectly good working order.
• Babies are really flexible in the womb. Apparently being folded in half like an Auntie Anne's pretzel for several weeks doesn't faze them at all.
• In the first trimester I hated sweet things. Fact: I once wouldn't eat baked beans because they were too "sweet". Now, however, anything with a killer dose of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup is fair game.
• I am officially too tired to cook anymore. Many women eat healthier when they're pregnant - apparently I'm just the opposite.
• Never piss off a pregnant lady. You'd have a better outcome pissing off a pimply and hormonal teenager with anger issues.
• It's true: common sense flies out the window when a baby is coming to town.
• Never ask a pregnant woman if she wants doughnuts while she's driving a vehicle. The following scenario might ensue - Tom: "Hey, do you want to get some doughnuts?" Me (slamming on the brakes and looking around wildly for the doughnut store): "DOUGHNUTS!!!"
• This is the only time in my life I've ever been chided for actually losing weight and having to actually convince a nurse that yes, I really am eating food. 
• When you're pregnant people find it acceptable to make all sorts of comments about your body. "Awww, you're waddling!" is apparently a compliment to a pregnant woman. However if I said it right back to that person I bet it wouldn't be taken as a compliment. (and I was tempted)
• Tom likes me when I'm pregnant because I'm more like him: I eat alot, I like the house cold, and I sleep all the time.
• I now know what a drug addict probably feels like.
• I'm thankful for awesome neighbors who told me that Busch NA existed. I've wondered more than once if it would be weird/illegal to bring my own beverage out to dinner with me.
• It should be a law that every store has a "Expectant Mothers" parking spot alongside the handicapped ones. Because really, we're sort of handicapped, too.
• We are buried in ultrasound photos. Our baby is going to have a full photo album before he's even born.
• I now have absolute master control over the thermostat at home, and am prepared at work incase disaster strikes with both a fan and a space heater at my desk.
• "Pregnancy Brain" really exists. And even if it doesn't, this is the only time it's acceptable to blame my stupid mistakes on my hormones. Which I've done countless times already.
• When shopping, sometimes Tom has to put his hands on either side of my face like horse blinders so we can actually leave the store without getting sidetracked.
• We should really invest in some Breyers Ice Cream shares, because I'm pretty sure I've kept their profits in the green for the past 6 months.
• Never before have I specifically been ordered to "be a couch potato" by a Doctor.

And that's it for now. Do you have any of your own thoughts on pregnancy to add?

25 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Apparently you're a gymnast! We saw you again in 3D, baby, and you were all folded up like a little pretzel in there. You were folded in half and your feet and legs were up by your head. We were all laughing as we watched you wriggle your little foot at us and wave at us with your hand at the same time - all while we were just trying to take a look at your sweet face. Your Momma and Daddy don't quite know where you get your flexible abilities from - it's sure not from us!

Your Momma also got some steroid shots this week, which was no fun (and I'm sure you'll agree with me in time when you have to get your own shots). The shots will help your little lungs develop faster in case you decide to come really early. Of course while we want to see you, we don't quite want to see you until you're good and ready to come out - preferably not for another few months (plus we'd have nowhere to put you yet, as your nursery isn't anywhere near done). Nobody knows when you're going to make an appearance, though, not even the doctors, so everyone's playing it safe by giving your Momma the shots - at least for the next 7-10 days, anyways.

Your Mom has also really been nesting like crazy lately, and while it's probably mostly due to the shots, part of it is also because nobody knows when you're going to come, baby! The thought of you arriving soon and having no place to call your own has your Momma all up in a tizzy. She's been on a cleaning spree lately - organizing and cleaning out closets to make room for your arrival. Even though the doctor said to take it easy, your Momma just couldn't help herself (and was driving your Daddy crazy), but thankfully things are settling down again. At least now you've got plenty of closet space throughout the house all ready for you!

This week you're the size of a rutabaga, and you're starting to fill out and put on some baby fat:

Love,
Mommy

24 Weeks

Dear Baby,

You move all the time now! Well, not constantly, but you certainly move a little more each day. So far only Daddy has been able to feel you moving, although I'm sure it won't be long before other people feel you move, too.

We're getting really excited about meeting you, baby, and your Grandmas and Grandpas can't wait, either. They're already spoiling you with lots of clothes and gifts and books - and you're not even here yet!

