Dear Little One #10

Mom and I are going to see Wall-E tonight. I love these "kids" movies. I can't wait to show you all the wonderful things to see in life. To watch you stare in amazement and to comment endlessly about all that you've seen and learn. I am a big movie fan and we will see so many of them together. Mom and I were just watching you kick up a storm. You are very strong! I think we are just a few weeks away from you coming out. It's getting very exciting. I love you so much and your mom has been taking great care of you these last nine months. You and I have to take some of the strain off of her when you arrive. How about you let me feed you at night so she can get some sleep? Well, I am off. I will be thinking of you while we watch the cartoon as I am sure there'll be many little girls and boys excited to see the movie as well. Mom is eating us out of house and home and the neighboring restaurants too. You must be going through your final growth spurt. Love you kiddo
Dad

Ravenous

I woke up this morning STARVING!  I'm three weeks away from our due date, so maybe this is the time to be hungry like I am.  But this morning was an exception to the norm...  

Papa J took me up the street to the Village for breakfast.  We tried a new (to us) place, where I consumed a chocolate croissant and a small breakfast burrito.  Since my tummy wasn't full, we walked down the street and shared a whole grain waffle with strawberries (which, mind you, I ate most of). 

Whoa!  Usually the burrito or croissant would have sufficed, but not today.  I'm now resting in bed from my eating extravaganza - I just hope it all stays down.

I'm blaming it on Hadley!  

Dear Little One #9

Dear Little One,

You are (roughly) four weeks away from making your appearance into, what it will seem, a big scary world.  The bassinet and stroller are assembled, the car seat is standing by, daddy and I (think) we know how to put a diaper on you, we have lots of clothes and, bottom line, lots of excitement and love to share with you.  I can't believe you will soon be cradled in my arms instead of in my belly.

We saw the midwife the other day and we are told that everything looks good.  She did an ultrasound, so we got a quick peak at you.  You showed us your face, but then quickly covered it up with your little hands.  We were a little disappointed to not see you more clearly, but the wonderful news is that you are in position to be born - head down!  In another week you will be full term, so you can come at anytime!  But please stay inside as long as you need (but I hope you will come in no more than four weeks - mommy and daddy are really anxious). 

I haven't been feeling well the last week.  Was plowed by a cold, but today I am actually starting to feel much better.  I know a lot of my "blahness" is pregnancy symptoms, but its all worth it.  I'm sorry if you have sensed that or are feeling my cold.  I've taken very little medication to help treat it, but had to resort to some safe meds in the last two days to help ease pain and stuffiness to allow me to sleep some.  

Today you are pushing your little bottom out. It rests some against the right side of my rib cage and while I feel you, it is not uncomfortable.  It's funny to watch you move about, though.  Right now my belly is lopsided, but I am sure later this evening you will be bending your knees and kicking your feet.  I think I could sit for hours watching you move below my skin.  Daddy likes to talk to you when you are moving about.  Sometimes, we can drum on my belly and you will kick back.  It may simply be a coincidence, but it's fun to think that you are responding to us.  

Your grandma gave your daddy a camcorder as a father's day gift, I think I will start taping your movements.  Might be a cool thing for you to see when you are older, or you might find it creepy.  You don't have to watch it, if you don't want to, but at least I was able to catch it on DVD.

Hadley, I love you and just can not wait for you to be here!  Keep growing strong, kicking me whenever you'd like so I know you are well.  We will see you very, very soon!

Much love,

Mom

Interesting Facts

True or false, I find these interesting...

* During pregnancy, a woman's uterus expands to five hundred times it's normal size.

* Some people drink the urine of pregnant women to build their immune system. (Ewww...)

* Babies born in May are, on average, 200 grams heavier than babies born in other months. 

* Up until about the fourth month, amniotic fluid is produced by the placenta.  After the fourth month, the babies kidneys start working and amniotic fluid is made by their waste.  (Our little ones are basically swimming in pee!)

* Whether your baby is a righty or a lefty is determined at approximately 10 weeks gestation.

100 Buzz Saws

Snoring... Apparently I've been a buzz saw lately and last night I was 100 buzz saws.  Papa J slept on the couch because of my noisy breathing system.  I feel so bad.  I don't want to be that couple - I am banking on this issue going away after I deliver Hadley when this blood flow that causes my sinus cavities decreases and my uterus isn't sitting on my diaphram.

So I poked around online about this issue in pregnant women and it seems it isn't that uncommon.  However, the Swedes did a study on snoring and pregnant women and came back with some alarming statistics: 

* Some baby's of snoring mom's APGAR score was below 7

* Some baby's of snoring mom's suffer from retardation

* Some baby's of snoring mom's are low birth rate

I realize this is a small percentage and there are many other factors involved (high blood pressure, preclampsia, obesity), but its enough to make you panic as a new mom-to-be.  

The internet can be evil sometimes.

In the mean time, I just spend some cash at the local pharmacy on Breathe Right strips and spray and will fire up the humidifier tonight.

So sorry Papa J.

Dear Little One #8

Dear Little One,

I just can't get over how strong you are.  I feel you moving about all the time and I now understand what it feels like to have your feet tangled in my rib cage.  You are growing so much now and I can hardly believe you will be here in a little over six weeks.  I am anxious for you to come, but make a good effort to stay put for a few more weeks, despite my anxiousness.

We just returned from a long trip away from daddy.  We met your grandma, uncle and great aunt in Grand Junction Colorado to work on cleaning out your grandpa's house, as well as scattering his ashes.  The trip was emotional and laborious, but very very successful.  

We put your grandpa to rest at the top of a hill that backs up to his home, known as the First Sister.  I wasn't sure how well you and I would trek up that hill (it was much larger than just a hill), but we were successful in our hike (we actually beat everyone to the top).  The scattering was perfect.  A handful of his closest friends and family.  We each took handfuls of his ashes and threw them into the wind.  As we watched it swirl into the atmosphere, you could almost see his face.  It's just how he would have wanted it.  I miss him so much.  I wish he were here to experience your development and meet you in a few short weeks.

After we finished up in Grand Junction, we all drove to his home in Las Vegas to drop a few things off and rest for the night.  We will be moving here soon and I had fun looking at what will be your new bedroom.  There is a lot of space for the three of us, and even room for visitors.  There is also a pool and a big grassy yard for you to play.

The next morning, we came back to Southern California for our baby shower.  It was a lovely event at Tree's house.  The day was beautiful, the company was awesome and we received so many wonderful things to help us get ready for your arrival.  I can't believe how many things you will require.

Daddy started reading to you last night.  We don't know how much you will absorb (we might be overly excited to start doing this), but we think it is important to start now.  We are having fun picking out books for you and we hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.

Hadley, keep on kicking me and showing me that you are there.  I am so excited for you to arrive, but you much stay inside for a little while longer.  We are in the home stretch here (and I am literally stretching by the day), before we know it we will be in the Maternity department of UCSF hours from your arrival.  Till then, be warm and safe.

I love you.

Mom

Baby Shower

I experienced my first baby shower that I was not the planner nor a guest.  It was perfect.  Beautifully laid out in my childhood friend's back yard.  Sprays of light pinks and browns - just the way I am leaning toward decor for our little one.  The weather was perfect - sunny, not too hot, but warm enough to be outside in a tank top and skirt.  The company was lovely and the gifts were generous.  Thank you to all!