Letters to Baby Bug-Week 29

3/26/17

Hello my sweet baby bug!

We are officially in our last week of the month! I can't believe that next week we will be hitting 75% of the way to meeting you! It has been quite a week Bug. This week has been a very scary week and a week of trying to understand and knowing that we can't always understand God's plan. There was a major tragedy that happened in our community, and many good lives were lost for no understandable reason. It has shaken your mama to the core and made me question a lot of things. They say that God has a plan for everything, and I just don't think that I will know the plan on this side of heaven for the events that took place this week. It also makes me very nervous for you to come into this world where even every day tasks and routines can be shaken up. I wish that I could keep you protected forever, but I know that that is just not possible. So I will do the best that I can to make sure that you're protected and safe, while also teaching you to be smart and savvy about the world around you. I want you to know and be educated on so many things, but I never thought I would have to educate you on safety from violence like this. I just rely on God to know that there must be something greater.  

Time for some good news!!! We had our 28 week appointment and you are measuring perfectly and we got to hear that tiny little heartbeat! We also got to ask the doctor dozens of questions so that we can make the most informed decisions around your birth! Unfortunately, I also found out that I have just gestational diabetes. This has been a pretty big shock for me, because I have been eating so well for you and making sure that you have all your nutrients and avoiding things that would be harmful for you like caffeine, coffee, and even lunch meat! Your dad and I have been doing a ton of research and we are ready to do whatever we need to to make sure that you are healthy and strong and safe. We are also working to make sure you grow bag, but not too big apparently, due to this new information. We have learned that there is nothing we could have done to prevent this and it is just part of our journey to meeting you!!!

Next week we will go in for a follow up visit and meeting with a nutritionist to learn exactly what we need for you so that everything goes well. It looks like the first 12 weeks of your life were filled with mama giving herself shots so that you would have everything you need and stay in mama's belly and grow bag. The last 12 weeks will be filled with needles again, but this time I will be taking blood it to check multiple times a day and ensure that you aren't getting too much glucose and growing too big! It's kind of ironic when you stop and think. So here we are, onto our next adventure!

According to the apps, you are somewhere between 15 and 17 inches long and about 2 1/2 pounds! Every week, when I see the numbers, I am just amazed at how big and how fast you're growing! They say you are the size of a Rollerblade or butternut squash or A large cabbage! They also say that your job right now is just to put on fat that will help regulate your body temperature. It is also said that you can respond to stimuli around you such as noises, lights, movement, etc.! How exciting! There is also a high chance that you are able to dream at this point, but I am not really sure what your dreams must consist of. So for now I will just say sweet dreams baby bug and see you in just a few short months!

Love, 

Mommy

Letters to Baby Bug-Week 28

3/19/2017

Good morning baby Bug!!!!!

Well here we are, at the final countdown! By all apps and math and everything else, we are officially in third tri. I can't believe that this pregnancy is already two thirds of the way done! I feel like time continues to fly and there is still so much to do before you get here! We are officially down to 12 weeks, give or take, until we get to meet you! I am so excited and ready and worried and happy and every other emotion. I am excited and happy to meet you, but is a little terrifying to think that we are going to be in charge of teaching you every single thing you need to know, to grow up to be a good person. There will be plenty of other people in your life, but you will learn what you need at a most basic level from us.

There's not too much happening in our life right now. We are kind of just waiting period. This week coming up we have a doctor's appointment and that is always fun because will get to hear your little heartbeat and check and make sure everything is right on track. But other than that, we are at a standstill. We don't move into our house for a couple of weeks still, and then it will be a quick and fast frenzy to get it all set up for you! One thing your dad and I are really good at is moving quickly! We have done it so many times, but we hope to not do it again for a long time! 

According to the apps, you are up to 15 inches and 2 1/2 pounds! You are about the size of a plantain and weigh as much as some squash out there! I have definitely enjoyed feeling you move around more and have started feeling what I think are hiccups! The apps say that you are able to distinguish voices now, so you know the difference between me and your dad. They also say that you are working on tricks like blinking, coughing, and breathing! You're becoming quite advanced! I can't wait until I can see your little face and all of your little tricks. I look forward to seeing all the tricks and skills you learn in the future.

That is it for today bug! I love you so much and I will see you in just a few short months!

Love,

Mommy

Letters to Bug-Week 27-Officially a Name

3/12/17

Good morning sweet Eli!

