Wesley Ross!

You have a new cousin! Wesley Ross was born last night at 11:57 pm. He weight 8 lbs. 5 oz. I cant wait for you to meet him!

28 Weeks!

Dear Jorie,

This week was certainly busy! With Christmas this past Tuesday, you kept mom and dad hopping! We took you to go see Santa on Saturday morning. You seemed a little overwhelmed by the experience. You didn't cry at all, but you wouldn't smile for the camera either. Of course you charmed everyone while we were there, Santa even was reluctant to hand you back! 

You got to have a white Christmas on your first Christmas! We haven't taken you out in the snow yet, but Your father did bring a little snow ball inside for you to play with. You seemed intrigued, and were upset that we wouldn't let you eat it.

Speaking of Christmas, you made out like a bandit! You got tons of new books, clothes and toys from everyone! We're going to have to figure out a way to store all this new stuff now! Your Aunt Becky even got a shelf for your room, so I'll be able to start at least trying to get your room organized. 
 

After I have a chance to go back through everything, I'll make a list of all of the things you got this Christmas, just so I can look back on the list and be amazed. You even got a bag full of clothes from Dotty, a good friend of your Great-Grandma Ross.

Your father and I were very surprised and touched by the Ornament that you made for us (with help from your Grandma and Grandpa O!) It has a picture of you and your hand prints along with the date, your name and "Baby's first Christmas."  

Your father and I didn't buy you too many things this year, since we knew everyone else was going to shower you with gifts. We figured we'd save it up for when you'll actually enjoy opening the presents. We did however get you a couple of toys, which we had you "open" mostly at Grandma and Grandpa O's. 

Your Uncle Chris and his Girlfriend Kim were there for Christmas this year. They both had a great time playing with you, and you were nice enough not to scream at your Uncle Chris this time! 

You're getting really good at jumping in the jumper now, and you spent most of Christmas Eve happily bouncing and spinning some of the toys. It's amazing to watch you jumping up and down and laughing.  Your father got some video of you going crazy in the jumper. I can't believe how quickly you're growing!

You've started to babble a lot lately. You like to "talk" to us and get a kick out of it when we talk back. You're also standing unsupported, although we have to stand you up first. You still aren't crawling, but you do roll around to get where you want to go. 

Your food repertoire keeps growing. This week we're starting Avocado! On Christmas we sprung for some fancy blended organic baby foods, so you got a nice change up from Mommy's bland one food blends. We also mixed some pears into your oatmeal when we fed it to you, and you really seemed to enjoy that. I did get a couple baby food cook books for Christmas, so you can look forward to some awesome new foods soon!

I love you so much baby girl, Merry Christmas!
 

27 Weeks!

Dear Jorie,

So much has happened this week. So much to think about and so much that you'll never know. Some horrible things happened this week, things I hope you never have to understand. It's made me appreciate you so much more, made me so much more grateful to have you in our lives.

On a sunnier note, we had your Uncle and Aunt take pictures of you for Christmas. We had a great time getting you to smile for the camera. You seemed to have a good time playing with the Christmas bulbs and rolling around on the fuzzy blanket.The pictures turned out really good. I'm glad we took the time to have them done. Even if your father and I haven't gotten it together enough to use them for Christmas cards, It'll be great to have these when you're not such a tiny munchkin anymore.

This week we started you on peas, and let me tell you, you are not a fan. We've gotten the strongest reaction yet out of you with these. When I try to feed them to you, you make a horrible face, clamp your mouth shut and turn your head away. I've managed to get maybe a spoonful into your mouth total over the past two days. We'll keep trying, hopefully you'll warm up to them like you did with the carrots.

We have our Christmas tree up and lights on it, but we haven't decorated it yet. I can't believe next week is your first Christmas. I can't believe you're six months old. Time is passing so fast. Last night, while I was up for the second time rocking you back to sleep I realized that as hard as the nights are when you don't sleep, I wouldn't trade them for anything. I know that some day, way too soon, I won't be rocking you back to sleep anymore. 

I love you baby girl.

26 Weeks!

Dear Jorie,

It's been another busy week for us baby girl! You started eating Carrots, which I think you still are not a big fan of, and Apples, which you absolutely love. You continue to move around with more purpose, rolling to get to something you want, grasping things easily and you're working on getting yourself up into a sitting position.

Last friday we went to a craft show at the Community Space, so you got to see Lisa and Ezra again! Everyone loved you, as usual, and you were an absolute darling while we were there.

You've had some rough nights lately baby girl, getting really fussy around 6 or 7 at night, but for the most part, you're still sleeping through the night (although you do wake up around 6:30, which is a tad early for my taste!)

We started putting you to sleep in the crib this week, which was a big move for me and your father. You didn't seem to care that much! We also got the baby monitor set up, so we can put you to sleep at a consistent time, even if me and your father are not quite ready for sleep.

On Saturday we went with your Grandparents and got them a Christmas tree and decided to get us a small one. We got a very small tree, it's maybe four feet tall. You were very well behaved (and very cute in your Santa hat) but you seemed unimpressed by the trip. Our tree is up now in our bedroom, but not decorated. The next step is to get some lights and maybe some ornaments on it. Maybe you'll be a bit more impressed with it then!

You've also been playing a lot of Peekaboo with us lately! You'll pull your blanket up to cover your face and hold it there until we say "Where's Jorie?" then you'll pull it down and laugh as we say "There she is!"

I love you so much Jorie Bear. These days are going by so fast!

6 months old today!

Happy 6 month birthday baby girl!

We love you so much!

25 Weeks!

Dear Jorie,

This week you took your first trip out to Westfield to visit your great-grandmother. You did very well on the trip out there, I think you slept the entire car ride. You were as charming as always during dinner and right up until it was time to go to bed. Then you just. would. not. sleep! Me and your father did not get much sleep on Saturday night!

Your great-grandma Ross was really happy to get some time with you, and really enjoyed holding and playing with you. You seemed to have a good time playing peek-a-boo with her and just sitting in her lap looking cute.

On monday we went to our friend Farley's annual holiday party. You were in rare form, giggling and smiling at all the people. There was a chorus of "Awwww"s that followed us everywhere we went. Our friend Stephen got to meet you for the first time. He was properly in awe of you, although he was very unsure about holding you! I think he was afraid he'd break you.

Last night at the Ross family dinner, we gave you Carrots for the first time. You reacted the same way you did when I fed you sweet potatoes for the first time, you made the "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!" face and squished them out of your mouth. But you did eat a couple of spoon fulls, so I'm confident you'll get used to them and learn to love them just like you did with the sweet potatoes. I'm not sure what we'll feed you next, but I'm looking forward to it!

I love you so much baby girl.

Thanksgiving, new foods, and a street fair, Oh my! 24 Weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

I know I'm late writing this week, but it's been a busy week. Last Thursday was Thanksgiving, and your father and I had four whole days in a row at home with you. It was great to be able to spend so much time at home with you. I really missed just having that morning time with you when you're in a good mood and want to cuddle.

Thanksgiving was great, we got all of your grandparents together over at Grandma and Grandpa O's, and you had Sweet Potato for the first time. You really did not like it at first, I'm not sure if it was the taste or the texture. They weren't as sweet as the pears you've been eating, and they were definitely less soupy. We had to give up after a few spoonfuls, since you just kept squishing it back out of your mouth. You were more than happy to gulp down the pears I brought with us though. We gave the Sweet Potatoes another try that Saturday, and you liked them better the second time. You've been eating them with just as much gusto as the pears since then. Next up will be carrots!

