February 28

Hi little one,
The conference is so awesome! I'm really glad we came, even though your daddy is bored out of his mind. We are supposed to be getting more horrible weather tomorrow and Sunday, so I'm especially grateful that he's here to make sure we get home safely. I've gotten lots of cool ideas, including a scrapbooking idea for my Comm Arts kids. We got to practice by decorating a page that described us. Here's a snapshot of what mine looks like :)

Physically, today has been less than comfortable...I feel like a bloated whale. And super exhausted! And constipated. And negative. I know it's driving your dad nuts, but I keep telling him it'll get better soon. We ate dinner at this beautiful lakefront restaurant earlier, and I felt so full that I couldn't even enjoy it! (It could have had something to do with the rainbow sherbet that I ate around 3:30pm, but there's no way I could pass that up.) No morning sickness or nausea, so I guess I should look at the bright side! Isn't the resort just gorgeous??

And I forgot to tell you about your first piece of fan mail that you got yesterday! Remember my co-worker, Betheny? She wrote this adorable letter to you and put it in my mailbox at work. Of course, I started crying like a bawl bag when I got it. I can't wait for you to meet her someday. You're going to LOVE her.

That's all for tonight, tiny little blueberry! I love you so much.
Mommy

February 27

Hi little one,
Let's keep this short and just say that I hope you inherit your daddy's sense of direction and not mine (or my lack thereof).

We finally made it to the conference in Osage Beach, Missouri. It was a very scary three + hour drive that took us through some backwater, teeny tiny, Deliverance-style towns. One town was actually named Tightwad. 100% serious. Of course, I joked with with your daddy that he could be the mayor, but at that point he didn't think my sense of humor was very funny.

It's well past 10pm, and definitely past my bedtime. I'll post a bunch of pictures of the resort. It's not as nice as I remember from a few years ago, and it's not very quiet either, but I'm trying to remind myself that I'm grateful to have arrived safe and sound, and that your daddy is here with me. (Even though he just farted in bed. I'm not too grateful for that.)

I love you,
Mommy

February 26

Hi little one,
Your daddy got back today and I'm very happy he's home! I missed him a lot, and I know the pets did too. Both of the dogs are asleep on the floor on his side of the bed :) he's already asleep too, since he flew in from Houston today, met with a structural engineer about the foundation of the house, AND wrote a three page paper. Can't blame him, though! I'm exhausted too, and I had a pretty easy day at work!

We emailed your grandma Gigi and Papa G about you earlier, so it's a big night! They're going to be SO EXCITED for you to come along! And I can't wait to take you to their beautiful Colorado home some day. If you're anything like your daddy, you'll just love the mountain air. (And if you're anything like me, you'll love shopping at the adorable little Christmas stores and drinking root beer floats in downtown Estes Park!)

I think that's all for tonight. We are leaving for Osage Beach tomorrow after we get off work because I'm going to an awesome writers conference. Daddy is tagging along too, so it's like a mini vacation for the both of us. He'll be doing homework while I'm in different sessions, so it's not entirely a leisurely trip, but it's the closest we will get until the honeymoon in June. We are busy, busy, busy!

I love you little baby!
Mommy

February 25

Hi little one,
Your daddy is out of town until tomorrow afternoon and it sucks. He's doing work stuff in Houston, and as much as I'm sure he was looking forward to taking a little vacation from the cats and their litter boxes, I know he'd rather be here warm and safe with us.

It was a good day :) I feel like I can finally breathe after seeing you on the ultrasound. Of course, I'm a total mess because I was up all night worrying about all of the things that could go wrong in the future, but I think that's just maternal instincts kicking in. I may as well get used to worrying about you!

 I got a new pillow to help me sleep and I'm super excited to have the bed all to myself  and to sleep through a night without your dad waking me up!!! He's the worst when it comes to getting more than five hours of sleep at a time. Let's hope you take after me in that regard...

Here's a picture of my feast tonight while daddy's gone. It's become kind of like a tradition to eat Chinese food while he's away.

And I know, I know. I ordered waaaaaay too much, but I figure it's fine to have leftovers for tomorrow. And Thursday. And Friday.

That's all for today! I love you, little one!
Mommy

February 24

We got to see you for the first time today!!! You are measuring about 6 weeks and 4 days, with a heartbeat of 148. In other words, you are 100% perfect. We will get to welcome you into the world on October 17, 2014.

