Oh, yeah. My 35 week (and a few days) picture.

(I forgot to post this last week. On Tuesday, I'll be 37 weeks, and we'll take a picture then. I am basically the size of the Hindenburg right now. You are one healthy little girl.)

The Miracle of Birth

Dear Maddie,

I'm going to tell you a secret. When they talk about "the miracle of birth," they aren't just talking about bringing a new life into the world. They are talking about the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, in which a soon-to-be-mom becomes so uncomfortable that she actually begins to look forward to labor and delivery! It's pretty amazing. Just a month ago, I watched your Auntie Nan give birth, and I thought, "Heck no. Not doing that." Now, I'm 36 weeks pregnant, and oh man, I'm ready for you. It is sort of hard to stand up these days. It feels like someone has kicked me repeatedly in the crotch. (The doctor says you're really low.) My belly is suddenly pretty massive -- your dad has referred to it as "Fat Albert," which I will probably think is funnier when I'm not mega pregnant, and I've basically been living in pajama bottoms and nursing tank tops, because everything else is uncomfortable. (I have counted the number of times I'll have to be in public before you are born. The number is six, as long as you're on time. If you're late, it might be more like eight. I will reserve my uncomfortable clothes for those six to eight times, and the pajamas/tank tops will be my uniform the rest of the time.) I'm still having low blood pressure issues, which means no driving for me until you arrive. So, you know, if you get the urge to come just a little early (but after you're full term), as long as you're all developed and pudgy, please feel free! We're ready for you!

Love,
Your Mom

34 weeks!

Healthy Little You

Well, Maddie, it's been a crazy weekend.

First, there were the very sharp pains in my cervix. (Kind of like needles. Yowch.) Then there was the almost passing out in childbirth class (several times). Then there was the dizzy spell this morning. Your dad and I were pretty freaked out, to be honest. I kept thinking, "What if this is preeclampsia? And I have to go into labor tomorrow, at 34 weeks? I don't even have my hospital bag packed! And what if your lungs aren't ready, yet?" Fortunately, it's not preeclampsia. It's just low blood pressure. Woo! And the cervical pain? That's you, my little peanut. That's your head, banging against my cervix. You're already in position, and you want out. (I hate to tell you this, but I won't be full term for another three weeks, so you've got to keep your pants on and cool it with the escape plan for now.) Can you believe that your due date is in six weeks? Neither can I! The OB said you're measuring 32 centimeters, and he thinks you're going to be between 7 and 8 pounds at birth.

I'm feeling so relieved. Relieved that the dizziness is normal, and relieved that you're super healthy and staying in there for at least a few more weeks. Still, it really might be almost time to pack that hospital bag. Just in case. Just to have it ready.

Love,

Your Mom

This would be much cooler as a flip book.

32 Weeks
30 Weeks
28 Weeks
25 Weeks
23 Weeks
20 Weeks
18 Weeks

16 Weeks

15 Weeks

33 Weeks

Dear Maddie,

This is going to be a doozy of a blog post, because there is so much to tell you! Well, first of all, I am 33 weeks pregnant with you. I'm full term in four weeks, and your due date is three weeks after that. You are going to be with us very, very soon, and we are so excited to meet you! Your dad was born at 33 weeks, which is pretty crazy to think about. But you stay in there for a few more weeks, and gain some weight, and continue kicking your mom in the organs, okay?

Your cousin Robert was born on April 1st! I got to be in the room with your Auntie Nancy, and while it did make me a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous) about going through my own labor and delivery, it was pretty amazing to see. And that sweet little baby at the end of it all definitely makes everything worth it. Your dad and I are going to take a tour of the hospital this Thursday, and our all-day childbirth class is on Sunday. The week after next is our breastfeeding class, and then that's it! No more classes, just the real thing. Holy smokes.

Your dad and I are in the middle of buying a beautiful house. If all goes as planned, we'll close right before you arrive! Cross your teeny tiny fingers! I know what you're thinking. "Mom and Dad, are things always going to be this hectic? You're buying a house right before you're having a baby? Are you nuts?" Hopefully things won't always be this hectic, peanut. In fact, I don't think it's even possible for things to always be this hectic. Within a year, we've gotten married, moved across the country, your dad's started a new job, your mom's finished graduate school, and we'll have bought a house and had our baby. Most years are not going to be quite like this one!

On March 17th, your Memere and Auntie Nancy threw us a big, wonderful baby shower! I know you can't see or play with the gifts yet, but I assure you -- you received a lot of awesome things from your family! It was a big, co-ed family shower, and we had such a fun time. Your Grandma Jill even flew out for it!

Today, I have a whole lot of laundry to do, and I should really get started on the Thank You notes for the shower gifts (don't worry, Maddie, I'll teach you all about Thank You notes. I used to love writing and sending them. Pregnancy has slowed me down a bit, but it certainly hasn't stopped me! These notes will get mailed. It just may take me awhile), and you're going to keep me company the whole time.

Love,

Mom

What Have Your Parents Been Up To?

Dear Maddie,

On Tuesday, I'll be in my third trimester! That means we're just three months away from seeing your cute little face. Next month (March 17th) is my baby shower, and it's co-ed, which means your daddy, Uncle Michael, Ooompa and lots of the other men in our family will be there, as well as lots of the women and kids in our family. Everyone will be there to celebrate you! Your Grandma Jill is even flying out from Indiana, which we are very excited about! Your Memere and Auntie Nancy are planning the whole thing, and it makes me so happy (and a little weepy!) to think about how loved you are already.

Your daddy and I have been getting ready for your arrival! I'm washing your little clothes and packing them away until you're here to wear them, and your daddy and I are looking at houses and setting up your nursery area. We're all signed up for our April childbirth and breastfeeding classes, and for the tour of the hospital where you'll be delivered!

Last week it was your Auntie Nancy's baby shower for Robert, and I sat next to your Memere. You started bouncing around, and Memere got to feel you for the first time! I'll be sure to drink some ice water (or orange juice) when your Grandma Jill is visiting, so that she can feel you, too.

You stay cozy in there, and keep up the wiggling! It's both cute and very reassuring!

Love,

Mommy