36 Weeks 2.0

You are now the size of a honeydew. But after 36 weeks, we still don't have a name picked out for you. We've got several great ideas but nothing is definite. We know you already have a name, we just haven't figured it out yet. We know it is perfect for you just as you are perfect for us; just as the love you bring into this world will be perfect. We have a few weeks left to figure this out, but then a lifetime to share with you the love we've been storing up for over 8 months.

35 Weeks 2.0

You have been growing in Mommy's belly and in our hearts for 35 weeks now. You are the size of a large cantaloupe and at Mommy's appointment this week, the doctor said you are the right size or maybe a little smaller than expected. That was not what we expected to hear given the doctors have been saying you are ahead of schedule. To get ready, Mommy and Mimi shopped at a consignment sale. They bought more things for Aubrey than you because they bought mostly clothes and we still don't know if you'll need pink or blue clothes. We won't know for 5 more weeks, give or take a week or so depending on how accurate the doctor's measurements are.

34 Weeks 2.0

It's hard to believe we are in week 34, the weeks are flying by. You are the size of a large coconut this week and we've been going nuts in getting ready for your arrival. We have been so busy that we were a little late taking this week's picture. On Friday, we took you to your first NFL game, a preseason game between the Panthers and Bears. The same rule applies with you as your sister, you don't have to grow up to be a Cubs or Bears fan, but you have to spend some time with Daddy watching and going to their games. Over the weekend, Mommy spent time with her family while Daddy worked at the house. She took you to a family reunion, a birthday party and a wedding shower. Mommy has a big family and everyone is very excited about our family growing soon.

33 Weeks 2.0

We continue to count down the weeks to your birth and this week, week 33, we celebrated Mommy's birthday. We went to dinner and the park and later in the week, we went to Mimi's house. At our house, your sister is officially sleeping in her own room now and we've started moving her things out of your room. This week, you are the size of a pineapple...or maybe larger. At Mommy's appointment this week, the doctor says she is measuring a week ahead of schedule and that once we get to week 36, we should be ready for you to join us at any time. We've prayed about that day for more than 33 weeks now, we are very excited and ready to meet you.

32 Weeks 2.0

We are now less than 2 months away from your official due date. We will soon have to transition from preparing for your physical arrival which includes doing things like getting your room ready, buying you clothes to wear and having plenty of diapers on hand to preparing emotionally for loving you and raising you. One lesson Mommy will teach you from day one is the importance of politeness and honesty as she demonstrated in an example this week. In shopping for a 2-seated stroller for you and your sister, Mommy found a great deal on a fully-loaded ride on-line. This thing was the minivan of strollers so Mommy contacted the seller. He said someone was coming to look at it later in the week to which Mommy replied she'd love to come see it if they don't want it. Given someone replied to the ad before she did, it was only right and fair to let them see it first. We wondered if the seller would maintain that same integrity. He told Mommy she could even come see it earlier and on her way home from work, she found out he had sold it to someone else who came to see it.

You are the size of a head of lettuce this week.

31 Weeks 2.0

As much as it has been raining here lately, it was very appropriate that week 31 started with a Baby Sprinkle thrown by our friends at church. Because you have an older sister, Mommy already has many of the things we will need when you arrive. But in the event that you are a boy, daddy bought you a Pearl Jam onesie on his trip to Chicago this week. You could wear it if you are a girl, but Mommy thinks it looks a little scary. At 31 weeks you should be the size of a pineapple but the doctor says you are measuring almost two weeks ahead of schedule. If you are preparing to come to the world two weeks early, we had better get all of the things we don't already have very soon.

30 Weeks 2.0

30 weeks down, 10 to go until your due date. Mommy had a photo shoot this week, to model her belly for a local photographer. We can't wait for you to see how beautiful you made Mommy look on the outside. On the inside, you are as long as a cucumber. Your sweet sister has started talking to you from outside Mommy's belly and hopefully you're able to hear us read her bedtime stories at night. By the time you are born, she will probably be able to read them to you by herself.

29 Weeks 2.0

At 29 weeks, you are the size of a squash and as you continue to grow, you will start feeling squished in Mommy's belly. Mommy and Daddy are starting to feel squished in bed because your sister A is sleeping with us. Don't worry, we painted her new room this week so hopefully by the time you arrive, she'll be sleeping in her new room and we'll have room for you to sleep in the bed with us.

27 Weeks 2.0

We celebrated Father's Day this week and your September arrival has Daddy already feeling doubly excited. Mommy and your big sister visited friends visiting from Alaska this weekend and Daddy stayed home to get work done around the house. He cleaned out the garage to make it easier for Mommy to park the minivan inside. That will help when she has to get you, Aubrey and groceries out of the car on rainy days. Daddy also cleaned out the room that your Aunt Jessica used to stay in. This room will become Aubrey's room meaning you'll have a room all to yourself when you arrive. At 27 weeks, you are now the size of a cauliflower.