This week you weighed 1.5 pounds, and you're about the length of an ear of corn:

Love,
Mommy

23 Week Baby Bump

22 Week Baby Bump

23 Weeks

Dear Baby,

We saw our first 3D photo of you, baby!

Your Mommy and Daddy were so excited. As we watched, you moved around and put your hand slowly up to your face. At first we thought you were going to suck your thumb, but no -- instead you picked your nose! Yep, your little hand just kept moving on right up past your mouth, and your little thumb went straight into your nostril instead. Your Mommy and Daddy (and even the ultrasound lady) got a pretty good laugh from that, baby. You're not even out of the womb and you're already picking your nose!

This week you've developed feeling in your face (which might explain the nose-picking), and you have a sense of movement. You can also hear noises around you. Right now you're the size of a large mango:

Love,
Mommy

22 Weeks

Dear Baby,

You move everyday now, baby, and it never ceases to make me smile. Your Daddy has been able to feel you punch and kick several times this week, and his whole face lights up and he has this huge grin whenever he feels you moving.

Your Mommy and Daddy like to play games with your movements, and have even started noticing a few patterns. Every time your Mommy eats Chinese food or ice cream, you have a little kicking session and just go crazy! We've already decided that those are your favorite foods, baby. Curiously, Mexican food doesn't seem to have much effect on you, though.

This week you're the size of a spaghetti squash, and developing tiny tooth buds under your gums:

Love,
Mommy

21 Weeks

Dear Baby,

This week has been one wild ride!

First your Daddy and I were flying high and were so ecstatic because he finally felt you kick for the first time! Your Momma was lying in bed and reading when you went on a little kicking-spree, and I called your Daddy over to see if he could feel you. He put his hand on my belly and we waited with bated breath for you to do something... and you did! I knew your Daddy felt you because he got this big grin on his face and he asked if that was me or you he felt, baby! I told him it was all you, and he was so happy and excited, baby - he's been waiting and waiting for you to get big and strong enough so that he could finally feel you, baby.

The very next day we went to the doctor for a checkup and found out that apparently you were very eager to come out to see us! Your Momma had to have surgery so you could stay in there a little longer, baby. Even though I know you want to meet your Mommy and Daddy, you're just not ready yet, baby (and neither are we!). So you be good and just stay in there and keep growing and being healthy, okay?

This week you're the length of a carrot, baby, and you move and kick all the time! Sometimes I can even see my tummy moving as you wiggle around in there.

Love,
Mommy

21 Week Baby Bump

20 Weeks

Dear Baby,

We found out that you're a BOY!

And we're so excited, baby. Your Daddy was surprised because he was so sure you were a girl, and I really wasn't all that surprised - I had a feeling you were a boy all along. But either way, we're both so happy to find out and ecstatic that you're healthy - that's really all that matters to us!

To reveal you to the families we threw a little Gender Party, and your Grandma and Grandpa on your Daddy's side came, along with your Uncle Jon. Your Mommy's parents couldn't come because they live far away (and were in North Carolina at the time), but we made sure they felt included by sending them photos as the event unfolded.

We ordered a special cake with "It's a...?" written on it and blue frosting inside and whipped up some yummy dinner and had a fantastic time!

We let your Grandma M. cut the cake (because we knew she'd love to have that honor!), and as soon as the knife went in she started screaming, "Ahhhh! I see blue! I see blue!" and then it was pandemomium as everyone was laughing and yelling and crowding around the cake to see!

Then we called Mommy's Grandparents (and relatives) as we were sending them the photos, and couldn't help laughing as we heard yells and screams over the phone. I think at one point your Great-Uncle was yelling "I see green!!" and your Grandpa C. was repeating "It's Cleatis! Cleatis!" (that was the second thing out of his mouth when we announced the pregnancy to him, too - "You should name him Cleetus if he's a boy!", the he's been pulling for that name ever since, hahaha! Your Grandpa's such a joker.)

You even received some unexpected gifts, too, which just made the party even more fun. Your Grandma M. even had the cutest idea to bring two different colored gifts - one blue, one pink, and told us we only got to open one of them after we cut the cake! (we think she was also trying to devise a way to figure out your gender before the cake cutting part, too!) And she also showed up with two adorable knitted booties - one blue and one pink, of course!

