Last Day of the Best Year

Hello Baby,

We are finally back from our east coast whirlwind, which wrapped up by far one of the greatest years of my life... at least the second half when we joined together and became Mommy and Baby! Ah, to remember all our great moments on this last day of the year - from the exuberance I felt upon learning you were growing inside me, to the big belly that I sport today where I can not only feel you but see you too - brings a big warm smile to my heart.

You also brought smiles to the hearts of your new family and to some of them, the heebee geebees... specifically your Aunt Jenny and cousin Alyssa who you freaked out with some strong kicks to their hands laying on my belly. Good times.

Before we headed out on vacay, I got to see you one last time this year and not only did everything look great but you waved to me or maybe you were waving buh-bye to the technician. Our trip out east was anything short of uneventful - starting with our connection into Jersey being canceled, to the pounding Blizzard that brought about 20" of snow to NYC, to whatever sickness I caught at the beginning of the third trimester that right now seems to have tapered off so I don't want to rehash it for fear it may be morning sickness and may stick around for these last few months. I just want the new year and these last 3 months to be nothing but joy so positive thoughts only.

Have to make the best of things from here on out and try to get as much sleep as possible, altho if these last 2 weeks were any indication that my sweet dreams are over, I won't be happy, maybe I just missed my snoogle.

Tomorrow, I will start the new year off right and post some new pics of us. Wait until you see how HUGE we're getting!

Happy New Year little one!

XOXO

Mommy

Phat Baby

Hello Baby,

We had our 24 week ultrasound today and the Dr gave you a fantastic report, even called you "perfect" repeatedly! Of course, your parents already knew that, duh, but he also called you chunky, which we didn't like so much... so rude. We prefer pleasantly plump! How could this be?! Because you are growing bigger and faster than the average bun in the oven. Your measurements show you are now the size of a big eggplant instead of being a lil eggplant. Your head puts you just over a week ahead of schedule and your body already measures 3 weeks ahead (that's a half pound heavier than average and when you're so little, just one ounce shy of 2 pounds, those 7 ounces sure are a lot). So, whoooaaa, slow down there tiger, or tigress. The Dr may chalk this up to good genetics and nutrition - which, surprise, once again your Daddy is taking all the credit for - but since you're developing inside my lil body, I'd be happy if you took a break from growing so much because I'm not sure if I can handle all of you on the way out!

It's nice that your head is growing fast because we are relating this to smarts, and as I've told you before we are hoping that you are Ivy League material... Go C-U!

So now we know why I've been feeling and we've been seeing so much movement on the right side of my belly... right now you are in a "frank breech" position on my left side looking right, with your lil baby feetsies up by your head so each time you kick or punch, we see it. I must say you are very flexible, I think you've been enjoying these last 4 weeks of yoga!

I've been on a boy kick recently and I'm starting to call you Becks. Soccer does run in the Fitzgerald family so I don't mind you practicing your shots (gooooaaaal!) in my belly. Even though at times it's not the most comfortable, I mostly just think it's cute, funny and absolutely alienish. And when you are being so active, we assume you are awake and bored so we've started reading to you, which I think you like. Daddy bought you some books that we're enjoying reading to you in preparation for your arrival in just about 3 months and 3 weeks. Hopefully, you are listening to us read to you and will enjoy the stories in your nursery as much as we think you enjoy them now! Or at the very least, you are getting used to our voices :-)

You will be hearing some new voices soon, those of all your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in just a few weeks on the east coast when we go home to celebrate Christmas with everyone. And I know how excited you are for pizza and bagels... yum!

Lucky me gets to see you two more times before we go, but I never get to see much of you at the weekly monitorings except for your heart so it was so awesome to see you today... chunks, plumps and all. Just look at you waving at us and that teeny tiny foot... so cute!


Another bit of good news, and if you are a boy, you will def appreciate this someday, Daddy won the regular FFL season, yay Daddy! Superbowl, here we come!

XOXO
Mommy

Full of Thankfulness

Hello Baby,

Today is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday and this year, more than ever, I have so much to be thankful for. At the top of my thankful list is YOU, my sweet papaya. I'm so thankful that you're (finally) growing inside me, a new life that will be here with us this time next year to celebrate with. Hopefully by then you can at least enjoy some yummy pureed sweet potatoes. Maybe we'll throw in a marshmallow or 2 :D

I'm thankful that your heart continues to grow and beat normally.

I'm thankful that you're kicking more and more each and every day.

I'm thankful that I got to lay in bed this morning with Daddy and SEE you kicking.

I'm thankful that I still have so much to look forward to with you growing in my belly and watching you grow once you come into the world.

I'm thankful for our great family, who although we didn't get to spend today with, look forward to plenty of holidays with them and watching them swoon over you and spoil you like crazy.