That Saturday your father and I went to the mall and got ourselves new phones, and since then we've been having a great time taking lots of pictures and movies of you! Your father even took a really cute movie of you "playing" the keyboard. He's very proud of your budding musical talent! Another really adorable video we have is of you doing "baby fist bumps" with mommie and daddy, and laughing hysterically every time.

Tuesday night at your Grandma & Grandpa R's, you had a great time playing with the "piano" toy on the bouncy chair. You've gotten the hang of hitting almost all the different buttons, so it'll say the different colors, and you've realized there are bits at the top that spin. When you would hit the keys we would cheer and you would give off one of your adorable cough/laughs.

At Grandma and Grandpa O's on Wednesday, we set up some toys hanging over the pack'n'play. You were so cute playing with them. You've gotten very good at grabbing things. You love to pull them in to your mouth and sometimes to move them from hand to hand.

The rest of this week has been busy for your father and I, but nothing too exciting for you, except for last night! Last night we went to the Park Ave "Open House", they had all the shops open, a Christmas tree, a guy doing ice sculptures, and some horse drawn carriages. There were carolers, a couple of bands, and even somewhere you could get your picture taken with Santa.

I carried you in the Baby B.jorn turned around facing out for the first time. You were all bundled up in some fleece footies and your warm coat with the bear ears on the hood. You seemed to have a good time walking around looking at everything. You got a big kick out of the horse and cart, I'm not sure if it was the big moving thing or the lights on it, but whenever you saw it you would hoot and wiggle excitedly.

It's been an exciting week, baby girl. We still have the excitement of Christmas to look forward to! I love you so much Jorie-bear!

23 Weeks Old!

Dear Jorie,

I'm sorry I've been horribly delinquent in writing these letters to you. It's hard sometimes to remember to stop and write a letter about all the little things that are going on. Life moves so fast now, and I don't want to forget any of it.

After I wrote the last letter to you, me and your Father decided that it was time to start you on solid food. So on Saturday the 10th, one day short of your 5 month birthday, we mixed you up your very first batch of oatmeal. You looked so small in the big highchair! You really seemed to like eating, and you were way neater than I was expecting. We fed you 1 oz of oatmeal every night that week in addition to your normal breast milk and formula diet.

This past Saturday we added pureed pears to your menu. You loved the pears! You sometimes would get a little frustrated at us for not feeding you faster and you would grab at the spoon and try to put it in your mouth. It's so adorable. You lean towards us with your mouth open and make little "aaah!" noises if we take too long getting you the next spoonful. We started you off with 1 oz of the pureed pears and have moved up to 2 oz. You gobble it down happily now, you're a total pro at this eating thing! The best part of this is that you've finally started to really fill out. I'm hoping that when we go to the doctor for your 6 month check up, you'll be back on a normal growth curve. This week is Thanksgiving, so I made you some pureed sweat potato for you to eat with the rest of us. I'm planning on feeding you some of that and some pears so you get enough to eat and
                                          aren't jealous of the rest of us and all our food.

This past Sunday was your Aunt Becky's baby shower, and you were once again the hit of the party. Even with a couple of other babies there to share the spotlight, you were in your element, getting passed around and soaking in the adoration.

Recently you've figured out you can roll to get somewhere, and your Great Aunt says you rolled clear across the room on Monday. You're also getting to be an old Pro at assisted sitting, it won't be long before there's no "assisted" necessary! You're still working on sitting up, but luckily for your father and me you haven't mastered that yet. We still need to transition you to sleeping in the crib!

You've been going through spates of not sleeping well lately, which has been hard on your father and me, although last night you slept the whole night through. You woke up in a great mood, and were being really cute for your Grandparents before I left for work today. It was really hard to leave you today. You were being very cute with your smiles and laughs, and were playing happily with all the toys that were hanging over the pack'n'play. I'm looking forward to having four whole days home with you.

I love you so much Jorie Bear. You amaze me every day.

21 weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

So not long after I wrote the last letter, you got your very first fever. It's apparently a common side effect from one of the shots you were given. It topped out at 101.3, which isn't that high, but me and your father were a wreck until your temperature came down. You were a little grumpy but mostly just sleepy. Me and your father woke up and took your temperature ever couple of hours all night, and the fever started coming down around 6am, much to our relief.

There really isn't much to report other than that, life is chugging along as normal. Which is to say, busy, but nothing that notable. Me and your father have been trying to work on getting you used to the crib a bit, so we can transition you soon. I'm still not looking forward to that.

You don't really know it yet, but yesterday was a very important election, especially for you little girl! There was a presidential election where one of the candidates was backing certain political factions that were pushing things like the "personhood amendments" which would effectively end the legal use of birth control, and repealing the Lilly Ledbetter act, which guaranteed equal pay for women. It was scary for us women out here for a bit there, but luckily enough of the country kept it's collective head and that candidate was not elected. In fact, during the same election a few more states ratified marriage equality laws.

Sometimes I wonder what you will think when you look back at the time I grew up in. My hope is that you will look back on the laws I lived under for most of my life with a kind of wonder and horror that we ever restricted a women's right to choose what to do with her body or a person's right to choose who to marry. Oh baby girl, I hope so strongly that you will grow up in a world much more fair and free than you were born into. I hope with all my heart and soul that when you grow up and get a job, your lady parts wont matter one bit to someone hiring you, and will be no one's business but your own (and whomever you share your life with.)

Last night I caught a glimmer of hope that that might be a true future. I love you baby girl. Grow up strong and proud.

4 month doctor visit

Dear Jorie,

We went to your 4 month doctor visit today ( a little late I know.) You charmed the nurses again with your big smiles and the doctor was impressed with your strength and alertness.

You measured 24.5" long and weighed in at 10 lbs 14 oz. The doctor showed me on the growth curves how you are ahead of the curve on length, but way below the curve on weight. She told me to keep an eye on it, and to think about starting you on solid foods early.

You also got some shots today. I know they hurt, and I'm really sorry about that. When the nurse did the first shot you turned bright red and then started bawling. You calmed down a little when I held and rocked you, but you started crying again while I was getting you dressed and into your car seat.

You were a little fussy all the way home, and even a little fussy while I nursed you, but as soon as you were finished nursing and cuddled up against me you drifted off to sleep. Right now you are sleeping soundly in the Mama.Roo, all bundled up and cozy under the blanket I knit you.

I'm going to try to put off starting you on solid foods until at least your 5 month birthday, because some studies have shown an increase in allergies when foods are introduced early. You're only about a week away from 5 months old anyways, so I think we can hold out for that.

I love you Jorie bear.

20 Weeks Old!

Dear Jorie,

This week was an exciting one. There were hurricanes and Halloween costumes. There was a relatively laid back weekend and a busy-as-normal week.

This Monday and Tuesday were dominated by Hurricane Sandy bearing down on NYC. You don't know them yet, but we have a lot of friends that live down there. Me and your Father lived there for four years. So we know and are very fond of many places in the city that took a lot of damage. A couple of our favorite people up here (Lisa, Alex and Ezra) are from NYC as well, so they shared our shock at seeing some of our old haunts underwater. Luckily, all of our friends came out the other side ok, with no major loss of property so far.

Wednesday you got to go to your Grandma and Grandpa O's early because of my work schedule, and you got to stay there all day, instead of only for a few hours. They said you had a great time playing with sir prance-a-lot, a stuffed horse toy that they rigged to hang over you while you're in the bouncy chair there.

