33 Weeks ~ Getting Prepared

Dear Son,

We are getting prepared for you in so many ways, and in this moment time seems short.  Your mommy's body is certainly getting prepared for your arrival, doing exactly what it is designed to do. You are growing, and that is very apparent in every curve of my body.  I am baffled by God's design to create life!  Although I am in the mist of this incredible pregnancy journey, it is still a mystery to me - the development that you are doing inside my belly and how my body naturally grows and changes for you.  The perfect measurements, the ever growing growing belly, the ability for a single body to create life, and God's plan and purpose in it all.

Your sweet little space is changing too!  Grandma Willard recently came down from Fort Collins and we rearranged, organized, moved, and started to prep your room in small ways...all in an effort to be prepare.  My hope is to create a space that suits you.  My assumption, as I have prayed over you, is that you will grow to be like your daddy - adoring the woods and nature.  So we have chosen to a Woodland theme, hoping you will grow into your room as a little boy.

And your daddy, he is preparing too.  He has been working so hard to make some big changes in his life so he can have more free time to be your daddy.  He desires spend time with you, wrestle with you, adventure with you, pray over you, and hold you.  I admire his heart, and pray that you have a heart like his.  I have been praying for your daddy in this time, that he may accomplish what he has set forth to do in the coming weeks.  I know that he will because of his determination, perseverance, and drive.  Your daddy is an incredibly hardworking man and I love him very much.     

So you can see Little One, we are preparing for your arrival in so many ways.  Please continue to grow strong...we will meet soon.

Love, love, love,
Mommy 

32 Weeks ~ A Parent's Love

Dear Son,

Please know that your mommy and daddy love you.  We have been preparing for this season for years, literally, praying and seeking for God's direction and guidance.  We have been building our marriage, our union, in preparation for you.  We believe that one of the the best gifts we can give you is learning how to walk out our marriage to the best of our ability, and in that honoring God.

So we have been doing just that, learning what it means: to be humble, foster positive communication, out serve one another, genuinely listen to each others heart, forgive and ask for forgiveness, encourage, steward the gifts from God, celebrate together, be willing to change as God instructs us, support each other, understand each other, care for one another, submit to one another, find joy in the small things, seek God together and individually, pray for one another, and love to the best of our ability.  Our hope is that as we model these attributes in love that you begin to walk these out in all your relationships as a brother, son, friend, servant, and husband.

This is what we know to do to show our great love for you.  So we will continue to do so as we learn to be your mommy and daddy, as we are blessed to do life with you, as we love you.

Continue to grow strong Baby C.

Much Love,
Mommy

26 Weeks ~ A Mighty Man

Dear Son,

You have gained strength in the last week.  There is no denying you movement in my belly - karate chopping, high kicks, butt bumps, and roll overs.  You have become extremely active!  Your daddy has officially seen your movement and recently felt your movement...you made him smile one of his handsome glowing smiles.  You know when to rest though and I am thankful.  You are just like your dad, settling down around 8:30 PM and up and at 'em around 5:30 AM.  It looks like I will have two morning people in this growing family. 

We are in process of planning your own space - your very own room.  Designed and set aside for you.  I hope you like your room!

Oh and I also have discovered your dislikes - spicy food and peanut butter.  That excludes Mexican food for me personally, which is a bummer, and I have to admit that I dumbfounded why you do not like peanut butter.  Apples and peanut butter is a dynamite snack.  Oh well!

Keep growing strong Baby C. - perfect as you are and gaining strength as required.  I love you very much Son!!

Love,
Mommy and your glowing Daddy

   

24 Weeks ~ Growing!

Dear Son,

You must be going through a growing spurt because I cannot believe the amount of food I just ate, yet I feel satisfied and could still enjoy a sweet dessert.  Is this an indication of what's to come and the mass amount of food you will consume later in life?  I do know for sure that you are a growing Boy and I am thankful for that continued growth and development.  

I continue to pray for your continued strength and health as you grow in my belly!  

Love,
Mommy

  

23 Weeks - Mission Accomplished

Dear Baby C.,

I had this odd desire to participate / jog a 5K race while I was pregnant...well WE did it!  On Saturday, March 30 2013 we jogged 3.2 miles, the entire distance...no break, no walking - just a steady jog to the finish line.  I was thrilled!  Your daddy was at that finish line clapping and cheering us on, he is such a tremendously thoughtful man.  So Little One at 22 weeks you have accomplished a 5K - well done, participant #167!!

You are the best!  Please keep growing strong and know that we are preparing for your arrival in so many ways!  

Much Love,
Mommy

 

21 Weeks ~ A Powerful Pomegranate

Dear Son,

I have been feeling you move in my tummy.  You are one active little boy!  It is so neat to feel that movement finally, as we saw you kicking and moving on the ultrasound screen and I could not feel a thing.  Those images will forever be in my heart - a sweet time we got to know you a little better for the first time. 

I can physically feel your presence, and that astounds me.  Those little nudges against my tummy are just a surreal feeling, and an indication of God's faithfulness in our lives.  Our God, that you will one day get to know, is so kind, faithful, loving, and His timing is SO perfect in our lives.  I am thankful for your life Son, and the joy you bring in each new stage of your development. 

You are perfect in my eyes and the love I have for you continues to grow each day.  As always Little One, keep growing strong!! 

Love you to the Moon and Back,
Mommy

PS. Now you can see mommy's photo shoot and her growing belly!
 

