AMJ Eleven Months Old

"There's nothing fancy about the way I love you, but I love you as hard as I can.
  There's no good reason for the way you love me, but you're my waking dream come true.
  There's no good reason for the way you love me, but I thank God that you do."

These are lyrics to a song we heard at a wedding this month and they immediately speak to us and our relationship with you. You are such a sweet blessing and good and perfect gift from God (James 1:17). The love we give you pales in comparison to the exuberant amount of joy with which you fill our hearts. And that joy grows on a daily basis, as fast as the days seem to go by. As hard as it is to believe you are already 11 months old, with each new development and inch you grow, it becomes harder to remember you were ever a little baby. This month was no different than your previous 10, filled with adventures and new tricks. Your communication skills are primed to grow exponentially. You've started signing for "more", "milk" and waving hello or goodbye. You point and squeal or grunt to signal specific wants or needs. Along with telling us what a lion and monkey say, you call us by name now: "MaMa", "DaDa", "Max" and "Aw" (for Aubrey), you can say "snack" to ask for food. Watermelon is by far your favorite new treat but you also enjoy a waffle at breakfast and pureed pouches of other fruits and veggies. When we go out to eat, you are exposed to even more new tastes and treats. Mommy created a summer bucket list for you and your sister, which included a workday lunch date with Daddy. We celebrated your sweet friend Cora's church dedication with friends at lunch at the Fish Market. Other celebrations took place this month...we wished Mommy a Happy Birthday and went bowling for Aunt Jessica's wedding shower. There were a few experiences this month we would have liked to wish away too. Daddy had to come home early from a work trip to Chicago because you were sick and ended up spending a day in the hospital. You had fever and diarrhea, stopped nursing and had become dehydrated. We later found out you had salmonella. Sadly, we also had to say goodbye to Kennedy this month. You referred to her as "dog" (one of your first words). She'll always have a place in our hearts but in that situation or any other time we feel sad, stressed or sick, it only takes a smile or a hug or a kiss from our sweet Amelia to warm our souls. We are overwhelmed by the extraordinary amount of light and love you bring into our lives even as it seems there is nothing fancy about the way we love you.

AMJ Ten Months Old

Sweet Amelia. We are in the dog days of summer so it is appropriate that you have mastered the word "Max." This month, we celebrated the 4th of July at a cookout at Stella and Bailey's. Accordingly, we watched you increasingly learn to play independently. You will sit very contently on the floor and play with toys, intently and imaginatively. You may partly prefer to play alone because Aubrey has the tendency to play a little rough with you. But you also are developing a sense of curiosity so tend to engage with her and whatever she is doing. In the past few months, your exploration was based on the new places you could get by crawling. Now you seem to be exploring the finer details of your surroundings. Don't worry, even though you can be more than content on the floor playing with the Little People Cinderella's castle, Mommy and Daddy continue to take you out into the world for more experiences. After tagging along to do some shopping for boots for Aunt Jessica's wedding, you took another trip to the zoo. You road the train and the carousel.  At Pelicans, Aubrey took Daddy's snow cone so he shared hers with you...just don't tell Mommy. This month, you also had playdates with Madeline and Durham and played in the church nursery.Unfortunately, it wasn't all fun this month. You have been crying in the nursery at times, having a little separation anxiety from Mommy. You caught hand, foot and mouth so we were forced to miss both Durham and Bailey's birthday parties. Also, when we came back from the beach, the AC was broken so it was very hot in our house. We all camped out in the family room that night. It has been a relatively mild summer but it was still quite warm that night. Fall, winter, spring, summer...you warm our hearts more and more every season.