After I picked you up, we went home and got you dressed up in your Ladybug costume and took you out to show you off. We visited your Great Grandparent DeGraffs, Your Grandma and Grandpa O's, Your Grandpa R's, and then we went to see your Grandma R and Alex and Lisa over at the community space. You had a great time in your costume, you seemed to really enjoy it, I think it was because it was nice and warm! This picture was taken at our last stop by your Grandma R. You were starting to get a bit sleepy by that point, but you still gave big smiles to everyone (even if they were hard to catch on camera!)

I love you so much baby girl!

19 Weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

Oh man baby girl, this was a busy week! Between your Great-Grandma Ross, your Great Aunt Jean, your Great Uncle Howard, and Your Uncle Chris all coming into town this weekend, and my company having a fall picnic, we were VERY busy.

Your father was sick on Friday, so we really didn't do anything on Friday, But Saturday we made up for it!

Saturday morning we headed out to Long Acre Farms for the TLF Graphics company picnic.  You got to see a lot of the people I work with again, and you gave everyone big smiles. You got to pet a goat, but didn't seem very interested in it. So I pet the goat and held you up so you could look at it. I don't think you were very impressed, since the goat was smaller than our dog.  The owners of the company gave everyone a voucher for a free pumpkin, so after lunch we headed down to pick one out and get some pictures of you with the pumpkins. You were not very amused by the pumpkins, but you sat very nicely long enough for your father and I to snap a couple pictures before we picked a pumpkin and headed home.

Your father and I spent Saturday afternoon, after we got back cleaning up the house so it was in tip top shape for when your Great-Grandma Ross and company showed up to see it. Your Uncle Michael and Aunt Becky showed up too. They all ended up sticking around and having dinner at our house, which your Great-Uncle Howard cooked. I think he used ever dish we own (we really don't have enough dishes for a dinner party!) I don't think everyone left until close to midnight. You were, as always the life of the party. Everyone loves you so much! Your Great-Grandma Ross brought you a couple of new toys, one of which was a rattle with a teether on one end. You were very happy to chew on that for a while.

Sunday we went to brunch with the Ross side of the family at Mario's. It was an amazing buffet, and when you were hungry, they were nice enough to let me nurse you in an office, since they didn't have anywhere else private for me to feed you.

After brunch we headed over to my parents house and you got to meet your Uncle Chris for the first time. He was really excited to meet you, and was a little too boisterous when he first held you. He yelled at one point and you just burst out crying. It's the first time any of us had seen you react like that! Luckily you calmed down really quick and he was careful to be calmer the next time he held you.

Your Uncle Chris lives in Chicago, and is the source of all the Chicago sports stuff you have now. He brought you a giant Bully the bull (the Chicago Bull's mascot), and a Cubs piggy bank. We made sure you were wearing the Bull's outfit he bought for you way back before you were born. The picture of you sitting with the giant puffball of a stuffed animal your Uncle got you is one of my favorite recent pictures of you. 

We also picked up the little crib shoes you're wearing in a few of the pictures this weekend while we were running around getting gifts for people. They were $3 and they're awesome. They stay on your feet (and hold your socks on), and they're made out of a cool oriental silk fabric.

You are sitting up very well lately. Although you still can't get yourself into a sitting position by yourself, you can sit propped up for a long time. You are still enthralled with your feet, and spend a lot of time pulling them up to your face to look at. Enjoy the flexibility while you have it baby girl!

You're rolling around very well now, although you don't actually roll over too often, unless we put you down on your tummy. You're tolerating tummy time a lot better now, but you still get to a point where you just don't want to be on your tummy anymore, and you either roll over or start crying.

When you are on your tummy, you can arch your back up really high so your head is way off the ground and you can look around. You almost got your knees under you while you were doing that the other day, which makes me think you're going to skip all the rolling junk and just move straight to the crawling. I can tell you're anxious to be able to get around on your own, but you have to be patient baby girl, you'll get there soon enough!

Another thing you've been working on is vocalizing. Recently you've started making a loud "Aaaaa!" sound. It's almost an angry sound, but you smile after you make it. You've got quite a range of volumes going on now, and can get very expressive with the sound of your voice. You can most definitely let us know when you are unhappy with us, but my favorite sound is your squeaking laugh. Sometimes you even let off a bit of a snort!

You're working on doing raspberries, although you can't quite figure out how yet. You stick out your tongue, and then open and close your mouth. It's really cute to see you trying, and I know you'll get it soon!

Oh baby girl, don't be in such a hurry to grow up. I know you're impatient with yourself, I can see it in your frustration when you want to do something you can't do yet, but your father and I would be happy if you would slow down and stop getting so big so fast!

It really seems like I blinked and you got bigger. I went to work and came home and you were older. Some days I feel like I'm missing so much of your life, so I try to enjoy all the time I do get with you. I know the days of being able to carry you around and snuggle you while you nap will be over way before I'm ready.

I love you so much Jorie-bear.

4 Months Old!

Dear Jorie,

I can't believe you're four months old already. It seems both like you were just born and like you've always been a part of our lives. You're growing so fast we're having a hard time keeping up with clothes that fit you.

At four months you are rolling over consistently, although you only roll from your front onto your back. When we put you on your tummy, you arch your back waaaaay up so you can look around. You love to grab things and try to put them in your mouth. You grab things almost as much using your feet as with your hands. You can sit up in your little seat for short periods of time, in fact you prefer to be sitting propped up or being held standing up most of the time.

You give big smiles to everyone you see, and love nothing more than getting some face time. One of your favorite places is the changing table, because when you're lying on the changing table, you have our undivided attention, and get tummy raspberries!

You had a bit of a rough time sleeping for a while there, but for the past couple of nights you've let us get full nights of sleep. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it stays this way!

You've also been eating up a storm, so much that I can't keep up with you. I'm trying my best kiddo, but we've had to supplement more than once. You're just so hungry! Your father thinks you're going through a growth spurt.

You're getting so big already, you don't really look like a baby anymore, but more like a very tiny toddler. You've outgrown so many of the clothes we bought you, and even some that were given to us as gifts. It's weird, I know, but I get a little sad each time I try an outfit on you and it no longer fits. I feel like you're growing up so fast and I can't make the time last nearly long enough. Especially with me working full time. I feel sometimes like I'm missing most of your life.

I love you so much baby girl. My big, fourth month old baby girl.

17 weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

As usual, you've continued to grow and change this week. You can sit up while supported very well now, and you are purposefully grabbing toys you want to play with. You found your feet last week, and have spent the time since then playing with them and pulling off your socks. It's getting hard to change you most of the time because as soon as you're on your back, you pull your feet up to your face. Enjoy that flexibility while you can!

Unfortunately you've also decided lately that this time it is sleeping that is for wimps. Recently you've started waking up around 2, 4 and 6 am. We thought it was because you were falling asleep early (usually around 7 pm) so we started keeping you up until 9:30, but last night you still woke up at 2, 4 6 and then were up for good around 8am. And this on the day that I get to sleep in a bit! Give your momma a break please!

You've gotten used to only sleeping while either one of us is holding you, or there is a hand resting on you. It's a habit we need to try to break, baby girl. Your father and I think that part of the problem is that you are teething, but my mother had a good suggestion. We need to establish a bedtime routine for you. Because of the way that our schedule works, you don't go to bed at the same time (or in the same place) every night. My mother suggested creating a bedtime routine that we could do wherever we are to get you to sleep at the same time every night. Something like, feed you, rock you while we read to you, then put you to sleep in the pack'n'play if we're out, or in the bassinet or your crib if we're home.

