Dear Baby Papaya...

                                       

Dear Abigail, 

     I am so excited to have my 22 week appointment tomorrow.  I can't wait to hear that strong little heartbeat again ... it's such a beautiful sound.  It will be interesting to see how much weight I've gained, although I don't think it's too much.... yet.  We'll see!

     Your sweet face is fully formed now and you have developed your own sleep cycles.  It's amazing to think that your senses are developing daily too.  Touch is one of the first senses that matures and you will be able to feel your arms and legs or a touch across your face.  I have been touching my belly a lot, hoping that it makes you feel safe.  

     I have been feeling great, although losing my energy again.  It seems to come and go in waves.  Heartburn is still my biggest symptom.  I get it everyday, no matter what I eat.  Weird!  I've had some round ligament pain this week so I know my body is busily preparing to make room for your growing body.  I am almost sure I felt you tonight on and off for about thirty minutes.  It's definitely a neat and different sensation!  I love it!

     Today my students were writing letters to their pen pals and a lot of them shared my special news with their friends.  I always preview the letters before I send them off just to make sure they don't say anything unacceptable and one letter really got to me.  One of my girls wrote, "My teacher is having a baby girl and her name is going to be Abigail Johnson.  She is going to be sweet just like her Mommy."  Let's just say the waterworks started there.

     Well little Abby, I can't wait to hear more things about you tomorrow.  Keep growing strong and healthy.  Daddy and I love you very much!

                                  Love,

                               Mommy

     

Abigail's Nursery

     Here are a few pictures of Abigail's Nursery... a lot more to do, but a lot has been done!  I'm having so much fun putting it all together.  I still have her letters to hang above the crib, mobile to attach, and a set of 3 matching embroidered pictures to hang.  I'm also having some three dimensional wallflowers being created by a very talented artist to go against the walls to make the room look like a garden or meadow.  She will also be creating butterflies to go on the slanted wall above the crib.  It's going to be so cute!  

Bedding up close.... Abigail's name will be on a clothesline above the crib.

Valance .... debating whether or not to get the matching curtains.

I loved this lamp base and my Dad picked out the petite little shade!

Lit up at night ... you can't see but the nightlight matches everything too!!

Dear Baby Cantaloupe...

                                        

Dear Abigail, 

     I can't believe how fast time is flying by.  At 21 weeks, you are about the size of a cantaloupe.  It must be a smaller one though because I don't feel like I have enough space for that!  You are about 10.5 inches long and weigh 3/4 of a pound.   I am starting to show more and it is evident now that I am pregnant and not just eating too much pizza.  Yesterday I took Max to the vet to get him checked out and one of the doctors said, "You must be due close to my wife."  I guess I can't hide it anymore!

     Not much new is going on with you this week, other than your constant growing.  You are starting to take in several ounces of amniotic fluid each day and your taste buds are actually working now.  Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in what they tasted through amniotic fluid.  I guess I really need to start watching what I'm eating.  I want you to enjoy a lot of different foods when you get older! 

     Mommy has been feeling great lately.  Heartburn hasn't been as bad and morning sickness has been minimal.  I haven't gotten sick in more than two weeks, so it was quite the surprise to find myself sick this morning.  Who knows.... I guess all the books weren't kidding when they said symptoms will come and go!

     I'm looking forward to putting your nursery together in the upcoming weeks.  I LOVE sitting in your room in our glider just thinking of what it will be like once you are here.  Keep growing strong and healthy little lady.  :)

                                    Love,

                                 Mommy

     

Decisions, decisions.....

      After thinking about several names, Jim and I have decided on Abigail for our baby girl.  It's a name that we both love and think it's classic and simple.  The more I call her Abigail, or Abby for short, the more it just feels like it couldn't be any other name.  It just fits!  We are still working on the middle name... it's down to two choices.  Grace or Leigh.  What do you think?  