AMJ Nine Months Old

At 9 month's old, it is safe to say you are no longer an infant and now a sweet baby girl...or a toddler if based upon your height and weight, which as of today's 9 month check up has you at the size of the average 15 month old. Not only is your body growing but your personality and skills are growing as well. You wave bye-bye and blow kisses. You've mastered crawling and can even pull yourself up to stand which has significantly expanded the world that is accessible to you. As such, you love to point and talk and laugh to share your excitement about every new learning and discovery. You have at last one top tooth coming through and unfortunately you've literally left your (bite) mark on Mommy and your sister. You love hugging and playing with Aubrey and her toys too and now that school is out, you'll have more time to spend with her during the week. We kicked off summertime with our annual family trip to Edisto. This was your first trip to the beach and you loved putting your toes in the water and fingers in the sand but maybe most of all you may have enjoyed rides on the golf cart, with you hair flowing in the wind. It was a long car ride to get there but given your growth, we've upgraded you to a bigger car seat. Unfortunately, you seem to save poops for car rides still. Your diet continues to grow as well, you've eaten watermelon, grits and enjoyed afternoon popsicles on the front step with Aubrey and Mommy. All of these new eats have created new and sticky messes and this month you upgraded to the big girl bath tub. Bedtime is after bath and while we've lowered the mattress in your crib, you still end up in bed with Mommy and Daddy at some point in the night. Every morning before leaving for work, Daddy likes to take a moment and look at how peacefully you and Mommy are sleeping...usually you are on top of Mommy or have her pushed to the edge of the bed. You get your rest though because you wake up every day a very happy and playful baby. You'll need the energy this summer if we stay as busy as we were this past month. You went to Greenville with Mommy for a charity awareness walk, you are the social butterfly in the church nursery and we took our first summer trip to Uncle P's pool. It was your first swimming trip and you loved splashing as you sat in your floatee. You also had some Daddy-daughter time this month when Mommy took Aubrey to her first gymnastics class. Daddy really enjoyed this 1-1 time with you. Appropriately, we celebrated Father's Day this month and Daddy can't believe how much more special of a Daddy you make him feel like with each day you grow, each smile you share, each exclamation and full-body laugh that fills our house with more love than we ever thought possible.

AMJ Eight Months Old

We have much to celebrate this month: Easter, Daddy's birthday, Mommy and Daddy's anniversary and the arrival of your new friend Cora to our very special friends Terri and Tyler. Mommy hosted a baby shower for them. And in meeting their tiny new baby, we already have a hard time remembering when you were that small. Partly, because you were a big baby, but more so because you continue to grow and develop so quickly. Your sweet personality seems to bloom each day, a little brighter than the last. You use your own baby language now, instead of the squeals of the past few months. You seem to always have something to say and want to make sure you are heard.  You have the most amazing laugh and you laugh with your entire body. You have the biggest smile and softest snuggles. You love your sister and want to play with her and her toys. You are fully mobile now, able to army crawl or even crawl on all fours occasionally to get yourself closer to the action. Whether you are telling us that your teeth hurt or that you want more broccoli, you seem to understand that you are part of the family and not just dependent on us and here to eat and sleep...and poop. We upgraded you to a bigger carseat, that means more room for you to stretch those long legs...and more car seat to clean; it seems no matter what time of day, a trip in the car all but guarantees an outfit change for you. This month, you also took your first ride in the toy push car as we walked the dogs around the block. Your 8 month birthday is a very special day. 6 years ago today, Mommy and Daddy got married. We could have never predicted how lucky and blessed we would be at this point in our lives, the amount of love and light you bring into our lives is immeasurable.

AMJ Seven Months Old

Happy 7 Months AMJ! At this month’s doctor’s appointment, you weighed 18 pounds and 5 ounces and are 29 inches tall. You are growing up so fast. It might be the good food you are starting to eat, like oatmeal, avocado and banana. You’ve also tried sweet potatoes and grits. It is a good thing that you’ve got your bottom two front teeth coming in to help you chew up these yummy new treats. Your expanded palette and appetite might also be responsible for all of this extra energy you now have. Along with being taller, you are much too active for baths in the baby tub on the bathroom sink. You love to splash. You also have started a habit of waking up around 4 am, wanting to talk and play for about an hour, each night. Mommy tried getting you to start sleeping in your crib…but you always end up back in bed with Mommy and Daddy and have started pushing Mommy to the edge of the bed. Your first word, to Mommy’s dismay, might be “dog” and she has taught you to play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. You are able to sit up and very close to being able to army crawl. We’ve been on the go this month, so you’ve been quite the socialite, especially during spring break. You took a trip to the zoo and wedding dress shopping with your Aunt Jessica. We spent a weekend in Charleston as Mommy and Daddy went to a wedding. Haylee and Kelsey babysat you and your sister. You met Mother Goose this month at the Come See Me festival and have become a regular in the church nursery. It has been another exciting month for Mommy and Daddy to watch you grow. It seems that every day, you are giving us something new to love about you. 