Last week was a whirlwind week, like most of them are these days. Your father finally got a chance to put your crib together, although neither me nor your father really want to start using it. We've gotten used to you being right beside the bed at night. I think we'll wait a little longer to transition you to your own room, but it's coming soon!

You've been eating up a storm this week as well. You've used up all the stored milk, and you're eating it faster than I can pump it. Your great Aunt had to use formula once to supplement. I'm really unhappy about this, but what can I do? I can only pump so often at work, and I only get so much when I pump. I'm going to try to up my pumping sessions at work for a bit to recover some of the lost ground, hopefully if I pump this weekend too we'll be ready for the next week.

I love you Jorie bear.

16 Weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

Well, this past week has been a doosy. Between me and your father trying to adjust to not having any time to do anything, and you suddenly deciding pooping was for wimps, I'll be happy to leave it behind (even if it does mean you're another week older!)

Around Thursday last week, your father asked me when the last time you pooped was. We realized the last time any of us remembered you pooping was the previous Saturday. Now the books say that babies can go a week without pooping sometimes, so we tried not to panic, but by Monday I was worried, so I called your pediatrician. She gave us a list of things to try, including giving you an oz of apple juice cut with an oz of water. We could up it slowly to 4 oz of each over the week, and if you still hadn't pooped by the weekend you would have had to go see the doctor. You really enjoyed the apple juice, it was your first official food that was not breast milk! And luckily this morning you pooped! I've never been happier to see poop!

This week you also found your feet. You are very amused with them. Your favorite trick is to put them in your mouth. It amazes me that you can even do that! Every week you get more interactive, and assert your personality a little bit more. It's amazing watching you become a little person. My favorite thing in the world is still your laugh. When you get that big smile and just let out one happy squeak of a laugh, I can't help but smile.

You are still acting like your nursing, and we can still feel what we think are teeth in your upper gums, but nothings breaking through yet. You've gotten less fussy, so we think that the teeth just stalled and aren't moving.

Me and your father still haven't gotten the hang of the new schedule. I still feel like the week is a sprint and then we cram everything we can into the weekends. I hope we'll get used to it soon. But in the meantime, we're still trying to find the time to put your crib together!

This Sunday was your Grandpa Ross' 60th birthday, and your Grandma Ross threw a party for him. You were once again the hit of the party, everyone was so happy to see you, and see how big you've gotten. You did get really fussy at one point, but it turned out you were just hungry! After I found a quiet place to feed you, you went right back to being your usual happy self.

On Saturday we were at your Grandma and Grandpa O's and we (the adults) watched the Avengers, while you slept in my lap. Until the Hulk showed up. Every time the Hulk would roar, you would flinch and whimper. It was so cute, mainly because loud noises don't usually bother you.

I love you baby girl. Stop growing up so fast!

15 weeks old

Dear Jorie,

Well, we're halfway through the second full week of me being back at work. We had to change the schedule up a bit (you're at your great aunts three days a week instead of two), but we're surviving. Hopefully in another few weeks this schedule won't feel as punishing as it does now.

This past weekend you met one of my good friends, John, and his mother and girlfriend. As usual you charmed them all. Lately, though, you have a timer. You can only stand sitting still for so long before either me or your father has to walk you around. I know you just can't wait to be able to move yourself around!

Your room in the house is still a mess, but I did use the glider in there this morning when you woke up around 4am, and wouldn't go back to sleep even after a feeding and being changed. I sat down in the glider, turned the twilight turtle on so the room was covered in stars and held you and rocked you for about a half hour before you were sleepy enough to let me go back to bed.

Your great aunt bought a bunch of toys for you this week, so you have plenty of stuff to play with when you're over there. I think she has more toys for you than we do! She even has a stroller so she can take you for walks if the weather is nice.

You're getting so big now, you've definitely lost that 'newborn' look. You look so different now that you did when you were born. You've filled out nicely, although no one can call you chunky! You still have that long and lean look. Your personality is definitely starting to show itself. You're usually a happy baby, but when you're tired or bored, look out! You really know how to let us know when you're not happy!

Every day when I pick you up at your great aunts I just wrap my arms around you and hold you, because I've missed you so much. I miss being near you all the time. I know you're happy, and me working is the best thing for you and for our family, but oh man do I miss you so much.

I love you baby girl.

14 weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

We survived the first week of me being back at work. True it was a short week, but it was a test none the less. It feels like an all out sprint most days, even on the weekend, now. I miss having time to just sit and enjoy being with you.

Your Great Aunt Ruth helped me a lot by posting pictures of you while you were with her. You really seem to enjoy being around all the different people. Everyone says you're such a joy when they watch you. Except your father, he's having a rough time adjusting.

Your father would appreciate it if you would sleep a little more, or at least play quietly. He's having a hard time adjusting to your needs, while getting work done. Hopefully the two of you will work it out soon.

You've also started teething (we think). At three months, teething already! You've been crankier than normal, and chewing on everything. You've also been eating a lot more, so you may be using all that energy to grow teeth, or just to grow in general.

I was sick this weekend with a cold, so we didn't get everything done that we wanted to, but we got some of your room set up. At least, I put things in the dresser, although me and your father disagree on how to organize your clothes. The next big step will be setting your crib up and arranging everything to fit in your room.

This week is our first full week with me back at work. I'm really missing you this week. I'm hoping that it'll get easier as we get used to the routine, but you're growing up so quickly and I'm missing it all.

You rolled over for the first time on Sunday. I'm so glad I was there for it and didn't miss it! We were hanging out in the living room on the floor, and you had rolled over onto your side and were just hanging out, then all of a sudden you just flipped over onto your stomach. Me and your father got really excited and you started smiling and laughing and doing the superman. You seemed really happy until you realized you couldn't see anything or roll back over. Then you got really upset and we had to pick you up off the floor so you could look around.

Oh baby girl, don't grow up so fast!
I love you.

13 Weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

This week you are 13 weeks old. Today is the very last day of my maternity leave. Tomorrow you will go to your Great Aunt's house for the first time, and I will be away from you for a full day. The longest I have been away from you so far has been three or four hours. I am going to miss you so much baby girl.

Right now you are snuggled up in your stroller sleeping quietly, letting mommy get some writing done. You are wearing a big warm hoodie. The hood keeps falling down over your eyes, and it's really really cute. You have your taggie with you, which you absolutely love. I got it on a whim at Tar.get the other day, because it was on sale. Best five bucks I've ever spent. You absolutely adore it, and play with the tags on it constantly. You're favorite trick now is to pull it up over your head so you can sleep when you think it's too bright out.

Yesterday you had a very fussy day. You wanted to eat very frequently, and it seemed like you were either eating, sleeping or crying all day. Then you went to sleep around 10 and slept through the night. You didn't wake up (except for a little fussing in the middle of the night when you lost your binky) until I woke you up to get dressed around 8:45am.

Tomorrow is going to be an adjustment I think. I will have to get up early (around 6 or 6:30) to get up and dressed and have everything ready for you by the time I need to head out at 7:30.  No more leisurely days sleeping in until 8 or 8:30. No more quiet morning feeding while we snuggle on the couch. The new schedule is going to take a while to iron out, I think. Your father is still ironing out the details of staying home with you, but he's really excited about getting to be around you so much.

The weather has been getting colder lately, so you've been wearing a lot of the hoodie that Jan got you. I need to go through your clothes and figure out if you've got any more warm jackets that fit. We bought you a really cute warm hoodie yesterday, it's got bear ears on the hood! It's still a little big for you I think, but by the time the serious cool weather gets here it should fit.