I can't tell you how relieved I was when I got to see and hear you! I love, love, love you, baby G :)

Love,
Mommy

February 23

Hi little one,
Tomorrow is the big day! We get to see you on the ultrasound. I can't tell you how excited we are! It's all I've been able to think about today, and I know I'll drive myself nuts at school counting down the hours and minutes until the appointment at 3:15pm.  And we may even tell your grandma Gigi and Papa G about you over FaceTime, too, so they can be just as happy as we are!

Your great grandparents had us over for dinner tonight, and it's amazing to me how much they already love you. Great grandma Frannie just wouldn't stop talking about you and how much she can't wait to kiss your little baby feet and pinch your tiny baby butt! (Don't worry...it won't hurt!)

I got a lot done today, surprisingly. The morning sickness hit about 3am, but some saltine crackers helped. Even though I took a lot of naps today, I still managed to clean out our bedroom closet. Your mommy got rid of seven garbage bags full of clothes! It's crazy to think how buying pretty clothes for myself used to be a priority, but now the only thing I'm concerned with every minute of every day is keeping you safe. Have I mentioned that I can't WAIT to see you tomorrow??!

Daddy is frustrated with the pets and the house today. We have to have the foundation looked at because he thinks it may be cracking, and the dogs just don't know how to not go dig in the mud! He's learning A LOT about being patient lately, but it'll do him some good for when you come around :) He also put together our new dining room table.

Well, Mommy has to get some sleep. I have my evaluation first thing in the morning! I'm sure it'll go fine, but I want to be well rested for it. It'll be hard to sleep since I'm so excited!  I can't wait to see you for the first time tomorrow!

Love,
Mommy

February 22

Hi little one,
Today I've felt sick literally all day. I wanted to help your daddy with things around the house, but there's just no way. I've been either in bed or a lazy bum on the couch, wanting to puke. But no worries. You're worth it.

Daddy and Dolce and Rusty all say hi. Daddy got mad at Dolce for getting all muddy yesterday. I think sometimes he forgets that she's a puppy with long fur and big paws who just likes to dig! You'll be playing with her in the backyard before you know it :)

And I wanted to tell you a cool thing I realized today...you're internationally famous! Well, sort of. This blog to you has been read in three countries--the US, Germany, and Poland! I hope everyone out there reading this realizes how special you are to us!!

We love you very much!
Mommy

February 21

Hi little one,
Mommy found her wedding dress today! I got to try on a tiny baby bump while we looked at dresses, and I can't wait until I start showing with you! It is pretty neat to think that you'll be about that size by the time the wedding comes around. The dress is absolutely gorgeous, and I'd post a picture to show you, but I want to keep it a surprise for your daddy since I know he reads our blog!

Baby nausea has taken over full force, but still only in the evening. I'm grateful for it, since it means you're healthy, but let me tell you, it's no fun! Daddy put on Tosh.0 to watch while we ate dinner, and I literally almost puked while we watched it. That show is disgusting all on its own, but add that to already feeling yucky and it's nothing good!!

Our beautiful dinner table was delivered today. I can't wait to see you in a high chair in a few months, eating with us! Sometimes it's still surreal that you're really on your way!

Frannie and Bretta joked about picking out names for you. They know I love Paddington, and Bretta thinks there's more than one of you in my tummy, so she was calling the "twins" Perry and Paddy (your great grandma's maiden name is Peragine). We laughed and laughed while we bought the dress!! The women who worked there think our family is a little crazy :)

That's all for now. We're going to do a lot of work in the house this weekend. I'm going to clean out closets and make some big donations to the Salvation Army. I might clean out the hallway closet, too, because it's a hot mess in there. I'll keep you posted tomorrow as to what actually gets done!

I love you tiny baby. Two more days and I don't have to wonder what you look like anymore! That will be the best day!!
Love,
Mommy

February 20

Hi little one,
I'm sorry I haven't written to you in so long! Your daddy and I have been very busy with finalizing wedding plans and I haven't been feeling so good by the time I get to bed and want to write. But just because I haven't written to you doesn't mean that I haven't thought about you for every minute of the day!

I wanted to tell you about the sweetest thing your daddy did this morning. He got up at 4:30am like usual, rolled over in bed, and put his hands on my tummy, right where you're making yourself comfortable. You were the first thing he thought about when he woke up, and he wanted to give you some love :) he is so excited to hear your little heart beating away on Monday, and so am I!! We love you very, very much.