AMJ Six Months Old

More snow this month, hopefully the last we'll see for awhile...unless we take a trip to Alaska or watch the movie Frozen. The temperature was in the 70s the next week which means trips to the park have started. You are now 6 months old. For a half of a year we've watched you grow and how you've redefined us as a family. Your personality continues to bloom, more and more with each passing day. You have such a sweet nature. You laugh with your entire body and smile with your entire heart. Amelia, you and your sister are so very special in your own ways, the words here hardly do any justice in truly representing the blessings that you and your sister are to us. To be honest with you, when you are older and you compare the pages of your first-year picture book to your sisters, some of these monthly recaps might seem shorter than hers.  And you might recognize a pattern of comparisons of your physical growth and development to your sister's.  You might even notice pictures in which you are wearing your sister's old clothes. Know that beyond the debate on whether you and Aubrey look alike, there is no comparison... no question on the abundance of love you receive nor the unique gift of love that only you can bring to our family. There is no doubt that you are forming a very special relationship of your own with Mommy and Daddy and the whole world around you.

AMJ Five Months Old

Sweet Amelia, our happy little Valentine, you are 5 months old and this month was a busy and exciting one. Daddy escaped more snowy weather with a work trip to Miami. It actually snowed twice this month, a little at first then a lot a couple weeks later. Mommy bundled you up and took you outside to experience the winter weather first hand. We're not sure you like being confined by all of the layers of clothes. You certainly aren't happy when being confined to your car seat. Even on short trips to Target or lunch, you are extremely vocal in expressing your displeasure in riding in Mommy's car. Even when we go to fun places like your cousin Camden's birthday party, you really put those lungs to work to tell us you want out.You are generally loud in expressing yourself overall as your conversations remain mostly loud screams and shouts. We suspect you want to be absolutely certain that you have our attention so that we don't miss anything new that you are doing. This month, you've starting blowing bubbles of spit as an alternative to talking to us. Daddy hopes and prays our conversations during your teenage years are a little more coherent. You love to now jump and bounce, whether you are being held in Mommy's lap or placed in the jumper or bouncy chair, you can really go and go. Even in the bath tub, you like to kick and splash. Make no mistake, you have our attention and your sister knows it too. Unfortunately, she has started hitting you. It's usually not enough to make you cry and she tells you she's sorry and that she loves you shortly after. What does make you cry is when Aubrey takes toys away from you. Fortunately, on a trip to Grandpa's house this month, there were plenty of toys to be shared...and fortunately, you slept the whole way there.

AMJ Four Months Old

At 4 months old, you weigh 16 lbs. and 7 oz. and are 27 3/4 in long. That is 7 oz. less and almost 2 in. taller than your sister when she was 4 months old. You rolled over for the first time this month, a month ahead of when Aubrey did for the first time. Mommy and Daddy didn't see it the first time though. You performed for MiMi while we were visiting for Christmas. And what a Merry Christmas it was with our sweet little elf. We spent a day at the zoo with Grandpa. It was Daddy's first trip to the zoo with you or your sister. Mommy made Mistletoe art by painting your foot and pressing it onto a canvas. She added a bow and Aubrey's toes too. It was a sweet present for your grandparents, almost as sweet as your smile. You were given new toys and clothes. Also while at MiMi's house, you took your first bath with Aubrey. Unfortunately, you had multiple trips to the doctor this month. You had shots at your regular check-up but had to go back for a bad cough and also for an ear infection. Dr. P. also gave you special lotion for eczema, a fancy word for dry skin.The weather hasn't helped. It was so cold this month that the power and heat went out for a couple of hours. You slept well, snuggled up with Mommy, like usual. You're a great sleeper overall, sleeping for long stretches in your bed next to Mommy. It's easy to understand why you are sleeping so well. You are really exerting a lot of energy. Not only rolling over, playing on your tummy and looking around, you love to squeal and yell at everyone, just to make sure we have your attention. You've found your feet, so laying on your back means playing with your toes. Mommy also thinks she found your first tooth, so that could be part of the noise and drool. Or perhaps you are just singing to us your favorite Christmas carols. Tis the season to celebrate how much you continue to grow...and how much our love for you grows and how much the love in our family continues to grow because you are a part of it. At church, Mommy and Daddy dedicated ourselves to raising you in a household filled with God's love. We hope that well beyond this Christmas season, that love radiates from you and warms all around you. Even on the darkest and coldest of nights, you warm our hearts.

