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!

Over the Horizon

So little one, you are coming so very soon. We are a mere 7 weeks away this Friday. I know the last 7.5 months have been nice, all safe and warm inside your Mom's belly. You and Mom are away from me right now. I miss you both terribly. Last week you had been kicking real good, no matter what position, and I talked to you and you settled down. It was the very first interraction we've had. I felt so close to you knowing I was soothing you to sleep. I will love reading you books and singing to you at night. Mom says her belly feels real big, even over the last week. You are getting much bigger and stronger, preparing to come out. Mom complains that she has trouble breathing sometimes because you are right up against her lungs with your feet and legs. Cut it out! Mom has enough issues without adding not being able to breather to the equation. Good...that's a good girl. Once you are outside you can kick all you want. I love you and will see you soon.

Dad

Bellybuttons...

...This is kind of a gross thing to me.  

My bellybutton weirds me out - I don't like touching it or having someone else touch it.  I watch it everyday as it creeps closer to the surface as my belly expands.  It's getting close to popping out and I may come unglued when that happens.  You see, I had a reoccurring nightmare for a long time that my bellybutton came undone (well, untied - I always thought they tied them, but I stand corrected) and all my insides became exposed.  So you can imagine my unease...

Papa J and I attended a newborn care class last week.  This was more for my benefit since I don't have much experience with newborns (I was pleased to realize that all the Cabbage Patch Kid diapers I changed as a kid paid off - just like riding a bike!).  

A large topic was how to care for a healing belly button... What it will smell like.  When to seek help. How to wash baby with a healing belly button.  I realize there are many other things that can be considered "gross" with a newborn (e.g. tar like poop, then the mustard colored, seedy poop that is considered normal), but this is the thing that creeps me out the most.  

My mind immediately went to an episode of "Sex and the City" when Miranda's baby boy, Brady, bellybutton falls off and the cat starts playing with the black stump - YUCK! I don't know what I'd do... wait for Papa J to get home for sure (although, it weirds him out just as much), but I might be inclined to call the pound or exterminator to come take care of it for me.  Well, that's a little extreme (though I might tick off a list in my head of places to call first) and I would  handle it myself (while gagging, I'm sure).  

I know, I know...  much bigger things to concern myself with, so I will attempt to put it out of mind (at least until my bellybutton pops out).

Dear Little One #6

Dear Little One,

Today you and I visited the midwife to check on your progress and things couldn't be better.  You are growing at a perfect rate, sitting in my belly properly, your heart is beating nice and strong and your effects on my body are just as they should.  Every time we visit the midwife she is able to find your little heartbeat a little quicker than the last time, which puts my nerves at ease.

I have been seeing a midwife nurse who reports to a doctor since, at this point, the pregnancy is as low risk as it gets.  I really like the midwife - very down to earth and calming.  She puts any concerns I have at ease, which is wonderful with a first time worrier mom like me.  I hope she will be available to deliver you into the world in July as I think she will be a nice face for you to see upon your entry to the outside world.

We received your stroller yesterday.  I was so excited that I insisted on assembling it, even though you are not due for another three months.  Your crib arrives on Monday and we can start assembling your new bedroom soon.  I am very excited (and I think your dad is too).  All of these things makes your pending arrival more real.

Daddy and I just returned from a trip to Oahu's North Shore.  We spent a week swimming, playing on the beach, kayaking, snorkling and hiking together.  It was such a wonderful, relaxing trip for both of us.  We enjoyed watching you kick (I think you loved the beach and ocean as much as we did) and talking about what we will do when we bring you back to Oahu once you are big enough to enjoy it.  I am so looking forward to that trip and seeing  it through the eyes of a little person.

Hadley, I think about you every moment of every day.  While it is still so unreal, I can not wait until you get here.  So many people are excited about your arrival, but no one is more excited than your daddy and I.  Keep on growing nice and strong and kick me all you want because it makes me feel good to know you are OK.

I love you.

Mom

Dear Little One #5

"Kick Daddy in the face!"I have said that countless times before, as I snuggle up to Mama's belly and talk to you. Only, last night, you actually heard me and I got a couple of kicks from you...right to the face. I am not sure if you actually did hear your daddy talking and you were inside, smiling, and kicking. I think it may be early at 27 weeks for you to be able to respond. Still, it's a nice thought that you are able to. It melts my heart thinking about you and how we will soon be able to see your face, hear your gurgles and yes, even the crying. Of course I am in the midst of persuading your Mom to be the one to always get up in the middle of the night to feed you and calm you down. Yeah right...that isn't going so well. Actually, I am going to put my foot in my mouth here, but I am looking forward to some alone time with you and look forward to getting up with you. When I have to wake to take care of you and you and I can hang out just the two of us...that will be fun. Your mom has had you all to herself and will have you most of the day so I will try to spend as much time with you as I can. I find myself sometimes staring into space imagining how things will be once you make our family complete. You are always in my thoughts Hadley. Daddly loves you so much. Talk to you later.

Dear Little One #4

Dear Little One,

Today you are officially 25 full in-utero weeks old.  I can't believe you will be here in the next 14 weeks.  Daddy and I have started getting ready for you - arranging our apartment to create a nursery, washing your new little clothes that you will grow out of far too quickly, touring the hospital, enrolling in classes etc.  14 weeks seems like such a long time, but there is a lot to do before then.  Your Grandma and Grandpa G sent a puzzle stool with your name on it, that we couldn't resist assembling and putting in the "Hadley" area (it's so cute, I can just imagine you sitting on it with your little pig-tales, reading a book).

I feel you swimming around my belly everyday.  You seem to get the hiccups often, which, according to "What to Expect, When You're Expecting," is not uncomfortable for you, very normal and we do enjoy the entertainment.  Sometimes I think that you must have a twin in there or you are stretched out completely, tickling both sides of my tummy.  The doctor tells us there is just you, and we are so excited.

It's amazing how you can feel love for something so immediately. I've been in love with you since the moment I learned about you.  Everyday that love grows more and more as my belly expands more and more (and it is expanding, as it should).

Hadley, I am counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds until your arrival.  While I am frightened of the delivery process, I can't wait to be admitted to that hospital, hooked up to all of those monitors and know that your arrival is very close. I can't wait to meet you, to hold you in my arms, to see your daddy hold you (he is jealous that I get to carry you inside of me and feel you all day) and to introduce you to the rest of your family and our friends who have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.  Keep on growing strong and healthy, giving me some good left hooks in the rib cage from time to time so I know you are there.

Much love,

Mom

Other things they don't tell you about being pregnant...

11. Foot growth!  I'm a tall girl already, therefore I already have big feet.  They've now expanded a whole size, to the degree I had to buy new shoes.  I hear they might not go back down :(  

12.  Severe exhaustion:  I just returned from a pleasure trip to New York City and I've never been so exhausted.  I have visited several times and I feel that this time I did half of what I normally do, but my feet and body were beyond done.

13. Perineal massage: Just received the third trimester packet and this little exercise frightens me (but will probably benefit me in the big picture).

14. On the plus side: An express ticket to any bathroom!  Like I said, I was just in New York and was able to visit the ladies room at The Plaza Hotel and at the Met (without paying).