28 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had a check-up with the doctor this week and she (and you) are right on schedule, measuring 28 weeks. She also had a glucose test and the results were perfect, you are exactly and perfectly sweet already. More sweet that all the desserts that Mommy and Daddy shared with friends over the weekend in Charleston. It was more of a food-moon than a baby-moon, but we did buy you a stuffed animal. We ate a lot of good food. You are the size of an eggplant this week. We didn't eat any on our trip.

26 Weeks 2.0

In week 26, you are the size of a head of lettuce. Mommy was a little green this week; she had a little stomach bug. Daddy has been watching the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals. Your due date falls in the middle of the Blackhawks preseason schedule for the 2013. That means in the time they get to celebrate before the real work of their next chapter begins, we've got that same time to get some real work done before celebrating the beginning of our next chapter as a family.

25 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had another doctor's appointment this week and everything with you and her is good but she needs to cut down on eating carbs a little. Daddy needs to cut down on carbs a little more. Usually, Daddy does the grocery shopping but this week, Mommy discovered that at Harris Teeter, you can order your food on-line and then pay for it and pick it up right at the front of the store. This has made shopping much easier and healthier. Daddy would often get extra items like cookies and ice cream but with Mommy doing the shopping, we'll stick to more of the healthier options. Like cauliflower, which is about same size as you are at 25 weeks.

24 Weeks 2.0

One week a year, every year, Mommy and Daddy take a trip to Edisto for family vacation at the beach. This year, week 24 was that week. Your sister still isn't completely into fun in the sand and surf but hopefully you were able to feel a little warmth from the sun on Mommy's belly and were soothed by the sounds of the ocean. You're about as long as an envelope this week, and this year as it seems every year, our week at the beach wasn't long enough. We can't wait to take you there next summer!

23 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had an ultrasound this week so we got to see your face, fingers and toes. We did not find out if you are a boy or a girl. You are the size of a small doll. Your sister has been playing with dolls and also been saying hello to other babies when you are out shopping with Mommy. We are pretty certain she is very ready to be a big sister. Mommy and Daddy have a lot of work to do before you arrive but we are very excited and ready to meet you, especially after seeing your sweet smile.

22 Weeks 2.0

This week, we've had a lot to celebrate. Mommy and Daddy had their 5 year wedding anniversary. On Sunday, Mom's everywhere were recognized for all they do. You went to a banquet in honor of Mommy's with MiMi and Mommy. At 22 weeks, we are more than halfway to celebrating your arrival and you are now about the size of a 1 lb. box of sugar. You are already sweeter than 1000 boxes of sugar.

{Five} Years

five years ago we were here and thought we couldn't be any happier.

 

 

and then this happened.

 

 

and now this is happening.

 

 

the past five years haven't always been perfect but who needs perfection right?

soul mates. love.

we can conquer the world you and I.

 

21 Weeks 2.0

Daddy traveled to Boston this week so MiMi came to visit and help Mommy with Aubrey and the dogs while he was gone. Daddy took a class at Harvard and wants you and your sister to realize he is very smart and probably right when he tells you both to do something and you don’t understand why. You are the size of a banana this week and we are going bananas waiting for September.

20 Weeks 2.0

We were blessed with getting a quick look at you this week. Mommy had an appointment with her doctor and they performed an ultrasound. Daddy thinks you look just like your sister. And like we did with your sister, we told the nurse that we didn't want to know now if you are a boy or a girl. We know that even though you are the size of a small cantaloupe, you still have plenty of room to move around in mommy’s belly. Daddy was finally able to feel you move this week. You were no doubt dancing to the music heard at the Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney concert we went to in Columbia at Williams-Brice Stadium. 

19 Weeks 2.0

You have been growing for 19 weeks in Mommy’s belly (for much longer in our prayers and hearts) and this week, you are the size of a mango. Coincidentally, we traveled to the Citrus State this week as well. Mommy, Daddy, Aubrey and Uncle Philip took a plane ride to Orlando, Florida. We stopped first at your Great Grandmother’s house then drove down to Grammie’s to celebrate Aunt Kate’s engagement. The plan ride back home was a bumpy one, but you are probably used to bumpy rides by now. Mommy is now very used to feeling you bounce and bump around in her belly. Daddy still can’t feel you yet. 

18 Weeks 2.0

You are the size of a cantaloupe in week 18. Hearing your heartbeat at a doctor’s appointment this week was music to Mommy’s ears. And to keep you dancing in Mommy’s belly, we went to hear jazz in the park. Later in the week, we visited Mommy's cousins Chuck and Heather to spend some time with their new baby Camden. Your sister Aubrey and cousin Jameson played together while Daddy feasted on grilled meats and sides.