Love,
Mommy

February 17

Hi little one,
Happy Monday! It was also wedding dress shopping day too. Things were okay, but I didn't find "the one." I knew I wouldn't find it on the first try, but it's still a little frustrating. I just want to look perfect for your daddy...

That's all for now. I'm sleepy, weepy, and a little sicky and just want to go to bed :) We had a long, long day. But I love you very much!! And we will finally get to see you in a week! That thought, despite everything that happened earlier with the dresses, makes me extremely happy.

Love,
Mommy

February 16

Hi little one,
Morning sickness has hit full force as of today...but it's happening at night! We Facetimed with Grandma Gigi and Papa G tonight, and I think they knew something was up when they saw me collapsed under a blanket on the couch while your daddy talked to them. I'm so excited about your arrival in October that I want to tell random strangers I see on the street, but I understand your daddy's desire to wait until next Monday to tell everyone. Until then, daddy stocked up on ginger ale and saltine crackers so we don't get too sick. :)

We went and did taxes today with Auntie Jewelee and Uncle Thommy. They're so excited for us!! You're going to LOVE them, and I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they meet you for the first time!

Other than that, I got some wedding invitations (almost) ordered, and we're very close to finalizing wedding ceremony and reception venues. Have I mentioned how excited I am that you get to be part of the ceremony with us?!

Stay warm in there, precious baby! I have work off tomorrow thanks to President 's Day, and I'm going to try on wedding dresses with Bretta at 2pm. It'll be a great day for both of us!

Love,
Mommy

February 15

Hi little one,
Today is my first day struggling with feeling nauseous. I will admit, it's not fun thinking that I'm going to rush to the toilet to throw up everything I ate for dinner. But, like I'll tell you for the rest of your life, you're worth it. :)

We get to see Thom and Jewelee tomorrow morning for breakfast, and I'm so excited to tell them all about you! They're going to be thrilled, and I know they're going to spoil you rotten :)

Daddy finished painting the trim of all of the main floor doors today. I haven't told him yet, but it looks really good and I'm really proud of him because I know how much he despises painting. You'll be very proud of all of the work he's put into our house to make sure it's perfect for you!! Now if only I could get him to think about repainting your nursery...hmmm...

I love you,
Mommy

February 14

Hi little one,
Happy Valentine's Day! Today is meant to celebrate love, so I thought I'd take a second and tell you a few reasons why I love you so much.
1) You make me a better person. I've never wanted to take better care of myself or be healthier. You helped me do that, and you're only the size of a poppy seed!
2) I've never felt closer to anyone in the world. (But your daddy is a close second, that's for sure.)
3) You made us a family. We are only 5 weeks and 4 days along, and we haven't even known about you for a month yet, but you've managed to make your daddy and I a complete family. Yes, we have the furry four-legged babies, but we could never love them like we love you.
 I hope you have a great Valentine's Day, little one!

Love,
Mommy

February 13

Hi little one,
This will be short because I'm exhausted. I just wanted to tell you that I love you very much, and hope you are not as picky about your wedding as your daddy is about ours. Remember that it doesn't have to be big or fancy to be perfect. As long as you're in love with the man or woman, it's enough. You should have the ceremony for you, never for other people. And if you want a destination wedding because you are 32 and pregnant, I will support you without a guilt trip.

That being said, I'm sure your daddy will spoil you rotten on your special day.
Love,
Mommy

February 12

Hi little one,
I'm sure you're seeing a common thread by now, but your mommy is very tired so this will be a quick post to you. I know it's normal to be very tired at this point in the pregnancy, but I didn't think it'd wipe me out like this!! No worries though, because you're worth whatever I have to go through. I love you so much.

I wanted to show you a picture of a test I took this morning. Remember a few days ago, when the positive pregnancy test line was really faint? That's because you were so new and still working on burrowing your way into Mommy's tummy. Here's a picture of what the test looks like now, only a few days later. See? You're getting stronger every day!

We got a new door handle for the back porch today. Your daddy did a great job installing it after work. The old one broke into two piece yesterday morning. Yesterday was quite the day for us here, what with Dolce getting sick too, and we didn't get the best night's sleep so we are going to make it an early night. We love you very, very much!

Love,
Mommy

February 11

Hi little one,
Your mommy had quite the day! I had to go back to work, and it was really hard to get up so early this morning and drive to school. Not to mention that it was -5 degrees outside when I left! But we arrived safe and had a pretty good first day back after having six in a row off.