There was lots of laughing, joking, and excitement, and we all had a great time. Before the party, your Daddy and I weren't sure how the whole Gender Party thing would work out, but we are so glad we did it! It was so much fun and such a memorable way to announce you to the family, baby, and is something we'll never forget.

This week you're the size of a banana, and you're halfway there, baby!

Love,
Mommy

A Scare

Last week we had a pretty big scare -and  it involved emergency surgery.

A few weeks ago at our big gender ultrasound, the Dr. noticed that my cervix was a little short. It wasn't a big deal at the time, it was just a little shorter than they would ideally like to see it. So they decided to keep an eye on it.

We're so thankful they did.

They had me scheduled for weekly appointments to make sure my cervix wasn't getting any shorter. There was no change in my cervix length the week following the big gender ultrasound, and the Dr. mentioned that I might just have an odd cervix and it could be just fine the rest of the pregnancy. To speak in numbers, my cervix was measuring at about 23 when it should be at 35. So not great, but not horrible. It stayed at about a 23 for those 2 weeks in a row, so I fully expected that there would be no change again at my appointment last Wednesday.

Boy, was I wrong.

I went in and was talking and joking with the nurses and ultrasound tech, and had the "just another checkup appointment" mindset. The Dr. was taking too long coming into my room, and I kept repeatedly checking the time on my watch and worrying that I'd be late back to work. I also wondered about the Dr. I was seeing that day, as my usual Dr. was out of the office that week and I'd never seen this new Dr. before.

Finally the Dr. came in and introduced himself, and asked me what my usual Dr. had told me about what's going on with my cervix.

"Well, he told me I have 'special' cervix, hahaha." I smiled and joked.

The Dr. smiled and asked what else the other Dr. had talked to me about, in terms of surgery.

"He said that we would talk about surgery if I was less than 15, and would probably do surgery if I was less than 10."

The Dr. nodded and said that that was what he thought, too.

When he didn't really say much else after that I finally started getting worried. I got this horrible feeling in my gut as I reflected on what the Dr. had, but most importantly, hadn't said.

And so I asked the million-dollar jackpot question:

"Why? What am I at right now?"

He looked at me and said, "Well, right now you're at a zero."

And that's when all my happy feelings left me and I realized that this was very, very bad.

It got even worse when the Dr. informed me that I was a few centimeters dilated.

Dilated! I was dilated at 21 weeks along! How could this happen? And how could I go from a 23 to a zero in cervix length in less than a week?! I felt just fine - I had had no cramping, no contractions, no pushing or clenching feeling in my belly - nothing at all. I felt perfectly normal. How could this be happening?

While I was in shock and lost in my own thoughts, the Dr. started talking more in detail about the surgery I'd have to have, and it was just too much for this over-emotional feeling-perfectly-healthy pregnant lady. I completely lost my composure and just broke down right there, in the middle of the nice Dr.'s optimistic talk about another similar patient who had to go through the same thing. He handed me a box of tissues (I guess breakdowns are normal at the high-risk OB offices?) and left me alone for a few minutes, where I promptly called Tom and somehow managed to choke out what was going on. Talking to him really helped me calm down, and I was able to actually listen when the Dr. came in again.

He informed me I would need to have a surgery called a cerclage that day. Simply put, they would go in and put some stitches in my cervix, which would close up the opening and keep the baby in there until he was healthy and ready to come out.

Now, surgery terrified me - the only surgery I'd ever had done was getting my wisdom teeth out in High School, and thanks to me developing dry socket (and my family not believing me) that was not a very good  first-and-only surgery experience to draw on.

So the prospect of having surgery in a few hours that day - when I had been expecting to head back to work and then maybe stop and get groceries - completely unnerved me.

"If I didn't have the surgery, how long until I would go into labor?"

"If you didn't have the surgery, you would go into labor in 3 or 4 days, and probably deliver the baby within a week."

And that sentence right there scared me more than any prospect of surgery ever could.At 21 or 22 weeks, usually the baby isn't developed enough to live outside the womb, even with all of modern-day technology.

Simply put - if I didn't have the surgery, our baby boy would most likely die.

