Christmas Eve Eve and 28 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Today you are 28 weeks old. That means 7 MONTHS!! Today is the first day of the third trimester. We're in the home stretch kid. It's also Christmas Eve Eve tonight. You will love Christmas! Lucky for you, I pretty much listen to Christmas music when ever I feel like it all year round. I usually only listen to it in my car or when I'm by myself so that your dad won't make fun of me. But I figure if I introduce you to it early on as well, you will naturally see how wonderful it is to listen to the catchy joyful tunes all year long. And then your dad will be out numbered! Does that sound like a good plan or what?!?! And just wait until you hear the story behind the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. It's a pretty amazing story, I'll tell you all about it.

Next Christmas I'll be holding you. But this year I will treasure having you tucked warm and cozy and safe inside my belly.

Dear Santa, I have everything I need.



Love,
Mama

27 Weeks

Dear Baby,

What a couple of weeks it's been!! You actually turned 27 weeks yesterday and are definitely now full blown athlete in my tummy! But I love it. Except for maybe when you kick my bladder. That one I'm not too fond of. Especially in situations like Wednesday night, I was stuck in the car for two hours on my normally ten minute commute home from work because of the icy weather. Well, mostly because of unsafe drivers and people who freak out in response to bad weather. But we'll talk more about all of that in about 15 years or so. I did appreciate your company during that time, but again, I could have done without the bladder kicks. We also found out some news at the Dr.'s this week. Your legs and head are measuring 3 weeks ahead. Um, WOW. They said that meant a few different possibilities:

A. You had a growth spurt and would now slow down and let everything else catch up.
B. Due dates are not an exact science and I just might deliver a couple weeks earlier.
C. I may just give birth to a big headed, long legged baby.

Your dad and I are pretty positive we're looking at scenario C. You'll see when you meet the rest of your family. Your cousins are fairly long with big heads as well. But don't worry, I'll be able to give you plenty of advice and help you through the years of high water pants and never finding hats that fit. Throw in some really large feet, over sized glasses, and an overbite and you'll basically be re-living my childhood. I hope I'm not scaring you! You will be absolutely perfect and one day you will look back at your childhood and it will be the most treasured time of your life. I treasure my childhood memories dearly! And I can not wait to bless you with that same gift. Be prepared for lots of love and laughter and joy and music and adventure! You are so loved already it is ridiculous.

Love,
Mama

25 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Today you're 25 weeks old! Crazy!! I can't believe how quickly time is flying. Last week was Thanksgiving Day, and I don't think I could be more thankful. But you might want to ask me that again next year too :)

Your dad and I spent some good old quality time together and with family. It was so neat to watch all of your cousins playing together and knowing what a fun, loving family event you will get to be a part of next Thanksgiving. Oh, and that woman below is your great grandmother. Just another amazing woman who will be in your life.



Then it was off to the cabin! We can't wait to take you to the mountains, and quite often! It's one of our favorite places. We had such a cozy perfect night.

We had hot chocolate,


treats by the fireplace,


and we played Scrabble until 2am. I promise we're cool.


I'll explain the game to you when you're older. But just so you know, we didn't have a dictionary with us and there was one word I tried to use but your dad said it didn't count because he didn't think it was in the dictionary. The next day I was curious, so I checked on the word...it was so in the dictionary. I realize this doesn't mean much to you right now, but it was a small victory for me :)

I'm so crazy about your dad kid...and you will be too.

Love,
Mama

23 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Your dad is working late tonight. It doesn't happen a lot, thank goodness. I just miss him so much when we don't get to sit down and have dinner and spend our evenings together. Speaking of dinner though, have I told you what a great cook your dad is? Delicious! Of course I'll be providing your meals for a good while. But he can't wait to start cooking for you too. Now don't get me wrong, you'll eat just fine when your dad's not home. I can cook. Your dad just likes to add a little bit more pizazz to his meals. It's something he truly enjoys. But take tonight for example. I made a scrumptiously delicious pot of white chedder macaroni and cheese...and added sausage!! Ummmm, fancy!

