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Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Coming Up on 12 Weeks!
Sweet Baby James,
Hello darling! In just a couple days I'll be 12 weeks along. That is crazy business. Right now you're well on your way to being the size of a lime. My goodness, that seems so... substantial!
Today I thought about how awesome it will be when I make you laugh. I just know I'll love the sound of your little giggles and the sight of your toothless little grin. That thought might just keep me going for the next week.
I have been having some trouble sleeping. I am struggling to sleep on my side. Laying on my back isn't really comfortable any more, and neither is laying on my stomach. I don't know if it has to do with the hormones that stretch out my ligaments and make my joints extra flexy, but laying on my side just sends burning pain through my hips. I told Ben yesterday that I needed a recliner and I was only half joking. Last night I put a pillow under my hip and that seemed to help a little.
Let's see, what else... well, I had to go and buy some maternity pants! That was an exciting and extremely comfy step. Most of my stuff still fits but it is getting tighter and tighter. Last night I had a dream that I could really see and feel the "bump" of you in my tummy. I'm not quite there yet, but I know it is coming soon!
I think in the next couple days we will be making the official announcement of your impending arrival. Can't wait to shout that one from the rooftops, little one.
Love,
Momma
Hello darling! In just a couple days I'll be 12 weeks along. That is crazy business. Right now you're well on your way to being the size of a lime. My goodness, that seems so... substantial!
Today I thought about how awesome it will be when I make you laugh. I just know I'll love the sound of your little giggles and the sight of your toothless little grin. That thought might just keep me going for the next week.
I have been having some trouble sleeping. I am struggling to sleep on my side. Laying on my back isn't really comfortable any more, and neither is laying on my stomach. I don't know if it has to do with the hormones that stretch out my ligaments and make my joints extra flexy, but laying on my side just sends burning pain through my hips. I told Ben yesterday that I needed a recliner and I was only half joking. Last night I put a pillow under my hip and that seemed to help a little.
Let's see, what else... well, I had to go and buy some maternity pants! That was an exciting and extremely comfy step. Most of my stuff still fits but it is getting tighter and tighter. Last night I had a dream that I could really see and feel the "bump" of you in my tummy. I'm not quite there yet, but I know it is coming soon!
I think in the next couple days we will be making the official announcement of your impending arrival. Can't wait to shout that one from the rooftops, little one.
Love,
Momma
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Ten Weeks and Some Change
Sweet Baby James,
Hello darling! Just because I haven't written in here in a couple weeks doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of you, because I totally HAVE. Every waking minute I am thinking about you in there growing and, day by day, making your way into the little person I will love.
So what's been up these past two weeks... well, for starters, you have grown to be bigger than a kumquat! Now you are over an inch long, and you can open and close your fists and kick your little feet. I won't be able to feel it for a while, but it's pretty cool to know that you're moving around in there already.
The nausea has subsided considerably, but the exhaustion is now full-force. I try to sleep and rest as much as I can, which makes me feel like a lazy bum, but I suppose I have many months ahead to get stuff done. Although... not that many months when I think about it! 10 weeks means I'm over a quarter of the way through this pregnancy, and when I put it that way, you'll be here before I know it!
Although I'm not so nauseous anymore, I still have a hard time pinpointing any food that sounds good to eat. It is the strangest feeling, my little dearie. I've always been a picky eater - a trait I hope not to pass along to you - but this isn't really like that. It's more like... like nothing sounds good at all, and until I think of the exact thing that DOES sound good, I don't really want to eat anything. But once I think of that thing, I'm kind of ravenous for it. I guess that explains why I've eaten two boxes of mac and cheese in the past two days? That's mostly what you and I want to eat these days - bland, warm carb-y foods. Potatoes, pasta, bread, cereal. Can you start helping me crave nice healthy foods like salads and fruit? It'll do us both some good, okay?
I'm excited because we're getting closer and closer to being able to tell the whole world about your impending arrival. This weekend I'll be 11 weeks. Can I make it one more week after that? We shall see! I've already told most of my coworkers, and Ben's told many of his too. There are still a few friends I'm hoping to see and tell in person in the next week.
