Dear Baby (35 weeks)

(34 weeks, 6 days)

Dear Little Lady,

We have survived our last flying trip before you arrive!  Oh man your mama is so happy to be done flying.  This last flying trip was so much fun though.  We traveled to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to watch your Uncle Zach and Auntie Ashley get married.  It was such a fun and intimate wedding and I am so glad we got to be a part of it.

The end of work is almost here.  I have only 5 days left!  I am so looking forward to a little more down time to work on your nursery.  As evidenced in the photo below it is currently in a state of chaos.  Your crib will be delivered and assembled on Friday morning, yippee.  Things are really starting to come together and are feeling more and more real.  We got a shipment of newborn clothes for you last night and I was pretty much dying over how cute and small everything is.  We have lots of snugly onesies to bundle you up in!

(the current state of the nursery... or babycave, RIP mancave)

I cannot believe that you will be here so soon!  The past 9 months have really flown by and I am getting more and more excited to finally be able to hold you in my arms.  Only two more weeks till we reach full term and go on official baby watch.  I have a feeling you will come just before your due date... wishful thinking on my part maybe.

Keep fattening up in there!  

Love,
Mom  

(34 weeks, 6 days)

Pregnancy Update (34 weeks)

(33 weeks, 6 days)

How far along: 34 weeks today. 

Baby's size: She weighs around 4.75 pounds and is about 18 inches long (according to Babycenter).  Her size is always just the average provided by Babycenter because I have no idea how much she actually weighs or how long she is - we don't do any ultrasound measurements at my midwife appointments.

Boy or girl: It's a girl!

How am I feeling: I managed to aggravate my left round ligament last week and I have been in quite a bit of pain since then.  I have been limping around and moving very slowly.  Sometimes it seems like every little movement is excruciating.  The only thing I can do to get the inflammation to go down is rest... which is easier said than done.  I have been going to see the chiropractor once a week and it has helped my back and sciatic nerve pain immensely.  Other than that I am doing really well.  I am pretty tired but still plugging along.      

Maternity clothes: I think I am entirely maternity these days except for my tank tops. 

Sleep: Still manageable.  Being tired all the time helps for sure and I am usually pretty comfortable if I have enough pillows.  I am sleeping on my sides only which is actually easier than I thought it would be.

Baby movement: She is still a mover and a shaker.  I feel a little heel stick out on my far left side all the time.  I am relishing in each and every shift, poke and kick because I know that I will miss them after she is born... even if they do hurt.   

Food cravings: Still nothing in particular though I have noticed an increase in my appetite. 

Food aversions: Nothing that I can think of.  There are certain things that don't sound appealing (like salad) but I wouldn't consider those real aversions.

What I miss: I still miss knowing what I feel like eating.

Best moment(s): My final baby shower with all my girlfriends here in NYC.  Marissa and Jenna did such a great job and really made me feel special.  I am so touched by everyone's genuine excitement and generosity for our Little Lady.     

What I am looking forward to: The end of work.  I only have 7 days of work left and I am so ready to not sit in this desk chair anymore, it is just too hard on my poor body.  I am also really looking forward to having more time during the day to check baby stuff off my to do list... there is so much futzing to be done!

(33 weeks, 6 days)

(on our 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday - we are so ready to be parents)

Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary Lovey!!!

Two years today I said 'I do' with my best friend and love of my life.  

Kevin, I love you more today than I did two years ago and I know my love for you will only grow as I watch you love our baby girl.  We have such a fun adventure ahead of us and I know we will be kick-ass parents!

I love love love you so much tookus!!!

Dear Baby (33 weeks, 5 days)

Dear Little Lady,

This past weekend we were in Northport Point, Michigan for Charley and Catharine's wedding.  Your Auntie Catharine and I have been best friends for 11 years.  She cannot wait to meet you and spoil you!

