Dear Baby: Week 33

Dear Pippa,

You are 7 weeks from your arrival date! We are so close to meeting you! Your dad and I spend a lot of our time together wondering what you will look like, who you will act like, and what interests you will have. Will you be a history buff like your dad? Will math and science come easily to you like your mom? Will you be artistic like your grandfather? Will you be able to carry a tune or play an instrument like you dad and your Mimi?

You dad has high hopes that you will play the trumpet and I hope you will love the water and want to spend your days by the sea swimming, surfing, and body boarding.

Your dad and I have lived a pretty awesome life thus far. We have lived in the Northeast and the deep south. We have traveled through Europe, seen South America, Maine and Canada. And we can't wait to show you our favorite places.

In the car on the way home from Orlando we started making a list and hopefully before you become too cool to be seen with your Mom and Dad we will have taken you to some of these amazing spots. Just like our parents took us.

• Cherry Blossom Festival in DC
• Ocean City Boardwalk and the swings at Gillians's
• Tea @ Harrod's
• A play in NYC & Serendipity III
• The White House & the monuments
• Philadelphia Historical District & the flying monkey
• Charleston
• Baltimore's Inner Harbor and a baseball game
• The streets & shops of Old Town Alexandria
• Cafe du monde for beignets
• Disney!
• And I would just love to see you face as you stare up at the Eiffel tower all lit up at night

*** posted late. But late is better than not at all.

Dear Baby: Week 31

aka Your Dad

+

aka your Mom

=

Piper Jayne!

Oh Miss Piper,

I have been talking about you so much lately. Your little ears must be burning off! I am so excited to meet you. In fact I am thinking you should totally come early and surprise us all. I want to see your little face.

I imagine that you look a lot like me, I consider myself the cuter of your two parents. Although, your Dad is a total hottie. I am hoping you have brown hair, your dad's awesome green eyes, my long legs, and your dad's really straight teeth. (It is bad that your Mom already doesn't want to pay for orthodontia? Oh, well more money for that college fund!)

Your dad and I finished your nursery this week. It's such a fun and relaxing room. I hope you grow to love it and that it will make you SLEEP. I do not think you are a sleepy girl Miss Piper. You seem to stay up all night kicking, punching, and swimming around in my belly. In fact, your dad has affectionately named you kick-puncher after Abhed's film on Community.

You finally made my stomach "pop out" this week. Strangers now ask me if I am pregnant and when I am due. They say you look small for you 31 week old age, but I assure them there is nothing small about you. You have a lot of attitude ALREADY. Dr. Amy has called you feisty since our first pictures of you at 13 weeks. And while feisty means you will give your dad and I a run for our money, I can't imagine it any other way.

Nine weeks sweet Piper.

I am on the count down!

Don't be late!

Dear Baby Wednesday (on Saturday!)

Week 27:

Me and Pip post gym.

She kicks me the most on the Arc Trainer.

I think I am so happy in this photo because this run was FINALLY over.

Week 28:

Me with new hair, a bigger bump, and I am up another pound.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

Size of baby: Pip is the size of an eggplant and weighs around 2 pounds.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 9 pounds (up one pound since Monday!)

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but I can still wear my normal tops and dresses.

Gender: Girl!

The paint mixer at Home Depot asked twice if we were sure before she mixed all of our pink paint!

Movement: She is VERY active - especially in the afternoon and at night.

She kicks the hardest at the gym and right around 2:30 AM.

Sleep: It comes and goes.

I slept fantastically this weekend, but preg-somnia rears its ugly head at least once a week.

What I miss: WINE! This week I have wanted Sangria so bad!

Cravings: Fruit, granola, cereal, and hot tea.

(And last night I swore I would just DIE if I didn't get some ice cream!)

Symptoms: I think Pip likes to jump on my bladder during the school day.

There are some days when I am not sure if I am going to make it from bell to bell.

Best Moment this week: Nursery progress!

But a close second would be singing 60's hits with Mr. R. while painting for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th time. Outlet shopping for Mr. R's new suit. Finding two cute maternity shirts for 60% off. A new hair cut. And clean sheets on the bed that smell like lavender. I guess you could say I had a pretty great week :)

26 weeks!

Please excuse my workout clothes. I am post run.

