My sweet baby,
You are officially full term!! I can’t believe we are so close to meeting you. You’ve been growing for almost 3/4 of a year in my belly. Look how big you’ve gotten. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m walking around all day with a full size baby inside me. I don’t think I will ever get over how cool it is. I keep your ultrasound pictures on my desk beside me and I look at you frequently throughout the day. You have these big, chubby cheeks just like your dad and I had when we were babies. My heart melts every time I look at you. I feel so lucky to be your mama.
It’s hard to imagine what our lives will soon be like. Things will change in so many ways and we will feel unbelievably scared at times, but something tells me that life will feel fuller than it ever has. We will figure it out together just like we have these past 9 + months. One day at a time.
Even though I’m anxious to meet you, I’m also trying to savour these last days together. I’m going to miss your silly kicks and hiccups, but I know what awaits on the other side is better than I can imagine. Anticipating our birth experience has also filled my thoughts lately. I’m scared and have major butterflies, but I’m also feeling very positive about it. I know you will give me all the strength and motivation I need to get through it, no matter what happens. Plus, your dad gives really good back rubs! Those will come in handy I’m sure.
I’m feeling great these days. Much better than I thought I would at this stage in the game. My energy is high and I’m staying active every day. You love falling asleep on our long trail walks everyday. I’m looking forward to taking you for walks in the stroller this fall! I no longer have bad rib pain since you dropped down a bit lower a couple weeks ago (thank you!). I hope you are feeling good too. I think about you (and worry) all the time and wonder how you are doing in there.
Your nursery is almost complete and it’s my new favourite room in the house. Your dad laughs at me because I like to sneak upstairs and sit in your room, rocking on the glider, just thinking about you. He thinks this is funny because I don’t sit in quiet solitude ever, but being pregnant with you has taught me to slow down a bit. You know, stop and smell the roses. I know you won’t realize it yet, but we put so much love into your room. I can’t wait to show you pictures one day. I’m sure once you are a toddler you’ll be ready to design your very own ‘big girl’ room! That will be fun too.
We’re also wrapping up our kitchen renovation next week. I hope to have a week to prepare meals and freeze them before you arrive. Today, I made a big batch of African Peanut Soup! I’m also preparing blog posts so I have some ready to go in advance. I want to be able to devote all of my attention to you. Your dad is hard at work on the house, fixing the roof and the gutters, installing tamper proof outlets, tuning the car, and the kitchen reno. Last night, he drilled some Ikea picture ledges into the wall for your book display. We keep saying that we’re preparing for the most special visitor of all time! It’s like the Queen is coming, but WAY better…hah. Something tells me all you will care about is love, food, a clean diaper, and a warm place to snuggle. That’s cool too!
I’m feeling a bit intimidated by all the baby gadgets we have to figure out in the coming weeks. I practiced swaddling and diapering a baby doll the other day (seriously) and it didn’t go so well. haha! Then I tried on the wraps/carriers with the baby doll. Again, it was much harder than I thought. Anyway, I’m sure I will get the hang of all this stuff. Next week we have an appointment with a lactation consultant and guess what I’ll be practicing with? Yep, the plastic baby doll once again. Your dad is installing the car seat tonight and then we have a car seat inspection class at the fire hall this weekend. The days are filling up!
It’s fun to guess your birthdate – your dad says Sept. 19th and I say the 23rd. If only we knew! But I guess that is part of the excitement. I’m not the best with surprises; I’m just hoping my water doesn’t break while I’m getting my hair did next week, but I guess that would make for a good story…
Still no idea what we are going to name you. Well, we have a couple contenders, but I wish I just knew one way or another. Something tells me that we will have to meet you to see what fits that sweet face.
Anxiously awaiting your birthday baby girl…
Love always,
Mama
Great post. I am so excited for you and feel everything you write as I am working on my 32nd week. I am trying to get the nursery mostly “set up” by the 14th because we plan on taking maternity photos in there. It’s kind of stressing me out!! I cannot wait to meet my little girl, but the reality is starting to dawn on me how different life is going to be forever.
Exciting times ahead!! I’m rooting for the 23rd too just because my girl, Nia is (November) 23rd, so it’s a pretty good number ;)
What a sweet, lovely post! I teared up reading it! You’re going to do great as a Mama!I love that we are on this adventure with you! Best of luck for the coming weeks :-)
Lovely, lovely writing. One to print or write out on special gold bordered paper and give to her when she’s grown up. When you wrote about your hubby giving great back massages, it reminded me of something that happened when I was in labour at home – I was using my heat pack a lot and it actually burst in the microwave towards the end – so have a couple laying around as heat and massages can be essential for a natural birth (if that’s what you choose). Hugs, you’re close now xxx
I vote for 9/21 because it is my birthday and then you can claim being on the cusp of both Virgo and Libra horoscopes – choose your favorite! I just want to say that you will figure it all out – it will be the most terrifying and satisfying experience ever, but you will just figure it all out. Swaddling? You will figure out what she likes. The wrap? She may hate it or love it, but you’ll figure it out.. Feeding? Same. Is she crabby at dinner time? You will learn the tricks to soothe her. You’re the mama and you’re the best! Good luck to you on your journey.
My baby arrived on 9/16 last year, you’re making me feel so nostalgic!
You are so ready.
Ahhhhhhhhh!
I’m so excited for you! It is an incredible experience!
Babies are the best blessing ever, it’s an amazing gift.
Love the outfit:)
What beautiful words. Thanks for sharing!
So excited for you Angela!! It’s a blessing that most of your aches and pains are gone, and you’re in such a positive place. Wishing you the best for the coming weeks and will be thinking about you as your wee baby comes!
This is all so wonderful! Wish you all the best, I know you two will be great parents.
Very excited for you! The whole birth process and welcoming this sweet little person into the world is truly a blessed event. Just know that with every birthday day she celebrates in life, you will still remember the entire birth process like it just happened. It’s that cool! I talk of the details almost every year with my kids…it sure makes them know how loved they are! You truly exude light Angela! God bless!
Keep working with the wraps and baby carriers; our Ergo is still surefire sleepy dust rounding the corner to 16 months, not to mention strangers being more hesitant to touch the baby when it involves getting into the Mama’s personal space.
Your letters are so lovely! We found out on Wednesday that we’ll have a baby girl of our own in about 20 weeks, and you’re inspiring me to start writing to her. So excited for you – you look so healthy and happy!
What a beautiful letter! and keepsake for her. Your experience will be unique to you, and I’m sure most 1st time Mamas-to-be have all felt the anxiety of the unknown. As you say, one day at a time …and I can’t say enough just how excited I am to meet this little lady and hold her in my arms. Counting down the days and now it’s time to get the tissue!
Hooray, so excited, too!
I also made your African Peanut Soup this week — just had it for lunch, in fact! Yum.
I really like your description of feeling like the queen is coming…it really describes the flurry of the preparations for a new parent.
Good luck! Enjoy
hah glad you can relate! ;)
That post really touched my heart. :) All the best for you and your little family.
Enjoy your un-interrupted sleep for now!!! And ability to shower whenever you want. For awhile after she arrives, all that will be just a memory! We all live through it and laugh about it later. You’ll be great!
Oh that makes me teary. you’re gonna be such a good mama. if there’s anything that i WISH I had done right after I had her..relax. I tired to do too much, ‘keep it together’, resume some life i had before. I was stupid for doing this. I wish I would have just laid in bed for a couple of days and snuggled, fed, snuggled, fed.
You’re beautiful and she’s so lucky to have you both. xo
Such a beautiful letter.Being a Mom is an incredible gift!Enjoy every second!!