I'm thankful for your big sister, Stella, who always (ok, almost always!) makes me smile and who I hope will love you as much as we do. And I'll be extra thankful if she doesn't try to eat you!

I'm thankful for your Uncle Danno for introducing me to your Daddy. And for all our friends, near and far, who have been there for us, sharing our happiness.

And finally, I'm so thankful for your Daddy, who I'm sure will be as great a father - loving, caring, and playful - as he is a wonderful husband. I couldn't imagine my life without him. I'm thankful that he has stuck by me when all I could do was focus the better part of my time, attention and heart on my search to unite with you. He is a great man, overflowing with love and patience, and I'm beyond thankful for his help and dedication to make you our reality.

Oh baby, I love you so much and I'm so thankful that I have you and your Daddy in my life. I'm so thankful that we are going to be a family.

XOXO
Mommy

I saw you kick!

Hello Baby,

Yesterday, on the day you turned 22 weeks, on football Sunday, while laying on the couch... I saw you kick! I was looking down at my belly and just to my left of my belly button, there you were. Kick.

Daddy didn't see that first kick but in hopes that you did it again, he started videotaping us. All of a sudden someone's shy in front of the camera. You were pretty quiet so no notable vid to post

But at least Daddy got to feel you. He had his hand on my belly and he said he could feel something rubbing along the palm of his hand. It was like you were moving your lil foot back and forth. He was pretty excited. As was I when I saw you kick.

Then today, I got to hear your heartbeat on the doppler and I get to see you again on Wed, hopefully Daddy will come too to see his lil papaya. Whooohoo for 2 more firsts!

XOXO
Mommy

Another Comparison

Hello Baby,

Only one word can sum up exactly 15 pounds, and it's not freshman, it's "WOW!!"!!

July 18, 2010	November 14, 2010

And speaking of 15, today you weighed 15 ounces, just 1 ounce shy of a pound, another WOW!! Since today is November 15, I'll have to say that our lucky number is 15.

XOXO
Mommy

Namaste Baby!

Hello Baby,

That's us on our way to our first prenatal yoga class yesterday, minus Big Sister :)

I forgot how much I enjoy doing yoga and it's so much better doing it for two because doing everything with you in tow, sweetie, is so much better. Even though it was slower and gentler, which I can definitely appreciate, it was a great workout, and the long relaxation at the end was well deserved. I'm a bit sore today and tired, what else is new, but can't wait to do it again. I think it pooped you out too because when I went to see your heartbeat today, you were very cooperative - laying on your back with one arm behind your head. Ha, now your Dada thinks you're a boy because you were in the same chill position that he enjoys. Little does he know that your Mama was laying in the same position and the tech commented that you took after me - bottom line, I don't think you gave us any clue to your sex. But only 19 weeks till we find out!!

Your heart was great by the way. The doctor viewed it in great detail and said every thing's looking good. Such a relief.

I will see you again next Wednesday, my butterfly flutterer!

XOXO

Mommy

Kick it!

Hello Baby,

You kicked, you moved, you fluttered! I don't know how to describe it - Daddy calls it a goldfish swimming, I like to think of it as a butterfly fluttering - but just before 2 am this morning, I felt you!!!! I woke up Daddy so he could feel you too. He laid his hand down on my belly and just waited and then boom, you did it again. Flutter, flutter! Then you did it again and again. Such great moments in our bonding... in your little life, in my big tummy! And I'm so glad that Daddy got to feel your first little movements with me.

We were in seventh heaven, especially after I told the Dr today that I hadn't felt anything yet and he said any day now. Well, to be more specific, he should have said any hour now!

I can't wait for you to wake up and give me some more boom boom pows!

You made my day... my morning... my life! I love you so much my little banana.

XOXO

Mommy

Whooah! We're Halfway There!

Hello Baby,

Today is our halfway mark, little banana! Look at how big I've gotten... and look at your cute big sister working her way into our photo!

Can't believe I am already 20 weeks pregnant today with just 20 more to go. These first 20 weeks have gone by so quickly, that although I want to enjoy every minute of you growing inside me, I am hoping that the next 20 go by just as quickly because I want to meet you SO badly. I can't stop thinking about the day we meet you and I become your Mommy. Sometimes, I get lost in my daydreams about you. In some dreams, you're a boy, some you're a girl. I have no idea what you are. I just love that you are ours!

Daddy and I keep talking about how there's so much to do to get ready for your arrival and since this first half has flown by, we need to focus on all things baby because I'm sure this second half is going to go by just as fast. And now that I'm not feeling sick, and my cold is gone, I have to start nesting when I'm not off in la-la land. There's choosing a girl's name, getting the nursery ready, organizing the house, and preparing for labor.

