Dear Baby - Week 25

May 10-16 

Mommy @ week 25

Dear Poppy,

This week Mommy celebrated her first Mother’s Day.  It was a lovely weekend.  First Daddy took Mommy out for a yummy dinner at one of their favorite places, Atlantic Fish.   Daddy gave Mommy 2 presents – a pass for 5 massages to keep Mommy nice and comfy until your arrival, and a book from you!  The book is called “My Mom – Her Story”.  It’s a book where I can write memories and stories for you.  It is going to be fun to fill out and share with you.  You have a very thoughtful Daddy!!  On Saturday we celebrated Mother’s Day with your Gigi (Grammy McGowan) and then on Sunday we celebrated with your Grammy & Great-Grammy Andersen.  We are so fortunate to have lots of loving family nearby.  It is going to be wonderful for you to grow up knowing your grandparents. 

This week we also started interview doulas for your birth.  Mommy is really committed to having a relaxed and natural birth for you and we think having a doula present will really help us achieve that.  Plus studies show that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications.  We are all for that!

In other news, Daddy noticed this week that Mommy’s belly button is starting to change.  It’s slowing moving from an innie to an outie.  Still technically an innie this week, but it seems to be about half and half this week.  How funny!

Current Size:  Cauliflower (13.5 or so inches long and 1 ¾ lbs)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 24

May 3-9

Dear Poppy,

Week 24 is a big milestone – you are officially viable and could potentially survive on the outside with lots of medical assistance.  But we’d prefer you stay in for another 4 months.  Mommy must be looking pregnant to strangers because she got her first offer for a seat on the T this week.  It was from a very sweet grandmother, and of course Mommy couldn’t say yes, but it was really nice to have the offer.

After we got home from Jamaica we saw our midwife for our monthly check up – everything still looks great with you.  We also had a visit from the Cannons.  Daddy turns 30 this month and Mommy wanted to surprise him with a big party.  The Cannons came to celebrate and to help pull off the surprise.  Lots of friends came and Daddy was completely shocked.  Next year we will throw you a big party for your 1^st birthday! 

This week you went to a Red Sox game with Daddy and the Cannons too!  Daddy was very alert the entire game to make sure we didn’t get hit by any stray balls.

Mommy & Daddy @ the Red Sox

Current Size: Ear of Corn (over 1 foot long!  You are also gaining lots of weight now – you probably weight at least 1.5 lbs now)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 23

April 26 – May 2

Couple's Tower Island Resort

Dear Poppy,

This week you went to Jamaica!  By the time you are born you will be a very well-traveled little fetus.  So far you've been to Argentina, Brazil, Iceland, all over New England & New York, and now to Jamaica.  We are going to have to apply for your passport when we apply for your social security number!

Couple's Tower Island Resort

Mommy & Daddy had lots of fun in Jamaica on one last vacation before you arrive.  Mommy did lots of relaxing on the beach & loved pregnant swimming! Daddy got to go some scuba diving four times too.

Us on the resort's private beach

Daddy & his scuba buddy from NH (also going to be a new dad!)

Daddy scuba diving at a shipwreck 

Snorkeling & 23 week baby bump

We got off the resort a few times for some activities - our favorite was hiking the Dunn’s River Falls.   Daddy was a little concerned about Mommy hiking, but we were very careful & had lots of help from the guides.

Hiking Dunn's River Falls (start of hike)

End of Dunn's River Falls hike

Mommy & Daddy had nice dinners together and took nightly walks around the resort.  There was also a Piano Bar with nightly sing-alongs.

Yummy Jamaican Food

Enjoying the sing-along at the Piano Bar

Another baby bump picture

 The resort also had a veggie bar where Mommy would get fresh smoothies everyday instead of island drinks.  You would bounce around lots after those smoothies!

At the Veggie Bar

Overall Mommy handled traveling at 23 weeks pregnant pretty well.  She did go to the bathroom 13 times on the trip down (2x at home, 2x at Logan Airport, 1x on first flight, 1x at Philly airport, 4x on 2^nd flight, 3x in Montego Bay airport), but the doctor said it was good to move around a lot while traveling.