Your room is still a shambles, we haven't really had time to put everything together. We've been focusing on getting the living room and kitchen organized and useable. Your father and I's bedroom is only partly organized, we have our dressers put together, but all of our clothing is still in boxes and laundry baskets. It's starting to drive your father a little crazy. Every now and then he goes on a cleaning rampage and spends a few hours manically organizing things. This is extremely helpful as I, your mother, am organizationally challenged. I'm hoping you get his organization skills.

I hope I'm doing the right thing for you by going back to work. I know there are ways we could make it work with me staying home, but it would be so much harder. I know there are many arguments for why this is a good thing for you and for us. I still worry that I'm going to screw you up by going back to work, that somehow I'm a worse mother for it. I guess the only thing we can do is move forward and see how we all feel in a few months.

One of the things your father is going to do is to try to either get health insurance from his job or to get a raise to cover the amount of money health insurance would cost. Either way, that would take some of the pressure out of our situation, since it would give me some more wiggle room with my job. In my ideal world, I would get to stay home with you part time, and only work part time. If your father can get insurance through his job, then maybe I can drop down to part time at my job, and give up my health insurance, in favor of staying home with you more.

Of course, this schedule might work really well. I might feel differently in a few weeks or months, and not want to change our routine again. Only time will tell.

I love you Baby Girl.

12 weeks old

Dear Jorie,

This is a very special week. This week you are 12 weeks old, although your Three month birthday will be next Tuesday on the 11th. This is also my last week before I go back to work.

We have made all the arrangements for your care during the day, Your Dad is going to stay home two days a week, you will be going to your Great Aunt Ruth's two days a week, and one day a week you'll be at your Grandma and Grandpa O's for five hours (since I go in late that day.) Your Great Aunt Ruth refused to take the $160 a week we offered to pay her, and would only take $100 a week, which is great news for Your Father and I. We were budgeting for the $160, so we'll have an extra $240 a month in the budget.

We still have to get a few things that will go with you wherever you are: a base for the car seat for your Great Aunt Ruth's car, a bottle warmer for your Grandma and Grandpa O...but for the most part you are all ready to start being a social butterfly.

I'm the one that's not quite ready. The closer we get to the day I have to go back to work, the less I want to leave you. I've gotten used to the rhythm of our days together. The time and space to just sit with you and hold you. Having you with me always. I'm incredibly sad about the fact that this time together is ending so soon.

I know that this will be good for you, in every way. You will get time to bond with your father, with your grandparents, and with your Great Aunt and your fathers Cousins (who absolutely adore you.) Me being back at work puts more money in our bank account, which lets us live comfortably, and have our amazing big house. My job gives us health care, so you can see the doctor when you need to. It gets me out of the house so I don't turn into a hermit.

The other reason I'm sad about this time ending is even more selfish. I really like having the free time I've had, and am not looking forward to trying to get everything done around my work schedule. I've been writing again, I spend a few hours each morning working on some writing, and I know that it's going to suffer when I go back to work. I'm also sad because of all the things I didn't find the time to do, like working on more artwork. There is artwork I want to do for your room that I've still not gotten around to starting.

These letters to you will become even more important, I think, once I go back to work. This will be where I can share with you all the things that go into my day and week. The place where I can make sure you know how much I love you and miss you when I'm not around you.

You keep getting stronger and more amazing every day. I know I say that a lot, but it's true every time I say it. You're not just on track developmentally, you're ahead of the game. Our little Genius Baby. You grab things and put them in your mouth, you smile and laugh and babble. You haven't rolled over yet, but you can sit up as long as we prop you, and you can support yourself on your legs. You stick your tongue out and then laugh. You grab your blankets and pull them over your face, and sometimes use them to kind of push your binky back into your mouth. You suck your thumb, although I think Your Father and I have managed to keep that from becoming a habit.

I love you Baby Girl.

11 Weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

This week you are 11 weeks old. You had your two month check up (a little late) yesterday. You are 24 Inches Long and exactly 10 lbs. Still long and lean! You're in the 20th percentile for weight, and following right along on your own growth curve. You charmed everyone at the office, smiling and giggling at the nurses. The doctor said you are really strong for your age, which means that as soon as you start sitting up we will have to move you into the crib from the bassinet.

You had to get your shots at this visit, three of them, and you took them like a champ. You cried a bit for the second and third shots, but as soon as I swaddled you and started rocking you, you quieted right down. You were a little fussy later on, I think your legs hurt from the shots, but you're back to your normal smiley self this morning.

This week, Your Father and I have been busy moving us into our new house. This past Sunday was the big push, moving all the heavy stuff. Your Uncles Mike and Farley showed up to help out, as did your Grandpa O. Our house is now filled with boxes stacked in every room!

We've been staying at the house since Sunday, although it's still not really set up. You will have your own room as soon as we get everything set up in there! I think this weekend we'll spend some time getting your room together, setting up the crib and putting up the shelves. I want to make a roman shade for your room too, I have all the stuff to make it already.

Last night while you were in the MamaRoo, Your Father and I saw you reach up and swat at the hanging toys. It was such a deliberate movement, much more so than you've made before. When you realized that swatting them made them spin, you laughed and did it again.

We're coming up fast on the date when I will have to go back to work. While I'm really looking forward to being back at work, I'm getting more and more apprehensive about not being with you all day. I'm so used to being able to spend all my time around you, I'm going to miss you so much when I go back to work.  But in the end, I know it's worth it, because it lets you grow up in a house with a yard and a puppy.

I love you Baby Girl.

10 weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

I'm not doing too well with these letters, am I? I know it's no excuse, but I've been having trouble finding time to sit and write these to you. Every day is filled with so many small adventures, from going for walks to spending time with your grandparents.

This week you met your cousin for the first time. Her name is Sienna and she's 13 years old right now. She was completely infatuated with you as soon as she met you. On Friday, she spent close to three hours just holding you. She kept saying how cute you were.

Tomorrow we close on our house. The house you will grow up in! Me and your Father are really excited. We've been working really hard to get to this point, and we're both ready to have some more space. I'm excited to be able to set up a real nursery for you, and to have the amazing rocking chair that's currently at your Grandma and Grandpa O's house. There are so many things we have for you that we haven't been able to use because we didn't have space to set them up. It's so amazing to think that we're buying the house that you will remember having grown up in.

You're getting to be quite a little "talker" now. You laugh and coo and squeak. Your Grandpa O thinks you sound like a baby dinosaur. You play games with us too, your Father will stick out his tongue and hum, and you will stick your tongue back out at him and then laugh.

Your other big new trick is sucking your thumb, although me and your father are less thrilled about that one (even if it is really cute!) I'll let you in on a secret, your father sucked his thumb till he was six! Now that you've finally figured out how to stick your thumb out so you can suck it, we've had a rough time convincing you that the paci is better. You've even rubbed a little raw spot under your bottom lip from so much thumb sucking!

We've had a rough few days, sleep wise, although I think you're finally starting to get back to your "normal" schedule. You fell asleep early last night, around 9pm, and stubbornly stayed asleep through multiple attempts to wake you up. This meant that unfortunately for your Father and I, you woke up early this morning, right before 7 I think. Not that I'm complaining! It's amazing that you are already sleeping through the night, which lets your father and I get right around 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night.