First thing I'm finally going to do is sign up for prenatal yoga classes this week. Daddy and I are also going to start walking a few times a week. I need to get in good shape so you can enter this world without much effort and pain. Whenever I see pictures of the path that lead you to me and I think of your journey from where you are to where you need to be, I get so worried and anxious. It's this long, tight canal and I just want to make things as easy for you as possible. I don't want you getting stuck in there. I just want you to whiz right into our loving arms. Hence, the importance of exercise.

Now that I'm feeling better and I'm not inhaling soup for every meal, I'm trying to be more observant of eating well. Proper nutrition must start now while your brain is still developing. It would be great if you follow Daddy and Grampa and go to Cornell, so I have to do my job to help you grow big smart brain cells. Good thing I like fruits and veggies. And hopefully you will too.

In addition, I've gained 3 more pounds than the 10 I was supposed to up until now so I have to be more observant to only gain 1 pound a week from now on. This is more about my vanity than you're life. But still very important :)

Most important is that your heart is still beating strong and you are healthy despite how sick I've been. I love that you're inside your little safe place being protected from my ailments. I just hope that your heart continues to beat well.

Tomorrow I finally go back to work after being home for just about 2 weeks, ugh, that's going to be hard but at least I get to leave early to go see Dr. C and make sure everything is looking good. Then on Wednesday, we go for our heart test. Hoping it's a good first week of DST.

XOXO

Mommy

Anatomically Correct

Hello Baby,

Coming upon this day, after not seeing you for a few weeks, I've been crazy excited to see you and write to you tonight. Altho it was so awesome to see you at today's level 2 ultrasound where we got to see you and each of your body parts up close so they could better determine any abnormalities, the visit has left me feeling a wee-bit neurotic, thanks to my hypochondriassm (I hope this skips a generation!). Physically, you looked great - a beautiful face, what appears to be an extremely smart mind, two arms, two legs, cute teeny baby hands and feet, blood flowing throughout your little body and a strong heartbeat. Altho strong, it's your lil heart that ruffles my feathers. Nothing for me to lose sleep over (as if!), just something to be cautious about.

Ms. bad bedside manner Dr gave me quite a scare when she rushed in the room after the tech left us all happy and cheery and told me I had to lay back down so she could look at your heart. Then she proceeded to shush me when I started asking questions... the nerve. She didn't want me to speak because it interferes with the reading. First I've heard of this. Thank goodness, Daddy was there and was able to speak with her during the exam, which wound up going very well with her even apologizing for alarming us. She explained that an antibody in my blood-work alerted her of a condition that has a small risk of you developing heart problems. I guess we should be glad that she detected this but our initial reaction of her storming into the room was just so frightening. Ugh, some doctors really have no couth. Tomorrow, I need to call our Dr to speak with him and make sure her concern is justified. If he agrees, then for the next 8 weeks or so, we have to go in for a weekly ultrasound to monitor your heartbeat to make sure it stays just as strong as it was today.

Just this weekend, after sharing the wonderful news of you with more dear friends, I decided that I was going to stop worrying so much and stay positive. And I'm going to keep that promise because now is when you need me to be the strongest I've ever been in my life. I believe that my strength will pass itself into your little heart and keep it beating as fast as it should.

Oh, my sweet sweet potato, I love you so very much and I just know that someday when you read this, we will hug each other knowing this was merely a bump in the road. Our love will conquer all. How could it not when you are just the cutest!!!!

October 20 Level 2 Ultrasound

XOXO
Mommy

4 Fetal Months Old on 10/10/10

Hello Baby,

Daddy and I were so excited to see you today but when we got to the doctor's office, we were disappointed to learn... no ultrasound today :-( We have to wait until next Wed for our level 2 state screening to see you. We got to hear your heartbeat tho! It wasn't too clear because they didn't tell me that I couldn't wear any lotions/oils and I had on my 'stretch marks stay away' oil (so far seems to be working despite what the doctor says ha ha). The oil creates a lot of static on the doppler. Plus, you were moving around so much... so active you cute lil thing you, that we only got to hear your heart-beating clearly for a short while. Good thing is, it sounded very strong!

The doctor also did a lil trick that was very interesting. He measured my belly from the pelvic bone up to the firm part of my tummy and this distance in centimeters is supposed to be the number of weeks you are. You measured 17 centimeters, which is 17 weeks. You are ahead of schedule! (Or... I was just very bloated!) Everything else seems to be looking good so far and hopefully if your test next week comes back a-ok, then we only have 1 more ultrasound until we're nearing the end and no more tests, which is a good thing, sad but good. You can bet that I'll miss seeing you, my sweet turnip.

But we'll always have our Sunday photos. Yesterday morning, of course we took photos of the belly... here we are Mommy and Baby turnip! Trying a diff angle but not sure Momma is digging it.

Us 4 months together, 10/10/10

And here we are just last week in Tahoe on Malcolm's Deck at Heavenly looking at "The best view the whole world affords" (Mark Twain).

