Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

There are many things that I want to share with you, even now before we meet. May seems to be so far away, but so far, the months that I have been carrying you have flown by.

I think back to when Daddy and I decided that we couldn’t wait any longer and it just had to be you. You should know, you have always been wanted. We knew we wanted a family, and that you would bring us boundless joy. (Your big brother, Easton, is sure he’ll like cleaning up your spills and smelling your dirty diapers, too.) We can’t wait to watch you learn and grow.

Since the early days when we found out that you were growing inside me, it has been pure awe at what we have created: you. You have always been loved. Your dad and I cuddle, curled up around my belly and you are there with us. It is pure excitement (and a dose of nerves) when I think about holding you there amongst our pillows, seeing your face, tickling your toes. You have made us fall more in love with each other. We have already fallen in love with you.

We have seen your growing body on ultrasound, watched you suck your thumb (just like Mommy and Oma) and hiccup (you get the hiccups every day!) and there is magic there, amazement at your perfection, just the way you are. You are our sweet boy, and always will be.

I felt your first flutters of movement, and knew you would be your own person someday. Now, I feel you bumping around inside my belly and think about who you might be. I can’t wait to meet you. To get to know who you are and who you will want to be. We will love you no matter what. I only hope that we have given you the best of each of us and that we can continue to do so.

I am certain that we will never be perfect parents, we will get frustrated and lose our patience at times, we will expect too much, we will worry, but we will always try. And we will always love you even when you make mistakes, because we will acknowledge our own and try to learn from them.

I hope that you will be healthy and like to nap as much as Daddy and I do. I hope that you will smile often and laugh every day (after all, Daddy can be pretty silly). I hope that you will feel loved by us, our family, our friends, our community. I hope that you will know no fear too great to stand in the way of your dreams or goals. I hope I can be a confidant and hear about those dreams. May you always know the joy and love that you are.

You have a big life in front of you. I feel blessed that I get to be a part of it.

A bushel and a peck of love,

Mommy

Mardis Gras 2012

Even mommas cam have a little fun getting dressed up to play. Just squeeze me into a little black dress and get me to bed by 9.

Made With Love

a little bit of this
and a little bit of that
a dash of color
a careful eye
a little planning
looking forward
taking the plunge
creating
imagining
living
and loving.

A new view

the world looks a little bit different
when there is so much anticipation
and joy and fun and giggles
ahead.

24 weeks, baby!

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone."

dreaming of Baby Boy

I'm counting on a village to help raise this child...
and I've been amazed at the love and support that have come from all of you.
Messages.
Love.
Hand-me-downs.
And how I love looking through all the tiny clothes and
dreaming of
Baby Boy.

A Quiet Christmas

As my belly grows, I dream of Christmases to come.
They may not be as quiet
and the tree may not have the neat matching ornaments
but they will be joyfully noisy
and covered with glitter and homemade decorations
and full of wonder and magic.
So much fun ahead.

Gratitude

There's a lot lot of love to be grateful for this year.
I'm overjoyed.

It is going to be fun to see it.

The Big Announcement

Me: I have something special that I would like to tell the class.
Student: Oh, this must be good.
Me: It is great news for me and very exciting. I want to tell you all that I am having a baby in May.
Student: Sweet! We will have a substitute and less homework!
Me: Unless the substitute gives you more homework. (Student grimaces.)
***The sound of gears turning in students heads is almost audible.***
Student: So... Is the baby already in your belly?
Me: Yes, but it's only about this big (motion with fingers about 3 inches)
***Audible gasps and sounds of disbelief from the crowd.***
Student: May I tell the class something?
Me: Sure.
Student: That baby started out even smaller than an ant. (Others give ponderous looks.)
Me: So the baby has a lot of growing to do.
Student: So... Do you have to be married to have a baby?
Me: Well, no, but you have to love someone a lot.
Student: So... Did you have to go to the doctor to ask to have the baby?
Me: No, I didn't go to the doctor until I knew I was going to have the baby.
Student: Well, I am very glad for you that you are having a baby.
Girl Student: I hope it's a girl.
Boy Student: I hope it's a boy.
Final Student: I don't ever want to have a baby. It's going to hurt a lot.