AMJ Three Months Old

Sweet Amelia, you are 3 months old and this month you and your sister had a doctor appointment on the same day. You had regular check-ups and shots on this visit, though you had another visit this month due to the croup. At your check-up, you weighed 14 pounds and 11 ounces and measured 26 and a quarter inches long or as Dr. P. put it, the size of the average 7 month old. But it is not just your body that is growing so fast it is also your brain. You are so very attentive and interested in everything around you. You pay very special attention to your sister and to Mommy and Daddy. You watch and listen and smile and laugh. You love tummy time, as you can raise and hold your head up. Your hair is still wild as ever, but there are now days that it doesn't completely stand straight up. We celebrated Aubrey's 2nd birthday with a carnival party and while it was her special day, you were equally a star of the show. We also celebrated Thanksgiving this month. And we are all so very extra thankful this year for our sweet little Amelia.

AMJ Two Months Old

At 5 weeks old, you are the size of the average 4 month old. You are bigger than your sister when she was 2 months old. Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to have you both, double the love. And as you are now 2 months old, we've had double the memories. This month, you made your first trip to church, attended your first trip to the White house for their annual oyster roast. Mommy had her first day with you and Aubrey alone this month too. Daddy was very proud of her and his girls. We celebrated Halloween by attending Trunk or Treat at church and trick or treating in the neighborhood, albeit trick or treating only at two houses. You dressed up as a black cat, Aubrey was a mouse. Mommy gave out apples instead of candy this year. Daddy was surprised how well they were received by the little Iron Men and Doc McStuffins that came to our house. We've also been pleasantly surprised how well you've been sleeping at night. Dirty diapers might be the only thing keeping you from sleeping through the night. You go through several dirty diapers during the day as well. We've gone through several brands, shapes and colors of pacifiers; unsuccessful in finding one to your liking. You have a very sensitive tummy due to a very sensitive gag reflex. Mommy is worried that you'll never be able to drink from a bottle. What are small spit-ups for normal babies are full-on hurls for you. We did buy a new washing machine this month, but not because of your vomit episodes. And don't worry, you still have a way of coming across as sweet and cute when you are giving Mommy her milk back. You have a beautiful smile and make soft, sweet coo's. Your hair is wild, it stands straight up and makes you look even taller than you already are. Your eyes are still a grayish-blue, we aren't sure what color they will be yet. You had to wear an eye-patch over the left one this month, after you scratched yourself. Aubrey was very concerned for you. She loves to sing and read to you and you seem to know that she is your sister and that she loves you. We all know that you love us just by the amount of joy and love you've already brought into our lives.

