5 months

Dear Avery,

Today you are 5 months old. I officially love you more than anything in this universe. Now, this isn't a new thing, but for the past five months I have been telling you that I love you more than anything in this world...but I'm going to have to go further and say universe.

Your dad and I have been putting you on your tummy on the ground and cheering you on as you grunt and drool and wiggle yourself across the floor in a dramatic attempt at crawling. It looks like hard work and I have to steel myself against your frustrated grunts and let you try before I sweep you up into my arms again. You are also "walking" when your dad and I hold you up. You're pretty sturdy on your feet. Sometimes I think you are just going to forget crawling altogether and just start walking.

Last week, after many weeks of drooling and suffering, two bottom teeth burst through your gums. They are the cutest and sharpest little teeth I have ever seen. How do I know how sharp they are? You like to bite my nipples when you are eating. I'm hoping its just a phase.

You are also very big and very strong. The doctor is pretty impressed with you. You are already 20 pounds and 28 inches long/tall. Of course you have always been off the charts, ever since your first checkup when we were amazed that you were gaining weight so quickly. You were holding your head up at one month old, and bouncing away happily in the Jolly Jumper by two months. People always think you are 8 or 9 months old when they see you. I must have steroids in my breast milk.

Daddy and I have adapted the "attachment parenting" philosophy. We have finally admitted that we are not going to kick you out of our bed anytime soon. Having you sleep with us has been one of the best things about having you. You are the happiest little baby in the mornings. When you wake up (around 8am thank you very much!) I move you over in to the middle of the bed so daddy can give you a back rub. You laugh and smile and fart and we all lie there letting the house warm up before getting out of bed. It is wonderful.

One of the best things about you is your laugh. You first laughed on October 10. I remember it because I was waiting for it. Since then, you laugh at almost everything daddy does. He likes to lay you down on your back and make farting noises on your tummy. You eat it up.

Oh, and you are babbling away like crazy now. You are an absolute DREAM to take out. You never cry or fuss when we go shopping with you. Daddy and I took you to our favourite Mexican restaurant the other night and you were so good. The waitress held you for awhile so I could eat and you didn't even make a peep the whole time. The only thing you don't like is the carseat, but I can't blame you for that. I would hate to be restrained in a boring old car too. You're usually okay now because I've started sitting in the back with you again.

So what else can I say except that daddy and I are in love with you and cannot imagine how we lived before you. We feel like we spent our entire lives waiting for you and finally we get to have you. When I look at your feet it makes me feel like crying sometimes because they are so cute and fat and I wish sometimes that you could stay this age forever. I love those feet.

Today, when you wake up from your nap, I'm going to see if you want to try some banana. I know we're supposed to wait until six months to try anything but I thought you might like to change things up a bit, and besides, they're organic bananas. I'll have to update this letter with your reaction. Of course, as always, we'll get tons of pictures and footage of this event.

So my sweet girl, keep growing strong and healthy. I love you tons and tons, and so does daddy. I can't wait to spend your first Christmas with you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Love,

Mum

xoxoxoxoxoxo

31 weeks

Dear Avery,

Things seem to be getting pretty uncomfortable for me at times. The relentless heartburn and weird rib pain are preventing me from sleeping as well as I was in the second trimester. I find that I am tossing and turning for an hour or more in the middle of the night while daddy sleeps peacefully next to me. You and I are both healthy, and you are stronger now than ever before. Your new favourite place in my tummy is nestled right up against my ribs. I can’t tell if it’s your head or your bum, and the doctor couldn’t either, that you have wedged up against my ribs, but you seem to love it there – whatever part of you it is.

I can see a hand or a foot much more clearly now as it pokes my tummy out. Daddy was thrilled the other night when you gave him a “high five”, or so he thought. He sat with his hand on my tummy for the evening and marveled at how strong you have become. It was the most amazing feeling; I could feel your little body touching your dad’s hand, and we were all connected. It was wonderful.

Your nursery still isn’t done. I just don’t seem to have the energy at the end of a work day and weekends have been crazy busy. I am going to get you a dresser next weekend, I promise. Then I will finish decorating the walls and get all of your clothes put away. I’m getting a little nervous about the labour now; actually I’m more worried about you than me. I know we will be fine, but worrying is what mothers do, as I have found out.