Your daddy is going to book our honeymoon trip to Jamaica tomorrow. Get excited...it'll be your first international trip, and you're not even here yet!! I'm getting very excited :)

Then I came home and my heart dropped when I saw your daddy's face. It turns out that Dolce got sick in her kennel at some point today, and make a mess all over the basement (the sick from the back...not the front). Daddy did a great job cleaning up the mess, but we still had to give Dolce a bath. Here's what she looked like all soaking wet after we bathed her.

She's playing the camera with those puppy dog eyes, but don't feel too bad for her because right after we took this, she jumped out and shook water allllllllll over the bathroom! Then your daddy started farting, which made me very upset. So I went to bed, because I figured it was better to go to bed than to start yelling at Daddy and the doggy.

I'm going to sleep now, little baby. I love you very much!
Mommy

February 10

Hi little one,
Can you believe that we had another snow day at work? I won't lie, I was super excited that I got to stay at home and spend some more time with you. We woke up really late and worked on wedding stuff all day--and a lot changed over the course of a few hours! After talking with your grandma Gigi last night, we realized how important it is to our family that they're there when your daddy and I say "I do." So bye bye destination wedding in Jamaica and hello garden wedding! Here's a beautiful place that I found online today. Thankfully they still have an opening for the date your daddy and I picked.

We'll be an official family on June 27, 2014 :) I really can't tell you how excited I am that you'll be there with us to share in the special day!

Other than that, I kind of expedited the bathroom renovation by spilling nail polish all over the carpet. Your daddy was at his night class when it happened, so he came home to a big mess! But it's okay-I'm just very lucky he is a patient man!

I love you, baby G!
Mommy

February 9

Hi little one,
Today was a great day! Your daddy and I cleaned out the office to start making room upstairs for you. We talked a lot about what your nursery will look like. Even though your daddy didn't want to hear it, I told him I might like for him to paint it, depending on if you're a girl or a boy :) I'll post a picture below of what it looks like right now. If you look closely, you can see Harlowe sitting on the black chair. I hope she understands when we have to move her and Baxter to the basement so you can have your own room! And if you're a boy...well, daddy would have a lot of work to do before you come!

Other than that, we took a lot of naps today and watched a movie. I'm getting very anxious for our first doctor's appoinment, and it's still two weeks away! Thank goodness I'm going back to work tomorrow, because I think I'm going stir crazy inside of this house with all of the pets! It snowed another two inches today, but we both think that Oak Grove will have school. It's going to be an early morning for us tomorrow!

I love you little baby,
Mommy

February 8

Hi little one,
This will be a quick entry because I'm a tired mommy! (Yes...it's only 6:57pm, but I'm ready for bed!)
Daddy and I looked at a few places to have our wedding reception. The one we liked the most so far is called The Drop. It's super intimate and very pretty. I'll post a picture below so you can see it. There was a camera crew there shooting scenes for a movie, so I had to take the picture on our way out.

I'm getting very excited to marry your papa in July :) I always thought I'd do things the "traditional" way...get married (kind of young), spend a few years being a wife, and then decide to have a baby. Even though none of it worked out that way, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm so happy that you'll be with us when your daddy and I get married! Not many babies can say that, you know. And it makes the day I marry your daddy that much more special.

I love you, little one!
Mommy

February 7

Hi little one,
As it turns out, your mama is a little bit paranoid now that you're on your way! I had my HCG levels checked again today just to make sure you're okay, and I literally started crying when the nurse called me back. 1,444! You're doing such a good job nestling in there and being strong. Your papa is very relieved, too. Have I told you how much we love you and can't wait to meet you?

Today is also the first day that your pups have noticed something is different with your mommy . They've been super cuddly and won't leave us alone  :) I did read that pets can smell a pregnancy hormone, so they may know you're on your way. Dolce seems especially protective and has wanted to sit on the couch all day, with her big paw on my tummy. Here's a picture of the dogs cuddling with us (don't show your father...he hates it when the pups are on the furniture! It'll be our little secret.)

