Sweet Baby,

Where has the time gone?  I've been carrying you around for 20 (almost 21) weeks now.  It seemed we would never reach this point, now it's here and I have absolutely no idea how it happened.  It seems like just yesterday I was telling your Daddy that we were expecting a baby!  I love having you with me.  I love that I can feel you.  About 5 minutes ago you decided to have a poking session with me.  I would poke you, and you would kick me back.  It went on for a good minute. You are currently kicking just to the left of my belly button.  You are so fun! I wouldn't mind if you kicked all day long! I love those little love taps (: It reminds me that you are alive, active and in good physical condition.  Sometimes... I think it's your way of telling me you love me..

Mother's day was this last Sunday.  It was a special day for me.  I got to reflect on a lot of things.  One of my biggest questions of the day was; Am I a Mother or not this Mother's day?  I came to the conclusion, that even though I have no children to show for it yet, I am a Mother.  I am sustaining your life as your Mother.  I am providing you with shelter, nourishment, and love.  Even though we haven't met, I am still so in love with you and cannot wait to finally meet you.  We are sharing a body, and even though it's hard to see the numbers on the scale constantly increasing and to see the once toned areas of my body jiggle like jello, I enjoy this time we have together.  I hope you hear my voice and know it's the voice of your Mother.  I am your Mother and always will be. 

I pray, constantly, that I will be a good Mother.  It worries me that I don't have what it takes to raise you the right way nor to be the perfect Mom.  But I know, that there is no such thing as perfect.  I may not clean the house perfectly, cook dinner perfectly, handle the finances perfectly, or act perfectly, but I will always love you perfectly; with all of my heart.  I have gained a strong testimony of the Lord's hand in my life.  He is here and always helping your Dad and I.  We are so blessed to be a part of this Gospel and to have the knowledge that we do.  I know that through my steadfastness in prayer, scripture study, and Temple attendance, he will be there to help me in those areas that I can't make perfect on my own.  He will be satisfied with me at the end of the day when I have given it all I've got.  Even if "all I've got" consists of getting you and I showered and fed for the day.  If one day the chores go undone, he isn't going to love me any less.  He might ask that I try harder the next day, and I hope I always will.  But he will remember the good things I have done that day.

I hope these thoughts stick with you through your times of trial and tribulation.  And heaven bless you to not expect perfection from yourself.  It's impossible baby doll.  Your best is the only true "perfect".  We love you and always will.  The Lord will be there to help you and the Spirit will be there to guide you.  If you mess up along the way, we (your earthly and Heavenly parents) will be there to help you up, dust you off and to get you back on your way.  We have all been in those positions. Obviously, your Mother is a perfect example of this. But with constant effort to strengthen your relationship with your Father in Heaven and your brother Jesus Christ, you will have the protection and assistance you need to overcome your trials.  Whether they be big, small, easy or hard.  We fall, it's inevitable.  But we get back up and pray for strength to see that crack in the pavement more clearly next time.

I love you and always will.  I pray you have a wise mind, a compassionate heart, and a pure spirit.
I pray for strength in your growth and development both physically and spiritually.
May you always turn to your loving parents as well as the Lord with your questions and needs. 
We love you forever and ever.

Love,
Your Mother

Movement and Motion!

Baby Girl,

You have me on pins and needles most of the day waiting for your next kick! I am able to feel you moving around for sure now.  Now that I know it's you moving in there and not just indigestion, I realized that I probably could feel you earlier on, but was unaware of what those funny little flutters were.  Now it's as if you are teasing me! I love to feel your little kicks and movements and I wait and wait and then when I am least expecting it, you give me a little love tap.  And let me tell you, I do love it!  Daddy, on the other hand, is pretty stinkin' jealous that he can't feel you.  I always announce when you're moving around, and he runs over and presses his hand against my belly.. but then when I feel it most, he feels nothing.  We've concluded that it's just too weak for him to feel from the outside.  But I can't wait until he can enjoy your movement too!  Your first kicks that I felt for sure were on May 5th, 2012.  This is the day Daddy and I celebrated our first anniversary (because it landed on a Sunday this year).  We've had so much fun thinking about you for 20 long weeks, and in just 20 more we will get to meet you. 

In Daddy's anniversary gift basket I included a little onesie that says "Daddy's Sweetie".  It's adorable.  We are excited to spoil you! Your Grandma Michelle told me she bought you some outfits the other day.  You are gonna be so spoiled by all of your grandparents!  Keep in mind that you are the first Grandkid to my Mom and Dad, first Great Grandkid to my Grandparent's on the Ruesch and Wiser side, and the first Great Great Grandkid to Grandpa and Grandma Pug! Everyone is so excited to meet you! On Daddy's side, there are already lots of Grandkids, but you are extra special to Grandma Connie because you are her first real Grandchild.  She is already buying you toys and CD's and lots of cool things.  So, are you ready to make your debut yet or what?

I was having some very intense back pain last night and this morning when I woke up.  I stayed home from work for a couple extra hours to try and sleep it off.  I am unable to determine what is inducing the pain. I exercised yesterday so that could be the culprit, however, I am having moderate cramping too.  I am a little confused and nervous, so if you could give me some kicks today, I would greatly appreciate it.  I just worry about you all the time so I need you to let me know that you are doing well in there Sweet Pea.

This weekend is our 20 week ultrasound, that means we get to see you again! We love seeing you on the screen.  So much in fact, that your Daddy wants to buy an Ultrasound Machine.  He is a silly dude.  He just loves you.  We can't wait to learn more details about our sweet girl and get some more pictures!  Don't be shy, embrace the paparazzi!

We love you so much Sweet Nora
Love Mommy

My Baby Girl

Well baby girl, we finally know you are gonna be our sweet daughter.  Finding out this big news was by far the best birthday present mom could have ever asked for.  It was such an amazing experience to see you move and kick around inside of me.  I just love that you are so active and healthy in there.  Telling your Dad and all our friends about you was such a thrill.  I bought Daddy a cupcake with a secret filling inside... pink for a girl, and blue for a boy.  I brought it to my Birthday dinner where all of our friends were and there he took a BIG bite.  When everyone saw the pink, we all shouted "Hooray!".  We've decided to name you Nora.  We love calling you by name and planning things out for your arrival.  Your Daddy likes to cry when he thinks about his baby girl.  All I know, is that you will steal his heart and have him wrapped around your finger ... take it from a girl who has been in that same position.  Your Daddy loves to spoil, and he already confesses that he won't be able to say "No" to your shopping habits.  Sounds like you're definitely your Momma's Girl.  We love you princess.  Here are some pictures of you.  Look at how big and developed you are getting!

Your Arm

Your Foot

Your Face

You are a girl!

My precious baby girl.

It makes me giggle watching your ultrasound DVD.  You are so active! We love to watch you move around.  Seeing your little mouth swallow is amazing to me.  The other night I laid down on my tummy on the bed, soon after I realized that by laying in that position, I could feel your little kicks from the pressure on my uterus! It was so magical! Daddy even got to feel one kick before you decided to stop.  That was such a fun moment for us.  We are so in love with you Nora.  We can't wait to meet you.  But stay healthy and strong until that time comes. 

Love always

Mom