5 weeks ... 5 weeks!

Dear Abigail,

      I still cannot believe I am 35 weeks today!  You are over five pounds now, leaving you with even less space to move around.  That doesn't mean I don't feel you though, you are good at letting me know you are safe and snug.  Your kidneys are completely developed now and your liver is processing some waste products.  Physical development is complete at this point, so from here on out, you are just gaining weight ... which will show on your Mommy! Lucky me! :)

      It seems as though I've come back to the tired phase where I get worn out easily.  I'm resting as much as I can, whenever I can!  As much as I don't want to admit it, some days my feet have been swollen and my rings are getting tight!  Uh-oh!! Heartburn is getting worse and worse, but Tums still help ease that annoyance.  I've been noticing more Braxton Hicks contractions, usually when I've been walking a lot or on my feet for a long period of time.  When I lay down or rest, they subside... so all is good!  

      I have definitely gone into the "nesting" phase too.  I have organized and reorganized your closet about twenty times and I have one more shower to go, so I'm not done yet!  I just love looking through your clothes, toys, blankets.... anything.  I can't stop smiling whenever I'm going through your things.   

      It's amazing to think we have come this far and with each day that passes I get more and more excited to meet you and hold you in my arms.  Keep growing strong and healthy little one.  Daddy and I love you!

                                         Love, 

                                      Mommy

Here are some pictures to show one of my "nesting" projects.  I made dividers for Abigail's closet.  Why do I need them?  Who knows, but they are cute!

Looks just like a mini boutique in Abby's closet....

6 weeks, really?!

Dear Abigail,

     Where is the time going?  I can't believe I am 34 weeks, 1 day.  6 weeks to go sounds like nothing!  You are now just over 19 inches long and weigh almost 5 pounds.  Your hair continues to get longer and thicker and you have shed most of the lanugo that was covering your body for protection.  Fingernails have now grown over your fingertips, so be careful not to scratch yourself!

      I'm starting to feel more and more pregnant each day.  You are moving all around, kicking my ribs and bladder, and I'm just now beginning to feel your weight pushing down.  I am not complaining though ... not yet.  I'm still having the daily heartburn, leg cramps, and numbness in my right leg when I move too quickly, walk a lot, or bend down.  Like the doctor said before, it's not normal, but it's common.  I guess you like to sit on a nerve that triggers my leg to feel asleep!

     Mommy and Daddy had a busy weekend in New York City.  I left on Sunday night, by train and got home last night.  I saw your Daddy play in the new Yankee stadium, which was exciting ... although we didn't win a game while we were there.  Your favorite part of the trip was the Lion King Musical on Broadway.  I have never felt you move around as much as you did during this show.  It was nonstop dancing, kicking, moving from start to finish.  Did you like the loud music?  I plan on buying the Lion King Soundtrack so you can listen to it along with Mommy!  

     Tomorrow, I have our next check-up so I can see what's going on with you.  Keep growing strong and healthy for us and we'll be seeing you soon.  I'm going to go take my vitamin, drink some water, and rest up for you.  Goodnight!

                                    Love,

                                 Mommy

Do dogs know?

      For the past month or so, Max has become super protective and cuddly with his Mommy.  Yes, that would be me.  I couldn't help but to take a picture of Max laying on my baby bump tonight.  It was the sweetest thing!!  I really think he knows something is going on, maybe he doesn't know what exactly, but he knows something is changing.  He loves his baby sister already!  Maybe we should get Max this shirt ..... what do you think?!

Dear Baby Honeydew...

                                             

Dear Abigail,

     33 weeks yesterday.... 7 weeks to go!  During the eighth month of pregnancy, you are about the size of a honeydew.  You weigh about 4.4 pounds now and measure about 19.4 inches in total length.  With the exception of crying, you are capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do.  You are in birth position already, as we saw last week in your ultrasound.  

      I still feel you kicking and moving all around.  It's starting to get more uncomfortable at times as you keep growing.  Heartburn and back pain are the biggest symptoms for me now.  Lately, my right leg has been falling asleep if I stand up or bend down too quickly.  I talked to my doctor about this and was assured that although it's not normal, it's not uncommon.  

      I am excited to see you again tomorrow at our follow-up 4D ultrasound.  I hope this time we are able to get some clearer shots, but we'll see.  I will be happy to see you no matter what!  Keep growing strong and healthy little one ... Mommy and Daddy are constantly getting things ready for your arrival! :)

                                      Love,

                                   Mommy

Abigail's Shower

      This past Sunday, Abigail and I had our second shower.  It was thrown by my Aunt Kay, sisters Jen and Heather, and niece Emily.  Everything was beautiful... the decorations, the food arrangements, the cake, and all the lovely gifts!  