Last day at the resort

Current Size: Large Mango (11.5 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 22

April 19 – 25

Dear Poppy,

Big developments this week – Daddy felt you kick!! He’s been anxiously waiting for this the moment Mommy felt you.  He’s been trying almost every night since I told him that she could feel you and thinks it’s really unfair that you made him wait so many weeks.  Daddy can be a tad bit jealous sometimes- something for you to keep in mind for the future, hehe.   Since I’ve been feeling you I’ve noticed a few patterns – you make extra movements when I eat something sweet or caffeinated.  You seem to move more when Mommy gets really hungry (are you telling me that you are hungry too?).  I notice you most in the evenings – Mommy read that during the day you like the movements I make and it lulls you to sleep.  At night when I’m quieter you wake up!  Mommy thought your movements would be fun to feel at first and then becoming a little irksome but they are still super fun.  I love knowing you are doing well and having a good time in there.  So far you haven’t done anything remotely painful or uncomfortable.

Current Size: Papaya (11 inches long & weigh 1 lbs!)

Current Cravings: still nothing out of the ordinary.  Just the usual favorite foods.  

Love,

Mommy

Dear Baby - Week 21

April 12 – 18

Dear Poppy,

This week Mommy officially picked out your nursery bedding.  She’s been browsing different looks for awhile, but it’s much easier now that we know that you are a girl.  Mommy & Daddy both really like animals so your room is going to be pink with green, orange, & animal accents.  Your room is rather long, so part of it will be your play area too.  I think we might paint that area green for some definition.

Mommy started getting a burning in the back of her throat this week.  The heartburn begins :(  Mommy’s never really had heartburn before, so it’s a pretty new sensation.  Not too uncomfortable, but a little annoying.  She has no plans to give up spicy foods though, at least not now.  They are just too yummy!  Daddy was really sweet and bought Mommy lots of tums so she could keep them at home, work, and next to the bed too.  He’s very good at taking care of his girls.

Current Size:  Banana (10.5 inches long)  Now that you are past 20 weeks they start measure head to toe as opposed to head to rump.  You are also ¾ lb now

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 20

April 5 – 11

Dear Poppy,

You are half way done!! We can’t believe how fast the time is passing.  Now that you are getting bigger Mommy is starting to have some low back pains – nothing too bad yet, so hopefully it won’t get much worse.

This weekend Mommy and Daddy went shopping and picked out your crib and mattress.  It’s white, fairly traditional, with curved sides that make it look a little bit sleigh like.  It won’t be ready for 6-9 weeks, so it’s a good thing we went early.  Your room is still full of other stuff, so it’s ok that we don’t have it yet.

Mommy must be starting to look pregnant because she got her first seat offer on Easter.  Mommy & Daddy went to Easter Mass, but of course all the seats were taken when we arrived (even though we were almost a 1/2 hr early!).  Mommy and Daddy stood for awhile, but right before the service began the priest insisted that we sit in the front in the seats reserved for the disabled.  Mommy really appreciated the priest's kind gesture!     


We also signed up for some classes so we are ready for your arrival.  Mommy & Daddy are taking infant CPR, newborn basics, and a natural child birth class called “Mind, Body, Birth” that emphasizes the use of mindful techniques and other methods to facilitate deep relaxation.   Mommy wants you to be born in a calm, peaceful environment, free from any drugs or unnecessary interventions.  This class should help Mommy & Daddy learns ways to achieve this goal.  We can’t wait to start them in June!   

Current Size: Cantaloupe (6.5 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 19

March 29 – April 4

Dear Poppy,

This week we told everyone that you are a girl!   Right now it’s popular to have a “gender reveal parties” so Mommy decided to throw a little one just for the family.  She had your grandparents & great-grandma over for dinner and baked some chocolate Guinness cupcakes for dessert.  Inside the cupcakes Mommy filled the middle with pink frosting.  Mommy and Daddy had fun making everyone wait until dessert to find out – your Grammy Andersen was especially anxious to finish dinner!  After dessert we finally announced on facebook so everyone interested could finally know that we are having a girl.  

Mommy & Daddy also got lots of stuff for you this week.  One of Daddy’s co-worker’s, Zaid, had 2 babies in the last couple of years and doesn’t need a lot of her stuff anymore.  She very generously gave or is letting us borrow many items, including her maternity clothes for Mommy to wear.  We picked up the stuff on Saturday and met her 2 ½ year old daughter, Zoey, and her 6 month old son, Finn.  They were both so cute and fun!  Hopefully you can meet them too!  It’s also really exciting to have some of your stuff in the house.  Mercedes is already scared of your car seat – she is going to have to get used to lots of new things soon!