(33 weeks, 3 days)

Traveling is getting more and more tiring but this trip was so worth it!  It was so nice to see the entire O'Brien/Noble crew... I hadn't seen some of them in about 10 years.  Everyone was so complimentary of my baby bump.  You have stayed pretty compact in there which has allowed me to keep some of my girlish figure, thank you for that!  It was a nice little boost since I have been feeling pretty sluggish and lumpy lately.  I did my best to be a trooper and not leave the party early for both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.  I was out till about 11:30/12 both nights which is certainly late for me these days, haha. Your daddy was such a sweetheart and didn't give me a hard time when I was moving slower than usual.  He is the best. 

Your daddy got to play a round of golf before the wedding.  He sure does love his golf.  Silly me didn't tell him there was a golf course there (honestly, I didn't even remember!) so he had to borrow clubs, oops.  It was such a nice weekend and we kinda fell in love with the area so we plan to take a trip back sometime. 

We have one more flying trip this weekend and then we are done... with flying that is.  Does all this traveling tire you out?  I hope I am taking it slow enough for you.  Time is really flying by.  I can hardly believe that you will be here in +/- 6 weeks!  I guess I better do some more work on that nursery of yours.

Your daddy and I love you so much!     

Love,
Mom 

(33 weeks, 3 days)

Dear Baby (33 weeks)

Dear Little Lady,

You are so spoiled!  I went to your THIRD baby shower this past weekend.  Your Auntie Marissa and Auntie Jenna threw you the sweetest little party with food I am still dreaming about and the most pinteresty party favors.  Marissa and Jenna put so much thought and effort into each detail, it was so special.  Thank you ladies soooo much for being such awesome friends and aunties!!! 

We each filled out "Wishes for Baby Fournie."  I read them all out loud and had to fight back the tears.  Everyone has the sweetest wishes for you Little Lady!  I am putting them in a book with the "wishes and wisdom" from your St. Louis baby shower.  They will be so special for you to read when you are older.   

And... guess who was at the shower all the way from Singapore... Claudia!!!  Marissa, Claudia and I haven't all been together since last December so the reunion was long overdue.

To all the wonderful ladies who bought presents for our Little Lady and celebrated with me on Sunday... thank you so so so much!  It was the perfect celebration!

Being the first of our friends here in NYC to have a baby, I was a little nervous about how everyone would feel about it.  Most of our friends aren't ready to have their own babies.  I knew everyone would be happy for us but the true outpouring of love that we have received for you is incredible.  We have the best friends.  They already love you so much and are anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Keep growing strong and kicking me... even though it hurts, I know it means that you are doing well.  Your daddy and I love you so much!

Love,
Mom

(32 weeks, 6 days)

Dear Baby (32 weeks)

Dear Little Lady,

This past weekend your daddy and I went on our babymoon to Bermuda.  It was the last vacation we will take before your arrival and pretty much the only traveling we have done for just the two of us all year.  Oh boy did we really need this relaxing time alone.  We have been so caught up with all our obligations this summer and all the prep work for your arrival that we have hardly had time to breath.

We spent most of our vacation doing... nothing.  It was awesome.  We just laid on the beach and floated in the ocean.  Your dad drank his Cambridge Splashes while I sipped my virgin strawberry daiquiris... yummmm.  I even got my first prenatal massage!  Could you tell I was feeling more relaxed?  My sciatic nerve didn't bother me once on our whole trip!

(31 weeks, 2 days)

Your daddy went fishing one morning and caught a 10 pound bone fish.  You should be very proud!  They are not easy to catch and that was a really big one.  Your daddy is so excited to teach you how to fish!      

I am pretty sure I fell even more in love with your daddy during this vacation.  Watching him rest his hand on my belly and talk to you just melts my heart.  He loves you so much.  I could not have fallen in love with a better man, I am so lucky.  I cannot even imagine how much my love for him will grow when he holds you for the first time.  Thinking about it already brings tears to my eyes.

(paradise with the two loves of my life!)

(31 weeks, 2 days)

We are all rested and ready to finish all our preparations for your arrival.  We cannot wait to meet you!

Love,
Mom