Dear Baby Olive...

                                         

Dear Baby,

     It was so great to see you again today!  You had a strong heartbeat, moving so fast that Daddy said it looked like you were playing the cymbals.  Dr. Towsley said everything looked great and that you even have four legs! Four legs?! That's what I said, "Four legs?"... and he obviously meant four limbs. It was too funny!  At 9 weeks, you are truly beginning to look like a baby with basic physical structures in place and your facial features are looking more distinct.  Since we were just checking on how things were progressing, we didn't use the high-tech ultrasound machine, but we still got a blurry picture of you from my cell phone. 

     This week has been quite the week.  Morning sickness has taken over and I've been getting sick almost every morning and feeling sick again at night.  This morning I couldn't even keep Raisin Bran down.  Ugh!  In just a few weeks, I won't be feeling like this anymore.  Dr. Towsley told Daddy that the next time I want pizza to just say "Yes, dear..." I love his way of thinking and I hope your Daddy takes his advice.  Give me a piece of pizza and nobody gets hurt!

     Grandad Rowland helped Daddy put together your crib today.  It's beautiful!  We wanted to get the furniture ready for you since Daddy will be leaving soon to start another year of baseball.  You are going to love his games!  I will see you in just 4 weeks.... keep growing strong little Baby.  We love you so much.

                        Love,

                       Mommy

Baby Johnson @ 9 weeks

How can I be so tired and hungry?

     I haven't quite figured out how I can be this tired and hungry... ALL the time!  I'm usually in bed by 9, even on weekend nights... and even by 9 I can barely keep my eyes open.  It's crazy!!  It seems that I eat and feel full and then 20 minutes later, I'm starving again.  That needs to stop before I gain a lot of weight in just the first trimester!  

     Baby has been wanting pizza for about a week now... maybe it's really just me that wants pizza but it feels better to say that Baby wants it!  Jim is on his diet before the season starts up, so pizza is NOT on his menu.  However, this week I will be getting pizza... with or without Jim.  

     Everything else is going well... just tired and hungry.  Can't wait to see our little Baby on Thursday... it can't get here any quicker.

Dear Baby Raspberry...

                                       

Dear Baby,

     I am officially the most pregnant I have ever been!! Here we are at 8 weeks and you are growing so fast.  I can't feel it yet, but you are probably beginning to move those little arms, legs, and (slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy!  You are forming little ears and the tip of your nose is taking shape.  It's so amazing to think of all that is taking place with your body right now.

     Little One, you have made Mommy have some new symptoms this week.  I have been feeling up and down throughout the week.  I have had some cramping the past few days, but that is only because my uterus is changing from the size of a fist to the size of a grapefruit (for right now).  Yikes!!  I sure am glad you are getting comfy in your new home!! Earlier in the week, I was throwing up in the morning and wasn't in the mood to eat anything.  Now just a few days later, I'm still feeling nauseated throughout the day but eating nonstop.  I have had some brown spotting similar to last week, which worried me at first.  I called Dr. Towsley right away, hoping he would say to come in for an ultrasound.  That's exactly the answer I got, along with some other advice, and after all that decided to just wait it out.  Believe it or not, spotting happens more than most people know.  

     I had a breakdown yesterday because I was scared out of my mind that something was going to happen to you.  I got myself together and realized that everything is okay.  I will see you a week from today and get the reassurance that I need.  

     Daddy and I can't wait to see you again... I wish I could see you everyday!  Keep growing strong for us little Baby ... I keep thinking you truly are our Christmas Miracle.  

                                  Love,

                                Mommy

Dear Baby Blueberry...

                                    

Dear Baby,

     You have made your Daddy and me really happy this week.  Seeing you the other day for the very first time was so amazing!  Your little heart is fluttering away and you are full of life.  I didn't want to stop looking at you, even though you are so tiny and barely looking like a baby.   (Don't worry, you will soon... we are only at 7 weeks!)

     Your brain will be growing fast during this upcoming week, generating 100 new cells every minute.  Arms and legs are emerging and you are growing a permanent pair of kidneys.  Your eyes are beginning to get pigment, nose is developing, and the beginning of a face can be seen.   Wow, so many changes little one!