On Tuesday Mommy is finally certain she felt some kicks!  People kept saying it feels like butterflies or gas, but I describe it a bit differently.  It’s amazing to finally feel you though!

Current Size: Mango or Heirloom Tomato (6 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 18

March 22 – 28

Dear Poppy,

You’re a girl!! Just like Mommy thought.  We are so excited to finally know!  You already have your Daddy wrapped around your tiny unborn finger.  We have a very short list of girl names for you, but we are going to wait until you are born to announce to everyone.  Plus we might change our minds too.  For now we will try them out at home and hope we don't slip up in front of other people.  Mommy is so excited to be able to start planning your girly nursery too!  She also felt a new sensation during the ultrasound – maybe a kick?

Current Size: Sweet Potato (5.6 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 17

March 15-21

Dear Poppy,

It’s been another quiet baby week.   I hope you are this chill when you are born!  Over the weekend Mommy & Daddy got to see lots of friends.  First Mommy’s friend Claire was visiting with her cousins.  Mommy & Claire met at Camp Matoaka back in 2005 and have stayed in touch over the years.  Her cousins from the UK were visiting the US, so we met up with all of them while they were in Boston.  I hope you are able to experience all the fun of summer camp someday.  Mommy really enjoyed her time both working and attending camp.  On Sunday Mommy & Daddy went to South Boston for a little bit of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  Mommy showed off her little bump to a few people who hadn't seen it yet too.  Overall it was a very fun weekend.

Current Cravings: nothing much.  I think I’m back to eating the same as pre-pregnancy, minus sushi & wine.  I did kind of want a beer on St. Patrick’s Day though.  

Current size: Onion (5.1 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 16

March 8 -14

Dear Poppy,


It has been another fairly uneventful week - Mommy really likes easiness of the 2nd trimester.  Mommy still has her cold, but it isn't as severe.  Daddy fought it for a week, but he has it now too - hope you don't get it!  


We worked hard on the office/guestroom space this weekend and its nearly finished.  We just need some curtains and a few decor items now.  Mommy is excited to start planning your nursery, although it will be easier once we find out if you are a boy or girl.  Only 13 more days until we find out!


Mommy is belly is growing too!


Current Size: Avocado (4.6 inches long)


Current cravings: red meat


Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 15

March 1-7

Dear Poppy,

Lots happened this week.  First the whole family went up to Maine for the weekend.  Mommy visited some of her friends for a wedding shower, and Daddy and your Andersen grandparents worked on the Boothbay house.  Mommy caught a nasty cold and has been feeling pretty yucky, and can’t take any medicine while pregnant.

On Wednesday we went to the midwife for our 4 month check-up.  Everything measured well – you had a strong 150 beat/min heartbeat, and Mommy measured 16 cm fundal height - right on track for almost 16 weeks (15 weeks, 6 days to be exact).  Mommy and Daddy signed up for a new kind of pre-natal care too.  First we met with the midwife for your checkup, then we went to a group class they called “Centering”.  About 10 other couples were in attendance and each session there is a topic for learning & discussion.  This time the topic was nutrition.  Mommy & Daddy didn’t learn too much new (except that Mommy really needs to up her protein – she is supposed to get 70 grams a day!), but it was really nice to meet other future parents and hear their take on everything.  Everyone is due within 6 weeks of each other, but you are one of the first babies due in the group.  We also scheduled our big ultrasound when they will tell us if you are boy or girl. So exciting!

Current Cravings: any sort of nasal decongestion meds (which Mommy can’t have!)

Current Size: Navel orange (4 inches long).  Note: until week 21 the charts measure from crown to rump, so you are really 4 inches, plus legs.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 14

February 23 - 29

Dear Poppy,

You are getting so big!  Mommy can now easily feel where her uterus has moved and is poking out.  Last night she felt some little twinges that maybe could have been you moving around, although you only a weigh a couple ounces so it’s pretty early and difficult to tell.  Mommy and Daddy read lots about your development and this week your kidneys started to function and you are peeing into your amniotic fluid!  And then drinking it.  It boggles our minds how fast you are developing.

