Week 37: Dad Says, “Stay Put!”

Dear Baby,

Your birthday is getting so close!  It’s fun to think about all the excitement that will surround us on the day we meet you.  It’s also fun to imagine how we’ll celebrate you for all the years to come.  Right now a date on the calendar exists that holds little meaning to us.  But, once you arrive it will forever be your birthday!

At our prenatal appointment this week Dad was extra curious about when you will be born.  That’s because he has a snowmobile trip planned with some friends.  But, like we imagined, the answer we received from nurses was inconclusive.  It’s anyone’s guess when you’ll make an appearance.  Dad did to go on his 2-day snowmobile trip.  You and I stayed cuddled up at home. We’re exited to hear about his adventures when he returns home.  Don’t get any ideas about coming out until he returns!

While we’re hanging out at home I’ve taken some time to think about becoming a mom.  It’s rewarding to know all the ways I will be able to provide and care for you.  Exciting as it to imagine everything you’ll learn on your own, it’s also a scary feeling to know I won’t be able to protect you from everything as you grow.  It makes me understand and appreciate all the rules that were set for me as a child and teenager.

My favorite part of having you in my belly is feeling and watching you move.  It’s a bond that I will miss once you’re born.  Every so often, what I imagine is your foot or knee will protrude from the side of my stomach.  It’s not painful.  Sometimes I’ll watch it until is slips back into place.  Other times I’ll press on it to see how you react.

As long as you’re still comfortably hanging out in Mom’s belly, we’ll travel home to Maplewood this weekend to celebrate your uncle Mike.  He leaves for his basic training to join the U.S. Navy next week!  That means you probably won’t be able to meet him until he graduates from his basic training.  We’re already planning to a trip to Naval Station Great Lakes in April to attend his graduation, offer congratulations, remind him how much we love him, and to introduce you two.  We’re all very proud of him already!

As pregnancy continues, Mom still enjoys prenatal yoga class at Rootdown Yoga Studio.  The class offers stretches, relaxation, and time to connect with other mamas.  All this is reassuring.  I’m happy to report that discomforts of pregnancy haven’t set in too harshly.  Together, you and I are still sleeping well at night.  I am able to find comfortable positions and you don’t move too much during the night.  Maybe that means you already understand what “bedtime” means?  Fingers crossed! Dad continues to work to finish some projects around home.  He has done a fantastic job at making our new house a home.  Looking forward to showing off his hard work to everyone who comes to visit you!

Stay warm, little one.  We’re up to a total of 33 days below zero so far this winter.  Yuck!

Thanks to Mom's friends Kassidy and  Mandy for helping to capture some belly photos and pregnancy memories!