View of South Lake Tahoe, 10/1/10

This week you are listening up but we're not going to start talking to you or playing music to you yet because one of Dr. Medina's brain rules to raising a smart and happy child is to just let you be for now. You are just this teeny lil thing concentrating on growing and learning all you need to know for when you come into the world that we don't need to complicate things for you just yet. We will let you get used to Big Sister Stella's barking tho. You need to or else she'll constantly wake you up from your naps. And you're going to be a 2 nap a day baby or so I hope!!

And now I think it's time for me to nap for the evening. I'm starting to feel much better, fewer headaches, much less nausea and gagging, but still so tired. Till next time, lil Baby o'Mine...

XOXO
Mommy

6 Months from today (I Hope!)

Hello Baby,

Seems like there is an important milestone worth mentioning almost every day! Today, I am 6 months away from meeting you, my love. What a great thought to keep me going thru this hot day! I hope it's only 6 months, I'm sure by month 8, I'll be thinking less will be better as long as you are healthy.

Yesterday, I went maternity clothes shopping while Daddy watched football. You and me are stylin' in comfort now, Baby! Today, I am wearing my new dress built for 2 in a size 2 (love that my size doesn't change) and it's such a relief to my belly. It feels great! I'm sure you think so too. Now if only these first trimester symptoms would go away, then overall I'd feel great too. Soon enough, I guess. I hope. I pray.

But who can feel good in this heat anyway. Ugh. Good thing I'm not very pregnant in a hot NY summer. I can't bear this heatwave we're having and to think, there's no humidity ha. Can't imagine what it would be like to be nearing the end now especially if this heat was everyday - luckily it's not. So I'm glad I don't have to know. At least this time :)

Looking forward to it getting colder so I can sport my new staple outfits for 2 - belly flap jeans and stretchies, tank, sweater and uggs. Ah, comfort!

Hope you are happy happy happy that you're not being squished any longer. More room to grow!

XOXO
Mommy

A NY Kinda Weekend

Hello Baby,

It was your first NY stylin' weekend. The NY Giants played on Sunday Night Football (Daddy, Uncles Jon, Danno and Ben's favorite, even if they lost to Eli's brother, boo hoo), you had pizza from A Slice of NY (def the best pizza around here, yum) and we got to talk to a bunch more of our NY friends and family and tell them all about you (whoo-hoo!)!

So, I thought that since we're 3 month along now and we're going to start having more followers and everyone is eager to see us, that it was about time we updated our close-up, Mr. DeMille.

7-18-2010	9-19-2010

Might not be the best side-by-side comparison, but it's the best I got! I'll have to ask Daddy to be more observant of taking the pics from the same distance. And I think I need to change the outfit, it's not doing the girls any justice.

And here is what I looked like when we are at Kilauea for my birthday. You would think I was 6 months pregnant... geez! I look huge! I don't know why I'm so bloated some of the time but this is what I will look like every minute of every day soon enough... and I CAN'T WAIT!!!


We're a third of the way there. On Wednesday, we will officially be out of our first trimester, yay!! And today, we took our last injectable. No more shots, YES!!

Let's just keep hoping for smooth sailing.

XOXO
Mommy

You Oughta Be In Pictures

Hello Baby,

Look at you, look at you!

I love looking at you =)

XOXO

Tired Mommy

Mover and Shaker

Hello Baby,

I love you, I love you, I love you!! Daddy and I saw you today for the 4th time. It was awesome!! Oh em gee... you are a lil mover and shaker for sure. In the past two weeks, you moved your little self 180 degrees, you grew to the size of a large peach and you learned how to suck your thumb! We got to watch you flip all around - at one point you were on your stomach, then your back, then your side - this is when you were sucking your thumb. You were kicking your lil baby legs. What a show you put on for us. It was wild! I think you like being on camera :)

On top of all that, you are growing like a champ, you are 4 days ahead of schedule so you measured 13 weeks... lucky 13! The doctor attributed this to good genes, which your Daddy is taking all the credit for because he says the good genes are the smart genes, which are all his, HA, and good nutrition. This was a surprise since I have not been eating very well lately. But I'm trying to get back on track and no better reason than for you, Baby. I have to tell you tho, you have a really big head. This worries me. I really hope it stops growing so the rest of you can catch up. I don't want you looking like that Giada cooking lady on TV... well, if you're a girl at least. I can't think of a guy with a big head... oh, ha ha, yes I can, Andy Applehead from my Shorehaven days. LOL. Oh, I hope Marni or Karen reads this someday, they'll get a good laugh.