I love you so much Baby Girl. I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks before I have to hand you off to someone during the day and go back to work. I'm really nervous about how that's going to go. I know I'm going to miss you like crazy while I'm at work. As much as I'm looking forward to being at work and doing work I enjoy, I've gotten used to being around you all the time. I can't imagine spending eight hours a day away from you! I'm taking comfort in the fact that two days a week, your Father will be staying home with you, and right now the plan is for you to stay with your Great Aunt Ruth for two days a week, so you'll be with family, and you'll get a chance to bond with your Father.

Time seems to move so fast now, You're getting so big already. Slow down Baby Girl, You don't have to grow up so fast!

I love you.

8 Weeks old

Dear Jorie,

This week you are eight weeks old. I missed updating last week because we were on Lopez Island, where I had no internet. You went on your first airplane, and did great. You got to meet all of your relatives on the Ross side of the family. You were very social, "talking" and laughing at everyone. Your Great-Grandma Ross spent a lot of time holding you. As usual, everyone loved you.

You keep getting more amazing every day. You are now very interactive, you play simple games, and love to copy people. Your smile is so amazing, it lights up your whole face. I can't describe how amazing it is to see you smile and laugh. Or to watch you interact with people. Knowing that you're actually reacting to what people are saying, or the faces they're making, it's just amazing.

You actually kind of play with your toys now, batting at them and trying to grab them. You're still getting the hang of opening and closing your hands, so you get frustrated sometimes. I'm convinced you have entire one sided conversations with some of your toys, even seeming to get angry at them for something every now and then, like they said something you didn't like.

One of your new habits is to suck on your hand. It looks like your trying to suck your thumb, but you haven't figured out how to stick your thumb out, so you end up just happily noming on your palm. It's really cute, but it results in a lot of drool! So much that I was convinced for a few days that either you were teething really early, or you had thrush.

We got your social security card this week. It's official, you're an American citizen! I just kind of stared at it after I opened it, reading your name over and over. Thinking about everything you will use that name, and that number, for in the future. We still haven't gotten your birth certificate, but I'm sure that's on it's way.

I know I'm not doing a very good job documenting all your adventures, but honestly to me the most important things are some of the smallest. Watching you smile and laugh with your Great-Grandma Ross, Seeing you stick your tongue out at your Grandpa O and then laugh, watching you laugh in your sleep, realizing you've slept through the night for three nights in a row, packing away your newborn sized clothing because you've outgrown it.

Every day you're growing and changing. It's hard to believe how much until I see pictures of you from when you were born and then look at you. You were so tiny and delicate. You're still tiny, and you're no where near chubby, but you look so much more...robust now. You look stronger. I can see the little girl you will be your face now. I simultaneously wan to freeze time and keep you this small forever and fast forward until you're old enough to talk and walk and share experiences with me. I'm so excited about showing the world to you, and watching you grow up, and yet at the same time I feel like this precious time where you're so small and brand new is slipping by so quickly. From what I understand, this feeling is normal, and won't ever go away.

I love you baby girl.

6 weeks old!

Dear Jorie,

I'm sorry I missed last weeks letter. It's been hard to find time to sit down and write everything out for you, we've been so busy! It seems like time flies by lately. Between going out for coffee with Jamie and Zetta, visiting your grandparents, and getting ready to fly out to Seattle this weekend, we've been constantly on the move.

Two big things have happened since my last letter to you. You outgrew your newborn clothing, I can still get you into a couple of the bigger outfits, but most of the newborn sized onsies are now way too small for you. I'm both happy and sad about this, I'm sad you've outgrown those impossibly cute tiny little outfits, but it's amazing to see you growing. You've filled out now, and while you are no where near a michillan baby, you do have some incredibly cute chubby cheeks.

In development news, you started smiling! Big open mouthed grins that crinkle up your eyes. It's impossible not to smile back at you. You also started obviously babbling at things. You like to "talk" to the monkey that hangs on your car seat and the Lion on your bouncy seat. You've also had conversations with a dark dot on the side of your bassinet. It's amazing to see you becoming more interactive.

I took you in to meet everyone where I work. You were definitely a hit, although you stubbornly slept the entire visit.

Speaking of sleeping, you've been very good at that! You usually sleep almost all night, waking up only a few times, although last night you had a rough night. Your father thinks it's because you were cold. You do not like to be cold! The reason you were most likely cold, however, is that you are a virtual Houdini when it comes to getting out of a swaddle. No matter how we wrap you, and even when we use the velcro strapped swaddle (that looks like a baby straight jacket) you manage to get out of it. I would be tempted to leave you unswaddled, except that you really do sleep better when you're wrapped up.

We have a big week coming up! This Saturday we're flying out to Seattle for the Ross Family trip. You'll get to meet all of your relatives on that side of the family, all at once! It's a really long flight, so I'm hoping you'll sleep for most of it. We'll be out on an island near Seattle for a week, it'll be nice to be able to relax with other people around to watch you if I need a nap, or a shower!

I love you Baby Girl.

One month old!

Dear Jorie,

Today you are officially one month old! Monday you turned Four weeks, but I wanted to wait until today (the 11th) to make it official. I cannot believe we've had you for an entire month. Every day is still a new adventure with you.

It's been a busy week for us! So busy I'm having a hard time remembering everything we did. I'm going to try to remember by working backwards.

Yesterday was a long day, we got up early and went to Equal.Grounds for coffee to meet one of my friends, Kelly, and to be introduced to her friend Jamiee who has a daughter Zetta who is just a little bit older than you. We had a great time talking, and you slept almost the whole time! After that we made a quick trip out to Grandma and Grandpa O's, so they could watch you while I took a short nap. Then later, we went over your Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky's for a cookout. Your Uncle Mike had a great time holding you and making faces at you.

Monday we had our customary lunch date with Aunt Becky. As usual you were very well behaved and slept while we ate. After that we went grocery shopping at Wegmans, and then relaxed around the house.

Sunday we went to the Corn Hill festival with Farley. We walked around for a couple hours, and you seemed perfectly happy being carried around. Halfway through the festival, I handed you off to your Dad who carried you for the rest of the time. It was a really nice day, although both me and your Dad got a little sun burnt, we managed to keep you from getting too much sun.

The picture is of your Dad and Farley, and you can see that your Dad has the carrier on, with you in it.

Saturday we went over to Grandma and Grandpa O's and hung out, like usual, although we went over early and left around 10pm. While we were there, we got out the baby scale and weighed you, you're 8 lbs now! We also tried to measure you, and we think you're about 21 inches again.

Friday we went out to get food with Andrew and Micha, who were both very amused by you. Also on Friday we went over to Alex and Lisa's to have cake for your Grandma R's birthday.  Your Dad's cousins, Rachel and Rebecca, were there, and they really enjoyed holding you. You really are the star of every party we go to!

Last Wednesday was the 4th of July, and we went over to a friend of your Grandma R's for a cookout, and so she could meet you. It was really hot out and there were a lot of bugs, but none of that seemed to bother you. After the cookout we went to Grandma and Grandpa O's so me and your Dad could go swimming to cool off. We decided to skip the fireworks this year, but we'll see about trying to take you next year!

You're getting so big Jorie-bear. And every day it seems like you learn to do something new. I love you baby girl.

3 Weeks Old

Dear Jorie,

Today you are three weeks old. It sound like so much time, and yet I'm still trying to get the hang of living with you. You are wonderful, beautiful, and at times frustrating.

We've been taking walks up to Highland Park a lot, I walked up there with you Friday, and with you and your Dad on Saturday. It gives me some exercise, and you get to lay out under a tree and get some fresh air. You still aren't a big fan of wind though.