I’m winding down at work now in preparation for my year-long maternity leave. I hope to have this all wrapped up as well as everything else so that when you are born we can just enjoy each other. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms while you sleep. I can’t imagine there is a better feeling in this entire world.

Keep growing strong and healthy and we’ll see each other soon.

Love,
Mum

xoxo

26 weeks

Dear Avery,

Something amazing happened this weekend. While your dad and I were drinking coffee and reading the paper on Saturday morning, we saw the right side of my tummy move. Well, actually, I did. Then I pointed it out to your dad, who stared in amazement as you kicked/punched the side of my tummy AND WE COULD SEE IT.

At the beginning of the week, I felt that things were different in there. Your movements seemed less jerky and more controlled. I could also feel you, all of you, slowly roll over from side to side. You are just over a pound and a half according to my books. My tummy is really starting to get big (thank god for yoga pants), and I’m starting to find that getting up out of bed is a little harder than it used to be. Last night I rolled over onto my right side and I could feel where you were lying in my uterus. It was incredible. I love the feeling of the two of us being safe and warm together, snuggled up in bed against daddy.

In food news, I’m finally able to eat Indian food again. Your dad was joking the other day that you must think you’re going to be born in India with all the curry I’ve been eating.

Your grandparents on your dad’s side bought you a cradle (so you can sleep beside daddy and me for the first few months), a stroller, and another car seat! Your other grandmother (my mum) called me on the weekend to let me know she picked up some clothes and wash cloths and things for you too. You are so loved already and it makes me so happy. Everyone is excited about you – it’s all they talk about. You dad and I went to a party on the weekend and our friends are all excited about you too. You’ll be the first baby in the group!

So my sweet girl, keep growing strong and healthy. I can feel you kicking away right now as I write this. Oh, and take it easy on my bladder – maybe start kicking somewhere else for awhile.

Love,

Mum

xoxoxoxoxo

25 weeks

Dear Avery,

Last night, your dad and I were sitting on the couch talking about our day and you started kicking up a storm. I took your dad’s hand and put it right where I felt your legs kicking and he finally felt you! It was almost like you knew that daddy had his hand there. I wish you could have seen how much you made him smile. You are growing so fast and getting so big now.

I went to see Dr. B last week and found out that I have gained 3 ½ lbs. I’m pretty sure that most of that is you because my tummy is getting really big. Your heart is strong and healthy, and you still haven’t moved into a head down position, but Dr. B says not to worry, we have lots of time. I’ve registered at the hospital for your birth (I tried to get us a private room but will have to wait and see how busy it is), and I’ll be taking a breastfeeding class and hospital tour soon.

I’m starting to get a little nervous about labour, but I know that you are a strong and healthy baby and I don’t worry about you because I know you will be just fine.

We went to visit your grandparents (on daddy’s side) on the weekend to see your Uncle because it was his birthday. He and your Aunt bought you a very nice little pink sleeper. Your grandparents bought you a playpen, more clothes (I can’t imagine you will even wear all of the stuff you have!), and a cradle and a stroller with a car seat. My dad (your grandfather) has also got some stuff for you but he is going to wait for a bit before he gives it to me. My mum (your grandmother) came over on the weekend too and brought me some beautiful fresh tulips for the house and some cake because I have been eating sweets like crazy since I’ve been pregnant with you.

My books tell me that this week, you can open and close your eyes and respond to light; that the nerves in your hands are fully formed and you are playing with the umbilical cord and sucking your thumb; and that you are starting to fill out and not look so wrinkly. Oh, and you have hair now. You daddy and I always wonder what colour it will be. I’ve been having some really strange dreams these days too. Last night, I dreamt that you were a Koi fish! I was in for an ultrasound and the technician and I watched you swimming around in my uterus. You were red and gold and had big blue eyes. That is probably one of the weirdest dreams I’ve had about you so far. In another dream, you arrived at our house in a package while I was at work and when I got home your dad took me upstairs to meet you. You were packed in newspaper and sleeping in a little box. The one common thing in all of my dreams about you is the love I feel for you already. Even that little Koi fish that was you made me feel such an overwhelming sense of love I cannot even begin to describe it.

As always, keep growing strong and healthy, and we’ll see each other soon.