I'm glad I can laugh again. I feel like for the last few days, I've been holding my breath. Once again I was worried about nothing. Right before we left for Hawaii, I started feeling a bit better and then in Hawaii, I felt almost back to my ole self. So of course, I thought something was wrong. I must have associated being sick with being pregnant and feeling good with not feeling pregnant. But it just seems like you were enjoying your short jaunt to Hawaii - the flying, the 4x4ing, the snorkeling, even the stench of volcanic sulfur dioxide. We'll have to do it again when you are here with us in person, as opposed to in tummy, and can actually get to see all of its beauty. Next hot spot for you is Tahoe. I hope you enjoy another long car ride, gambling, gondola riding and scenic views. It's nice that we're all going to experience Tahoe together for the first time, even tho, well, you're not really experiencing much, but that's ok, my experiences must be having a good effect on you, my lil overachiever.

Speaking of overachieving, I'm glad we went to the doctor's today because since you are growing so fast, we almost missed taking our prenatal screening test. We are taking a test tomorrow morning that assesses your risk for any abnormalities. I'm trying not to think about it too much, it is what it is so all I can do is pray a little that everything turns out ok. I can't imagine you being anything less than perfect so I will just keep thinking this happy thought. It's kinda exciting that I get to see you again tomorrow, Daddy may come to see you too, but nerve wracking. I'm just going to try and get a good nights sleep, not think about it and stay positive. Easier to say than to do but I'm going to try... real hard.

I hope everything turns out ok. No matter what, I love you, Baby!

Will post pics of me and you very very soon. Sorry for being a slacker Mom.

XOXO

Mommy

Lime in the Coconut

Hello Baby,

Look at you! This ultrasound is from this past Wednesday when you were 10 weeks and 3 days. You are perfect! Exactly how the Doctor expected you to be - a lime in the coconut - and so much bigger than 2 weeks ago. Amazing how fast you are growing! Even tho you're just the size of a lime, you are a defined lime. Dr C pointed out your head, both your arms and legs, and he even said you have fingers and toes. But the best sight to see was you movin' around! You especially moved when I laughed. I can't feel anything but in just a few short weeks, I will. I can't wait!

Daddy is so excited to feel that first kick! He has already started talking to you. He's so cute. He puts his head on my belly and tries to hear you and he puts his hands on my belly and tries to feel for you. He goes back and forth wondering if you're a boy or a girl.

Big cousin Alyssa called today with a long list of baby girl names to review with us. She is just as excited as all the big people and cannot wait to meet you next summer. She's hoping you're a boy, even tho she's not so happy with your name if you are. Too funny that kid. If you're a boy, and with 8 little boys on our block and 0 girls, you very well might be, because there seems to be something in the water here, she will come to understand the meaning of tradition when she's older and appreciate why we chose to name you John. Although, we haven't quite figured out if we will just call you John or give you a nickname. How do you feel about JJ, Cinco, Jackie Junior, or John-John?!!

Aunt Jenny sent you your very first onesie... and a Yankee onesie at that. Adorbs! It's so teeny. It worries me a lil that you're going to be so small. I feel like I might hurt you when my big arms are holding you and my big hands are patting you on your back. But I will be very gentle, I promise. I would never do anything to hurt you... ever!

Right now, it hurts my heart knowing that even tho we will see you again in 2 weeks, after that we start seeing you only once a month. I'm glad not to go to the doctor's office so much, but I'm going to miss it too. If you change so much in 2 weeks, I can't imagine how much you're going to change in a whole month. I love getting to see how much you've grown. Even tho I really have no idea what's going on on the monitor, I can obviously tell that you went from just this lil blip, to a mini human.

I'm so glad things are looking so well, it's definitely making me relax a lot more. And in a few short days, we're going to be relaxing in Hawaii!! Whoo-hoo!

Hope you enjoy the plane ride and the trip. Aloha, Baby!

XOXO

Mommy

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

Hello Baby,

I realize that I haven't written in a while and that's because I'm so pooped all the time. This first trimester sickness has got me beat. My head is constantly pounding, and it doesn't help that I banged it, ouch. The cramps won't stop cramping and no matter how much I sleep, I want to sleep some more. Sometimes I wish I could just throw up to stop the nausea. Between all of that and work, there's no time for anything except a bite to eat here and there when I can stand it and of course, the Housewives, my favorite vice. But I'm not complaining, I'm just anxiously awaiting the second trimester so I can glow and grow!

A couple of new goings on. First off, I'm wondering if I'm carrying Popeye's baby because you seem to be ingesting a lot of iron, just like the Sailor Man. Which means Mommy is anemic and that means one more pill to take. One pill ends and another pill begins, toot toot.

I got one bit of good news this week. My dearest friend, Kathy Haven, Aunt Kathy to you sweetie, is coming to town. I get to tell her our fabulous news in person! This is so exciting!! She's gonna freak, I CAN NOT wait. Ah, but I can wait because I don't want to rush any time between now and then, especially not my 7 days in paradise. One last week of work we can rush most definitely.