Love,
Mommy

February 6

Hi little one,
I just wanted to drop in and tell you how lucky you are! So many people text messaged me today asking how we are holding up in all of this snow. I can't wait for you to meet your admirers someday!
Bretta: one of the funniest, most encouraging women you will ever meet. She would make a great future fairy godmother for you. I trust her advice, and you'll love getting to know her quirky ways.
Betheny: the most helpful, wonderful friend. Betheny is compassionate and unselfish, and will always lead to you on the right path in life.
Emily: the most non-judgmental, open minded woman you'll ever meet. She's pregnant right now too, and she helps your mommy realize that she's not crazy :)
Nicole: one of the most insightful women I've ever met. She picks up on stuff a lot faster than most people do, and she isn't afraid to tell you the hard things that you need to hear.

As you can tell from the picture below, your daddy is curled up in bed with Disco. He had a long day at work, and then came home and shoveled the driveway so we can be safe going to our doctor's appointment at Midwest Reproductive Center tomorrow morning. (There's nothing wrong with us, but I'll sleep better this weekend knowing that I checked up on you again!) He loves you very much and even rescheduled a work trip to Houston so that he can see you at the ultrasound appointment on the 24th! He is such a good man, and you're going to make him a wonderful father.

We both love you very much! We're working on the perfect name for you, even though it's still really early and we don't know if you're a boy or a girl yet. I promise you, though, you will have a very cool name, if I have anything to say in the matter!

I love you little one!
Mommy

February 5

Hi little one,
I just showed your daddy the new blog layout, and I think he's really proud of it :) he's kind of scared for the both of us, but that's only because he loves us so much and wants us both to be healthy. He even painted the trim in the kitchen today...which, as you may know by the time you read this, is kind of a big deal because your daddy HATES painting! But he doesn't want us breathing in paint fumes, so he put a smile on his face and did it anyway. See? He loves you as much as I do.

This is a picture of your daddy  right before he went outside to shovel snow so he can go to work tomorrow. As you can tell, sometimes he forgets that Mommy has a camera and has photographic proof of how dorky he dresses. (And ignore what he's doing with his fingers. Your daddy was not being a very good role model!!)

He also took today off of work today because the snow is so bad! And guess what your daddy spent the whole morning doing? Yep...playing Minecraft. Let's hope that you inherit my love for drinking tea and reading a good book on snowy days instead of your daddy's silly gaming habit!

I love you so much!
Mommy

February 4

Hi little one,
I trudged outside in the snow to go to the doctor this morning to make sure you're healthy, and got the best news a few hours later--HCG levels more than doubled! I'm so thankful you're doing well inside of my tummy. If it's safe outside on Friday, I'll go back for more blood work to check up on you again. It's crazy to think that I can love you so much and want to take care of you, and you're only four weeks along! I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you have everything you ever need and want.

This is a picture of what it looks like outside today. It's a winter wonderland!

Stay warm, little baby! I love you so much!!
Mommy

February 3

Hi little one,
Today I made our first ultrasound appointment so Daddy and I can see you! We go in on February 24th, at 3:15pm to see Dr. Shimpan. We are also trying to get a blood draw appointment for tomorrow so we can make sure that HCG levels are doubling, which is your Mommy's way of making sure that you're healthy. You're only four weeks along as of today, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure that you're perfect and that we get to see you in October!

Here's a picture of the test that I keep looking at. See that really faint line? That means you're on your way! Sometimes I can't believe that you'll be here before we know it!

Stay warm in there, little one! It's supposed to snow like crazy tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have another day off work so that I can spend some more time with you before work and wedding planning get crazy. :) Let's also hope that Daddy gets his car fixed...he tried to go to work today with a flat tire and had to borrow Mommy's car!

I love you so much,
Mommy

February 2

Dear little one,
I am so happy to start this blog for you to read someday! We just found out last Friday that you're on your way, and we couldn't be more excited. Your father and I have been waiting to welcome you into our lives for almost a year now. You don't even have a heartbeat yet, but we love you so much! We cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives watching you grow and learn.

Today is Super Bowl 40-something. (I'm sure I still won't understand football by the time you're old enough to read this). Your dad is excited for the game, and has spent most of the day on the computer playing Minecraft.  I've been taking it easy in bed so I can be well-rested and healthy for you, and your dad comes in to tell me how much he loves me and how excited about you he is. I know you'll grow up to love him as much as I do.

Tomorrow I'll go back to work and it'll be so hard to not tell all of my students about your arrival in October. I'll also call Dr. Gehlbach to schedule our first ultrasound in a few weeks, so we can finally see you! I can feel you burrowing away in there, and I'm hoping for an easy, happy, and healthy nine months with you.

Love,
Mommy