Now, let me say that at no time did I ever not consider having the surgery done - I just like to ask questions and be well-informed when it comes to something like this. If the Dr. had taken one glimpse at my cervix and said "We need to do surgery NOW!" before rushing me into the OR, I would've been ok with that (thank goodness my situation wasn't quite that dire, though). Thanks to having a hubby whose a medical student, I put alot of trust into Dr.'s and value their advice and opinions, and while I usually follow their advice I just like to know why they are making a particular suggestion and the reasons behind it. Once I hear that, I'm almost always all-for-it because then their decision usually makes perfect sense to me, too.

And of course, this decision made sense and I completely agreed with it. I had to have surgery if I wanted to give our baby the best chance at a healthy life that I could.

So I was walked over to the hospital and checked in, and I had a few hours to relax/fret before surgery. It was nice to have a little time to come-to-terms and get over the shock of it all, but at the same time I was filled with nervous energy and counting down the minutes until it was Go-Time. I dreaded the surgery start-time, but at the same time I wanted it to come already, just so I wouldn't have to anxiously wait any longer. The feeling of dread and anticipation was pretty familiar to me, though - it was the same feeling I would get before every single race I rowed for 8 years.

Finally it was time. I kissed Tom and said goodbye to his parents as the nurse wheeled me down the corridor and through those famous OR swinging doors. I was nervous, so naturally I was cracking jokes and commenting on random things to keep my mind off what was going to happen to me very shortly. One minute I was saying "Whoa, those lights are intense" and then the next I was flying high as everything got very swirly and I was feeling loopy. Just as I was about to say something really stupid, they put the mask over my mouth and told me to breathe - and just like that I was out.

Thank goodness for general anaesthesia.

I woke up from a very nice dream in the post-op recovery room (Tom was surprised when I told him I had a dream during the surgery), and was told the surgery went perfectly and that baby was fine. That made me happy, but all I wanted was just to go back to sleep. Until I noticed a horrible pain in my belly. And another, even stronger. I (drowsily) told the nurse I was cramping, and she snapped back that they weren't cramps, they were contractions. Geez, lady, I was coming out of anaesthesia - you think I really care about technical terms? I asked if that was normal, and she said it wasn't uncommon. Fantastic. You'd think they could have warned me beforehand!

I spent the next 8 hours in a semi-conscious state of pain. Never having been through childbirth before, contractions seem to be exactly like menstrual cramps - just more painful and much more frequent, as I learned to my dismay. Apparently mine were pretty bad, as the nurses pumped me full of pain-relieving meds and narcotics through my IV and also gave me pills to take, and seemed surprised that I was still in pain.

That was a long and horrible night as I drifted through pain and in-and-out of a drug-induced state of semi-sleep. The only bright part of the whole night was when, around 3am, the baby really started kicking me, as if to say "I'm ok in here, Mom! I made it". I smiled and put my hand on my belly, content and happy to know that I would still be feeling those kicks for many weeks to come.

I told him, "It's all for you, baby. It's all for you."

In the morning I was starting to feel better as the contractions had subsided considerably, thank goodness. I was starving, and after getting the Dr's approval I ordered a serious  feast for breakfast - pancakes, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and orange juice. And let me say this - that food was delicious! I thought hospital food was supposed to be nasty, but that food rivaled the best breakfast places around town! I'm totally looking forward to that food again when it's time for this baby to make his arrival - hopefully somewhere around the 40 week mark, of course.

The Dr. came to check on me and showed me what my cervix looked like after the surgery - and it was astounding. The difference was huge! I was amazed and overjoyed, and was told that my cervix is now the strongest part of my uterus - earning it the nickname "the steel fortress" from me.

And the best news? My cervix length is now at a 35, right where it should be.

So that was our "little" scare last week. I am so happy with how things turned out, but also with how my doctors recognized a potential problem and took the appropriate steps to monitor and correct it, before it was too late or could become a serious problem. I've heard that not every doctor routinely screens for cervix length when there's no symptoms, in fact around 80% of doctors don't, as there haven't been studies that show that screening actually does any good (I think those people really need to read my story, then). I'm blessed and so thankful that my OB does check for cervix length (and in my case, sent me back for a second ultrasound to double-check and get better shots of my cervix), and I'm so impressed that all my doctors have been so professional and taken the appropriate steps to monitor me, even when Tom and I thought they were overreacting (boy, were we wrong!).