Mama is still working on using your real name so that when you come, you will know your name and not just your nickname! Although I suppose I am only halfway there, because I still refer to you as Eli which is a nickname. Your dad and I have chosen to name you Elijah Joseph, after three very important people in the Bible. Elijah, who could arguably be considered the greatest profit of the Old Testament, is such a great man. His story is absolutely fantastic and his reliance on God when everybody around him was relying on the world and false gods, is amazing. As your dad and I have been trying to decide if this is going to be here for sure name, this week's lunch hour ministry talk on the radio that mam listens to daily, has been the story of Elijah and it just solidifies for me that this name is perfect for you. Your dad and I always knew that you would come into our life, there's no way to explain it. It was almost like a prophecy from God. Science was telling us no, this world was telling us that it wasn't going to happen, but we relied on God and knew that you were coming into our life. Elijah had to do the same and he faced some pretty tough times! I hope that you learn to rely on God the same as Elijah did in his time.

Your middle name, Joseph, is shared by your dad and he is really excited about that. There are also two very very very important Joseph's in the Bible. The first Joseph is best known due to a guy named Danny Osmond and a musical put together by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Mr. Weber and Mr. Rice created a play called Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dream coat, after the story in the Bible about Joseph. But the play doesn't even begin to get into the depths that is the story of Joseph. Joseph, like a Elijah, had a really really tough life at times. He had to endure being thrown in prison for nothing literally, hated by all of his brothers because he was his dad's favorite, sold in to slavery due to that hatred, and had a multitude of other things happened to him that we're really not his fault. I suppose you could argue some of it may have been his fault because he was a little prideful and arrogant, but he was also human too. He also had to rely on God during these hard times and it would've been super easy to believe that God had forsaken him or that something else was at work. It would've been super easy, as he has a very happy ending, to believe that it was all of his own power. But he gives all of the glory and all of the blessings back to God, because he knows that's where they came from. Joseph kept upstanding morals and reliance on God, something I hope we can teach you sweet Eli. 

The other Joseph in the Bible, plays such a significant role in Christianity, and yet I think he sometimes gets overlooked as just a supporting actor or something like that. You see, Joseph was Jesus's Earth dad. He didn't have a biological connection to Jesus, because Jesus was God and didn't have a biological Earth dad. But you see, in the time that Jesus came, if Mary would have had him and not have been married to Joseph, there's a good chance she could've been killed or that Jesus could've been killed as a baby due to laws and customs. When you think about it, by Joseph following God's plan, he kind of made sure that Jesus could be born and live and save the world. Joseph had his doubts as well, and at first tried to respectfully walk away and not shame Mary. Right there, is a huge leap of respect and Faith to not out her. But then after listening to God, he not only did not disrespect her, he married her! And by marry her, and allowed her to carry and take care of and provide for baby Jesus. The rest of the Jesus story I will make sure you know I was your girl. But this very early beginning, is often overlooked. For without Joseph, Jesus could have been in some big trouble! God always has a plan, and well Joseph was the plan! 

So that is where your name comes from Mr. Elijah "Eli" Joseph Humphrey,! Such a strong and powerful name for a miracle little baby.

Here we are at 27 weeks, third tri or just about third tri depending on who you ask or what app you open! Your movements are getting so much stronger and I can feel you every day. It is never lost on me when I get to feel you move inside and I always have to stop and just enjoy! The app say that you are about 15 inches long and a little over 2 pounds. You are apparently the size of a very long cucumber or the worlds smallest box. It also appears that you have the most taste buds you will ever have in your entire life right now. More than when you are born and more than you will have as an adult! I am so excited to let you try all kinds of different foods when you are older, and I really hope that you share the same love for certain foods that your dad and I have, and a love for trying new and exotic foods and traveling the world and enjoying culture that way!

Well sweet Bug that is all for today. We love you and we are counting down the days until your arrival!

Love, 

Mommy

Letters to Bug-Week 26

3/5/17

Good morning baby E!!!

It feels weird to start using your actual name rather than just calling you my little bug. Your dad and I are making a conscious effort this week to start calling you by your name, because otherwise you may grow up and think that your name really is bug! We are at the end of second trimester and I cannot believe that in just a few short days, we will be heading into 3rd trimester and the homestretch to finally meeting you on the outside! I have such mixed feelings about it. I am so incredibly excited to see you and hold you outside in my arms and to finally get to meet you face-to-face. On the other hand there is A little bit of sadness at the fact that I will now have to share you with the whole world. There's something special about knowing that I am the only one who has held you, and felt your movements, and have literally been connected to you. As much as I have excitement at sharing you with the world, a small part of me also wishes I could keep you to myself forever.

We are getting really excited at our house because all of your things have started arriving. This week your car seat is coming and the recliner rocker for your bedroom is also on its way! It feels so cool to see all of these things, and to envision using each one with you. Your grandma Kathy, who wants to go by Mimi so I will have to work on that, and your aunt Katie have been busily working on baby shower celebrations for you. Your aunt Katie can go a little above and beyond, so you will always have the best celebrations and birthdays and life events. You will get used to her and know how much she loves you! I am looking forward to just having all of our family and friends together so that we can celebrate you and the excitement that you are bringing into our lives. We are so very very thankful to God and so very odd and his amazing and perfect planning. If I could have a celebration for you, it would be not just a baby shower, but a thank you God shower! 

