Dear Baby--35 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Hey, Darlin'. According to the doctors, you are at the end of your 35th week and enter 36 weeks tomorrow!  You're the size of a honeydew melon, weighing in about 5 1/4 pounds. Your physical development is almost complete, thank God, and you're spending most of your time now just putting on weight!

The baby shower last weekend was really magical. Gathering together with friends and family to celebrate you was amazing. Danielle, who hosted us in her beautiful home, along with my dear friends Marideth, Kelly, Sarah and auntie Dana, thought of every detail. Navy, white and gold decorations, sweet elephants everywhere, and the cutest guest book frame I've ever seen.  I have many more pictures that I'll share as soon as I get them all together. I cried happy tears, of course.

We are supposed to leave in 7 days to go and get you, sweetie! I think we will end up pushing that date back, but the question remains by how much. You are cozy and comfortable in A's belly, so it may be a week, more, or less! You'll come on your birthday, whenever that may be and I just continue to pray (and ask for prayers) that you stay safe and arrive safely in our arms when the time is right. We can hardly contain ourselves it is getting so close.

Keep growing big and strong, my love. You are doing the most incredible job and we are so proud of you. We're counting the days and minutes until we finally meet you! We love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby--34 Weeks

 

Dear Baby,

 

Hi, my love! You are well into your 34th week! This week you're weighing in about 5 POUNDS, the size of a cantaloupe! I'm just in awe that we will meet your precious face soon. At 34 weeks, you are taking deep breaths, and keeping your eyes open while awake and closed while sleeping. The vernix, coating on your skin, is thickening before it sheds in a few weeks.

 

So, you and A are going to stay in the hospital until delivery. Don't be concerned, the doctors are just very cautious and since she was having abdominal pain a couple weeks ago, they decided you'll be safer and more closely cared for if you are both at the hospital. The clinic is about 20 minutes away from the hospital, so I think the doctors just want to play it safe. It's fine by us! We continue to receive wonderful reports about how you are growing on track, and A is not in any pain, which we are thankful for.

 

Speaking of delivery, the doctors said that A will be induced if she hasn't gone into labor on her own before September 18th. We had been planning around you making your debut during the first week of September, but now we aren't sure if you'll wait a bit longer to meet us! Our tickets are booked for 14 days from today(!!!!!) but we may push them back a week or so, depending on you, my sweet! Whenever you make your arrival is the perfect time, we just pray that it works out so we can get there in time to witness every second!

 

This weekend is SO special! Daddy and I leave today for North Carolina, because tomorrow is your baby shower!! I can't even put into words how surreal it feels and how thankful we are. Having so many of our friends and family together in one place to celebrate you is just so special. I will surely cry my eyes out. :) We're all so excited to meet you, little one. You are so deeply loved.

 

Your room is coming together! I post pictures soon, but we are making great progress! Thanks to your very generous Mimi and Papi, your crib is all ready to go! It's so precious. We have received so many beautiful gifts, every day, from our friends and family, which are helping immensely to prepare for your arrival! We are so fortunate to have such a loving, kind circle of wonderful people loving you and us!

 

And, just because I want to remember it, we sent Bailey and Sadie to the farm last night for the weekend, which is where they go to play when we are out of town. It's awesome and they love it, but Bailey stuck her head out of the car and watched us as long as she could as they drove away. I hate leaving the doggies, and as I watched her I thought, how will I send my child to camp? College? Whew, thank goodness we don't have to think about that for a loooooong time. :)

 

We are so proud of you, darling. You're doing an amazing job and keep growing big and strong everyday! We are counting the minutes until we meet you and hold you in our arms. Know how precious you are to so many people, and how an entire village loves you and is praying for you!

 

We love  you, we love you, we love you, so, dear baby.

 

Love,

 

Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby--33 Weeks



Dear Baby,

Hey, sweetie! You are 33 weeks this week! Wow. You are around 4 1/2 pounds and about the size of a pineapple. You're doing such an amazing job in there! Your skin is becoming less red and wrinkled as you fill out more and more everyday. Since you're getting big, you're probably running out of elbow room! Just a few more weeks until we meet your sweet face. We can hardly contain ourselves!

