{dear little one}

V,

I just realized that we only have 15 days left until your due date, V. Wow! <3 While your dad and I still have some minor things to do in preparation for your arrival, I'd say we are totally ready for you to come whenever you are.

Throughout the day, your dad asks me, "Are you going to have a baby today?" Ahh, how nice it would be to know the answer to that question! I've been having lots of practice surges, but nothing timeable. Not yet at least! We're all so excited to meet you this month. Yesss, it's finally July- your birth month. We still can't believe it.

It's such a gorgeous day today. Early this morning, your dad and I met with our doula, the amazing Dawn Thompson.  Afterward, Dad ran to work, I made lunch, and then I took the dog, Sky, for a walk through the neighborhood. Now, as I type this letter to you, your cloth diapers are in the washing machine. I finally started prepping them today, which involves washing & drying them five times in hot water. Why five times, you ask? Each cycle increases their absorbency. Muy importante! You are going to look soooo cute in all of your fluffy little purple, green, pink, and orange diapers.

Wellll, I've got about 30 minutes before the laundry needs rotating, so I think I'm going to lay down in the hammock for a little nap. It's one of those warm, summery, nap-in-a-hammock kind of days. Who am I to argue with Mother Nature? ;)

See you soon, precious...
Mom

PS: One of our family traditions is taking photos in the photo booths at the Del Mar Fair every year. You {ok- more like the belly,} made your first appearance in our annual photo booth picture on Tuesday. Pretty cute, right? :P

{dear little one}

Hi pretty. Your dad & I got to see you this morning for the first time in 14 weeks. Talk about exciting! According to Dr. Biter's measurements, you are a little over five pounds and measuring a few days ahead of schedule. You are head-down {good girl!} and were sucking on your leg during the ultrasound. Yes, I said leg. I mean, why go for the normal thumb-sucking when you can reach your leg? You're already an overachiever, just like your mama. Dr. Biter also said you have pouty lips. Aww!

It's hard to believe that in five weeks {seven max,} you will be here in our arms, drooling, gurgling and wearing your cutesy cloth diapers and homemade headbands. We can't wait to meet you, precious.

XO,
Mom

Here's a pic from today's ultrasound @ 34 weeks, 6 days:

{you are so cute!}

{dear little one}

V,

Hi precious. Mama has a small request- could you please stop kicking me in the ribs? Over the past few weeks, your jabs have gone from cute to annoying to, as of this morning, painful. Also, could you move around for your dad a bit when he puts his hand on the belly? He would like that quite a lot. See you in a couple weeks! :o) 

Love you bunches,

Mom

{via ffffound}

{ps, baby}

Your dad and I have decided to save one of our old digital cameras for you. As soon as you're big enough to start pressing that button, you can document the world as you see it.

We are so excited to collect your photography, and to look back at it as you get older. Fun, right? :o)

{dear little one}

A really neat thing happened last night- something worth jotting down. :o)

For the first time, you seemed to recognized the book "Oh Baby, The Places You'll Go." You were kicking like crazy last night when I read it to you, and you even acted a bit peeved when a phone call briefly interrupted our story time. I've been reading it to you for months now, but last night was the first time you got noticeably excited about it. I wonder if you'll recognize the books wee read to you once you become an outside baby? I can't wait to find out!


Also, you seem to enjoy the belly poking game I've been playing with you. A couple times a day, I will poke my belly once on one side, then twice on the other. Immediately after, you will punch/kick back three times. I hope you don't mind all the poking, because I sure do enjoy our interactions. :o)

Can you believe that today is the start of our third trimester? I can't. We're 2/3rds of the way there, baby! Your dad informed me that you are currently the size of a pot roast, which I think is a hilarious mental image. Our little pot roast!

Well, I'm off to get a pretty little lamp for your nursery today. Maybe a rug too. Your room is almost done, which is very exciting! All that's left is a few random decorative accents. Well, that and a crib mattress! Minor detail. You'll probably sleep in our room for the first couple months, so that's not a huge priority yet. :P

Alright precious, mama's got to go blow dry her hair. As much as I dislike such tasks, I'm trying to enjoy them as much as possible. Who knows if I'll even have time to do my hair once you get here! I sure hope so, because this girl's hair is a hot mess if it doesn't get flat ironed at least twice a week. Ahh, someday you'll understand.

Your dad and I love you bunches!

{xo, mom}

{dear little one}

Dear little one,

Your dad said the cutest thing last night. While he was rubbing my belly "good night," he called me a "good little incubator." Pretty adorable. I figured someday that might make you laugh.

I heard your heart beat again today at my 26 week check-up. It's nice and strong at about 140 beats/minute. Hope you're having a good time in there, precious.

Only 98 more days until our due date! See you soon. ♥

Love you,
Mom

{dear little one}

Baby, it's official- you kicked your mama in the ribs for the very first time today! Are you really that big already? Two nights ago, you kicked your dad right in the face while he was laying on my belly. You should have seen the look on his face. It was priceless. Ooh, and last night I'm pretty sure I felt your elbow poking through while you danced around after dinner. I hope you're having fun in there!

Your dad and I can't believe we only have 101 days left until your due date. These last few months have completely flown by. It's fun to think that we've already taken you so many places- from San Francisco to visit your Grandma Debra & Grandpa Chris, to Sacramento for Jake & Disa's wedding, to Idaho to visit your Grandma Cindy & Grandpa Cliff, to Japan for our first wedding anniversary. You are one well traveled fetus!

Don't worry, we'll take you lots of neat places once you get here, too. Our first big trip is already in the works. Your Grandma Cindy wants to celebrate your first birthday in Vancouver, British Columbia, which is such a beautiful place. I better start researching how to get you your first passport. What a fun thought.


Well, sweet thing, we're out here loving you and counting the days until you make your big entrance into the world. ♥

{dear little one...}

Hey baby V. It's a sunny, gorgeous day- one of this year's most beautiful so far. I can't wait to go on walks by the lake, listen to the birds sing, and enjoy the sunshine together. I think you're really going to like it here.

{via smashing apps}

Ooh, you just started kicking! Hi. :o)

I can't wait to play dress-up and take goofy pictures with you.

{via ffffound}

I can't wait to watch "Amelie" with you. Maybe then you'll understand my passion for photo booths.


And last, but not least, I can't wait to make you your first cupcake. That will be a day to remember!


Until next time... Love you bunches, little girl.

{xoxo, mom}

PS: We're taking you to Japan next week! Baby's first BIG trip. :o)