Many people ask me if I think you are going to be a boy or a girl. I really don't know! Since, with one exception, EVERY single one of the MANY pregnant and new moms I know has had or is having a girl, I feel like the odds are that you have to be a boy. But I don't really know and I don't have a "vibe" either way. In fact, for the past couple days, I dreamed I was having twins. Are there two of you in there? Should I be addressing this to the Sweet Babies James? I don't really think that is the case, but I suppose you never know...
I love you, baby of mine, whoever you are. Night night.
Love Momma
Hello darling! Just because I haven't written in here in a couple weeks doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of you, because I totally HAVE. Every waking minute I am thinking about you in there growing and, day by day, making your way into the little person I will love.
So what's been up these past two weeks... well, for starters, you have grown to be bigger than a kumquat! Now you are over an inch long, and you can open and close your fists and kick your little feet. I won't be able to feel it for a while, but it's pretty cool to know that you're moving around in there already.
The nausea has subsided considerably, but the exhaustion is now full-force. I try to sleep and rest as much as I can, which makes me feel like a lazy bum, but I suppose I have many months ahead to get stuff done. Although... not that many months when I think about it! 10 weeks means I'm over a quarter of the way through this pregnancy, and when I put it that way, you'll be here before I know it!
Although I'm not so nauseous anymore, I still have a hard time pinpointing any food that sounds good to eat. It is the strangest feeling, my little dearie. I've always been a picky eater - a trait I hope not to pass along to you - but this isn't really like that. It's more like... like nothing sounds good at all, and until I think of the exact thing that DOES sound good, I don't really want to eat anything. But once I think of that thing, I'm kind of ravenous for it. I guess that explains why I've eaten two boxes of mac and cheese in the past two days? That's mostly what you and I want to eat these days - bland, warm carb-y foods. Potatoes, pasta, bread, cereal. Can you start helping me crave nice healthy foods like salads and fruit? It'll do us both some good, okay?
I'm excited because we're getting closer and closer to being able to tell the whole world about your impending arrival. This weekend I'll be 11 weeks. Can I make it one more week after that? We shall see! I've already told most of my coworkers, and Ben's told many of his too. There are still a few friends I'm hoping to see and tell in person in the next week.
Many people ask me if I think you are going to be a boy or a girl. I really don't know! Since, with one exception, EVERY single one of the MANY pregnant and new moms I know has had or is having a girl, I feel like the odds are that you have to be a boy. But I don't really know and I don't have a "vibe" either way. In fact, for the past couple days, I dreamed I was having twins. Are there two of you in there? Should I be addressing this to the Sweet Babies James? I don't really think that is the case, but I suppose you never know...
I love you, baby of mine, whoever you are. Night night.
Love Momma
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Eight Weeks and Counting
Sweet Baby James,
Hello my darling! Hard to believe but I am now over two months pregnant. Eight and a half weeks today, to be precise. I meant to be writing more often but growing you is making me utterly, lifelessly exhausted. Unfortunately I have also had an extra busy couple of weeks and this has not left me the desired time for napping! Yesterday I snuck in a few minutes between the doctor's visit and Bible study, but it was not quite enough and today I was pooped. I did not think I was going to be able to make it through work. I walked to a smoothie store on my break, and the fresh air and fruity goodness seemed to help give me a little energy.
Tonight was really fun because after work I went to my friend Kali's house to hang out with her, her precious baby Caroline, and our friend Angilee. Sweet, darling baby, I know I will be madly in love with you no matter what you look like. But if God sees fit to make you one tenth as adorable as Miss Caroline, we'll be in business. It's really outrageous, how cute she is. If you're a boy, I'll be sure to make the appropriate introductions.