 

 

20 Weeks ~ Photo Shoot

Dear Son,

Yes, son - you had your first photo shoot on Friday, March 15 and you are perfect just as I imagined.  Furthermore, we got to know a little more about you and we discovered that you are a ruff and tumble growing BOY.  All the important measurements and pictures that the doctors need to take display that you look healthy.  As your parents we were very excited for the good report!

We are half way done with this pregnancy, can you believe it?!  My how the time had flown.  It was so great to get to know a little more about you Sweet Son.  Keep growing strong!

Love, Love, Love,
Mommy & Daddy

PS I will post some pictures soon of your photo shoot that display the curtness of your nose!!

Week 19 ~ Thanksgiving

Sweet Baby C.,

Have I told you I am thankful...I am thankful for you.

 

 I am thankful that God heard our prayer and faithfully gave us you.

 

 I am thankful for your continued development.

 

 I am thankful that I have been feeling so good during this pregnancy.

 

I am thankful for your daddy's amazing support.

 

I am thankful for the love we as parents already have for you. 

I am thankful for your daddy's desire to be your father and raise you.

 

I am thankful for privilege to be your mommy and pour into your life.

 

I am thankful for who God Has created you to be.

 

I am thankful that you are part of this family.    

 

You have simply filled my hear with thanksgiving.

Love, love, love,
Mommy

Week 19 ~ A Mighty Mango

Dear Baby C.,

You must be growing because I know exactly where you are in my tummy.  I can recognize your position, and with this discovery you have a physical presence in this world.  Sure I am the only one who knows this, but I can certainly pinpoint your whereabouts.

We will get to see you soon!  As parents we get to check-up on you, which we will be doing for the rest of your life - so try and get use to it please.  We have been looking forward to this day!  Don't be shy, you know my voice, we are well acquainted.  This isn't strangers meeting for the first time, but loving parents who want to know you more.  So it is with great excitement and with joy in my heart that I can say, "We will see you soon Baby C."

Much Love,
Mommy & Daddy    

Week 16 ~ An Amazing Avacado

Dear Baby C.,

This letter is a reflection of your mommy's awe and wonder on your growth in just 16 weeks.  Your development is truly stunning to this first-time-mommy.  You are my petite child, with a unique fingerprint - all in 16 short weeks.  If you were taken from me I would mourn your life, but I heard God's still voice and His protection is over you, and I know that I will be holding you in my arms on July 29, 2013.  This is for certain!!

This, strong and mighty Baby C., is all that God has created you to be in 16 weeks:

The building block of your spine, brain, & backbone were already formed at 4 weeks.
Your major organs and body systems started to form at 5 weeks.
Generating 100 new brain cells every minute,
Your kidneys were developing,
& your arm and leg joints were forming all at 7 weeks.
Your taste buds formed at 6 weeks.
You had a recognizable heartbeat at 9 weeks.
Cartilage and bones were forming,
Vital organs started functioning,
& you are growing fingernails and hair, and swallowing at 10 weeks.
You started moving with grace at 11 weeks.
You now have reflexes,
the ability to curl your small fingers and toes,
& your brain is developing quickly at 12 weeks.
You are forming vocal cords and teeth,
You have your own unique fingerprint - amazing,
& Your intestines have oddly moved from the umbilical cord to your rightful place in your tummy in 13 weeks.
You could be sucking your thumb,
& your liver and spleen have started to function at 14 weeks.
You can hiccup,
& your limbs and freely moving at 15 weeks.
And this week you can hear my voice
& growing hair, lashes, and eyebrows.

You are my precious child!  Uniquely mine and I am honored to be your mommy.  I am already one pround mama by all that you have done in this short time.  Keep developing strong Little One!

Much Love,
Mommy

14 Weeks ~ A Lovely Lemon

You, my sweet Baby C., have been the best baby!  You have barely made your mommy sick, although you have heightened my sense of smell and some unpleasant aromas have made me sick, but this is at no halt of yours.  I know that you are growing because this mama's body is changing day-by-day, just as you change day-by-day.     

You love Honey Nut Cheerios just like me – this is one of my childhood favorites.  More recently you have had a craving for a slight hint of coffee flavor and this, Sweet One, is your daddy in you.  He jokingly calls coffee the “nectar of life.”

My thoughts and passions for you grow every day as you grow bigger and bigger.  You have only been in my world for fourteen weeks, and yet I have dreamed big dreams for you and prayed huge prayers over you.

You are very much part of this family taking us from a petite family of two to an expanding family of three.  Oh the delight I have taken in your addition.

Please continue to grow strong and stay healthy as you develop and grow in my belly.  You are dearly loved!!

To the Moon and Back,

Mommy    

13 Weeks ~ A Powerful Peach

Dear Baby C. 

Well we have made is this far and I have had so many thoughts about you.  So I want to share them with you, recording this precious time that will culminate in your birth. 

I consider it an immense privilege to be your mommy.  Oh and you should see your daddy and the sweet tenderness he has for you already.  We are so honored to be your parents, to love you, raise you, instruct you, praise you, guide you, pray for you, and watch you grow.

Speaking of growing, you have been in my belly for 13 weeks now, and you are as big as a peach Little One.  That may seem small, but you have grown so rapidly in such a short time, developing with such strength and unique intention.  

You will continue to grow in my belly over the course of the next several months until your daddy and I are holding you in our arms.  I am looking forward to that day with excitement!   

So for now, stay where you are sweet Baby C.  Keep growing strong and know that your mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back.

Love you,

Your doting mommy