Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Wow, Daddy and I had such a wonderful weekend! Friday night we went out for yummy pizza and happened to sit in an area of the restaurant with two other pregnant women, two babies, and our waitress was also pregnant! It was very amusing and the pizza was delicious! On Saturday we walked around downtown, went to lunch at our favorite cafe, and really enjoyed spending some much needed time together reminiscing and talking about what's to come. To top it all off, Daddy surprised mommy with a Vera Bradley baby bag in honor of my first official Mother-to-be Day! Plus an absolutely beautiful card (your Daddy is terrific with words) and some chocolates! The best part of the day was in the evening. Daddy and I were relaxing on the couch, watching a movie when all of a sudden I felt you kicking! I took Daddy's hand and placed it where you were moving. He waited patiently to see if you would continue. Sure enough you started tumbling and kicking for at least 30 minutes! It was amazing and I was so happy that Daddy could feel you moving around! You are starting to have some pretty strong kicks and the next morning you were going again. It seems that you are going to be quite an active little one. :)
Later, on Sunday Grandma and Grandpa even gave me a sweet card, very unexpected. Before we went over there, Daddy and I went out to Lido Beach and enjoyed the beautiful ocean! We spent lots of time in the water which was so refreshing, walked along the shore collecting shells, and talked about how much you will love the ocean like mommy does since that's all I want to do these days. We saw lots of babies splashing away at the shore line and laughed at how cute it will be when you are big enough to do the same. I am so grateful for times like this, it truly makes me appreciate our lives together and all the we have to look forward to with you.
I'm enjoying you so much already!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

Oh wow! You are starting to kick! I can't believe it. It's still very light but I am sure that it will be getting stronger as time goes on. I'm also feeling you hiccup and according to Dr. Doyle maybe some rhythmic breathing. It's pretty incredible!
On Tuesday I went for a checkup. Dr. Doyle said that you and I had a growth spurt! She is right, my belly has grown! Though she was very happy with it and said that's what we need to see, I personally hope that you grow more, but not me :)
Considering the growth spurt, you are now about 13 1/2 inches long from head to toe and about 1 1/2 pounds, about the size of a growing eggplant. You are beginning to gain some baby fat so your wrinkly skin will smooth out. Tiny capillaries are forming, giving you a pinkish glow and you are soaking up antibodies for your immune system. So, I'm trying very hard to stay healthy. My students are being sanitized constantly! :) If we could see inside, daddy and I might see your head full of hair and would be able to tell what color it is, for now! No wonder I've been having heartburn! Tums is my new friend :)
Daddy and I went to your Aunt Leah's college graduation last weekend. We had a great time taking a ride up there, sharing lots of laughs with your uncles Adam and David, and of course celebrating Leah's accomplishments. Daddy and I were daydreaming and talking about how you will be bouncing around with us to David's high school graduation in two years and many other family occasions that we will be celebrating. It was fun to picture it all and giggle about it. So keep growing healthy and strong "little guy", we can't wait to see you! We love you very much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

24 weeks and counting! WOW, BABY!!!

Look at those tiny fingers and toes! Aren't I just adorable!

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

Yay, you are 24 weeks!...and 1 day today. :) Daddy and I went to my ultrasound appointment and got to see you! You are absolutely amazing! Measuring at 1.7 ounces, you are just perfect! We counted all of your cute, tiny fingers and toes. We saw the four chambers of your heart pumping strong, a full bladder, your kidneys, lips and nose, your spine, and measured your femur. You were very active moving around, trying to grab your toes, putting your hand in your mouth. Daddy and I had so much fun watching you!
At this time your brain is growing quickly and your lungs are developing the branches of your respiratory system as well as producing surfactant which will help your air sacs inflate once you need them. It still continues to amaze me, seeing how much you grow and change. I'm sure that feeling will last throughout, as I watch you grow up!
Mommy and Daddy will be going to Gainesville this weekend to see Aunt Leah. She is graduating from college and we are attending her graduation ceremony. I'm sure she is anxious to see my growing belly and hear all about how you are doing! Hopefully it will be a relaxing and enjoyable trip for all of us.
We are so excited about all the great progress you are making and that all is going well with you so far. We have recently received some sweet compliments from both friends and strangers about how happy Daddy and I seem when we are together and how adorable and happy you are going to be. Let's hope that is all true, since we are so happy and grateful to be able to take this journey. Keep up the great work, my little man! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