Kali, Angilee and I all used to work together at GMA. I knew both of them would be so, so excited to know I was pregnant, so it was a lot of fun to break the news. I got lots of hugs and some jumping up and down. (Caroline was startled by the squealing and cried a little.) I told them all the details about how far along I was and how I had been feeling. I had been having kind of an overwhelming feeling about my day so it was so great to be blessed with their encouragement and excitement.
And with that, dear little somewhat-berry-sized baby of mine, I am calling it a night and heading to bed. Another long day tomorrow!
Love,
Momma
Hello my darling! Hard to believe but I am now over two months pregnant. Eight and a half weeks today, to be precise. I meant to be writing more often but growing you is making me utterly, lifelessly exhausted. Unfortunately I have also had an extra busy couple of weeks and this has not left me the desired time for napping! Yesterday I snuck in a few minutes between the doctor's visit and Bible study, but it was not quite enough and today I was pooped. I did not think I was going to be able to make it through work. I walked to a smoothie store on my break, and the fresh air and fruity goodness seemed to help give me a little energy.
Tonight was really fun because after work I went to my friend Kali's house to hang out with her, her precious baby Caroline, and our friend Angilee. Sweet, darling baby, I know I will be madly in love with you no matter what you look like. But if God sees fit to make you one tenth as adorable as Miss Caroline, we'll be in business. It's really outrageous, how cute she is. If you're a boy, I'll be sure to make the appropriate introductions.
Kali, Angilee and I all used to work together at GMA. I knew both of them would be so, so excited to know I was pregnant, so it was a lot of fun to break the news. I got lots of hugs and some jumping up and down. (Caroline was startled by the squealing and cried a little.) I told them all the details about how far along I was and how I had been feeling. I had been having kind of an overwhelming feeling about my day so it was so great to be blessed with their encouragement and excitement.
And with that, dear little somewhat-berry-sized baby of mine, I am calling it a night and heading to bed. Another long day tomorrow!
Love,
Momma
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
First Appointment!
Sweet Baby James,
Today was an exciting milestone, because I had my first official "I'm Pregnant" visit with the midwife. Woo!
Now before anyone out there reading thinks I've gone crazy and that I'll be delivering my baby on my sofa or in my bathtub by candlelight or something, fear not. I will be having my baby very safely at top-notch Vanderbilt Hospital. There will be doctors and surgeons and anesthesiologists and all the modern medical marvels at my disposal should they be needed/wanted.
My prenatal care and labor will be overseen by the capable, highly-trained team of nurse-midwives at the Vanderbilt Nurse-Midwife Clinic. All the nurse-midwives have at least their masters in Nursing, and many have their doctorates as well. On top of that they are all specially trained and certified in midwifery (aka the care for pregnant women and the delivery of babies).
I decided to go with the nurse-midwives after hearing from multiple friends about the wonderful, personal care they received, particularly in having one of the nurse-midwives by their sides for the entire length of their labor.
My midwife's name is Lauren. Ben got to come with me, too, which is awesome! We talked about how I was feeling, any questions I had, and established May 28 as my official due date. I got some specifics about medicines I can and can't take right now, which was helpful. And we set up a meeting for me to come back in 6 weeks. By then I'll be 14 weeks along and it will be time to see how much you've grown and, most excitingly, hear your heart beating! It is beating now, and has been for a few weeks, but by then you'll be big enough for us to pick up the sounds! Amazing.
I also got a flu shot, which is good because I do not want you or me getting sick during this winter season! I had to do the ole' pee in a cup, as well as give a LOT of blood - seven vials worth, whew - for all the tests they'll need to do. That was it! I was an excellent blood-giver so Ben rewarded me with a trip to the frozen yogurt joint.
More tomorrow!
Love,
Momma
Today was an exciting milestone, because I had my first official "I'm Pregnant" visit with the midwife. Woo!
Now before anyone out there reading thinks I've gone crazy and that I'll be delivering my baby on my sofa or in my bathtub by candlelight or something, fear not. I will be having my baby very safely at top-notch Vanderbilt Hospital. There will be doctors and surgeons and anesthesiologists and all the modern medical marvels at my disposal should they be needed/wanted.