Oh, and I guess you are starting to show because someone at work asked me if I was pregnant this week. I quickly blurted out that I was just getting fat because besides the fam, I still do not want to tell anyone for a few weeks. I felt bad for embarrassing her but I hope she understands when I do tell her. I just want to get thru these next 3 weeks before spreading the news. For the time being, I'm just going to concentrate on your little life and keep praying that you stay with us.

Tomorrow we are going camping outside of Big Sur. I wonder if Uncle Ben is going to ask if I have a bun in the oven. We'll have to wait and see...

And on Wednesday, we get to see you again, my lil kumquat!

XOXO

Mommy

Our Anniversary Day Baby

Hello Baby,

Today is Daddy and Mommy's 3 year wedding anniversary and we got to spend part of it with you, yay! This is what we saw...

Click Me To See My Deets

This is you, Baby! Two weeks ago, you were just a lil peanut (aka a blob) with a fast heart but now you've grown into a head and limbs with a fast heart. And you are SO cute all sprawled out on your back with your arms and legs flailing!! And I was right to call you an overachiever all those weeks ago, because today I was proven right. In age you are 8 weeks and 3 days, but in size you are 8 weeks and 4 days. Whoo-hoo!

It was amazing seeing you on the ultrasound today and I can't wait to see you again in two weeks because you're gonna be so different, so much more baby like, so human. You won't be our little cashew nut, you'll probably be our sweet date by then!

I am so happy, sick too, but the happy part of me took hold of my heart today and made everything feel great. It was the best day. Between seeing how much you're growing and celebrating 3 years of married bliss, I was in seventh heaven. My fears are subsiding knowing that the cramping I've been feeling is due to me making room for you to live comfortably in my belly.

Get cozy Baby, we're in for a long ride!

XOXO

Mommy

2 months... SO tired

Hello Baby,

Yay! Another milestone reached, Baby. Two thirds thru our first trimester. Yippee!

I'm really hoping I just have 4 more weeks of feeling the way I did these past few days because it has been no picnic. If it weren't for life getting in the way and I was able to just stay in bed and wake up every two hours to have something to eat, I could cope better. My head is pounding, I feel queasy and I'm just SO tired. I simply have no energy and no desire to muster up any energy to be fabulously pregnant with you. The few times I made it out of the house were exhausting. Daddy and I went to the movies to see the The Other Guys. I guess it was ok - I laughed some... I slept some. I'm definitely not looking forward to 3 more weeks of work before vacay feeling this way. I'm going to try to sleep as much as possible in order to save my energy for Hawaii and celebrating the end of our first trimester there.

If I look the way I do now for a few more weeks then I can probably get away with my pre-pregnancy clothes for the trip. But even tho I'm still not really showing, everything just feels so tight. You are a slight bump and when I feel more up to it, I'll figure out how to layout comparison pics, side by side, so we can see your progression. Html research is not my fave.

Belly side view - 8 weeks

Mommy Baby Weigh- In

We've gained 2.5 pounds in 4 weeks, Baby. You're not noticeable yet but the weight gain is going to come quicker and your growth spurts are going to start coming fast and furious. I'm expecting you to be 1 inch long and to weigh 0.1 oz when Daddy and I see you on Wednesday, which also happens to be our 3 year wedding anniversary.

Daddy and I are looking forward to another special day with you! Wednesday can't come fast enough. By now, you're probably no longer my lil peanut but rather my lil cashew nut!

XOXO

Mommy

7 weeks and we have followers

Hello Baby,

You are 7 weeks old today, hooray, Baby! Still nothing too notable to note unless you consider that I'm starting to feel quite tired, a little dizzy here and there, some minor cramping and what I'm referring to as pre-nausea spells since I haven't actually gotten sick yet. But hey, other than that, all is well. I read somewhere that morning sickness can begin at week 6 so might make some sense that I'm feeling this way. I think today has been the worst of it and I'm very much looking forward to a good night's sleep after a fun day in Napa with you, Daddy and Big Sister Stella. We have blood tests to look forward to tomorrow morning, yay, my favorite... pause... not.

Something notable to note is that Gramma Linda and Aunt Ryan are following us, yay, we got our first non-parent followers! And Grandma Gladys says she is reading along too.

I think Gramma Linda is already knitting you your first baby blanket. We'll need it for your arrival since it's still chilly here at the end of March. Daddy still has one of his first baby blankets that Gramma knitted him. It's actually right here on the couch with me. That means it's almost 31 years old, wow, hopefully you'll keep yours that long too. If not, I'll keep it for you since it's so special to me too :)

And you are the most special thing in my life, Baby. I don't even mind feeling like crap today, you're all worth it, little peanut. I love you!

XOXO

Mommy

Oh, what a day! What a very special day for us!