Love,

Mum

xoxoxoxo

23 weeks

Dear Avery,

Time is flying by for me. I can’t believe that I’m almost 6 months pregnant. I’m still feeling good, other than the occasional bad heartburn, and you are moving around like crazy! You dad still can’t feel you move when he puts his hand on my tummy, and he is always disappointed when he can’t feel your little kicks. We are hoping that he’ll be able to feel you soon. I’ve been out a couple of times to get some clothes for you – just a few little things. Your dad found a little shirt with fire trucks on it and insisted on getting it for you. He also went a little toy-crazy at Ikea the other day for you. He’s getting really excited.

My tummy is sticking out a lot more than before but people tell me I don’t look 6 months pregnant. I guess you’re still tucked away in the back somewhere! Last night I had some bad heartburn and couldn’t fall asleep. I guess you couldn’t either because I could feel you were moving around. So I read us some of Margaret Atwood’s “Cat’s Eye”, my favourite book. This seemed to calm you down a bit.

This week I started getting “Braxton-Hicks” contractions, which is normal for this time. We were out for a hike with Charlie and it felt like my whole tummy kept hardening up and then going soft again. It was very strange.

Your dad and I went to visit your great-grandmother yesterday. She has knitted you the most beautiful sweater with a matching hat and booties. I think I will bring you home from the hospital in this outfit, I know if would mean a lot to nana. She has been very sad since papa died last summer. I’m sorry that you won’t get to meet him, he was a wonderful man. If you were a boy, I was going to give you his first name, Kenneth, as your middle name. Instead you are getting all original names! Well, except for the last name.

Well my sweet girl, you are doing so well and getting so big and I couldn’t be happier. I peek into the nursery every morning and look at all the things you have so far and it makes me smile. I think this is the happiest I have ever been.

Keep growing strong.

Love,

Mum

xoxoxoxo

21 weeks

Dear Avery,

I am now 21 weeks pregnant with you as of Tuesday this week. I can’t believe how fast this seems to be going right now. Despite some sickness in the first trimester with you, the second trimester has been wonderful. I started to feel you fluttering around in there around the 15 week mark. My doctor and many other people told me it was too early to feel anything but I knew it was you. The other day you really started moving around, even kicking me in the bladder! This morning, daddy woke me up as he left for work and this must have woken you up too because you got the hiccups all of the sudden. I think you had them for about ten minutes before you finally settled down in there again. Every time you move, I feel happy and relaxed, knowing that you are safe in there.

Your dad and I bought a minivan the other day. We also put your crib together and have started to set up your nursery. Hopefully we’ll get out to Ikea this weekend because they have some neat baby stuff there. I’m looking for the perfect artwork to adorn your walls too. I haven’t bought you any clothes yet but I know lots of other people have. Your great-grandmother and paternal grandmother have been knitting away like crazy for you. I think you have 8 receiving blankets already! Of course, most of them are pink. I know your dad and I didn’t want to have you in frilly, girly clothes all the time but I saw the cutest little dress with a matching cardigan the other day and I think I might have to get it. It probably won’t fit you until you are around 3 months old (and then probably not for very long). I know that my mum, your grandmother (and the best one out of the bunch, I might add) is very excited to meet you. And the most excited out of everyone are your dad and I. Your dad brought home some of his medical stuff and takes my blood pressure all the time to make sure that we are okay. He is going to bring his stethoscope home this week so he can hear your heartbeat any time he wants. We first saw you when I was 12 weeks pregnant on the ultrasound. It was the most amazing thing either of us have ever seen. You were very tiny and we could see your little heart pumping away. While we were looking at you, you wiggled around and waved your arm at us. We were so excited! After that ultrasound, I felt less worried about you because I knew you were doing okay. The next time we saw you was when I was 18 weeks along. This time you were much bigger and moving around a lot. Daddy and I really wanted to know if you were a girl or a boy but you were lying in a funny position and the technician couldn’t see between your legs so I had to move around all over the bed while the technician poked at you from the outside. Finally you moved and we got to find out that we are having a little girl. That night we went out for dinner to celebrate.

So far, it has been wonderful for me and I hope you are enjoying yourself in there! LOL. I have never craved strawberry Poptarts more in my life and I’ve been indulging in some seriously good peanut butter chocolate ice cream. I know you are enjoying these things too. Take care in there. Keep growing strong and healthy, and we’ll see each other very soon.

Love,

Mum

xoxoxoxo