A.M.J. 1.0

Welcome to the world. Amelia Mae, you joined us at 6:01am and are the size of a healthy baby girl. But for the record you are a healthy big baby: 9 lbs 12 oz and 22 1/8 inches tall. On the day you were born, Mommy and Daddy had been at the hospital for almost 9 hours. We came in the night before, first stopping at Krispy Kreme to get donuts for the nurses. Mommy didn't sleep very well in the hospital bed. Daddy had a cot. Aubrey slept at home with our great friends T&T. A week ahead of your due date, Mommy was ready to meet you and her doctor agreed so the plan was to come into the hospital Monday night, start induction slowly then deliver you into the world Tuesday morning when Mommy's doctor arrived. Things moved faster than planned and by the time Mommy's doctor came into the room Tuesday morning, you were already creating smiles for everyone in the room and beyond the walls of the hospital. Here is a timeline of events leading up to your birth:

• 2002: Mommy and Daddy met
• 2008: Mommy and Daddy married
• 5:00 pm September 16th, 2013: Mommy called the hospital to see if they had room for us. They didn't and told us to call back later. 
• 7:30 pm: We called back and they told us to get something good to eat then come to the hospital. Daddy gave your sister a bath and MiMi and Grandaddy helped Mommy get things together. 
• 8:30 pm: We left for the hospital, Aunt Jessica followed us. We stopped at Krispy Kreme to get some donuts for the nurses. Our friends T &T came to the house to spend the night with Aubrey. 
• 9ish pm: We checked into room 211 and Mommy had to answer a lot of questions. Daddy called Grandpa, Grammy and Aunt Kate. We had the nicest nurse. 
• 10:00 pm:  Mommy's contractions had already started but she was only 2.5 cm dilated. The plan was to start Mommy on some induction medicine (along with some Tylenol and Tums), get a good night's sleep then bring you into the world in the morning. The nurse offered some medicine to Mommy to help her sleep and rest up for the big day ahead of us, but she declined. 
• 10:30 pm: Neither of us could really sleep. The nurse gave daddy a cot to sleep on, Mommy's bed was really uncomfortable. At this point, recall that we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl and we still hadn't decided on your name. We talked about name ideas more. Mommy watched a movie on the iPad and Daddy worked on updating this blog. 
• 3:00 am: Mommy was having heavy contractions and was now 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. Those are doctor words for "you were moving ahead of schedule."
• 3:30 am: Because things were moving fast, they decided to give Mommy pain medicine, before it was too late. The only thing that didn't move fast was the doctor giving the epidural to Mommy. He wasn't very nice but we remembered him from Aubrey's birth so were prepared. 
• 4:20 am: The nurse broke Mommy's water, which are doctor words for "you were ready to go." Dr. Rowland measured Mommy at 6 or 7 cm dilated. She also delivered Aubrey but didn't remember us, as Daddy half joked/implied that she should. Daddy wakes up Mimi and Grandaddy and Jessica who have been sleeping in their car. 
• 4:30 am: Mommy got a Pepcid IV to help with heartburn. We are all but certain that you'll have a nice full head of hair. 
• 4:40 am: Mommy's epidural finally starts working. She has been very uncomfortable throughout the night and the pressure has been painful. Mommy's friend Amanda texted her back, telling her not to take the Ambien to help her sleep. Good call Mommy. 
• 4:50 am: 8 cm dilated
• 4:55 am: Our friend Julia arrived to take pictures of your arrival. 
• 5:30 am: The nurse proclaims that we're "ready to have a baby." I think Mommy has actually been ready for a couple weeks now.
• 5:40 am: Mommy starts pushing and the nurse confirms you have a full head of hair. 
• Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 6:01 am: Weighing 9 lbs. 11 oz., 22 1/2 inches long, you are born. Daddy quickly alerts the room that you are a girl and that you look just like your sister. 
• 6 something am: Mommy and Daddy have to quietly converse to decide on your name. We have a few strong options and decide upon Amelia Mae, a name just as beautiful as our new baby girl. 
• 6:58 am: You start breastfeeding with Mommy, your first meal was 10 minutes long. 