      We had a fun time playing shower games including unscrambling baby items or phrases and tasting baby food to guess what flavor.  I'm thinking about making my own baby food after tasting some of those yucky flavors!  Everyone was also given a clothespin at the start of the shower and whenever someone said the word "baby" you got to take their clothespins.  At the end, the person with the most won a prize.  Needless to say, my clothespins were gone really fast! 

      Abigail received a lot of gifts and will be one very well-dressed baby!!  From cute clothes, socks, books, toys, crib sheets, diapers.... well you name it, we got it!! I'm very thankful to be such a part of such a thoughtful and caring family.  

      Here are just a few pictures to highlight the day.  If you are on Facebook, check out even more! :)

Stephanie, Gracie, Emily, Heather, me, Jen, and Mama

Diaper Cake created by my sister Jen!  Impressive!

Favors ... tiny footprint soaps

Fruit Baby Carriage

Yummy Cake! 

Gram and Me :)

Abigail ... 32 weeks 2 days! :)

      It was such a neat experience to see baby Abby this far along in the pregnancy.  It's so amazing what technology can do these days!  Jen, Heather, Justin, and Emily went with me and Jim to see our little girl in action.  We went to Baby to Be Imaging in Annapolis, where friends of ours had a great experience with their little boy.

      Abigail proved to be quite cramped inside, with not much room to move around.  She loves her hands and had them on her face or in her mouth the whole time!!  Shy or just playing peek-a-boo with us, she wasn't very cooperative, but we still got some good photos.  It was great to see her healthy heart fluttering away, her eyes wide open, yawning, and stretching.  

      Since Abby was playing hide-and-seek most of the time, we were invited back next week to see if we can get some clearer shots.  Hopefully my placenta won't be in the way and she will take those hands away!!  I'm just excited to get to see her again... I'll take it!  More pics to come....

32 weeks... 8 to go!

Dear Baby Abigail,

       You are steadily growing and each day I am amazed when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror.  Sometimes it just makes me laugh... I'm growing right along with you!  At this stage, your toenails and fingernails have formed and you now have real hair.  I often think about what color hair and how much hair you will have when you are born.  We'll see! 

       Now that you are growing so quickly, you are losing space to squirm all around.  However, I am able to feel you more and more because of this.  I'm still getting those kicks in the ribs and some uncomfortable pressure off and on.  I enjoy and love every minute of this.  It's still my favorite part of pregnancy and every time I feel you, I am reminded that in just eight or so weeks, I will be able to hold this precious little one that has been growing inside me for so long. 

        I continue to have heartburn.... it never goes away!  My lower back has been sore and I've found that swimming helps a great deal.  So not only am I getting some exercise, but it really helps ease the pain.  I've been a bit tired lately and my sleep at night isn't as good as it used to be.  It seems that you like to move all around during my sleep time! 

       Daddy comes home tonight from Seattle and we have a busy, but fun week ahead of us.  Tomorrow we have our 32 week check-up and a tour of the hospital!  If reality hasn't set in that I'm going to be delivering a baby soon, it will hit tomorrow for sure.  :)  On Friday, we will get to see you in 4D!!! Aunt Jen, Aunt Heather, and your cousin Emily are going along so they can share in this special moment with us.  Grandad and Grandma Rowland want to wait and see you for the first time when you are born... I guess they are looking forward to that surprise!  Me, on the other hand, have been counting down the days for this moment for a while now! 

       Keep growing strong and healthy for us ... Grandad Rowland already says you are and jokes with me that you are going to be a 12 pound baby.  No way Grandad! :)

                                               Love,

                                        Mommy

Here are pictures of Jim's Father's Day gift.  Abby will be so cute dressed in Orioles gear at a game this September! :)  The bow was made by a friend of mine - check out her site.  www.luxbabies.com !!

9 weeks to go!

Dear Abigail,

     You must have had a growth spurt this week because Mommy's belly is really starting to show it!  At 31 weeks, you are about 18 inches long and weigh about 3.5 pounds!  The air sacs and branches in your lungs are now able to inflate, allowing you to take in air and breathe properly.  This is a huge milestone for you!  

     I have been feeling you move around a lot lately, sometimes it can be uncomfortable for me.  Last night, you kept me awake because you were moving so much.  Daddy felt you and was shocked at how strong you are!!  My back has been hurting a bit, but usually only when I've been on my feet for too long.  I've noticed a few Braxton Hicks contractions, or at least what I think are these "practice" contractions.  They don't last long and I haven't had enough to be concerned.  My body is just preparing for what is yet to come!

     Daddy left today for a West Coast road trip.  It was a bit hard to say goodbye even though he's only gone a week.  I imagine it will get harder and harder when he goes on road trips because I get nervous that something will happen when he's away.  Daddy has a way to keep me calm and free of any stress!  

     Keep growing strong and healthy little one... we will be seeing you in 9 days!  Your family is very excited to see what you are up to inside Mommy's belly.  I hope you heard Daddy and I tell you this today.... WE LOVE YOU!

                                                Love,

                                         Mommy