Dear Baby,

We have decided you are party animal. You mom is famous for pulling all nights to finish projects. And your dad well, he is famous for going to sleep and being miserable if anyone disturbs him. (He is not a morning person). Your mom hasn't pulled an all night since Toxicology class in grad school and even then, I think I slept for an hour or two. But this week Piper, you have been pulling all nighters and partying it up- womb style. (I think you take after me. )

You seem to sleep all day and then come ALIVE at 9:00 PM. From then on you kick and move until 3:30 or 4:00 AM. Your dad thinks it's all those jalepenos I keep eating. I doubt it. But, I will agree that the large quantities of jalepenos are probably the reason for my crazy spurts of heartburn. An old wives tale says that heartburn means the baby will have lots of hair. If that is true, you my dear, will come out with an afro.

I read in the baby book that you are able to open your eyes and see this week. I am not sure what you can see inside me, I imagine it's pretty dark. You are also able to turn your head from side to side, signaling no. The doctors keep telling me you are feisty little girl so I imagine you practicing your non-verbal communication for the word no a lot.

The doctor told me that your neurons are developing at a radical rate for the next few weeks so I have been very diligent about taking my DHA supplements in hopes you will be a genius. It's an added bonus that the supplements are making my hair and nails grow like crazy.

Your dad says he can feel you so much more now. On Sunday morning he was touching my belly and you kicked his hand. He also talks to you all the time! If you start hearing about presidents, tax cuts, and spreadsheets you will know it's your dad. He also says he loves you. I don't think he has even been so excited about someone in his whole life!

We are so excited to meet you Pippa!

Dear Baby: A Letter from Dad

Dear Baby,

Between the time I started thinking about what I was going to say, and actually writing it, your mom and I found out that you are a girl. Congratulations! You've hit the jackpot! You should have it pretty easy through infancy and toddler-hood as you are now the favorite of all grandparents and great-grandparents.

It will probably be a long time before you are aware that your dad doesn't know much about little girls - or women in general for that matter. In the meantime, I really can't wait to find out exactly who you are. Based on your sonogram performances, you are going to be a very obstinate child. This is no surprise: You will be born in May (a thick-headed Taurus like your Dad); and you will quickly learn that Mommy gets her way around the house a lot.

I never put much thought into having a girl, but I'm very excited. I can't wait for Daddy-Daughter Days, tea parties, father-daughter dances, scaring teenage boys away, and celebrating your every achievement.

Your Mom and I often recognize that we are very blessed people. We were blessed to find each other and get married. We are blessed to lead the lives that we do. But after five years of marriage, you will be the greatest blessing in our lives. Hurry up and get here little Piper, but don't grow up too fast.

Love,

Dad

Dear Baby: Week 21/40

Dear Baby,

I am posting this a day early because I can't seem to get you out of my head this afternoon. Your Mimi (that's my mom) and I were shopping today and she kept mentioning your name and talking about what life would be like next Christmas when you are actually here. I didn't think your Mimi had any desire to be a grandmother and yet she like so many other friends and family is so excited for your Dad and I. I think it's funny how so many people thought we would never have a child. For a long time we weren't ready, mentally or financially, but this summer we felt a little lost, as though we were missing a part of our family and then God blessed us with you.

We still don't know what your gender is yet. I have been praying that you reveal yourself tomorrow. The family has bets going on and so far its almost a 50/50 tie. I know both of your grandmothers are crossing their fingers for a girl, but they will love you just as much if not more if you are a boy.

I mentioned last week that you had decided to make your presence known and this week I can defiantly see you (or rather your bump) in my profile. You are sitting really low, in fact your favorite spot is right below my fish tattoo. Perhaps you will be a little fish and love water as much as me. I hope so! I cannot wait for days and the beach and swim lessons at the YMCA.

I am feeling your little kicks and I am pretty sure your favorite place to sit is my bladder. I have gained 3 pounds with you so far and I can still fit into most of my regular clothes. You are making some of my pants and skirts pretty uncomfortable. Those maternity pant waistbands are looking mighty comfortable. The baby book says you can hear now and that your intestines are working. It also said that you can have hiccups at 5 months. This makes me laugh so much because both your Dad and I are prone to hiccups and I am sure you have had your fair share already!