Back at home, we are running around trying to get everything just right for your arrival! The wall to your room was installed yesterday (yay!) so now you've officially got a space. Now we just need to get rid of the day bed (Daddy's taking it apart tonight) and then your crib can be put together. We know the glider won't be here until mid-September, but other than that we just need to get some little things (lamp, wall art, etc) here and there and we'll be in good shape. We've not packed our bags or anything like that, but I suppose we should soon. I will likely bring all of your 12343 outfits with us because they are all just so stinkin' cute. You're okay with several outfit changes a day anyway, right? :)

Here's just a little sneak peak at some of what you'll find in your room! The print is very special to me, because the words on it have been on my heart for a very long time. We can't put in to words how special you are!

We are so proud of you, darling! Keep growing big and strong and know that there are constant prayers and love being sent your way. We are overjoyed to meet you in a matter of weeks! We love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby--32 Weeks

I was in Vermont and Maine over the past week spending time with family, and didn't get a post up while I was away! Sweet Baby is 33 weeks this week but I want to keep with the update, so doing week 32 today.

First and foremost, we had a little bit of a scare this week. On Wednesday morning, we received the news that A had experienced some abdominal pain and was admitted to the hospital for closer monitoring and care. We were told it could be caused by anything from threatened preterm labor to gastric pain or urine infection. I'll skip to right to it and say that everything is okay. A is stable, and her abdomen is relaxed. The tests they ran came back normal, and the scan they did showed our sweet baby is measuring on track with adequate amniotic fluid. They don't have an answer for what caused the pain, but she is still at the hospital, which we are thankful for. The doctors are taking such good care of her and baby, and I am happy A let them know when she felt something not quite right. I also had, and continue to have, a strong feeling that our baby is safe and everything will be alright. I trust that God's got this, and thankful He is working out all of the details. Thank you so much for praying for our little one, and please continue to do so as we head towards delivery. Please pray that our baby remains safe at all times, has everything he/she needs, and is born alive and healthy in our arms at the perfect time.

 

Dear Baby,

 

Hi, honey! You are 33 weeks this week, but let's recap your 32nd week since Mama didn't do that sooner. You are the size of a Napa cabbage, and are estimated to weigh about 4.2 pounds!!! You are actually at the hospital now, safely being monitored with A after she had some stomach pain on Wednesday. We are thankful to hear she she's doing great and you are, too. You're measuring right on track and have enough amniotic fluid. This week, all of your major organs are fully developed and working, with the exception of your lungs, which are still maturing every day. You're sleeping 90-95% of the time, and practicing all of your skills that you'll use outside the womb: sucking, breathing, swallowing, kicking and swallowing. Your fingernails are growing long, and the hair on your head is growing, too. We wonder what color it will be? I picture a dark-haired baby, like Mama, but we will see! Maybe you'll take on Daddy's lighter (than mine) locks.

 

This past week I was on vacation in Maine and Vermont with family. Daddy joined us in Vermont over the weekend with the doggies. It was such a wonderful trip, and it was so nice to spend time with Grandpa Jack, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, my brother and sister's families and mom and dad. I wish we had more pictures of everybody, but we were all so busy catching up most of the time we didn't think to take many! Living in the city is fun, but spending time away in the New England is something uniquely special. It was hard to say goodbye, but we had a great trip. Everyone is SO excited to meet you, and I can't wait for you to meet them. Next summer we'll have your sweet face to add to this group!

 

 

Lots to do this week! The wall is being installed tomorrow to finally make your room an official room (city baby) and we have a huge couch and daybed we need to get rid of asap to use our space better. We switched our stroller choice to the bugaboo donkey at the last minute, and we're excited about it being delivered this week! We are looking forward to putting everything in its place in your sweet room, and to our baby shower in NC which is less than two weeks away!

