For My Son

October 9, 2011

Dear Daniel,

In about 6 weeks I will meet you for the very first time and I cannot wait to hold you in my arms.

I thought I would tell you about your journey so far.

I found out that your daddy and I were expecting you on the morning of March 23rd. Your daddy had already left for work when I found out, so I kept it a secret from everyone all day long. When he fianlly got home that night I was about ready to burst! I wrapped up a bib that said, "I Love Daddy". He stared at it for a long time before it finally sunk in. We laughed, we cried, we hugged. From that moment on, we've been so excited to welcome you into our lives.

We decided to call our families 2 nights later. The grandma's to be went crazy with excitement. Everyone was excited for that matter. You'll be the first little baby for both sides to spoil (and believe me...you are already spoiled!).

I went to my first doctor appointment on April 11th. Your dad couldn't make it, so Grandma Brenda came with me. I had an ultrasound and got to see you! You looked just like a little peanut (and that's what we referred to you as for quite awhile afterward). We could see your little heart beating and even got to hear it. 172 beats per minute. It was probably the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I was told I was 8 weeks pregnant and given my due date, November 21st.

Thankfully, you were kind to me all through the 1st Trimester. Most moms-to-be have the dreaded morning sickness, but you spared me. I only got sick twice. I was very tired all the time, and touching raw meat was really disgusting to me for awhile, but that was the worst of it.

As I entered into the 2nd Trimester, I started anticipating feeling you move. It's a hard thing for a mom not to worry when she can't feel her baby moving around yet. On June 14th, at 17 weeks, I felt you move for the first time. It was more like little flutters and tickles inside of my stomach. In fact, I wasn't really sure if that's what I was feeling or not until I had felt the same thing consistently for 3 days in a row. You tickled me a lot. Especially when I would lay down to watch tv at night!

We had an ultrasound scheduled for July 8th to find out if we were having a boy or girl, but you had another plan in mind. You gave me a little bit of a scare and so on the morning of the 7th I had to go to the Emergency Room. The nurse found your heartbeat right away. I can't tell you how relieved I was (especially because your daddy was over an hour away helping at camp!). They gave me an ultrasound that day and I couldn't believe how much you had changed in 12 weeks. You weren't a peanut anymore, but a little baby! You were squirming and moving all over the place, even though I couldn't feel it. I saw your heart beating and you were even opening and closing your mouth over and over again! The lady asked if I wanted to know if you were a boy or girl, but I wanted to find out with daddy, so she put the pictures on a disk and sent it home with me. Later that day, we found out we were having a son! We were both overjoyed!

I had several more ultrasounds in the 4 weeks that followed because they saw a little spot on your heart. You had me worried, but the doctors decided that it is a calcium deposit and that there's nothing to worry about at all. I enjoyed getting to see you. You've never liked to cooperate. You do flips and turns whenever they're trying to get measurements. You give the doctor trouble too. You don't like to stay still long enough to find a heartbeat!

On July 19th I felt you kick for the first time! You made my stomach move several times, but would always stop when daddy came in the room. He finally felt you 2 nights later! You haven't stopped since!

I never got any of those crazy cravings that some people get. I've just always wanted sweet things like ice cream and chocolate...but you'll soon realize that I always crave those things. My worst symptom in the 2nd Trimester was heartburn/acid reflux and I'd say it's been the worst of the 3rd too. I have it all day every day, but eventually it will end!

I got to see you one more time at 30 weeks, although I didn't get a very good view of you because you were hanging out really low. They wanted to make sure you were still growing because my stomach always measures small. They said you were perfect! You were weighing in just over 3 pounds. Your heartbeat was around 130 beats per minutes, which is has been at almost all of my appointments. The ultrasound tech also said that she could see that you have some hair on your head. The doctor said that you'll probably weigh around 7.5-8 pounds when you're born, so we'll see how close her guess was.

Now we're reaching the waiting game. Your bedroom is pretty much ready for you. Your daddy put together your crib, dresser and changing table. Grandma Thatcher helped me decorate your room, and I put together your swing and stroller. I've had 2 baby showers and still have 2 more before you arrive! (I told you, you're spoiled!).

I LOVE feeling you move around every day. Most days you make my entire stomach move and morph into funny shapes. Sometimes your kicks really hurt, but I still love feeling you. Today you kicked me clear up under my rib cage. You must be getting longer. Your daddy loves to talk to you and read to you. You loved it yesterday when he sang the Illinois song to you during the football game. I somehow have the feeling that I may be ganged up against...but maybe you'll cheer for the Hawkeyes with me every once in awhile.

Each time I walk through your room, I look at your crib and I can't wait to bring you home and see you in it each morning!

You can feel free to come about a week early if you'd like. There are a lot of people who are excited to meet you, so don't play shy and hang out with me past your due date, okay? We'll still have plenty of time together!

Love,
Mommy