Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dear Baby...

Dear Baby,

This has been an exciting week! I always worry that something has happened to you –that you’ve been hurt and are no longer growing quickly. I guess I already care about you and really hope I’ll get to meet you in a few months. 

Last Friday, I had an appointment with my midwife. Your Aunt Emmie came because she really wants to get to know you. She’s going to be such a good aunt to you, Baby – she already loves you so, so much. Your dad came, too, and when the midwife said to him, “Alright, Dad, why don’t you stand over here?” I was confused. Dad? Who’s that? It made my heart all fluttery when I realized who she was talking to. This man I love so much is going to be your father. He’s going to be an amazing father.

I climbed on the table in one of those silly gowns that makes you feel like you’re still naked and Jeanne (that’s my midwife’s name) placed her hand on my belly. I’ve been haunted by the idea that I’d go to this appointment and Jeanne wouldn’t be able to find your heartbeat. 

“Yep! Your baby is right where it’s supposed to be!” She said, her hand near my belly button. She placed the Doppler on my belly and I was relieved to instantly hear your strong, fast heartbeat. Jeanne told us we had a very cooperative child. I hope that’s true. :)

I’m so glad to know you’re growing and developing in there, Baby. 

This week I also got to tell a lot of people I love and care about that you exist. It’s good to finally share this exciting news with everyone, but I’ve never been comfortable with lots of attention. I wonder if you’ll like attention or be a bit more shy. No matter what, we’ll love you. I hope you always know that.

My weekly pregnancy emails tell me that you’re the size of a peach and weigh one ounce this week – but I’ve already gained three pounds. I think it’s because you take after me and really, really like cereal. My belly is definitely bigger – you’re around my belly button instead of near where I button my pants – so my pants fit better again! But my shirts reveal the tiniest hint that you are there. 

I’m officially in my second trimester, which means there is only a very tiny chance now that I won’t get to meet you in a few months. Your dad and I were in the car the other  day and I was marveling at how cool it will be to meet a person who is part-him and part-me - I love him so much that being a part of someone WITH him really blows my mind. Then I mentioned something about you being here in six months and we both sort freaked out about that. In a good way. In a really good way.

We love you and hope you’ll keep sticking around, Baby!

Love,
Mama Bear*

*Mama Bear, like the Berenstain Bears. You will LOVE the Berenstain Bears. I promise.

25 comments:

  1. I am SO glad you got the reassurance you need and deserve. The first trimester is nerve-wracking, and it's wonderful you're out of it! Keep breathing--you're doing wonderfully!

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  2. Ok, I've got to confess that I am the anti-mommy (as in, I simply do not have maternal ANYTHING within me) but this post made me cry.

    I know it's hard, but don't worry...sounds like everything is going well so far.

    My one piece of "motherly" advice... both you and your hubby should read, aloud, to the baby starting soon.

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  3. I can't wait for you to be a mom. Like, can't wait.

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  4. oh berenstein bears - they are just the best :)

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  5. Oh my goodness, this made me tear up. Your child will be so happy to read this someday.

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  6. Oh I love it! And the Berenstein bears ARE the best!

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  7. This is so sweet. I am so, so happy & excited for you and Mike. What an incredible journey.

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  8. gah this is just all sorts of cuteness and lovely and adorableness and i'm still so happy for you!!

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  9. AWWW!! Mama Bear?!?!?!? You are adorable!! I can't wait to see you SOONNNNN!!! (All the exclamation points are supposed to show how excited I am about you having a little baby inside you AND that I will be seeing you soon!!!!!)

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  10. One of my very best friends gave birth to an amazing baby boy this morning (which was a surprise! They didn't find out ahead of time, but had been convinced he would be a she :-) I was honored to be there acting as their doula... So I was already feeling very mushy and sentimental about new little humans BEFORE I read this...and now...now reading this. Yup. Those are definitely tears in my eyes. :-)

    I'm still so happy for you guys...glad you've gotten some reassurance that you've needed. You'll be wonderful parents and I'd be worried if you WEREN'T freaking out. :-)

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  11. i just teared up reading this - so cute, so exciting, so happy for you and mike!

    xoxoxoxo!

    the little one is going to UD right? ; )

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  12. This post brought tears to my eyes.

    I'm so excited for the two of you.

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  13. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets nervous about hearing the heartbeat at appointments. You will SO enjoy the reassurance that comes when the little one starts kicking!

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  14. I love him so much that being a part of someone WITH him really blows my mind. <-----That is exactly how I feel. It sounds so simple, but it also sounds like the most beautiful thing in the world. I can't wait to experience what you're going through! :-)

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  15. Oh, Ash -- I just loved this post! So, so sweet! And I love that you name dropped the Berenstein Bears! And you called yourself Mama Bear! You are adorable.

    "at how cool it will be to meet a person who is part-him and part-me - I love him so much that being a part of someone WITH him really blows my mind." --- awww! They totally brought a tear to my eye! so neato!

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  16. p.s. If I haven't told you already -- your blog looks amazing! Good work! I love the little tabs!

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  17. Um, this made me all gushy inside. Like I have tears in my eyes after reading this. I hope I feel all the things you are describing if/when I have a baby and husband of my own someday. Thank you for sharing this with us!

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  18. Aww, I loved this post. I'm so glad everything was beautiful and reassuring. I can't imagine how wonderful it must've been to hear "Dad" and it must be incredible feeling that so soon you'll get to meet someone who's part of both of you! :)

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  19. Lady! This is so sweet! That is one lucky peach.

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  20. that's got to be an amazingly reassuring for you! So happy you got to hear the heartbeat!

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