"For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." Psalm 92:4

Later than morning, Mommy and Daddy had breakfast while the nurses gave you a bath. You later met your sister Aubrey. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation at first, she was curious about you but hesitant to get too close. Don't worry, she warmed up quickly and at 6:36 pm, she called you "sister." While we took turns holding you, the nurse checked on Mommy. Her hemoglobin was down and she almost passed out so they had to check up on her a lot. You ate again from 11:30 am to 11:50 then had your first poop at 12:02 pm. Our friend Lindsay, a nurse at the hospital checked your blood sugar. It was good, which we could have all told her based on how sweet you already are. It was a calm afternoon, you pooped again and then ate from 1:30 pm to 1:45 and again at 4:15 pm. We moved rooms and our friends T &T visited. Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle P visited shortly after your 6:38 pm feeding. They brought you a stuffed bunny rabbit. We sent pictures of you to Aunt Becky in Nashville. We also skyped with Grammy, Gramps and Aunt Kate in Florida. Later that night, Mommy's blood still wasn't where it should be so she had a blood transfusion. You went to the nursery for hearing and other check-ups so Mommy and Daddy slept. Before we knew it, it was 6:01 am on Wednesday and you were officially 1 day old. We are blessed to have you in our lives and look forward to loving you and watching you grow for all the days to come.

AMJ One Month Old

“...you are my rainbow to keep. My eyes will always be watching you; never will I lose sight of you.”  - author Vesna Bailey

Dearest Amelia,

Mommy, Daddy and Aubrey have spent much of your first month watching you...and hugging you, and kissing you and loving you. We all knew our lives would change with the blessing of your arrival, but we couldn't possibly know by how much until you came home. Your sister had a difficult time initially, mostly because she didn't understand you. When you cried for milk or a new diaper or to be held, she would also cry, a sobbing, empathetic cry. That subsided after a few days, but in that short time, she quickly developed an understanding that she is a big sister, she is your Sissy. Aubrey is always constantly checking up on you and letting us know when you are happy or sad, or not in the same room. "'Mia' is all clean" Aubrey exclaims after you get a new diaper. MiMi has stayed with us to help and you've had plenty of visitors already. Our wonderful friends and family checked up on us too, bringing us delicious meals. Each new meal became Daddy's new favorite. And each new memory you help make for our family becomes a new favorite. In your first month, we took our first family trip to a pumpkin patch with friends from church. We also made a family trip to Target. You love taking baths and sleeping next to Mommy. Sometimes, it takes a while for Mommy to get you to sleep though when you have to fight through a witching hour before bed. You certainly won't remember it, but you watched your first Bears game with Daddy too. With your soft, dark hair, and your gray-blue eyes, and your rosy, warm skin, you are our rainbow. We have watched you grow and watched our love for you grow. It isn't always easy with two girls under two years old, but we wouldn't trade any part of it for anything in the world. Every little memory is loaded with love. We couldn't have possibly known how much we could love you until you came home.

39 Weeks 2.0

39 weeks have passed since you first start growing in Mommy's belly and our love for you started growing in our hearts. We have gotten all of the "Must" to-do's complete to prepare for your arrival such as getting a new bassinet (one day Mommy will tell you about the bugs and the Moses baskets) and installing your car seat in the van. All that is really left is for you to arrive. And according to the Doctor, Mommy and Daddy will arrive at the hospital on Monday to start induction for your birth. We have so many friends and family members that are excited to meet you and love you and that have been praying for this day. We can not wait for your introduction.

38 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had another ultrasound this week to check on how you are doing. At 38 at weeks, you are the size of a pumpkin but probably not as orange as one. Daddy, Mommy and Aubrey were all decked out in orange and blue and white this week to celebrate the beginning of football season. You'll have plenty of choices and decisions to make throughout life, some easy, some difficult, some that mean more than others. But one thing you won't have to decide, that Daddy has decided for you, is that you are a fan of the Chicago Bears.

37 Weeks 2.0

At 37 weeks, you are the size of a winter melon. Daddy doesn't know what that really is but it is big. Mommy and Daddy had a big date night in Charlotte this week. First, we had dinner at a restaurant that served very delicious and diverse food creations like pork belly tacos with watermelon salsa and fried chicken skin chips with pimento cheese fondue and jalapeno spiked pickled okra. We then had yummy cakes for desert at a bakery called Amelie's. Mommy has had a lot of heartburn while you've been residing in her belly. Our hearts long to meet you and at this week's doctor's appointment, we were told that at this point we could be meeting you very soon.

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.