My doctors probably saved our sons life, and for that we are so grateful and thankful, and we won't ever forget it.

20 Week Baby Bump

19 Week Baby Bump

You're A...?

Dear Baby,

On Friday we found out that you're a BOY!

And we're so excited, baby. Your Daddy was surprised because he was so sure you were a girl, and I really wasn't all that surprised - I had a feeling you were a boy all along. But either way, we're both so happy to find out and ecstatic that you're healthy - that's really all that matters to us!

To reveal you to the families we threw a little Gender Party on Saturday, and your Grandma and Grandpa on your Daddy's side came, along with your Uncle. Your Mommy's parents couldn't come because they live far away (and were visiting relatives at the time), but we made sure they felt included by sending them photos as the event unfolded.

We ordered a special cake with "It's a...?" written on it and blue frosting inside and whipped up some yummy dinner and had a fantastic time!

We let your Grandma M. cut the cake (because we knew she'd love to have that honor!), and as soon as the knife went in she started screaming, "Ahhhh! I see blue! I see blue!" and then it was pandemomium as everyone was laughing and yelling and crowding around the cake to see!

Then we called Mommy's Grandparents (and relatives) as we were sending them the photos, and couldn't help laughing as we heard yells and screams over the phone. I think at one point your Great-Uncle was yelling "I see green!!" and your Grandpa C. was repeating "It's Cletus T.! Cletus T.!" (that was the second thing out of his mouth when we announced the pregnancy to him, too - "You should name him Cletus T. if he's a boy!", the he's been pulling for that name ever since, hahaha! Your Grandpa's such a joker.)

You even received some unexpected gifts, too, which just made the party even more fun. Your Grandma M. even had the cutest idea to bring two different colored gifts - one blue, one pink, and told us we only got to open one of them after we cut the cake! (we think she was also trying to devise a way to figure out your gender before the cake cutting part, too!) And she also showed up with two adorable knitted booties - one blue and one pink, of course!

There was lots of laughing, joking, and excitement, and we all had a great time. Before the party, your Daddy and I weren't sure how the whole Gender Party thing would work out, but we are so glad we did it! It was so much fun and such a memorable way to announce you to the family, baby, and is something we'll never forget.

Love,
Mommy

19 Weeks

Dear Baby,

You move every day now, and those little tickles and flutters make my day. It is like a secret between us - nobody else in the whole world knows when you're moving except for me, and it never ceases to make me smile. Last night your Daddy put his hand on my belly to see if he could feel you, but it's too early yet. He will have to be patient until you get a little stronger. Until then, it's just our little secret, baby.

This week has been difficult for both your Daddy and I, as time is passing much too slowly for both of us. It seems that Friday will never arrive and we will always be anxiously waiting to find out if you're a boy or a girl. We both try to busy ourselves with other tasks to make the time go faster, but it doesn't work. I know that all too soon we'll be looking back with bittersweet feelings on these days and moments and wishing we had slowed down to savor and enjoy them more, but right now we are too excited and caught in the moment. But that's okay, because this is the stuff life is made of - life is for truly living and breathing every moment, and we are doing just that.

This week you're the size of a large heirloom tomato, about 6 inches long. But even more exciting is that you can hear sounds now, baby! We haven't really talked to you yet, but I'm sure we will start talking to you more in the weeks to come.

Love,
Mommy

18 Week Baby Bump

17 Week Baby Bump

18 Weeks

Dear Baby,

This week you've been so active! These past couple months I'd rarely feel you move or poke me, although it was always special when it happened. But this week you're really squirming around in there! The other day I felt you roll over, and I knew it was you because my stomach physically moved when you rolled. And later that day I guess you decided to try out those stronger legs of yours, because all of a sudden I felt a strong poke, which surprised me! It was much stronger than the little taps and tickles I'd felt from you before.

I've also found out this week that you're a sugar-fiend, just like your Momma! Whenever I eat something sugary (Teddy Grahams and Ice Cream seem to your favorites so far) you must go on a sugar high because you'll move so much I can't help but imagine that you're in there just dancing around! It's pretty entertaining, and when I tell your Daddy that I can feel you moving he gets this big grin on his face and it makes his day. We're both anxiously awaiting the day he can actually feel you move, too!