Last weekend Mommy and Daddy looked for strollers for you.  Daddy painted the new guestroom/office so we can start emptying the current office and working on your nursery soon.

Current cravings: fruit juice – mostly orange juice with lots of pulp and Odwalla Superfood juice (or as Daddy calls it “juice with grass in it”).

Current size: Lemon (3.4 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 13

February 16-22 

Dear Poppy,

We've finished 13 weeks together! Yay!!  This is wonderful news for both of us – for you it means our chances of losing you have been significantly reduced (although we still pray for you every night).  For Mommy it means she has entered the part of pregnancy where she should feel her best.  We can't believe you are already 1/3 cooked!

Overall it was a pretty quiet week – Mommy physically felt the best she has been so far, but the pregnancy hormones are still very present, which took her a bit by surprise after she had felt so good.  Daddy made his first pregnancy food run on Friday night because the only 2 things Mommy wanted to eat were steak or Peanut Butter Puffins.   Daddy got her 3 boxes of Puffins (2 of which are already gone-they are so yummy!).  Your Gigi (Grandma McGowan) came to visit this weekend and we worked on cleaning and packing our current guest room.  Daddy is giving you his office, so we are creating a combined office/guest room.   Then we will work on your nursery!

Mommy has also noticed an increase in her appetite this week.  She has only gained a couple of pounds over the last 13 weeks, so it must be time for you to do some serious growing!

Current cravings: Peanut Butter Puffins!!  Steak.  Mushroom Risotto. 

Current size: Peach (2.9 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 12

February 9 – 15

Dear Poppy,

This week your Mommy has been feeling great!  Practically no morning sickness!   She is very excited for the 2^nd trimester which is when pregnant ladies are supposed to feel their best.

The biggest thing Mommy has missed while being pregnant is eating sushi, so this week Daddy got her “fushi” or fake sushi.  Mommy absolutely loved cooked and vegetable sushi, although Daddy still has strict orders to bring Mommy a large platter of real sushi after you are born.

We also decided to go 100% public with our Poppy secret.  We were able to tell many of our friends in person and on the phone (although not quite as many as we would have liked), but finally we just posted it to Facebook.  It is so fun that everyone knows now!

Current cravings: Barbara’s Peanut Butter Puffin Cereal.  Amazing.   Mommy actually ate fish (cooked) twice this week too!

Current size: plum (2.1 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy




Well I think I am all caught up on my Dear Baby posts now - very excited to enter week 13 tomorrow - my last week of the first trimester!! 

Dear Baby - Week 11

February 2 - 8

Dear Poppy,

This week Mommy was feeling much better – her energy is a little better, and the morning sickness is much less intense.  Unfortunately this was immediately followed by her first pregnancy pain – very achy hips!  This is really making side sleeping uncomfortable and I have always been a side sleeper.  After a couple of day I visited our massage therapist and she made my hips feel much better – for a few days at least.

We also visited the OBGYN for the first time this week.  The practice Mommy is going to treats patients in OB & midwife teams which is perfect for us as Mommy prefers a midwife and Daddy thinks we need an OBGYN.  It was a very quick visit (part of why Mommy prefers a midwife) but everything looked great.  We got to hear your heartbeat with the Doppler this visit which was quite exciting! We also decided not to screen you for Downs Syndrome.  The screening does not actually diagnose you, but rather gives you statistics (and sometimes gives you false results) which will probably just make your Daddy very worried.  Given Mommy’s age the chance that you are completely healthy is already extremely good, so we will trust that you are growing just beautifully!  

Current craving: frozen yogurt.  Pinkberry is the best!  Also your Uncle Rich introduced me to a frozen yogurt bar in Quincy that is even better than Pinkberry, but sadly Quincy isn’t very convenient for us.

Current size: lime (1.6 inches long)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 10

January 26-February 1

Dear Poppy,

Now that we have seen you and your heartbeat we are feeling more comfortable telling people about you.  We started telling a few of our closest friends our wonderful news!

This week we also visited the Boothbay house again.  On the drive up, Mommy read many many baby name ideas to Daddy, as we were having trouble finding any boy names we both liked.  We finally found a boy name that we both like and narrowed our girl name list down.  For now, our choices will be a secret.  While we were in Boothbay Daddy wanted to get started on working on the house, but he made Mommy sit upstairs with a mask on all weekend, just in case any of the dust contained lead.  Mommy actually enjoyed relaxing all weekend (except for the mask part) and finished reading the Hunger Games 2 & 3.   