     I have also ordered different bedding since the original bedding I ordered now has a delay in production ... just my luck!  I didn't want to wait until the end of June to get it, so I found another bedding set, which I actually think I like more.  It's definitely more girly but very dainty for our little girl.  I think Abigail will love it! :)  Take a look for yourself...

"Clothesline" bedding by Kids Line (Carter's)

Just some of the matching coordinates for the nursery :)

Dear Baby Banana...

                                           

Dear Baby Girl,

     Here we are at 20 weeks... halfway through our pregnancy!!  (a day late writing to you) WOW, what a HUGE milestone.  I can't even begin to explain to you how Daddy's and my life has changed since this journey began.  With each day that passes, more excitement fills our hearts and makes us so eager to meet you.  Daddy was in Texas earlier this week and bought you pink John Deere cowboy boots.  He says you'll be able to wear them when you are 2 or 3.  Granddad Rowland will LOVE these boots!  

     By now, you weigh about 10.5 ounces and are about 6.5 inches long from head to bottom (the length of a banana).  From head to heel, you are about 10 inches long!  You are swallowing a lot more these days, which is good practice for that little digestive system of yours.  

     I've still been having heartburn after I eat and lately have been getting leg cramps, especially in my sleep.  Overall, I'm feeling great and feeling more energized.  When I was at one of Daddy's games last week, I thought I felt you move.  It all happened so quickly that I didn't really think anything of it.  Just two nights ago, I felt the same sensation.  It was truly amazing!  I'm not sure how to describe the feeling, it was almost like a fish flopping out of the water and back in.  Weird, but cool.  Keep moving around in there... now I want to feel even more!  

     I really have to get some rest now.  My body is good at telling me when enough is enough!  Keep growing strong and healthy little one.... sleep tight! 

                                       Love,

                                    Mommy

Say Cheese!

     Here are just a few of the latest pictures of our baby girl.   Just when the ultrasound tech would get a good shot, she would move around making the picture come out blurry.  At least I know she has plenty of room to move around! :)

18 weeks 1 day

The answer in the envelope.... "It's a girl!"

10 tiny toes kicking all around :)  Picture on the right is a bit more clear...

 Hand up to her mouth here... so cute.

Facial profile... she was all curled up at first, then stretched out for us.

We need a name ...

     After much thought about names over the past week, Jim and I are thinking about the name Abigail for our baby girl.  We are trying to choose a middle name, which isn't as easy!!  Here is a website where you can vote on your favorite name combination!  Please help us by clicking on the baby names icon to the right.  Thank you! :)

Dear Baby Mango...

                                              

Dear Baby Girl,

     Your Daddy and I are very excited to know that we are going to have a sweet, little girl to add to our family!  Knowing this has made things seem so real and we are already thinking ahead to what your nursery will look like, the little outfits you will wear, and possible names for you.  So fun!

     The development of your fetal brain is continuing to grow and it was neat to see the different parts of your brain at our last appointment.  Your kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine, which you pass into the amniotic fluid.  You are now protected by Vernix, a milky white coating.  This coating prevents your skin from becoming pickled inside the amniotic fluid.  

     I'm starting to feel great!  At 19 weeks, I have gotten a lot of my energy back... I was even up until midnight last night, an hour I haven't seen in months!  I've had some pinching and pulling sensations lately, so I know I'm making room for you as you grow.  (and it's starting to show!) Heartburn comes and goes, but not too bad, especially when I have my Tums nearby!  

     Keep growing strong and healthy Baby Girl, it was wonderful to see you last week.  You looked like you were having fun and moving all around.  I just wish you would let me know how much fun you are having in there.... I want to feel you move!!! :-)

                                              Love,

                                           Mommy

One more thing .... Daddy and I made our second big purchase for you (other than nursery furniture).  I hope you like your new bedding!!

                            Love Bird pattern by Bananafish

Joining Team Pink!