You're also continuing to get bigger, and this week you're the size of a bell pepper (your Daddy loves bell peppers!).

I love you,
Mommy

Boy or Girl?

What do YOU think we're having?

Cast your vote in the poll on the right! And if you guess right, your prize will be satisfaction and a cookie specially from me (a virtual one, of course!).

Also, feel free to ask any questions that might influence what you think we're having... baby's heartrate, carrying high vs. low, etc!

It'll be interesting to see whose right in a couple of weeks!

~Chelsea

17 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Everyone is asking: are you a boy or a girl?

We can't seem to help ourselves, either. Will we have a daughter or a son? Will you be wearing pink and playing with horses or sporting blue and impersonating superheroes? Your Daddy thinks your a girl, but I think your a boy. In just a couple weeks we'll know for sure whose right!

Although everybody thinks we both have a preference to whether we'd like a daughter or son, we really don't. We're just happy to have you on the way, baby, and that's all that really matters.

This week you're 5 inches long, from head to bottom! And you also weigh 5 ounces, as much as a turnip:

{via}

Your skeleton is turning from soft cartiledge to bone, and you can now move your joints. You're also developing sweat glands, which I find pretty amusing, haha!

Love,
Mommy

16 Week Baby Bump

16 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Time seems to be flying by! You're growing fast now, and as the ever-increasing size of my belly proves. We have no trouble finding your little heartbeat with our monitor whenever the urge strikes us now, where before it was a bit of a feat. You're still active as ever, and only stay put in one place for a few seconds before you're off again, and to hear you we have to go searching across my belly again.

Now you're 4.5 inches long, and roughly the size of an avocado:

Your legs are getting longer, baby, and you are even getting some hair pattern on your head. Your toenails have even started growing, and I just can't wait until I can actually play with those little toes of yours. You're growing fast, baby, and in the next few weeks you'll be going through a big growth spurt.


Your Mommy and Daddy celebrated 3 years of marriage this week, baby, and while it was a sweet occasion, knowing that it was our last as a couple only made the occasion all that much sweeter. We are so excited to start a family with you, baby.

I love you,

Mommy

15 Week Baby Bump

15 Weeks

Dear Baby,

This week you've grown so much - you're now the size of an apple, and 4 inches long! It's hard to believe that just a couple months ago you were only the size of a tiny little lentil bean.

{via}

Right now you're forming taste buds, and you can sense light! If we shined a flashlight on my belly, you'd move away from it. It's so exciting how big you've gotten, baby, and we feel so lucky and blessed that you're in there and growing.

We'll be finding out if you're a boy or a girl in just a month, and we're so excited, baby. Will we have a daughter or a son? Will we be watching fashion shows or playing superheros with you? You already bring us so much excitement and joy, baby, and we can't wait for the future.

But while we know that you're in there, baby, sometimes it just doesn't seem real yet. We've seen photos of you (when you were even tinier than a lentil bean!), and we listen to your heartbeat every week, and I've even felt you move already - but yet you still seem so surreal to us. I imagine that as more time goes by and we really start to feel you moving around (both of us!), you will become very real to us. But sometimes, now, it's still hard to wrap our minds around the idea that you are growing inside of my belly, and oh-too-soon you'll be growing up and endlessly making us laugh and cry as the roller coaster of life unfolds.

We can't wait.

Love,
Mommy

14 Week Baby Bump

Trying Out Our New Baby Sling

The first thing we bought was a baby sling. We haven't really bought anything else, either (besides one hilariously funny onesie from Gap that says "I'd rather be naked") because we didn't want to "jinx" the pregnancy early on. But we couldn't pass up this sling from Seven Slings that we got for free - we just had to pay shipping.

It arrived, and like many other reviews, the fabric was a bit stiff (but it softens up a bit after a washing). It seemed pretty sturdy, but we decided to give it a test run with our toddler-sized dog.

And then the following madness ensued.

Caution: shirtless man alert!

Let's just say that Tom was REALLY ready to take that sling (and dog) off!

And his ear was soaked with puppy saliva.

Ew.

(The sling passed the test. If that sling can handle a wild and crazy thrashing 30 pound dog, I think we're good to go on the child-safety front.)