This week Mommy had 2 days without morning sickness.  Hurray! 

Current cravings: macaroni & cheese

Current size: prune (1.2 inches long!)  You are over an inch!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 9

January 19-25

Dear Poppy,

This week Mommy turned 26!  We had a little party and lots of Mommy’s friends came.  Mommy wanted to tell everyone about you, but it didn’t seem like quite the right time yet.  Instead it took Mommy a very long time to find clothes that covered her little bump/bloat.  She also secretly drank regular lemonade all night, even though she had made her favorite lemonade cocktail for her friends.

Later this week we got to see you!!! It was so exciting and you are absolutely adorable!  We counted 5 fingers on each of your hands and you were squirming around like crazy!  Daddy couldn’t stop saying “oh my goodness” the whole time he was watching.  This was definitely the most excited Mommy has seen him.  Mommy was a bit more quiet – taking it all in (and a little uncomfortable too).  The midwife said you looked like you were growing and forming perfectly, although you measured a little small and so they moved your due date from August 18 to the 23^rd. 

The midwife was a little concerned about how much Mommy has been working, so she put her on a 40 hour/week work restriction.  Mommy was a very worried about how her bosses would take the news, as it is a busy time of year and they are understaffed.   Mommy’s bosses were surprisingly very accommodating so now she can get more sleep to help you grow big and strong.  It is a huge relief for our family.

After the ultrasound we decided to tell your Great-Grandma.  Your Andersen Grandparents have been dying to tell her, and we knew she would be so happy hear the news.   We all went out to dinner and she told us how happy she is and that family is the most important part of life.  She has been praying for your arrival even before we told her you were coming! 

Mommy also starting wearing maternity pants this week.  Her old pants still fit, but she cannot really button them any longer.  Her new pants are so comfy!!

Current size: green olive (.9 inches long)

Cravings: grilled cheese, cereal, pasta.  No interest in fish (a usual favorite)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 8

January 12 - 18

Dear Poppy,

This week we had our first official appointment with our midwife!  Everything looked great – Mommy has excellent blood pressure, hasn’t gained or lost any weight, and our family history doesn’t have any red flags.  Sadly the midwife could not find your heartbeat with the Doppler, which was a little disappointing for Mommy & Daddy.  She did say everything felt like it was growing well and you have an excellent home (aka uterus) to grow in.  To make us feel better, she scheduled us to come in for an ultrasound next week so we could see you. 

Mommy continues not to feel great-very sleepy and not enjoying food much.  Another 70 hour work week probably didn’t help.

Current size: raspberry (.63 inches long)

Cravings: grilled cheese sandwiches along with cereal & other carbs.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 7

January 5-11

Dear Poppy,

The holiday season is over and you must be sad because you are making Mommy very sick to her stomach.  Or perhaps you don’t like that tax season has also started this week and Mommy’s 70 hour work week.  Either way, Mommy has not felt well at all.

On a more fun note – some baby stuff arrived this week!  Mommy has decided she wants to use cloth diapers and ordered a few off of a Christmas sale.  They are so cute, you will be helping your environment, and saving Mommy & Daddy lots of money too!

Current size: blueberry (.51 inches long)

Cravings: same as last week, but now cannot think about eating raw veggies.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Dear Baby - Week 6

December 29- January 4

Dear Poppy,

This week we took another trip, this time to Iceland.  You did not like jetlag at all, and Mommy felt very sick to her stomach when we arrived.  We visited many beautiful sights and it was very exciting to visit Mommy & Daddy’s shared Scandinavian heritage.  You will have quite the variety of European heritages – English, Scottish, Irish, French, German, Polish, Russian, Norwegian and a bit of Native American too!  As Andersen is a Norwegian name and both Mommy & Daddy have Norwegian ties, all things Scandinavian hold an extra special place in our hearts.

While we were visiting we bought a few souvenirs – hats for the whole family.  Hopefully yours will fit you for winter 2012-13.  I got you the bigger baby size, as large heads run in Daddy’s side of the family.

You started craving things this week mostly cereal with cold milk (especially Cheerios) and anything hot & full of carbs like pasta & pizza.

Current size: sweet pea (.25 inches long)

Love you lots!

Mommy & Daddy