My prenatal care and labor will be overseen by the capable, highly-trained team of nurse-midwives at the Vanderbilt Nurse-Midwife Clinic. All the nurse-midwives have at least their masters in Nursing, and many have their doctorates as well. On top of that they are all specially trained and certified in midwifery (aka the care for pregnant women and the delivery of babies).
I decided to go with the nurse-midwives after hearing from multiple friends about the wonderful, personal care they received, particularly in having one of the nurse-midwives by their sides for the entire length of their labor.
My midwife's name is Lauren. Ben got to come with me, too, which is awesome! We talked about how I was feeling, any questions I had, and established May 28 as my official due date. I got some specifics about medicines I can and can't take right now, which was helpful. And we set up a meeting for me to come back in 6 weeks. By then I'll be 14 weeks along and it will be time to see how much you've grown and, most excitingly, hear your heart beating! It is beating now, and has been for a few weeks, but by then you'll be big enough for us to pick up the sounds! Amazing.
I also got a flu shot, which is good because I do not want you or me getting sick during this winter season! I had to do the ole' pee in a cup, as well as give a LOT of blood - seven vials worth, whew - for all the tests they'll need to do. That was it! I was an excellent blood-giver so Ben rewarded me with a trip to the frozen yogurt joint.
More tomorrow!
Love,
Momma
Thursday, October 14, 2010
More Fun With Surprises!
Sweet Baby James,
A couple things, and then we can get to the fun part.
It is not so easy to eat healthy when I don't really feel like eating anything. Today in the car I started crying because I couldn't think of a single thing I wanted for lunch! I ended up splurging on some Chick-fil-a nuggets and small fries, and soothed my upset tummy with some Sprite. For dinner your dad brought home some pizza which at the time was delicious and exactly what I wanted. But now, I'm just back to feeling vaguely blech.
Also, tired? I don't know if I've ever been so tired for what, externally, seems to be no reason. Every hour at work feels like it drags on and on and I can't wait to just grab five minutes to sit down and rest. When I get home I just collapse on the nearest available flat surface. Building you is taking a toll on my energy! You're worth it, of course, but still!
Okay, on to the fun times! So as I mentioned last weekend we got to go home and share our exciting news with our families. Here are the videos we took!
This is us telling my dad - that'd be Grandpa Tom. You can't get a good look at what I gave him in the video. It is a little framed sign that says "Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things." It was something I gave to my grandpa when I was little. After his funeral, my mom gave it to me and said I could hang on to it until it was time to give it to dad. That didn't take long!
We also surprised my sister, your Aunt Ashley. We gave her a card that said something about being an aunt. She is very excited and is already trying to spoil you rotten. I'll post more about her later!
And finally, hands down the most animated reaction came from Ben's mom. When we went to tell his family, first we totally surprised them that we were even in town. They had no idea! Then we gave Ben's mom a book, and we told her we made her a birthday present (because her birthday is right near my due date). She didn't get it at first but... well, just watch! Bonus hilarious reaction from Logan.
Isn't that fun? We also got to tell some really special friends. Cara and Cody are our dear friends, and Cara is my best pal from high school. It was awesome to get to tell her face to face! We also told our good friend PJ. In a weird way, he's kind of like your older brother, okay? And in true big brother fashion, he came up with a nickname for you. I think it is going to stick. I told him you were the size of a blueberry, and he said he was going to call you Blue. So now I do, too, when I talk to you - Baby Blue.
Everyone is so excited that you are coming! It's so wonderful to share the good news with people that are going to love you so, so much. Just like I already do.
Love,
Momma
A couple things, and then we can get to the fun part.
It is not so easy to eat healthy when I don't really feel like eating anything. Today in the car I started crying because I couldn't think of a single thing I wanted for lunch! I ended up splurging on some Chick-fil-a nuggets and small fries, and soothed my upset tummy with some Sprite. For dinner your dad brought home some pizza which at the time was delicious and exactly what I wanted. But now, I'm just back to feeling vaguely blech.
