Happy Due Date

Dear Baby Girl,

Happy Due Date! Today is the day that has been very special in my mind since my first dr's appointment with you back in June. However, now I will have a new date in my heart and that is January 27. That, my little lady, is your Birthday. I really didn't want to induce labor. I wanted to wait until you were ready and let you choose your Birthday. But Dr Macy told me that because you had a single artery cord it made it risky the longer we waited and she would like to induce as soon as 39 weeks and before your due date. She said that you had done so well she didn't want to risk anything. That I had to agree with. So we decided that January 27th would be your birthday. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day - very unusual for January in Utah. I was nervous about being induced but it turned out to be a really good labor and delivery. I thought as I was laboring about how someday you might be doing the same thing with your own children. You were born less than 6 hours after induction, which seemed really quick to me. Grandma and Grandpa had come to be there for your birth but I told them to take a break and come back later because I thought we had plenty of time, but you came faster than I expected. I got an epidural right before the pushing stage so I was able to be very comfortable and relaxed and enjoy watching you be born. There were oohs and awes in the delivery room when your head appeared. First everyone commented on all your hair, and I was so happy because I always wanted babies with hair and I never thought I would have them since I myself was so bald. Your brother had a lot of hair which raised my hopes for you, but I was still prepared for a bald girl so I was delighted to see a full, dark head of hair. Everyone thought your face was very cute as well. And they commented on your beautiful eyelashes. I think its amazing that your eyelashes would be so noticeable that people would comment on them on that stage of the delivery. When you came out I thought you looked so little. You weighed 7 pounds 4 oz. You were 20 inches long. And you were so quiet. It worried me a little that you were so quiet but everything was just fine, and you got plenty loud and upset when they took you from me to weigh you and give you your medicine. You don't have a name yet. I have such a hard time picking names. I went in thinking you were going to be Amilia, or maybe Maggie. Now we are thinking Charolette or Alexandra. I wish you could have a say in this decision, but I promise you that I will do my best to pick a good name for you. Dear baby girl, I am falling more and more in love with you every day. You are adorable. It has been overwhelming for me to have another baby when your brother is still so little himself. But I want you to know that while the adjustment has been hard you are still wanted and loved. And I know that it will grow stronger and stronger every day. Actually, every minute. Yesterday you were sleeping on my chest (which is pretty much the only way you will sleep for more than a few minutes at a time) and it acured to me that you were the heart beat I had been hearing at every doctors appointment. You are the baby I saw in the ultrasound pictures. You are the movement we monitored every week during my non-stress tests. You are the movements I felt inside of me. You are the tiny little baby that I first felt move inside of me 25 weeks ago. And now you are here. I am so glad that finally I can see you and touch you and really get to know my baby girl. I love you sweet thing.

Love,
Mom

Dear Baby Girl,

When are you going to come join our family? Every day I think that today might be the day. But so far its not. My due date for you is January 31, and because of the 2 vessel cord Dr Macy says that she does not want me to go past my due date. In fact, she would like to induce me at 39 weeks, which is in 3 days, but she said I can wait a little longer if I want. I hope that you will decide to come on your own before that, but I guess either way I will see you in 10 days. Can't wait to meet you baby girl.

Love,
Mom

Dear Baby Girl,

Today I went to a doctor appointment to make sure that mu uterus still has enough fluid and I that I am still providing a good home for you to grow in. Everything looked good. When I came home your dad and brother had just gotten back from a walk and they were playing in the hall. Daddy was chasing Max and Max was giggling and shrieking with delight. I was filled with joy as I watched them play. It crossed my mind that you are going to come to a good home where you will be loved and hopefully have some fun. I could imagine you there with us, and it felt right, complete. In my mind you are already a part of our family and I am so excited to actually have you there to see for reals, and not in my tummy and in my mind.

Love,
Mom

Dear Baby Girl,
It is now less than two weeks until your due date. I wonder every day, all day, if today is the day you will come. I worry so much about you. Every time you move I say thank you because it comforts me to know that you are still doing okay inside me. I am still in shock that I am about to have a daughter. For so long I just thought it would never happen and now I am about to meet you and hold you in my arms. I'm so excited to see you and make you a part of my days. I know that life will never be the same once you are here and I will wonder how the world ever existed without you in it.

I love you baby girl! I can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Mom