Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

The size of a mango seems just right for this week since mommy is craving more and more fruit. Must be because I'm so thirsty all the time. Your brain is working hard right now developing all your sensory areas for smell, taste, vision, hearing, and touch. Since you are able to hear my voice, I've been singing more and reading books to you every chance I get. I can't wait to hold you and actually do those things face to face! I wonder if you will come out with a full head of hair which is also developing now. The reason, I'm wondering is because I seem to be getting more and more heartburn these days; all worth it of course :)!

A couple of truly thoughtful friends surprised us over the last few of days with adorable outfits and a soft blanket for you. It was so generous of them and a wonderful way to get us started. Mommy and Daddy even went to Baby's R U to look at all the things we like for you. There's so much to choose from, but I'm sure we will get all the right things to help us take care of you, make sure you're safe, and that you are comfortable. Keep up the great work, grow healthy and strong "little man". We love you so very much.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Look at that belly grow....18 weeks!!!!

Dear sweet baby boy!

You're 18 weeks today and we had our big ultrasound! Daddy and Grandma were with me. Your a boy!!!! A big happy surprise for mommy! Of course Daddy was supper excited and Grandma as well....Now Grandpa knows what color Yankee cap to get you. We are now thinking blue!!! I guess Daddy will have to get the Red Sox one....I hope they don't get you too confused; my poor baby!
It was amazing to see you today!!!!! To see how much you have grown and changed since 12 weeks. Mommy is definitely in love and got very emotional, which I seem to do a lot more lately. We saw your cute tiny face; a perfect profile. We counted your fingers and toes. Daddy went right up to the big TV monitor and counted each tiny one, it was sooooo cute! We even saw you sucking your thumb. The ultrasound tech pointed out your stomach, bladder, kidneys, and all 4 chambers of your heart which is only the size of mommies pinkie nail right now but doing so much work! You are about 5 1/2 inches long and 7 ounces, just where you should be now. You are also doing a lot of yawning, hiccuping, rolling (it was so neat to see your spinal cord when you rolled over for us), twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing to pass the time. Your blood vessels are now visible through your thin skin, your ears are also in their correct spots, and the protective covering of myelin is forming around your nerves.
Since I finally told my students about you last week, I showed them some of your pictures from today. They were so excited and thanked me for sharing my "little miracle" as they call you with them. The boys were especially excited. Go Blue!
With all the excitement today, mommy definitely needs her rest tonight. Now that we know what you are little baby boy, we have lots of planning ahead! Time for shopping, mommy's favorite part! :) Keep growing healthy and strong...you are going to be soooo cute! Mommy and Daddy are totally enamored, intrigued, and in love!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby "Onion," (3/11/09)

Today you are 17 weeks and doing some serious growing. Your skeleton is turning from rubbery cartilage into hardened bone and you can move all your joints. Your hearing is developing now which means Mommy and Daddy will be listening to lots of classical music, singing to you more often, and reading books to you. Also, your umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. You are already 5 inches long and your sweat glands are starting to develop too. You even have toe and finger prints of your very own already. Wow, that's enough to make me tired for sure!

Daddy and I are very excited for this coming weekend because we have some dear friends coming to visit (Natasha and Mike)! We can't wait to spend time with them and for them to see my growing belly, hear the recording of your heart beat, and see the ultrasound pictures. We plan on spending lots of time outside since they are coming from NYC where the weather has been very cold and snowy all winter.

We also can't wait for that 18 week ultrasound next Wednesday! I think Grandma will join us as well. She really wants to see you too! Keep up the great work, grow strong everyday little one. Mommy and Daddy love you more and more each day!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

(3/9/09)
Wow baby! What a strong heart beat you have! Today I went to my appointment, officially 16 weeks and 5 days. The doctor went over all the test results which all came back negative, great news. We talked about how I have started to feel some fluttering which is really neat! She said that it's what I should be feeling and that within the next few weeks I will feel kicking! I'm so curious to know what that feels like and for Daddy to feel you as well. We also talked about what I can do and take to help me feel better since I'm fighting off a cold right now. Seems that Tylenol and Sudafed (but only at night and if needed in the morning) is what I can take for relief. Besides that lots of fluids, like orange juice, tea and honey, and of course Grandma's cure all....chicken soup! Hopefully I'll feel better with that soon!
Since Daddy could not make it to the appointment today, Grandma and Aunt Leah joined me. It was nice to have them there to hear your heart beat which was over 150 bpm, wow! Grandma recorded it for Daddy on our mini tape recorder. He was ecstatic to hear it and so proud of how strong you sound! I've even shared it with some great friends already. Everyone wants to know how you are doing. Next week we will get to see you since we go for an ultrasound. The doctor told me that we will see the 4 chambers of your heart, they will take all your measurements, count your fingers, and more....if you cooperate we will even find out if you will be a boy or girl! Either way as long as you are healthy and happy....we'll be happy too!!!
A wonderfully thoughtful friend of mine from Boston has already sent us a care package. I was overwhelmed when I received it today. Part of it was for me, a pampering kit for pregnancy with beautifully smelling bath soak, massage oil, and foot cream. ...and the other part was for you, your first stuffed animal (a little bunny) and your first book called, "I Love You, Little One." Amazing! Daddy and I can't wait to read it to you! We love you very much!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Here it is....the first belly picture! 4 months!

Dear Baby "Avocado," (3/4/09)

Wow baby! You're 16 weeks today! Yeah! You are heading for a big growth spurt over the next few weeks, making mommy's tummy bigger and bigger. Thank goodness to great friends who have sent and are sharing maternity clothing with me :)! Your eyes and ears are moving into their correct places, your scalp pattern is forming, and your growing those toenails that mommy will have to cut all the time! Your heart is working really hard now as well, it's pumping 25 quarts of blood per day! Since mommy's birthday was yesterday, daddy and I were talking about how we can't believe that we are bringing a new life into our world and how great it will be to include you in our celebrations next year! But while we are anxiously awaiting your arrival, we still had a wonderful relaxing day together, just what I needed. Daddy even gave me something really special that constantly reminds me of him and you! It's beautiful and puts a smile on my face. We are awaiting some upcoming appointments over the next 2 weeks so that we can hear and see you. Next Monday, we'll go in for a check up to hear your heartbeat and measure mommy's tummy! Maybe your Aunt and Grandma will join me! The following week will be an ultrasound and we may even find out if you are going to be a boy or a girl. That will be exciting news!Whatever you are though, we can't wait to meet you and pray each day that you are healthy and happy! Keep growing strong our little sunshine!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy