{angel baby}

Things we call you other than Violet: 

Angel baby

Sweet pea

Precious

Love bug

Beautiful girl

Cutie Pie

My little angel

Sunshine

Stinky butt

Sanchez

Snookie {lol} 

Sweetheart/Sweetie

Tiny Dancer

My world... 

{it's amazing how much changed the instant you were born, my sweet little violet}

{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!}

{it's a girl!}

Here are a couple snapshots of baby from our big ultrasound on Saturday, where we found out that our little one is a healthy, beautiful little girl!






Evan & I were shocked by the news, considering we were told she was a he multiple times, but we are so excited and cannot wait to meet her. We both feel like we kinda "knew" the whole time, so it's nice to have confirmation that she is really a she. We've got a lot to think about now... mostly, what do we name her?! Any suggestions? :o)

{xo, danielle}

{nt scan ultrasound pics}

Evan & I went in for our little baby's NT Screening this morning, which is an in-depth ultrasound to check for Down Syndrome, congenital heart defects, etc. Good news- looks like Baby Sanchez is measuring a day ahead of schedule, size-wise, and all of his other measurements indicate little chance of genetic abnormalities. Yay!

{hi little baby!}

{baby's footprint}

{baby's head- bottom right, & torso- top left, with arms down by his/her belly}