 

 My sweet, we are counting the days until we meet you. Keep growing big and strong and know how proud of you we are! We love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy



Five On Friday- Anniversary Sale/Summer Finds

It's been so long since I did a Five on Friday post! Linking up with April for Five on Friday and Karli for Oh Hey Friday!

I thought it would be fun to do one today with our Nordstrom Anniversary Sale finds and current favorites right now. I may have gone a wee bit overboard, but think of all the money we saved on this sale! (TJ laughs and rolls eyes at this comment, I'm sure. Love you, darling!) In all seriousness, we let ourselves stock up/spend on a few things we like during this sale once a year and at least it is at a discount! Some colors have sold but I'm linking what I can!

These are some cozy things that will make the cold weather a little more bearable! And I'm already pretty obsessed with that floral robe. 

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I showed great restraint for the baby items, but did splurge on an ivory Little Giraffe blanket. They are SO soft and since they are pricey, I thought it was a perfect time to pick one up for Baby G. I'm in love with these Kendra Scott earrings and necklace and was happy to have snagged a pair of multi-glitter studs, which I have worn every day this week because they are so fun. 

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TJ picked out these goodies and I think they are so cute! He loves a good Anniversary Sale, too, which helps my case. :) 

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I ordered this Nanette Lepore one piece and plan to wear it while on vacation to Maine and Vermont next week with the family!

These are my favorite summer polishes right now. The Butter one is so shiny and the perfect tomato red, and the Essie one is even prettier in person! 

Would love to hear about some of your favorite Anniversary Sale/ summer finds! Have a wonderful weekend!

Dear Baby--31 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Hi, sweetie! You are in your 31st week! Since your due date moved up, I'm not sure if you are actually in your 32nd week, but we'll just stick with it! This week you are about 17-18 long and weigh somewhere about 3 1/2+ pounds. From now on, you'll gain more weight than height. This week, you are producing real tears! I know that we will be crying so many joyful happy tears when you are born, little love. Your brain is growing at a super-fast rate and so are the connections between nerve cells. You can now process information, track light and perceive signals from all five senses. You're also developing more distinct sleep and wake habits. Your digestive tract and lungs are almost mature, and your lungs are able to inflate properly at this point. You probably spend lots of time making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with your feet and hands, and sucking your thumb.

Here's you this week! We thank God for A and the wonderful team of people taking care of you until we get to you. We are so, so blessed.

Look at that sweet baby bump! We can't wait to meet you!!

 

We have been VERY busy since last week, but it's helping us feel more prepared. Daddy put together your dresser, so I can finally wash and put away all your precious things! We also picked out your rug, which was delivered yesterday. I can't wait to show off your room! Daddy is going to put your crib together this weekend, now that we have a little more space in your room. We cleaned out our linen closet and just made room in general for our newest and most precious family member. There's still a bit to do, but we're definitely making progress!

 

One really exciting thing that happened for me is that my milk has started to come in! I have been pumping for about five weeks, and Monday was the first day I saw any milk. (My apologies if this is too much information!)  I don't know what our breastfeeding journey will look like, but just know that I'm trying really hard and feel very proud to do be able to do this. I am just in awe of what our bodies are capable of!

 

Honey, we are just thrilled that we leave for India in 5 weeks and plan to meet you in 6. We're so happy. Literally, I walk down the street humming, and find myself singing aloud as I walk around town. I have been thinking about how there was a time when I didn't know if  I would ever feel such pure joy again. And I'm so thankful, and I know our angels are surely smiling down on all of us as we prepare to meet one another in a few short weeks. There isn't one doubt in my mind that they are helping get you here, and what a blessing that is. All this to say that we can't even fathom the abundance of love and joy we will feel when we meet you. It's just incredible.

 

You are doing such a fantastic job, my darling. Keep growing big and strong! We are so proud of you every moment of every day and are counting the days until we meet you. You are our miracle baby and we love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

 



Dear Baby--30 WEEKS!