Yesterday I ran 5 miles with you along for the ride and I think it was two of the best runs I have had in a long time. I felt so strong, kind of like super mama. Your Grandmom and Grandpop Martin gave you a jogging stroller for Christmas. We have picked out a shiny red Joovy stroller that comes highly recommended and I hope you will love being along for the ride. We have many many miles to conquer together :)

Baby Talk Wednesday #3: 18 weeks

FYI: I am actually 19 weeks, but I like to recap about the week before.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: He or she is the length of a deli pickle.

(Oh how I love deli pickles!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained: I am up 1 pound

Maternity Clothes: None yet. I did managed to BUST the zipper of my black cords.

(I know I said I retired them last week, but it was really cold here on Monday and I decided to try if I could wear them for JUST the work day. Before I could even step out of the house the zipper FELL OFF! Those pants are officially retired!)

Gender: TBD! Let's all cross our fingers we see more than a butt on 12/29.

Movement: I have belly flutters.

Sleep: I just need more of it.

I am so looking forward to Christmas break for lots of sleeping in and napping.

What I miss: Coffee, soda, sleeping through the night.

Cravings: pickles, salad, soup

I also have been eating a ton of fruit this week mostly pineapple and kiwi.

Symptoms: I don't think I have any yet.

I did have a bit of a hormone surge last week when I demanded a new Keurig, but that's about it.

Best Moment this week: I had a fantastic lazy Sunday with Jeff.

Just really good quality time with no agenda and no plans. Everyone tells me to savor those moments.

Husband Quote:

Jeff: I think you lost your baby belly this week. I don't see anything.

Me: But I can't fit into my pants!

Jeff: That's just because your butt is bigger.

Me: I cannot believe you just said that!

Egg on my face.

So today I was down right mean. Mr. R had a zoning board meeting and I had a baby doctor appointment. He was trying to solve the local government problems of our county and I was trying to find out our baby's gender. Mr. R was pretty sure he would miss the appointment and I was NOT COOL with his absence.

Actually I might have thrown a hissy fit complete with a few mean texts and lots of pouting. Yes, at 28 I still pout and yes, most of the time it still works. Except for today... Mr. R went on about his zoning, and I headed to my 3:30 appointment.

In health news, the baby and I are doing awesome. I am still up 0.5 pounds and the baby has a strong heart beat. I think the baby knew Mr. R wasn't in attendance today and instead of reveling his or her gender specific parts, he or she waved a lot and decided to showcase his/her little butt in every possible sonogram view.

So needless to say Mr. R didn't miss much. Our next sonogram is scheduled for 12/29 so maybe we will have answer to Team Pink or Team Blue by then.

Can I say that I am just a wee bit concerned that our kid seems so obstinate?

Throw your mama a bone, will you kid? I would love to start buying all things ruffly at Target and Old Navy baby is having some killer sales right now. And if you do turn out to be a boy, I promise to find you awesome superhero t-shirts so you will look just as cool as your dad!

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier...

Today I am thankful for advanced technology.

This morning I took a half day from work and Mr. R and I made a trip to the sonogram office for an official ultrasound with 3-D imaging. Our baby is very stubborn and uncooperative so we do not know the gender yet, but we did get to spend 40 minutes on the ultrasound table watching our baby wave, suck its thumb, flip around, and practice saluting.

As I teacher I meet ultra-proud parents every year that tell me their child is advanced, gifted and brilliant. Today I saw myself in 10 years and I am TOTALLY one of those parents. As our baby waved and did beautiful flipturns in my uterus. I was already saying he/she is very advanced in waving and will be an excellent swimmer just like his/her mom. :)

I promised myself that my blog would not turn into a baby crazy chronology of my pregnancy, but there are just some stories I really want to share and save to look back on someday. I also really like sharing these moments with Mr. R. He could not stop smiling at the picture on the monitor above us. He watched for every shift, movement, and facial expression.

I am so grateful that ultrasounds exist and we will get to have so many of them. Being able to see the baby every four weeks is an amazing privilege and I am so thankful I live in a country where this technology exists and is so easily accessible.

Oh, and the title of the post comes from a favorite song of mine by the Killers. The song, All the things that I've done, is great to run to and the chorus states; "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier". Our baby must have saluted 20 times in the appointment today and I couldn't help, but laugh at all the times I have listened to and run to this song in the last few months. Perhaps, this baby will share my taste in music? Or maybe we have a future soldier on our hands?