Saturday we were over at your Grandparents (my parents), and you got to meet some really close family friends, Steve and Grace. Their daughter Brooks has a baby girl, Rose, that's a little over a year older than you. She lives in England now, but hopefully she'll be back around Christmas and you'll get to meet her then.

Yesterday we took you to a family party with your Dad's family. As soon as we walked in the door there was a line (not kidding!) of people waiting to hold you. Everyone adored you. You were born into two of the most loving families in the whole world! Unfortunately by the time we got home all the attention had been too much for you. You were fussy and cranky all night last night!

Today I kept it low key, we went and sat by the Canal for a bit to enjoy the nice weather, and we did some grocery shopping at Wegmans. You like grocery shopping because I wear you on my chest in the Baby.Bjorn, and you get to sleep all snuggled up to me.

Everyone who meets you comments on how beautiful you are. And you really are. Not just because of your beautiful face, or your long graceful fingers, but also because of how relatively even tempered you are. You are not normally a fussy baby, which was what made last night so difficult! I worry when you are inconsolable like that, and miss my calm baby watching me with big blue eyes.

Hopefully we can avoid over stimulating you like that again!

Love you baby girl!

Two weeks

Dear Jorie,

Monday you turned two weeks old! Oh baby girl, I can't believe it's been two weeks already. It feels both like you just got here, and like you've always been a part of my life. Every day with you is amazing. You grow and change every day.

Now that I can drive again, we've been going on mini adventures, we went shopping at Wegmans by ourselves on Monday, and made a quick trip to get some baby stuff on Tuesday. Today I'm going to take you over to your grandparents (my parents) so we can wash all the new stuff.

Last weekend your father and I walked with you and Mojo up to Highland Park, and you got to hang out in the grass for a bit. You spent a lot of time taking in the outdoor world with your big blue (for now) eyes. (I can't wait to see what color your eyes settle on!)

We gave you your second bath last night, and it went pretty much the same as the first one. You like the bath, but hate being cold after the bath! Even wrapped up in a towel and snuggled up against us you were fussy and unhappy until you were completely dry (and fed!)

Last night we had our weekly dinner at your other Grandparents (your Dad's parents), and everyone got to hold you. Your Uncle Mike fell asleep holding you, it was really cute! Everyone is so in love with you, baby girl, they keep saying how beautiful you are. Your Aunt Becky (who will be having a baby of her own in six months) looked so happy holding you. It's great to having such a loving family around, you eat up all the attention, you even stayed awake for a while so everyone could ooh and ahh over your eyes.

This morning I put you in the Baby Carrier and walked down to get coffee with you. As soon as I started walking, you fell asleep. You really seem to enjoy being carried in the carrier.

So far right now you can lift your head, and roll from side to side. You even rolled from your front to your back once! You don't sleep through the night yet, but you do give me a few good four hour stretches of sleep every now and then, usually you give me a nice long stretch of sleep after your father leaves for work.

Don't get too big too fast baby girl, I don't want to miss anything! I love you.

One week

Dear Jorie,

Yesterday you turned one week old. I know I've been remiss about writing letters to you here, but it's been an amazing week. Both me and your Father are completely, overwhelmingly in love with you. Your Father complains every day he has to go to work that he misses you while he's gone.

You are a wonder. You can already hold your head up for a bit, and are amazingly strong. Your Father calls you his wiggle worm. When you open your eyes, which you don't do very often yet, they are huge and blue. We'll see if you keep the blue. You have a head full of dark brown hair, and long lashes. You are so amazingly beautiful.

Right now you are lying in your bassinet, making soft noises and kicking your feet around. You seem perfectly content to just stare at the world around you.

I suppose I should write about your birth, before the details become even more fuzzy in my head. On Sunday the 10th, we went in to start the induction. They gave me the first pill to soften my cervix and hooked me up to the monitor. After four hours they found that I had progressed too far to give me another pill, and everyone started thinking that you would be born sometime early in the morning. I wasn't really feeling the contractions very strongly, and I think I started to get a little cocky about it. Around 3 or 4 am I was really tired, so I asked for some pain medication to help me sleep. It worked and I was out cold soon after they gave it to me.

Unfortunately, that stopped my labor in it's tracks, so when they woke me up around 7:30 Monday Morning, things weren't moving very fast. Even with a pitocin drip, my labor was moving very slowly, until around 3 in the afternoon, when they decided to break my water to get things moving.

Almost as soon as they broke my water, I started having strong contractions. Not too long afterwards, the contractions were so strong, so painful, that I asked for the epidural. Your Father was wonderful through all of this. Holding me, calming me down, letting me lean on him. The epidural was able to take my pain away, and allowed me to focus on the rest of the birth.

You got stuck turning the corner under my pelvis, and they were worried about your heart rate, after each contraction it would plummet and then sky rocket. So we opted to use a little bit of suction to help you round that corner. As soon as you got past that corner, you came very fast, maybe four or five pushes and you were out. I heard you cry once or twice, and then they put you on my chest. You looked up at me with those big wide eyes and kinda stole my heart. Your father cut your cord, and then they had to take you for measurements and tests. You were 6 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long.

You were a little Jaundiced, so we had to make an appointment to see your Pediatrician the day after we got out of the Hospital. You gave us a good scare at that first appointment, as they told us you had lost 10% of your body weight. I have never been more afraid than I was then. Fortunately, you gained the weight back like a champ, and by your one week birthday, you were back up to birth weight.

I wish I hadn't gotten sick a few days ago. I feel as if I'm not fully appreciating this wonderful time with you, because I'm too busy blowing my nose.

I love you baby girl.

38 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

This will be the last letter I write to you before I meet you face to face. Today, at my weekly OB appointment, I was scheduled for early induction. They are concerned that, because of the Gestational Diabetes, the placenta is starting to tire out and not do it's job very well. That would mean that you aren't getting all the nutrients you need, and waste is not getting cleared well enough. So this Sunday, June 10th, I will go into the hospital to start the induction procedure. Most likely you will be born on Monday June 11th.

I am terrified and excited. I can't wait to hold you in my arms. Your father and I have been frantically getting everything ready for when we bring you home. We even decided to board Mojo for a few days to give us some time to adjust to having you home.

Right now I can feel you kicking and adjusting. Last night we were at a small concert and again you were dancing to the music in there.

I'm sorry this letter is so short, I'm still in shock that you'll be here so soon.

I can't wait to meet you baby girl.

37 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

We had another ultrasound this week, just to check your growth and fluids and to make sure you were still happy in there. You are now 6 pounds 3 ounces. You are still a tad on the small size, but I'm ok with that.

Our apartment is full of stuff for you. Clothes and toys and furniture. So full, your Father and I decided we needed more room, so we bought a house. We won't be moving into the house until August most likely, so I've had to prioritize what we absolutely need, and keep everything else packed up. You will be living in our room for the first three months of your life anyways, sleeping in a bassinet where I can reach you easily for all those middle of the night feedings I know you'll need.

I finally put our "go bag" together, filled with all the essentials for when you decide to make your entrance. There are only a few small things I need to gather up from our apartment (like paperwork) and we'll be all ready.

I can't believe we're so close to having you in our arms. It still doesn't feel entirely real. I can't wait to meet you baby girl.

Three weeks, or less!

35 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

This week has been a busy one, and it looks like it's going to stay busy. This past weekend, your Uncle Chris was in town visiting from Chicago. He's really excited to meet you soon. He's decided he's going to make you into a triathlete like him.