 



Dear Baby,

Hey, sweetie! This week you are 30 WEEKS!!! It is such a gift. You are measuring over 3 pounds and from this point on you will gain about a half pound every week. This precious fat will fill your cheeks and also insulate and protect your organs and systems, which are in place and functioning. It will also help you regulate your body temperature after birth and give you the energy you need. Your skin is getting smoother, your brain is getting wrinklier to prepare for all of that growing brain tissue. Your body is now in proportion and you are strong enough to grasp a finger! Your eyesight continues to develop, and will become more and more keen as your grow.

 At your 29 week ultrasound last week, you were measuring almost a week ahead, so you're doing amazing! I thank God many times daily for your healthy and pray you continue to grow and thrive, get everything you need, and are born safe and healthy in our arms at the best possible time. At the time of the ultrasound, the placenta was at grade 2, which is on track for where we are in pregnancy. We continue to pray that the placenta provides all of your nutrients and oxygen and that you remain safe at all times! God has beautifully orchestrated this pregnancy and is knitting you together perfectly. We trust that He will continue to protect you and bring your into our arms.

The doctors changed your due date to September 18th, though we expect to meet your beautiful face early in the first week of September. I am just pinching myself that we leave for India in 6 weeks tomorrow! We decided it made sense to stay in our current apartment, which means I am running around like a mad woman trying to get everything ready! Believe me, I am grateful for every second of it. I just can't even think straight, though! There are approximately 137643587 things running through my mind at any given moment but you know what? Not one thing matters except getting you home safely with us. That's it! Everything else will fall into place and if we don't have the rug (+dresser, wall, décor, new living room furniture) ready before you come home, that will be okay. We're going to get to you and you're going to get to us and we can do anything from there. We're so excited to meet you!

This week my parents (your Mimi and Papi) have been here for a visit. We've had lots of fun exploring the city, seeing a play (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime) shopping, and eating good meals. Your daddy has been in China this week, so he was here for part of their visit, and I'm thankful he comes home tomorrow and that it's his last work trip before you're born! Mimi and Papi went to Quebec for part of the week to see the Rolling Stones, and they come back to NYC today to stay another night. Love having them here and showing them all of your precious things! My dad told me that when he has had dreams about you, you're a girl, and mom said when she finds herself praying or talking about you, she unconsciously says "she". We will know in a few weeks! I tend to still lean towards thinking you're a baby girl, but I definitely still flip flop and think you're a sweet baby boy. It will be the surprise of a lifetime finding out!

You're doing the most amazing job in there, sweet baby. Keep growing big and strong, and know that you are our miracle, our gift from God and we are over the moon excited about meeting you and starting our lives together. We are so proud of you and we love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby--29 Weeks

 

Dear Baby,

 

Hi, love! You are 29 weeks this week!! That means you're the size of a butternut squash, nearly 3 pounds and around 15-17 inches long. Your muscles and lungs continue to mature, and your head is growing bigger to make room for your growing brain. The part of your brain associated with intelligence and personality is getting more complex.  Also, this week your buds for permanent teeth are forming! Your baby teeth buds formed a few weeks ago under your gums. You have an ultrasound this week and we're continuing to pray expectantly that you're growing right on track and getting everything you need!

 

 

We are busy bees preparing for your arrival! Every day we put something else together (the stroller and bassinet came yesterday!) and we are counting down the days until we meet you. We leave in 7 weeks and plan to meet you in 8! Our plane tickets have been purchased and we are getting closer everyday to having everything ready. It's not there yet, but things are coming together.

We also went to a friend's birthday on Friday and enjoyed some awesome rooftop views. We celebrated the Fourth of July and had a low key day! We just hung around town and then went to our building's rooftop and enjoyed the nice weather.

 

We are looking forward to a visit from your Mimi and Papi this weekend! We have lots of fun things planned to do with them, and they are about to burst they're so excited about making the trip to India with us in 7 weeks!

 

You are doing a wonderful job in there, sweetie! Keep growing big and strong and know how absolutely ecstatic your mommy and daddy (and a whole village of other wonderful people) are to meet you! We are so proud of you, and we thank God for you everyday. We love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

 

Mommy and Daddy