According to the apps, you are steadily and rapidly gaining weight. Somewhere between one and a half and 2 1/2 pounds! That's a lot of baby in there! You are also around 13 inches long and continue to gain weight. Everything has started coming online as far as your body organs and functions go, but they still need time to mature, so your arrival is not yet ready! The app also says that your senses are becoming more and more functional and you can now open your eyes and see the world! Well, whatever the world looks like inside of your tiny little water bubble! Your dad and I have really been working at night to read to you and also just talk to you and share our favorite music. Your dad really loves sharing Kenny Chesney, I hope you are a country fan so you guys can share that! I have enjoyed sharing my favorite praise and worship songs with you and songs that get me through tough days! I really really hope that you enjoy music and worship as much as I do. We can share that common bond!

Well sweet bug, I will say goodbye for now, and I can't believe that the next time I write you it will be third trimester! Love you so much little bug!

Love, 

Mommy

Letters to Bug-Week 25

2/26/2017

Hello sweet baby bug!

Here you are at 25 weeks and life is getting pretty exciting around our home and family! Let me first start out by telling you, we found a new home and we picked out the perfect bedroom for you! Your dad and I are very excited to dream about painting the room and setting it up for you and having it ready for when we bring you home. We have also started receiving some of your furniture from our registry! Your room officially has a crib, pack and play, and your stroller/travel system! The house is filling up quickly with your things! I look at them every day and I am just so grateful to have you and to be able to have these things for you. You see sweet Bug, your mom is a social worker and I work with a lot of families who struggle and just aren't able to provide the things they want to for their babies. It is another blessing that I am glad your dad and I have and are able to give to you. One thing that has been really important to me, while we have been physically searching for a new home, is that when you make your grand appearance, you have a home to come too. I want the place that you come home to to be yours for a long time! And now we have a family home!

We also had our doctor's appointment this last week, and a meeting with a midwife! We are trying to decide on where we want to have you! We are debating between a hospital and having you at our own home and it is all very exciting! Still so many big decisions to make before your arrival, which I can't believe is in 15 weeks, give or take! Both appointments said that you are right on track for growth and we are both doing amazing! Apparently your mama giving up coffee and everything else that she loves, but is bad for her, has done you really well! I absolutely love hearing your little heart on the Doppler and knowing that everything is going well in there. I wish there was a way that I could see into my belly and be able to look at you every day, but that technology is not available yet, at least not outside of an ultrasound! So for now I will just keep dreaming about you and thinking about you and loving how I picture you right now! Until you make your appearance and prove me wrong! Then I can see how you really look and love your actual little face and cheeks and hands and toes and everything else!

According to the apps, you are putting on quite a bit of weight as you prepare to come out into the real world! You are still hovering around 9 inches from your head to your butt or about 13 inches head to feet, but you are now up to a pound and a half! It says that your senses are really starting to pick up and that you may be able to even smell now. I have no idea how science figures these things out, but that is really cool! Your dad and I continue to talk to you all the time because the app say that you could hear us. You are probably so tired of hearing my voice, because all I do is talk all day long! But no amount of talking that I do during the day, gives me the joy that talking to you in the car or at night does! I am also feeling your movement so much more and it is absolute musing. I love feeling your little kicks and jabs and what feels like somersaults in there! Enjoy it while you can, because the app say that your space is going to grow Small soon! I have absolutely been loving every part of this pregnancy and every part of you, I think you figured it out bug, I just really love you!

That is it for this week! 

Love, 

Mommy

I forgot our pic of the week with all the crazy of house hunting but here is a quick pic. You are the size of Cauliflower now!!!!

Letters to Bug-Week 24-It is V day!!!!

2/19/17

Good morning sweet baby bug!

This is a big week for you, it's viability week! Sometimes it's a known as V day, but what it really means is that if you were born today, don't get any ideas, you would have a better chance of surviving than not. It feels like it has been such a long road to get here, but we are here!  I am so excited to start looking forward to your arrival and planning for it. Your dad and I have been doing birthing classes for about five weeks now and have about seven weeks ago and I still don't feel like I know what I'm doing! Hopefully mother nature and your dad coaching help me out! All I know, is I wish I could fast forward and see you already. But I am working on my patience and waiting for your perfect timing of entering into this world.

