Dear Baby--36 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Hey, sweetie pie! You are 36 weeks 5 days, and you are the size of a of a large head of romaine lettuce. You're weighing in at just about 6 pounds this week! This week you are shedding most of the hair and waxy coating on your skin, which has been there to protect it while in utero. Your cheeks are plumping up and you'll gain about an ounce a day from here on. Your systems are all pretty much working and good to go. You're almost ready, my sweet!

We were originally scheduled to leave tomorrow but the doctors are going to let you stay put for a while longer, so we've pushed our tickets back, too. We are ready to come and get you, but know that you'll come on your birthday, and that will be the perfect time to meet you. Your nursery is just about ready! It's so so exciting. We have poured our love into every detail, as it is the most special room we've ever decorated! I know you'll love it. Here's a little sneak peek!

 

You're doing an amazing job! Keep growing big and strong and we are counting down the days and minutes until we meet your precious face! We ask God to continue to keep you safe at all times, and that you'll be delivered safely into our arms at the perfect time. You've got a whole village praying for you, and they cannot wait to meet you, either! My darling, you are our miracle and we love you, we love you, we love you, so, dear baby.

 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Grandpa Jack

This week, our family lost our beloved Grandpa Jack.

When Grandpa spoke, you listened. He had a gift for words and was one of the kindest, wisest people I will ever know. He lived a long, beautiful life, and he made all of his years count.

In July, just a few weeks ago, my brother, sister and I were able to visit with Grandpa and our Maine family. I will treasure that visit forever and am so incredibly thankful we were given that time with him. Grandpa and I had some amazing conversations on that trip. He told me how happy he was for us, and how patient we had been on our journey to parenthood. I asked him if he wanted to know the names we had picked out for our baby, and he smiled, shook his head and said no, he wanted to be surprised just like the rest of the world. I had so hoped he would be able to meet our child in person, and yet, this week I found myself comforted by the beautiful fact that he probably already has a sneak peek from heaven.

He also said that he was thrilled that all of his children and grandchildren had picked out the perfect spouses to spend their lives with. What better gift, he said, could you ask for than for a partner to know what you need with out ever having to ask. I love him dearly.

It's because of Grandpa that I have a deep love for Duke basketball, something that began in early childhood. Grandpa always taught us lessons, in the best way, by example. One time, as a child, we bought a carton of Edy's Rocky Road ice cream. He didn't think it had enough nuts in it, so we wrote a letter to Edy's explaining this. They wrote us back and sent us some vouchers for more ice cream. I remember thinking that was the best thing ever, and that even my voice could be heard. It's because of him, and my dad and mom, that I became a teacher myself.  My siblings and I have years of happy memories with him and my Grandma Lucy. I can smile thinking of them reuniting once again.

When we said goodbye in July, I got to tell him I loved him a hundred times and hear that he loves me, too. We hugged and I cried, sensing, I think, that it may be the last time I get to do that here on earth. I am so grateful for those moments.

I find it only appropriate that while we were talking during this last visit, he said something that profoundly affected me. I wrote it down right after because I really wanted to remember it. Here's what he said:

Consider each season of your life as a stage. You have the props and the script and it is up to you to decide how the story unfolds. It is life's gift to you, and it won't last forever. But another stage will be set and another gift will come with it.

I love you, Grandpa. May you rest in peace and may you live on through us and all those whose lives you have deeply touched.

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