As time goes by, mommy is realizing more and more how important you are becoming to us and how much she wants to savor each moment of your growing inside me. Honestly, being pregnant has definitely had it's ups and downs but when I have the time, in the stillness of a moment, I stop and think how amazing it is that I am carrying life, you, inside me. I can only imagine how much stronger my connection and love for you will continue to grow and how incredible it will be to finally have you in my arms. I think about that first moment often and though I am sure it will not all happen exactly as I have it playing out in my head, I know it will be an extraordinary moment for both your daddy and I. In the meantime, several things have come about in the past week that have helped remind me that becoming a mommy is my number one priority and how important your daddy and our growing family is to me. We will be making some tough decisions over the next few days all for the better of our family and that is all that matters now. I know daddy and I will do what is best for our family, for you. In the end all will turn out the way it should, with a great new sense of happiness and so much to live for. I promise you that we will do everything we can to make you feel happiness, security, and above all, greatly loved.
At 23 weeks today, you are so close to 24 weeks when everyone in our family believes we are on the right path considering your Aunt Leah was born at 24 weeks and has grown into a wonderful young adult with great accomplishments. Daddy and I will also be seeing you at an ultrasound next week which we are so excited about. Your sense of movement and hearing is becoming more keen and you are now over 11 inches long and weighing more than a pound. It will be so amazing to see how big you have gotten next week! Mommy is feeling you sway, dance, and squirm around more and more. No big kicking yet, but I'm sure I will feel you soon. Keep up the great work, grow healthy and strong! Our love for you grows each moment of everyday.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

At 22 weeks mommy is starting to feel you moving more and more, no kicks yet but I'm sure soon enough I will feel those little feet! You also seem to like to climb up high, by the end of most days you sit way up on my belly! You are now 11 inches long and about 1 pound; the length of a spaghetti squash. Your cute face is fully developed with facial features like lips, eyelids, and eyebrows having become more distinct now and your tooth buds are forming under your gums. Your beautiful eyes are also formed, except for the pigment in your iris which will come later and may even change after you are born. Fine hair called lanugo is covering your body and your skin is all wrinkly but will fill out in weeks to come with a padding of fat as you gain weight. Inside your belly, your pancreas is forming producing essential hormones for your body.
I'm told to watch what I say now, since you are able to hear outside noises now too! I'm always reminding my students to speak kindly and make gentle sounds. Playing quiet music or singing softly seem to be the best sounds for you. Hopefully, you are starting to develop great sleeping patterns by now as well.
Mommy and Daddy started registaring for all those things that we will need for you at Baby's R Us. We are also getting some cute ideas for your room with the theme of whales and sailboats! It will be fitting, I believe, especially when we finally let everyone know the name we have chosen for you!
Keep up the great work. Grow healthy and strong so mommy can feel you kicking! We love you very, very much!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

Daddy and I have been enjoying the last couple of days together looking at baby furniture, bedding, and other ideas for your room which we plan to get started on no later than early June. We have lots of great things in mind using blues and browns, whales and sailboats, and much more!
It was wonderful to hear that strong heartbeat of yours on Tuesday. Dr. Doyle was very happy with your heart rate and told us everything was going well! You are the length of a carrot now, about 10 and 1/2 inches long and the size of a growing papaya over the next 3 weeks. Your taste buds are developed so I'm assuming that you will like fresh fruit because mommy is eating lots of watermelon, oranges, strawberries and bananas! Your eyebrows and lids are also developed and soon enough I should be feeling some of your kicks. I'm very curious to know what that is like!
Daddy and I spent some time at Borders Books the other day. We have been reading lots of pregnancy books, looking through baby name books, and even bought you a few brand new books. You are now enjoying "Goodnight Moon", "The Hungry Caterpillar", and "I Love You Through and Through." Of course Grandma has a ton of books even from when I was a baby that I know you will love having her read to you as much as I did.
Daddy surprised me this last weekend with a bunch of adorable outfits for you too! Ones with baseballs, whales, cho-cho trains, and more! He's so excited to dress his little man. I think you'll be the best dress boy around!
Well keep up the good work, grow stronger each day! Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see you!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

Yay, we made it half way! Now 20 more weeks to go and you are growing fast. The size of a cantaloupe, the length of a banana, what more could we ask for at this time. You are practicing swallowing, which is really good for that digestive system and fine hair is starting to grow on your scalp.
Mommy and Daddy are so happy that you are doing well after our little scare last Friday. It was very nerve racking having to race to the doctors office after the nurse practitioner scared mommy when I asked her if it was okay that I had not felt you moving for two days. But since we're still early on Dr. Doyle reassured us that all was well by letting us listen to that strong heart beat of yours for a while. No more bad colds and stress for mommy!
Now that we know you are a boy, Mommy and Daddy are noticing little baby boys everywhere. It's very cute! We are also enjoying looking at adorable "boy things". I can't wait to start shopping! I think grandpa already started ;)! We have also been reading to you often, some of our favorites so far are "I Love You, Little One" and "Skippyjon Jones." I think you'll love it, Daddy does all the funny accents really well!
We have another appointment next week, so we'll get to hear you again! In the meantime, keep moving and growing healthy and strong! We love you so very much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy