Dear Baby...

Although I am only 10.5 weeks along, I could not wait any longer to tell friends and family about you and your upcoming arrival!  I am overjoyed to have you growing inside me, and I cannot wait for the day I get to feel you move and kick.  I cannot wait to hear your heartbeat and see your sweet face and know that you are really there.  The fatigue and nausea are there, which make me feel more confident that you truly are growing inside me, but without seeing you or hearing your heartbeat, I fear the worst always.  Every little cramp or strange feeling sends me into a panic, but then I stop, breathe deeply and try to relax - I do not want to cause you any stress, sweet babe. 

You are due December 29, 2014 - and I apologize now if you have to share your special day with Christmas or New Years, but know that Christmas is my favorite time of year, and you are going to be the best gift I've ever received! 

I love you so much already, my little love bean, and I know your daddy loves you just as much.  It warms my heart when he rests his hand on my very small, only noticeable to me baby bump, and when he asks me how I am feeling.  He has been so helpful with changing the cat box for me, and helping more with cooking and cleaning, and doing lots of yard work to make sure our home is ready for your arrival.  I feel so blessed and lucky - even when I am not feeling well physically and when my moodiness is almost too much to bear - I just thank God for your life and for blessing me with the opportunity to be your mama. 

How Far Along: 10.5 weeks!  

Size of Baby: A sweet kumquat!  About 1.25 inches long.

 

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I did just get a belly band for my jeans, which are getting a little uncomfortable when buttoned!
 

 

Stretch Marks: None yet.  Already using coconut oil twice a day.  I'm only up about a pound, so hopefully a gradual gain will prevent them.
 

  
Sleep: Up often to pee and with the doggies who are restless at night, but dreams have been vivid and strange.
 

Best Moment of the Week/Past Month:  Looking forward to Friday's first ultrasound!  And the excitement from all of my co-workers, friends and family when I told them my news!
 

 

Movement:  None for several more weeks.  :(
 

 

Cravings: Fruit, fruit and more fruit.
 

 

Gender: Won't know for a while, but we will be finding out.
 

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Going more than 2 hours without food.  The Bath and Body Works candles I just bought a few months ago, and any fragrances in the home.  Lavender Chamomile lotion I just got, too.

What I Miss: Wine and having the endurance to workout hard.  The exhaustion makes working out difficult and I am beat by the middle of Jillian Michaels, and I wimped out on Zumba, since that tired me out before baby!

What I am Looking Forward to: Seeing baby in the ultrasound and hearing baby's heartbeat!

Nursery: Planning in my mind what I want, but it will all depend on baby's gender!

Emotions: Happy, sad, joyous, angry, excited, scared, worried, jubilant...it is a mish mash of hormones over here.  Lots of tears, both happy and sad ones!