It has been a very busy week in our house dear little bug. Earlier this week we found out that we are going to have to move before you were born! 16 weeks never felt so short! So your dad and I are busy looking for a new house, but house hunting this time around is really hard. We want to find the perfect house with a room for you,  So when we bring you home you will have a space of your own. We are also not sure if we want to keep living in the area that we already are because we love the daycare we have picked out for you, or if we want to move to a different area. And I think that this might be the house you grow up in and school you attend makes it even more complicated! So many details going into this move! But don't worry bug, your dad is determined to find us the perfect house and be all settled before your arrival. So we really need you to give us the full 16 weeks, OK?

We also went to the store and bought your crib, stroller, and pack and play. They should be arriving this week and it makes me so excited to think that your furniture is coming. I wish that we were setting it up in your room, but that will come. It was so exciting to be in the store and truly picture you in each of the pieces of equipment and our plans and hopes for you with those. Obviously we hope you love your crib and will be a great sleeper, we want to take lots of walks and go see tons of different things with you and your stroller, and we will definitely need that pack and play because your dad and I plan to travel the world with you. It is so exciting to think about you being in our lives and a part of everything we love. We sure hope you love the same things we do!

The apps are getting all kinds of confused, because apparently this is the point when babies start growing on their own time and ability. According to the app so you are somewhere between eight and 12 inches, and between 12 and 20 ounces. We are pretty sure you are probably closer to 16 or 17 ounces at least, because a month ago you were already close to 12! You are growing so fast and I can't believe that you are a pound or more already! My tiny little boy is already getting so bag and I just keep envisioning holding you and loving you and kissing you! The apps also tell us that you're hearing has greatly improved and you can hear not only all the sounds in my body but the sounds around you including your brother dogs barking. They want to make sure that you recognize them long before you're born! The other cool thing that is happening in your body right now is that you have capillaries forming which are giving you a less see-through look and a more pinkish look which is really cool to think about. Pretty soon your skin will start turning its final color and your hair will go from white to whatever color it will be. Your dad and I love to talk about what we think it will look like and what features you will have. Really, we just love talking about you!

Happy V-day sweet Bug and know that mommy and daddy love you very very much!!!!

Love, 

Mommy

Letters to Bug-Week 23

2/12/17

Good morning my sweet baby bug!

It is funny to think that you are my little baby, when you have done so much growing and developing over the last couple of months. From where you started to now, you have become quite large! A fun fact we learned in our birthing class this week, if you had continued to grow like you did in the first couple of months, you would weigh a literal ton when you were born! To you think of how much has taken place in your short little life so far is absolutely amazing. You went from a one cell egg combine to another cell, and expanded rapidly from there. You develop cells that became your brain, heart, blood, and everything else in your body. You have grown arms and legs and toes and even a sweet little button nose. We have gotten to watch you grow from a tiny little circle on the ultrasound to a full baby moving around in my belly. It has been absolutely amazing to watch your development and read about it each week. God has designed you perfectly and thought of every little detail about who you are. He already knows your name, even if we aren't sure of it yet. He loves every little thing about you and has placed everything in just the place it's meant to be. Always remember, for God so loved the world, which includes you, that he sent his son so we have nothing to worry about. Your mama could take some advice from herself on that one. I hope that I can teach you to rely on God even when you're anxious and worried. It doesn't always take the worry away, but it sure is an amazing feeling to know that God has a plan for you.

Your dad has decided to start writing letters to you too. I can't wait for you to be able to read all these letters that we have written to you and I hope that you realize that you are loved and thought of every single day. Not a day goes by in our week where we don't talk about you or something you're doing right now or hope or dream we have for you. Every single day, your dad asks how you are and makes sure that you're OK. He is so excited to be your dad and I know that I gushed about how much I love you in these letters, but in this letter, I just want you to know how much your dad loves you.

We had a fun weekend this last weekend. Your grandma, Uncle, and Aunt came out and helped us move all of our furniture around the house getting ready for you. Your room has been completely cleaned out and now we just need to go buy your furniture. It's a good thing your dad and I have already decided on what we want, because as you know, we are not that great with decisions! The biggest one we have left is what color to paint your walls! I want you to love your room, and I know you probably won't have an opinion of it for a while, but I wanted to be perfect. It has a special place for a special little man!

According to the apps this week you have not grown too much in length, still around 11 or 12 inches long, but you are gaining weight! You are up over a pound now and it says in the coming weeks you were going to rapidly gain more weight. Right now you have a bunch of extra skin kind of just hanging around, but as you start gaining weight and fat in your body, it says that you are plump out! So I guess your job for the next couple of weeks is just to gain baby gain! It also says that all of your senses are becoming more sophisticated. Your eyes are able to better detect light, your ears are able to better hear things inside my belly and out, and your taste buds are able to start tasting differences based on the food I eat. So cool to think of all of your little senses coming online.

That's it for this week bug! Mommy and daddy love you and we are looking forward to meeting you!

Love,

Mommy