Hello Baby,

Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom! That's your little heart pitter-pattering inside my belly on the ultrasound. Today we saw you, our little peanut, for the first time and it was incredible! To think that somewhere inside me is another heart beating twice as fast as mine, amazing! I want to sleep with our first picture of you under my pillow but Daddy won't let me because I'll wrinkle it. He wants to keep it pristine, and so do I, of course, even tho I already got in trouble for twisting it around my finger. I'll just put it in my pregnancy planner along with all my other treasures of you.

These pictures are of you from today at 6 weeks and 4 days old - which is really only 4 weeks and 4 days old but I'll keep letting the doctors think what they want. Right now, you are feeding off the yolk inside your sac. Don't worry, you're not a chicken, at least I don't think so. Daddy may think otherwise. If you turn out to be a chicken tho, we have lots of chicken friends for you on the cul-de-sac :)

After we saw you, we celebrated by... what else... eating! But the fun part came tonight when we called your family. Lots of congratulations, some gasps and I even think some dancing! We were so happy to share the news and hear all the different reactions. You made a lot of people very happy, sweet baby of mine! And I'm at the tippy top of that list. I love you so very much and look forward to seeing you again in 2 short weeks.

XOXO

Mommy

Six Weeks Pregnant, Oh My!

Hello Baby,

I can't believe we're six weeks through our first trimester already - not actually 6 weeks pregnant, it's really only 4 but the way they count, oy. Regardless, this can only mean one thing Baby, we're halfway to letting everyone know all about you! Yay! Aah, relief is right around the corner... will feel so good to get this off our chests and into the hearts of many!

And in four more days, we are going to see your lil heartbeat. SO SO SO SO excited!!! And so excited to tell your great-grandrents, all your grandparents, aunts and uncles that you're finally here.

Today I learned that by the end of the day, I gained 5 pounds since I weighed in this morning. Just makes me wonder if that is normal. I've never weighed myself at the beginning and then at the end of my day before. But my stomach was so big at bedtime that I was curious. By morning it'll all be gone tho (where does it go?!). Science is not my strong suit but I look forward to relearning the basics (and then some) all over again with you when you're in school and helping you with your homework. You have some smart genes, not many people have an aunt that's a rocket scientist, so I think you'll do just fine in school.

Everything is still status quo, well, there's one thing that's different... er, I mean bigger. I've had a visit from a certain fairy that has made your Daddy very happy :) He is loving this pregnancy thing :)

And I love you my little peanut. Let's get some good sleep so the veins are well rested for tomorrow's blood draw.

XOXO
Mommy

Could Daddy be Right?

Hello Baby,

You got some great beta levels today and Daddy won the bet, but of course. His bet was 5,210, mine was 2,121 and beta was 6,952. You can clearly see that Mommy's not very good at this game. Oh well. We have to wait until next Thursday to see if Daddy's suspicion is right that there's more than one of you in there. Seems like there's a good chance. How awesome would that be?!!

Ugh, if so, then we're going to have to start thinking harder for more girl names. We don't even have one picked out, let alone two, but at least we have 8 months to think on it. I think it will just come to us at some point. If you're a boy or boys, we're all set with that. Just need a good nickname for Jackie Junior.

So no changes to note yet... I feel the same physically and generally, great all around, still smiling like crazy, and dancing on my feet and in my head whenever I think, "Yay! I'm pregnant!", which is basically every minute of every day. Nurse Nancy said I was glowing today and I'm sure I am, inside and out. You're not showing yet, I think I still have a few months to go for that, but I do feel my pants getting tighter already. Could be because I'm enjoying lots of yummy food that Daddy's been preparing lately for us - however many of us that may be!

Even though you're still our little secret, along with my pants, I just want to bust out with the news - this is by far the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. I can't wait to tell everyone about you. I want time to fly by so I can finally meet you but on the other hand, I don't want it to because I want to savor every minute of it, of you, of us so close together. I can't imagine loving you anymore than I already do, my sweet angel.

XOXO

Mommy

A pleasant torture

Hello Baby,

Six pokes of the needle before they finally got the IV going today. I hope you don't get my veins.

XOXO

Mommy

Already an overachiever

Hello Baby,

Today was another good day in the life of Mommy and Baby. I went back to the doctor's office this morning to take my second beta test and instead of my levels increasing by 60%, which is normal, you exceeded expectations and more than doubled! What does this mean? Well, your daddy thinks that maybe there's another one of you inside me, even though on Saturday, Nurse Liz said no. But we can't rule him out because he's a betting man and he guessed today's beta would be 379 and it was 376. Pretty darn close. So, let's see what our beta is on Monday and if there's another one of you, then rock on! I just think it means you are trying your little hardest to stay. It makes me so happy knowing that you want to be a part of our family. Keep up the good work, Baby!