     I cannot believe how much will power I had from Thursday until Sunday.  I wanted to tear into that envelope so bad, but I remained strong and waited until Jim and I were together.  I knew it would be a special moment that we both wanted to share.  We didn't really decide when to do it on Sunday because my parents were with us, Jim's parents were with us, my sister, and my uncle.  We had a busy day of putting together furniture for our new condo in Baltimore.  As impatient as I was, I didn't say anything to Jim and figured when the time was right, we would open the envelope.  

     Finally, a few hours after working in our condo, Jim says, "so do you want to find out what the kid is?!"  Nice way of putting it, but YES I was ready to know!  The two of us went into our bedroom and opened the envelope together.  It was great.... I just had a feeling we would be joining Team Pink!  After a few minutes, we shared the news with our family.  It was so exciting!! A lot to look forward to now... shopping, baby names, and nursery decor.  

     Baby Girl also received presents that Carol sent along on my trip for us to open after the envelope.  It was two adorable GIRL outfits.  After going with me to my 13 week ultrasound, she recognized that our little one was indeed a little girl.  I think she proved everyone wrong that she is able to keep secrets and GOOD ones at that!  

     

Baby Boy? Baby Girl?

     After a much anticipated doctor's appointment today, I am left with even more anticipation waiting for Sunday to come!  Today was the BIG ultrasound and luckily the ultrasound technician was able to see if our little one was a baby girl or a baby boy.  Jim and I will find out together when we open the envelope on Sunday.  Ahhh ... I swear the envelope follows me wherever I go, wanting me to open it!  I know it will be really special to open it together, so that's what is giving me such will power to just wait it out.  

     Baby Johnson is healthy, has a strong heartbeat, and was moving around like crazy.  Carol went with me again, this time with her new baby Chloe (2 weeks old today).  It's nice to have someone there for me, to share in such a miracle.  If it can't be my husband, at least it's my best friend!  

     Baby was moving around a lot at first, but then decided to be uncooperative.  Still, we were able to get good pictures.  It was really neat to see EVERYTHING.  Literally, the ultrasound tech looked at every nook and cranny.  It was really neat to see parts of the brain, the ventricles of the heart, and of course legs, arms, toes, and fingers.  Everything was measuring right at 18 weeks, 1 day .... except arms were measuring around 17 weeks, 3 days... and the legs were measuring around 19 weeks!! So tall already little Baby!!! :)  I guess it's about now where the baby starts to take on genetic traits.

     I can't wait to share how our special day goes on Sunday.  I'll post as soon as we know!

Dear Baby Sweet Potato...

                                              

Dear Baby,

     You are becoming more and more mobile each day and spend a lot of your time yawning, hiccuping, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing.  Since you are getting bigger, Mommy should be able to feel your movements soon.  You are more sensitive to the outside world now and those little ears of yours can hear!!  Soon enough you will get used to familiar sounds like my heartbeat, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord, and other daily routine sounds.  If you hear a loud sound, you may become startled so I will be careful as to not scare you!!

     I think with each day that passes it's more noticeable that I'm pregnant.  I'm popping out and it's been fun to wear some new clothes... any excuse to shop is a good one!  I'm feeling a lot better these days... more energy and not as much morning sickness (although it's still there sometimes).  I've been having heartburn the last three days straight and it's driving me nuts, but it sure beats getting sick everyday!!

     I am so excited to see you tomorrow at our 18 week appointment.  It will be a big change from the last time I saw you.  I will do my best to not look, so I can hold off and find out if you are a little boy or a little girl with Daddy.  We are really looking forward to Sunday to share in that special joy!  I am flying to Baltimore this Saturday to spend a whole week with your Daddy, both sets of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins!  It will be a lot of fun and I'm sure full of excitement.  

     See you tomorrow little one... please cooperate for Dr. Towsley!! 

                                    Love, 

                                 Mommy

     Any last minute thoughts... what do you think? Girl? Boy?