     I have a great doctor who is really looking out for you.  He's taking good care of me and says all my symptoms are good ones to have.  Nausea lasts all day but when I eat a small snack it makes me feel better.  I'm tired out a lot and Daddy asks why?  I have to remind him that you are quickly growing inside me and taking some of my energy away from me.  But that's okay, keep it up little Baby.  Daddy and I get to go back for another ultrasound in just two weeks.  We are looking forward to seeing you again and so soon.  I'm loving you more and more each day, keep growing strong for us!

              Love,

           Mommy

Great, BIG, news!!!

For the past few weeks, Jim and I have been very anxious for this day to come.  We had our first ultrasound to see our little Baby.  Today started off kind of rough, not feeling so good and then noticed that I was spotting a bit.  It scared me, worried me, and made me overanalyze everything because this is how it started last time. I called Jim and he reassured me that the doctor said that this can sometimes be normal.  

We waited what seemed like forever in the waiting room full of other cute pregnant ladies.  Once we got back to our room, I was able to calm my nerves down a bit.  In just a few minutes, Jim and I were looking at our Baby for the very first time!  The doctor said everything looked great and I was measuring almost right on.  Seeing the heartbeat was amazing and made everything feel real...finally.  We don't know why I was spotting, but we are thrilled that everything looked great.  Dr. Towsley said that statistics show that after seeing the heartbeat, the chances of a miscarriage decreases to 1 in 10.  (90% chance of everything going well)  That is much better than 1 and 4!!

Jim and I go back for our nine week appointment January 29th.  Only 2 weeks until we get to see our little Gummi Bear again!! (Dr. Towsley said now and in the next few weeks, the baby will look like this...)   This is officially the most pregnant I have been! YAY for milestones!!

Dear Baby Sweet Pea...

                                         

Dear Baby,

     Here we are at Week 6!  We are really looking forward to seeing you for the first time on Tuesday.  It will be such a special day for your Daddy and me.  You are doing a lot of growing and will continue to change quite a bit this week.  I can't believe that being so small you are starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin!  Your little hands and feet are still webbed but could start to wiggle by the end of the week.  Your heart has begun to beat and hopefully is beating twice as fast as Mommy's... that's a good sign!  Blood is starting to circulate and you are developing into quite the little baby.  

     I have been very tired but have given myself the chance to relax, which I think is best right now.  The last few days I have been nauseated and full of heartburn but will keep eating and drinking lots of water.  That sometimes helps!  I am loving every minute of being pregnant and am excited for each new day to come!

                             Love,

                           Mommy

P.S. This is where Daddy wanted us to park at Babies 'R' Us the other night.  He's a funny one!

     

Happy New Year!

I'm so excited for 2009 to begin and I anticipate the wonderful changes that will be happening throughout the year.  After Jim bought the Baby a few onesies, I couldn't resist myself.  I was at the mall yesterday and Gymboree was having a HUGE sale!  I only bought two onesies, one has little puppies on it and the other is for Halloween.  We won't buy anything else for a while, but couldn't pass up a few outfits.  

Today was my first day back to school and it was tiring.  I'm exhausted and will be going to bed very soon.  Today I felt fine throughout most of the day, but started to feel kinda icky after I ate dinner.  Headache and a nauseous feeling that won't go away.  I'll take it though, it's a great reminder of what's going on in my body right now!

Dear Baby Appleseed...

Dear Baby,

     You are five weeks old and the size of an appleseed, still so tiny!  You are starting to develop major organs (heart, kidney, liver, and stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, and digestive).  Wow, you are busy!  I'm still feeling a bit nauseous at times, but not as much.  I've been getting tired very easily and will need to start taking naps here and there.  Daddy and Pop Pop Johnson have been busy getting your nursery painted and redone.  It looks beautiful and is ready for us to fill with the things you will need.  Pop Pop and Nana Johnson bought you your first teddy bear that you will love.  Daddy also made his first big purchase for you..... some cute outfits that are hanging in your closet.  

 So adorable!!!

We are so excited to be starting this journey with you.  Daddy and I will see you in less than 2 weeks when I get my first ultrasound.  Keep growing strong little baby!

                                Love,

                             Mommy