Dear Baby Eggplant...

Dear Abigail,

     With each day that passes, I am amazed at how fast this pregnancy seems to be moving along.  At 26 weeks, you are still about the size of an eggplant, measuring about 14 inches from head to heel and weighing almost 2 pounds!  I think you are having a growth spurt right now since I gained more weight this week than usual!!  After having your eyelids shut for quite some time, they will begin to open this week.  Blood vessels are starting to develop in your lungs, making your blood circulation completely functional at this point.  

     I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, which was my last appointment with Dr. Towsley.  It's sad to think he won't be the one to deliver you, but we will soon be taken care of by another great doctor in Maryland.  Dr. Towsley has assured me he won't be retiring for a while and is willing to deliver a whole baseball team for us.  He's too funny.  At this appointment, I had the glucose screening done for gestational diabetes.  I'm hoping I passed because I would dread going back and drinking that straight sugar again.  YUCK!  Your heart was fluttering away with a healthy heartbeat and a couple kicks in between.  It was neat to hear that on the doppler.  I have now gained a total of 16 pounds ... whoa!  I'm trying to watch what I eat a little better, although the doc says I'm right where I should be for this stage of pregnancy... if not a bit under.  Good news!

     Well I've had a long day and another few long days ahead.  I'm getting your things packed little girl, so we can head to Maryland in just a few days.  I look forward to sharing the newest parts of pregnancy with your Daddy.  He will love to feel and see you move around.  Keep growing strong and healthy Abby!

                                   Love, 

                                Mommy

Nursery... DONE!!

     Let me just say... I am in love with Abby's nursery.  It is absolutely adorable!!  Just a bit of background first.... Last year, I taught a student whose mom is an artist.  Lisa has done tons of murals and paintings around Sarasota and is truly talented.  Last year, she surprised me with a wooden painted giraffe for my classroom.  It's huge and beautiful and every morning stands on the boardwalk welcoming my kids into class.  Of course after seeing her work in person, I told her that when a little one comes along, I would love to have her do work for the nursery.  Sure enough, she was one of the first people I called when I knew we were having a little girl.  Lisa matched the flowers and butterflies perfectly to the bedding and theme of the room.  It is like a little garden or meadow for Abby to play in! Take a look!

Dear Baby Eggplant...

                         

Dear Abigail,

     At week 25, you've grown from the size of a papaya to the size of an eggplant!  You are probably measuring in between 13 and 15 inches long already, weighing between 1.5 and 2.2 pounds!  Wow baby!  Around this time, you are beginning to do a lot more with those tiny fingers of yours and can even make a fist.  Soon you will be able to touch and hold your own feet!  It's hard to believe that you are already preferring either your right or left hand when you use your fingers.  Will you be a righty?  I think so.

     I have been continuing to feel great and have been feeling you move all around.  I feel you the most as I'm waking up in the morning, on my car ride home from school, and when I'm starting to relax for the night... around 9 or so.  You already have a sleeping pattern and so far, it hasn't been keeping me up at night.  That's a good sign!

     I am so excited to see Daddy in just a few weeks.  I am really looking forward to him being able to feel you move.  He might even be able to hear your heartbeat if he rests his ear on my belly in just the right place.  You aren't even here yet, but I can already tell you will be Daddy's little girl.  He just sent a package with lots of cute outfits from Gymboree for you.  Such adorable dresses, shirts, skirts, with matching headband, bib, and sandals.  Daddy even said more was on the way.  He is spoiling us! :)

     With each passing day, I get more and more anxious to meet you Abby.  I keep wondering what you will be like and how you will look.  Keep growing strong and healthy little one!  

                                         Love,

                                      Mommy

Uh oh- what happened?!

     Here is a funny (or not so funny) pregnancy story of the week.  On Monday, I wore my comfy Old Navy maternity jeans to school, which I have worn a handful of times already.  I was in the middle of teaching Reading when I bent over and felt a little rip.  So I reached to the back of my jeans, where the belly band meets the jeans and sure enough, not just a little rip.... no.... The band had completely detached from the jeans!!! I could feel underwear!!! It wasn't a big deal since I had a longer shirt on, but it surely made me think.... is my butt really getting that big, or are the jeans just made poorly?!?!  Hoping they were just made poorly, I headed to Old Navy yesterday to exchange the jeans and just in case I got the next size up.  Oh boy - here we go!

Abigail's First Shower

     Abigail's first shower was wonderful.  I am so blessed to work at a school with such great friends... it's really just one BIG family!  Here are a few pictures to capture the day!

The fabulous third grade team!  I will really miss them next year.... thank you ALL so much for EVERYTHING!!!

Adorable diaper cake centerpieces made by Kirsten.  So creative!

The cake sums it up perfectly.   Can't wait to meet you Abby :)

Diaper Wreath created by Shannon ... How will I ever be able to take it apart? It's too cute!

Vera Bradley adds life to any party! I love my new diaper bag!

Kirsten had me fooled...  I didn't think I was getting this gift!