Also, tired? I don't know if I've ever been so tired for what, externally, seems to be no reason. Every hour at work feels like it drags on and on and I can't wait to just grab five minutes to sit down and rest. When I get home I just collapse on the nearest available flat surface. Building you is taking a toll on my energy! You're worth it, of course, but still!
Okay, on to the fun times! So as I mentioned last weekend we got to go home and share our exciting news with our families. Here are the videos we took!
This is us telling my dad - that'd be Grandpa Tom. You can't get a good look at what I gave him in the video. It is a little framed sign that says "Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things." It was something I gave to my grandpa when I was little. After his funeral, my mom gave it to me and said I could hang on to it until it was time to give it to dad. That didn't take long!
We also surprised my sister, your Aunt Ashley. We gave her a card that said something about being an aunt. She is very excited and is already trying to spoil you rotten. I'll post more about her later!
And finally, hands down the most animated reaction came from Ben's mom. When we went to tell his family, first we totally surprised them that we were even in town. They had no idea! Then we gave Ben's mom a book, and we told her we made her a birthday present (because her birthday is right near my due date). She didn't get it at first but... well, just watch! Bonus hilarious reaction from Logan.
Isn't that fun? We also got to tell some really special friends. Cara and Cody are our dear friends, and Cara is my best pal from high school. It was awesome to get to tell her face to face! We also told our good friend PJ. In a weird way, he's kind of like your older brother, okay? And in true big brother fashion, he came up with a nickname for you. I think it is going to stick. I told him you were the size of a blueberry, and he said he was going to call you Blue. So now I do, too, when I talk to you - Baby Blue.
Everyone is so excited that you are coming! It's so wonderful to share the good news with people that are going to love you so, so much. Just like I already do.
Love,
Momma
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fun With Surprises!
Sweet Baby James,
There's a lot to cover from these past few days! We got to go home and tell our whole family that you were coming. Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic.
The first thing I did when I got home was tell my mom. You'll just call her Grandma Sally, or some variation of such. I was under instruction from your dad that she was the ONLY one I could tell until he got there. I wrapped up a copy of one of my favorite childhood books, Bedtime for Frances, and put a little note in it from you.
I cornered her in her craft room and handed it to her. She's a smart cookie, so she got it right away. She was so excited! You will be her first grandbaby. We had lots of hugs and then I filled her in on all the details. She couldn't believe I expected her to keep it a secret from my dad until Ben showed up!
We had so much fun the next day secretly going shopping to baby stores. We went to one store with lots of really beautiful fancy nursery furniture including some gliders that I did not want to get out of. Like sitting on a cloud, I tell ya! Then we made my first venture into a Babies R Us. It was a little overwhelming but we found a couple cute things.
There are many more stories to share and we caught all the rest of the surprises on video. But your dad is not here to help me edit and upload them so I'll have to wait till later for the rest!
Love,
Momma
There's a lot to cover from these past few days! We got to go home and tell our whole family that you were coming. Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic.
The first thing I did when I got home was tell my mom. You'll just call her Grandma Sally, or some variation of such. I was under instruction from your dad that she was the ONLY one I could tell until he got there. I wrapped up a copy of one of my favorite childhood books, Bedtime for Frances, and put a little note in it from you.
I cornered her in her craft room and handed it to her. She's a smart cookie, so she got it right away. She was so excited! You will be her first grandbaby. We had lots of hugs and then I filled her in on all the details. She couldn't believe I expected her to keep it a secret from my dad until Ben showed up!
We had so much fun the next day secretly going shopping to baby stores. We went to one store with lots of really beautiful fancy nursery furniture including some gliders that I did not want to get out of. Like sitting on a cloud, I tell ya! Then we made my first venture into a Babies R Us. It was a little overwhelming but we found a couple cute things.
There are many more stories to share and we caught all the rest of the surprises on video. But your dad is not here to help me edit and upload them so I'll have to wait till later for the rest!
Love,
Momma
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