I don't exactly understand how they figure out the day you will grace us with your presence, but my due date was off... I get to meet you even sooner, whoo-hoo! We're looking forward to your arrival on 3/27/11. I don't care if you're on time, early or late, come when you're ready - all I hope is what every parent hopes for - a healthy, smart, beautiful and bouncy bundle of joy. Until then, I'll take good care of you, my lil peanut.

On Wednesday, we go for an infusion to fortify my body to be baby-friendly. It won't hurt either of us, well if they have a hard time getting the needle in me, it'll hurt me for sure, but don't worry, I'm used to it. Since all I want is to protect you and keep you safe inside me, I'll deal with the pain.

I hope you felt the good vibes today here in the outside world - you even got a hug from Dr. Z... we knew he could do it! Him, his staff, everyone at Dr. Contro's office, Alison and Petra are cheering you on, along with your loving parents.

Rah rah rah! Grow grow grow!

XOXO

Mommy

Waking up pregnant

Hello Baby,

Today is Day 1 of waking up and knowing for certain you are mine. Ours. Mine and Daddy's. All ours!

I know this blog will be viewed by others someday soon and I can't believe how brave I'm being but I want to document everything about us.

**Readers Beware, altho the following material is rated PG and honestly, there are more clothes below than at the beach, I warn you to proceed with caution LOL**

Ok Baby, I'm going to show you how you are blooming inside me in pictures of us throughout our 9 months in unison, so you can see how we blossom together.

This is our first morning together - me, you and Daddy - he, of course, is taking the pictures. I think I'm already glowing :) :) :)

Belly side view, July 18, 2010

Holding you in my hands already

Not many women are honest about their weight but in this case, who cares. I want to remember everything and what better way than putting us on the scale - let's watch us grow in numbers too. This has pretty much been around my trying to get pregnant weight for quite a while now. The vanity is gone. The muscles are gone. Being fit is gone. I haven't cared about being skinny in recent years much because they say when preparing for baby, you need some meat on your bones. Good thing I'm blessed with good genes - and if the divine is listening, I'm hoping in the end, for a quick bounce back. But for now, let's see how much we like to eat and watch how fast and high those numbers will go!

Our Starting Weight

Good thing I have a pedicure! Now, about that flip-flop tan... argh.

Dada can't believe you're really real yet, but who can blame him, it took us so long to find you, but once he sees us growing and sees your little heart beating it will all feel really real for him, and I guess me too, since I'm still a bit in shock since I don't feel any different. We want to see proof! Then, we'll get to finally tell people about you. I think we'll start with your 2 sets of grandparents, as there is one set of them, your Daddy's parents, who will finally have their first grandchild. We'll let them know all about you as soon as we hear and see your fetal heartbeat go ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom. Everyone is going to be SO excited!

Now, I'm definitely still in seventh heaven, on a cloud, floating high above. But all I can think of is... please stay. Stay. Stay. Stay, my little baby. I love you so very much.

XOXO
Mommy

The Day We've Been Waiting For

Hello Baby,

I never thought this day would come but you are finally here! ! ! Inside me, in my belly!! I can't believe I am pregnant with you, OMG! I love you so much already, my sweet child. I knew I would explode with happiness when this day finally came but I am so overwhelmed by these feelings of joy. I can't stop thinking about you and smiling. I wish you could've seen our reactions when the nurse called with the news, me and my ecstatic tears, your mommy is a crier, that's for sure - and Daddy's face totally lit up with a grin from ear to ear. I know you felt our exuberance. Our embrace. Our love.

Oh Baby, I've loved you before you even existed. To me, you were always there, we just needed to find the same path so that we could be together. And now, 13 days after your conception, I know we are one. Next, I look forward to seeing your heartbeat shortly. I look forward to you growing inside me, a little bit of me, a little bit of Daddy. I'm going to have the big belly that I've wished for for so long! I look forward to it all - the good, the bad and the ugly of what I can expect while I'm expecting you to arrive. And on or around 4/4/11, I look forward to the day I get to meet you, hold you, kiss you. I look forward to that day when our eyes meet and our fingers touch. Best of all, I just look forward to being your Mommy for the rest of my life (-:

Someday, Daddy and I will explain how it took almost 3 years for you to come to be and how we never gave up hope, never gave up trying. How all our (your!) family and friends (and the doctors and nurses and acupuncturists) were cheering us on - so many people had an interest in helping you find your place in the world - and excitedly anticipating the first Baby Fitzgerald. And now you are real... really real and you are going to have so many loved ones from coast-to-coast. Even if we won't share our news with everyone just yet, they will know soon enough and I know they'll all be delighted and eager to meet you. For now, we will keep you all to ourselves while you are still growing stronger and bigger everyday.

Aside from all the joy, today is also a relief. Relief from the aches and pains and fears - they have all subsided and you have completed me - I am so thankful for my angel who finally brought you to me. I love you and always will, Baby! I will take good care of you, sweetheart.

XOXO

Mommy