"What a Mommy Should Always Do.  What a Mommy 

Should Never Do."

Written by Candice's Class - PRICELESS

Some of my favorite pages from the book ... 

According to Candice... "Nice polish.  Ankles not swollen."  I guess this is a good thing!

24 Week Letter.. a day late...

Dear Abigail,

     The last week has been absolutely amazing.  Everyone kept telling me that feeling you move would be such an incredible experience.  I knew it would be and had been anticipating it for a while now.  However, what I didn't know was how much of a bond would form so quickly.  I'm not sure how to put it into words... it's that special!  I just feel so close with you now and whenever I feel you move around, I know you are safe and sound.  I have also been seeing my belly move around, which is completely fascinating!!  When I'm relaxing at night and begin to feel you move around, I just stare down at my belly, trying not to blink.  I love it!

     Your brain is growing quickly now and your taste buds are continuing to develop.  Your lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree as well as cells that will help your air sacs inflate once you enter the outside world.  You are quite long and lanky now, about the length of corn on the cob.  Soon, you will gain more weight to become more proportional.  Reaching 24 weeks is a huge milestone... viability!  If you were to be born now, there is a good chance that you would survive.  

     Yesterday was a special day for Mommy.  The Gocio family held a wonderful baby shower in your honor, hosted by the wonderful third grade team!  It was perfect and you received so many nice gifts that will come in handy once you are here.  More to come on the shower in another post!!

      I have been feeling great lately... just a bit tired.  Maybe the exhaustion is coming back, but hopefully it's just a busy time of the year.  There is a lot going on right now and soon I will have all summer to relax.  I'm looking forward to a summer in Baltimore so Daddy can finally enjoy parts of the pregnancy like I have been.  I know he's looking forward to seeing you dance around in my belly.   Keep growing strong and healthy little one... We love you!

                                         Love,

                                      Mommy

Happy Mother's Day!

     I've been told that today is my first Mother's Day since I am a Mommy-To-Be.  I honestly didn't expect to get so many cards from family and friends so it was extra special to be thought of on this day!  It's been a great weekend and my Dad and I have been hard at work in the nursery.  Everything is done and ready to go except for the three dimensional wooden flowers and butterflies that will be added after they are painted and installed by Lisa.  Take a look at the latest photos of Baby Abigail's nursery... it's beautiful! 

Abigail's name above her crib.  I painted the letters and hung them up with mini clothespins to give it a look of a clothesline.  

A letter up close with the mini clothespins.  Aren't they so dainty?!

I decided to get the matching panels for the valance.  It gives it a more finished look!

Dad's idea to use the butterflies I painted as tie back hooks for the curtains. 

Pictures above the dresser.

Up close shot of the ribbon holding the pictures in place.  Dad's addition... the mini clothespins again.  I love them! :)

Dear Baby Papaya...

Dear Abigail, 

     At 23 weeks, you are still just about the size of a papaya.... maybe a little bigger since last week.  You are weighing about one pound and about the size of a small baby doll.  You are looking very human at this stage, with a face and body that look very similar to a newborn.  This makes me more excited to see you again in just a few weeks!  Daddy is going to be amazed to see how much you have changed since he last saw you at just 9 weeks.  

      I have been feeling great lately and really enjoy every minute of being pregnant with you.  Feeling you for the first time last week was so amazing.  Since then, I have been able to feel you a few times throughout the day, but mostly at night when I sit down to relax.  Every time I feel you, I just think about what a miracle this is!  

     Daddy and I got to spend some time together on Monday and Tuesday of this week since he was in Tampa playing the Rays.  It was a short visit, but just what we needed.  I saw Daddy before the game started on Monday for just a quick hello.  This was the first time I had seen him in about four weeks.  As I made my way down to the dugout for a hug, Daddy just patted his belly and whispered, "Look at that thing!"  It was really neat to see his reaction, since I have grown a lot since early April.  He even remembered Mother's Day and surprised me with a few Pandora charms for my bracelet.  You will soon find out what I've known for a while now, Daddy truly is the best husband.... and he will be the best father!

     Keep growing strong and healthy for us little one.  I'm off to eat some brownies that I've been wanting for the past three days! :)

                                Love,

                             Mommy

P.S.  Here is the latest picture of Mommy and Daddy.... and you.... 

What's new?

     Last Thursday, I had my 22 week appointment with Dr. Towsley.  Everything was great... healthy, beautiful heartbeat and I was measuring right on track.  I have gained four pounds since my last appointment (April 2) and ten pounds total.  From what I hear, that seems to be the right timeline with weight gain.  Hopefully I can maintain a slow, steady gain!  My next appointment will be May 26th and will get to see little Abigail again! :)

     I've been working on painting Abigail's name letters and a few butterflies for her room.  The butterflies that I painted are done and match the nursery decor.  I'm not an artist by any means but I tried my best!  I think I will put the butterflies on the beginning and end of the ribbon that will hold her name.  Once I finish the letters, I will lay it all out and see what looks best!