While he was here, we went to the Lilac Festival. It was very hard for me to walk around, and I had to take a lot of rest breaks. I can't wait until next year, when I can walk around and show you the lilacs, and maybe let you have some funnel cake.

You've been very active this week, and are now strong enough that when you push your feet out, I can feel them and pretend to tickle your feet. Your Dad still gets a huge kick out of getting to feel it when you move around.

The doctor says you'll be a bit on the small side, you're 5 lbs. 1 oz right now, and they're predicting a max weight of 7lbs 5 oz. by the time you're born. Not tiny, but not huge either. I can live with that! Especially after being told there was a chance they would have to induce me early if you started getting too big, due to the Gestation Diabetes. It'll be interesting to see how close they are on the weight prediction!

This Saturday is the baby shower my mother is throwing for us. I'm excited to see what cool gifts you get, although It's going to be uncomfortable being the center of attention again. I can't wait until you're born and you can take the spot light!

Starting next week, We're in the "final countdown" phase with my OB/GYN. I'm now going to be going in for a check up once a week. Which means there are only four weeks left until our Estimated Due Date. Which really means that there's anywhere from two to six weeks until you decide to show up.

This Saturday also marks the start of the 36th week of this pregnancy, which means that if you are born any time after this Saturday, you will not be considered a high risk birth! Even though I'd prefer you to wait until closer to being "full-term", I'd be ok with you coming any time after this Saturday.

I love you Baby Girl.

34 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

Today, Your Father and I got to see your face for the first time. We had an ultrasound scheduled to check on your growth and on those nasty fibroids that caused so much trouble a while back.

You are measuring right on track, and weigh 5 lbs. 1 oz. You still have a bit of growing to do before you're ready for the outside world! It was a huge relief to me that you were measuring normally, it lessens the chance that they'll need to induce me early. I would prefer you got the chance to come out on your own terms.

You are head down already, which I suspected based on where the strongest kicks are (near my ribs.) The ultrasound tech walked us through where all your parts were, confirming that you have your feet wedged firmly in my ribs.

The big surprise today was the 3d ultrasound. We wern't expecting them to do one, but they did. They had to try a few times to get a good picture of you, since as usual you were moving and shaking around in there. But after a few tries, we got to see the most beautiful sight.

I can't believe how big you are already, and how much you really finally look like a real baby.

Not too much longer now, baby girl. Can't wait to kiss those adorable cheeks.

33 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

This week I am 33 weeks pregnant with you. We're getting close to the end of the pregnancy! I'm starting to get excited about finally meeting you.

This week your father and I had Belly pics taken by your Uncle and Aunt. I also had Henna done on my belly, while they took pictures of the Henna getting applied. You kicked like crazy when they were flashing the camera close to my belly. I'll bet you didn't like the flashes too much.

This past week I've also been helping your Grandmother plan my shower. She's really exited about it! The shower will be on May 19th, so you better stay put until after then! On May 19th I will be 36 weeks, so really, you need to stay put at least that long, and maybe a few weeks longer.

You father and I are slowly getting the apartment ready for you. We've washed almost all the clothes we have for you, and put away a bunch of them. I'm sure there will be a lot more for us to wash and put away after the shower.

Your kicks are getting really strong. Sometimes when you kick now, you keep pushing for a while, and I can grab at whatever part of you it is poking out. You also respond when I poke you, kicking back at me.

I have an ultrasound scheduled for next Wednesday, so I'll get to get a peek at you again then. I can't wait to see your little face again, and see how much you've grown since the last ultrasound.

It's amazing to think that in less than two months, I'll be holding you in my arms.

30 Weeks

Dear Jorie,

This week, I am 30 weeks pregnant with you. About a week and a half ago, you gave us a big scare. I started having contractions and had to go to the hospital. Luckily the contractions died down and everything has been fine since then. I think you're as impatient to be born as we are to meet you, but you need to wait just a little longer!

You are certainly a mover and shaker now. And you're getting really strong! Your Dad still loves feeling when you kick, and he got to feel one of your new tricks the other day, where you push out against my tummy and then slide sideways.

I've been trying to be good with the Gestational Diabetes Diet, since it's not just my health at risk, although I've had a few days of high blood sugar. I saw the doctor today and she said my levels don't worry her, and you're measuring right on target (31 cm), so it looks like you're doing fine in there, even if it means I have to forgo Chocolate Cake >.<

The weather has turned cooler around here, so it looks like I'll still be spared the hottest days of summer while pregnant with you. Although it still seems like it will be plenty warm when you're born.

Your Dad and I have been slowly working on getting your Nursery together, although you won't be spending much time in there right away. Yesterday I organized and put away all the clothes we have for you already, we washed a giant load of baby clothes this weekend!

I've decided that I'm going to get belly photos taken, by your Aunt who is also an amazing photographer. We've talked about having a friend of the family do some Henna on my belly for the photo shoot. I think the photos will be an amazing keepsake of my pregnancy. I can't wait to show them to you when you're old enough to be amazed that you fit in my belly.

I can't wait to meet you baby girl. Only 10 more weeks to go!

Wednesday, March 28th

Dear Jorie,

I am currently 28 weeks pregnant with you. You're getting very strong, kicking and moving around like a champ in there. You always seem to quiet down when your father puts his hand on my belly, which is both a good and bad thing. It's a good thing because I think he calms you, but it's a bad thing because when he does feel you kick, he gets the most amazed look on his face and goes "oh wow." Which always makes me smile.

Last week I found out that I have Gestational Diabetes, which basically means that my pancreas is getting tired doing all this work for both of us, and isn't functioning well. The good news was that nothing is hurting you about this, but it does mean that I need to watch my blood sugar and make sure I'm not giving you too much sweet stuff. If I'm not careful you'll get too big too fast, and have to come out early. Something you'll learn about me once you get to meet me is that your mother, she is not so fond of needles. Right now I have to take my own blood four times a day. I also have to eat a very strict diet of foods to keep my blood sugar even. And don't think I'll ever let you forget what I did for you ^_^

This past weekend you Father and I took a tour of the Maternity ward where you'll be born. It looks like a really nice place, and the staff there seem very nice and helpful. This past Monday, we started our prenatal classes. It's starting to get real that you're going to be born soon. Only 12 weeks to go!

First Letter

Dear Jorie,

This is my first letter to you. Right now I am 26 weeks pregnant with you.

 I'm having a hard time deciding what to say to you. Right now you're mostly an idea. A blurry shape on an ultrasound, some occasionally uncomfortable nudges inside my belly. It's hard to believe that in a little over three months you will be an actual tiny human being.

I wonder what you'll be like. If how you're acting right now is any indication, your father and I are in for a lot of trouble. You like to kick me early in the morning, it's almost like you're trying to get me up out of bed because you're hungry.

Sometimes I think you're bored in there, so you just start pushing or kicking on whatever is in front of you trying to get out. Although I'm sure you don't even know there's an out to get to. Even if you do, I'm sorry love, but you've got to stay in there a little while longer.

Out here waiting for you, you have a dog, named Mojo, and a cat, named Puck. Just the other day, you tried to say hello to Mojo. He seemed rather put off by your poking him in the nose. Puck, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice much when you were poking him the last time he was sitting on my tummy.

Your Father gets a huge smile on his face every time he gets to feel you kick. He likes to put his head in my lap and talk to you, although he never knows what to say. Most of the time, he ends up just going "Hellooooooo in there." Your father is a goofy guy.

We love you already.