Oh, and I read that you can now hear all the way through my belly. Yay!! I've been looking forward to this. My car CD player isn't working and I do not have a radio antenna, so I could use some company when I'm driving by myself. I hope you enjoyed the songs I sang to you on the way home today. I can't wait to sing to you while you're in my arms.

I'll make sure your dad tells you goodnight when he gets home.

I love you,
Mama

22 Weeks

Hey Baby,

I think you look forward to Thursday night yoga just as much as I do. I definitely feel some downward facing dog going on in there! I am so thankful for your movements. Last Saturday morning your dad and I were eating breakfast in bed and for some reason I started to worry that maybe I was just creating in my head what I thought was you moving and maybe I hadn't really felt any movement at all. Just as my mind was starting to get the better of me, I prayed for God to remind me that you are in His hands. You are being fearfully and wonderfully knit together and I have faith in that promise. Well...it wasn't a few minutes later that low in my belly, I felt a clear as day, no question about it, THUMP THUMP THUMP! It was amazing! God heard my prayer and whispered in your ear to give me a little assurance :) And now I feel your taps and thumps every day and I so look forward to them.

Sorry for the short letter this week, but I have to go. Your dad just got back from Kroger with my weekly 2 gallon milk supply and he is now making some sugar cookies :)

I love you, I love you, I love you,
Mama

Sofia

So I've been terrible about posting new photo shoots lately. I don't know...I guess it's just been a little distracting growing my first human being inside me and all :)

But a few weekends ago I had a session with the Guy family, which included the very cute, very fast moving 2 year old Sofia.

21 Weeks...almost. And a really BIG event!

Dear Baby,

You won't be 21 weeks until tomorrow. But I wanted to write you early because you were a part of something really big last night and I wanted you to know about it. Last night your Great Uncle Nathan was elected to be the next Governor of our state. And you were there!



It was such an exciting and emotional night. I believe that one day you will actually learn about the November 2010 election day in school. And you will no doubt grow up in our family learning about what a privilege and responsibility it is to vote. And last night was an example of the power people have to make change just by their individual involvement and willingness to say, "No more. This is the kind of state and nation I want to live in and I won't settle for anything less."

But really I can't wait for you to meet and know your Uncle Nathan and Aunt Sandra. And to tell you about this race and their integrity. You will learn what it means to take the high road and not lose focus on your goal. You will learn what it looks like to lean on faith and family when you are being attacked and surrounded by lies and deceit. You will learn about the strength and courage it takes to answer the call to serve and protect people you love, people you don't know, even people trying to persecute you. You will learn about a man who at the end of every day, after all the stones have been thrown, has a heart full of truth and wisdom, and a foundation built on faith in God, and so he was victorious.

"We cannot control the evil tounges of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them." ~Cato the Elder (Roman orator and politician, 234 BC - 149 BC)


I was holding your cousin Maeve when it was announced that Nathan won the race and we were all cheering as he stepped up to the microphone. Your Uncle Nathan then raised his hand up in the air and shouted, "To God be the glory, great things HE has done!" Maeve asked me what he was doing and I told her he was praising and thanking God first. That is what I want you to learn child. To God be the glory and it is God that is in control. I'm telling you, you will be so proud of your family. Not to mention you'll be raised in a better state!

The only thing that would have made last night better would have been to have Grandma Deal and Grandma and Pop Dunagan with us. Their pride and love would have filled up that room brighter than any star. You would have even felt it all the way in my belly! But their spirit was no doubt present. And their role and involvement in this achievement began long before any committee, organization, or campaign was formed. And speaking of stories, kid I can't wait to tell you about your Great Grandparents. That's really where Uncle Nathan and Aunt Sandra's story begins.

It won't be long before you are with us to see the rest of this story unfold. But you know what is the best part?!?! I was already pumped about you trying Aunt Sandra's greens and cornbread for the first time...but now you just might be trying them out in the Governor's mansion ;)

Love,
Mama