Pain in the Butt

Throughout this pregnancy we have joked about what a pain in the butt you are, little lady. My first trimester was full of yuckiness and nausea. You've always been a little princess who will NOT show us your pretty face. And then we literally started the shots in the butt. The Progesterone Shots that help prevent pre-term birth. Honestly, they aren't too terrible, just a little pinch and some itching afterwards, and sometimes not even that. The first few were painful and left me feeling bruised, but now it's just welt afterwards, and only when Grandma does it. When I can get up to the clinic and have them administer them, I am unscathed. This last week though, when Grandma did it, it welted up huge and itched for a long time afterwards, even getting little scratch scabs on it. So now I think I am going to just make sure I can get to the clinic for them. I want to make sure that the medicine is being let out properly and that they are working, more than the inconvenience of the side effects. But only 6 weeks left of them anyways! Only one vial refill left. It's kind of crazy to think that. But oh-so exciting too!!

Wiggles!

I love that you dance inside of me! I LOVE those wiggles. I cannot believe that in 10 short weeks, (or less!) you will be dancing for everyone to see. I am going to love every minute of your wiggles while I can 'cuz I am going to miss them when you are here. You like to tease me- you push out so that I can see and feel you from the outside, but as soon as I get someone else to come and see or feel you, you sink back into me and disappear. Our own little game of hide-and-seek. You're silly like that. As much as I want others to see and feel you too, it is kind of fun to have you all to myself. I love you little girl!

Deja Vu

August 19, 3 am- Deja Vu! Let me just tell you, little one, when you woke me up at 3 am to pee on your brother's birthday, I had the scariest Deja Vu moment. I was certain that if I got out of bed my water would break. I was terrified because I knew that it was much too early, even earlier than your brother's 5 week surprise arrival. I tried several times to just ignore the pressure, to roll over and go back to sleep. But you were quite adamant about resting on my bladder and making me wake up. I waddled to the bathroom, honest-to-God praying that nothing would happen. I nearly woke your daddy up, just in case. Then I have been having these pressure pains in my lower left pelvis area, and I started fretting that they might be contractions. Truthfully, I don't remember contractions- I barely felt them, and even then only when I was in active labor and very much aware that they were happening anyway. I let myself fret for a few minutes, then I made myself calm down. And finally, I went back to sleep.

Oh, sweet girl, as excited as I am for you to come home to me, I am also very much aware that you need your prep time. You prep all you need little lady! I am in no rush and would rather you were perfect and healthy than just here. Anyways, I need a little more nesting time. I am actually much more prepared this time around all ready, but I want to have your bed ready, your car seat cleaned, your clothes washed and neatly organized. I want you to come home to a home ready for you, I want your brother to have some preparation and not be surprised. I want daddy and I to be able to relax when you do arrive. So let's not Deja Vu anymore, ok? Other than the 6 hours of labor and delivery with no complications, and perhaps the early morning hours, let's do it completely different than we did with Hudson. Let's plan for after October 14 (my 37 week mark), closer to the first week of November (my due date); let's plan for it to happen while all grandparents are in town; let's plan for you to be placed directly into my arms; and let's plan for you to go home with us in the shortest amount of time possible. If we're being picky, let's also plan for it to happen on a Thursday or Friday... that gives daddy a few days with us before he goes back to work! ;)

I love you, darling girl, but I can wait to meet you.
Love, mommy!!

27 weeks!

Twenty-seven weeks along, little lady, and loving it! I love my bump! I love the wiggles! I love YOU! You are a little wiggle worm! I remember feeling Hudson and loving it, but I don't think he moved as much as you do. I remember his big movements, towards the end, but I don't think he had as many little movements as you do. I bet I feel you every hour or so- about the same frequency of my potty breaks! I wonder if you have hiccups? The website I check in with says "Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle" so it very well could be what I am feeling. It's funny! The website is right about one thing for sure- I have an aching back and leg spasms. "Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs." It is getting harder and harder to bend over or pick things up. Including your sweet bubba, who has especially wanted his momma this week while he has been sick. It's hard- I want to enjoy all the snuggles and loves as much as he wants to give them, but it hurts to hold him for too long, and I know that I shouldn't be holding him too much.

I am thinking more and more about the reality of you. You as a baby, an actual little person that I get to hold and love and feed and care for. I am so excited to do it all again! Your brother is getting a toddler bed for his birthday next weekend from Grandma and Grandpa, so we will get it all set up and clear out the crib for you. Of course, you won't be using it for a few months even after you do arrive, but it will be nice to know that it is ready... a luxury we really didn't have with Hudson! I even cleared off the top of the cedar chest where we put the bassinet in our room, so now we just need to bring it in and get it set up for you. I have been thinking about the other things I need to dig up- the swing and bouncy seat and baby mat and breast pump. Eventually the bouncer and walker and gates and baby food maker. There is so much stuff to go with a baby! Luckily we have most of it. And more. 

Your sweet Grandma Weezie (your namesake for Louise) and our friend Maggie are hosting a baby shower for me. I really don't need much, but it is so kind of them to offer. And I suppose I do need some girly things- the bows and glittery whatnots! 

Anyways, baby girl, I am so excited to meet you and cannot believe that you will be here in about 2 1/2 months! Time to get going if I'm going to be ready before you arrive!!!

I love you precious girl! 

love, mommy