31 Weeks

Baby Girl,

I am surprised at how big you are getting.  Especially in the last week.  You seemed to have doubled in size! We are at 31 weeks currently and it's quickly coming to the end.  Your Daddy is currently away at Field Training for the Air Force ROTC.  He will be gone for a total of 4 weeks and we have no communication during those 4 weeks.  I miss your Daddy so much baby girl.  I certainly hope you marry someone as impressive and loving as your Father one day.  He is my biggest hero and the love of my life.  I am looking forward to the growth we will see from this experience.  And I am thankful for the time I have to spend with you alone.  This time apart from your Daddy has given You and I a chance to bond and I honestly feel closer to you because of it.  You've been so much more active and it's comforting knowing that you are healthy, active and moving around.  You're spirit has definitely manifested itself and I love it.  Your Daddy left a voicemail before he left for us to listen to.  I play it for you each night so that you can hear Daddy's voice and you always respond.  As soon as you hear Daddy talk, you start to kick and squirm.  I can tell you miss him too.  It excites you to hear your wonderful Daddy's voice.  And it should.  He'll be the greatest man you'll ever know.  I can't wait for you guys to meet.

Every little move you make is so profound.  I can see your head as it pushes against my belly.  I can feel your little arms and legs pressing out and manifesting against my skin.  You make me so happy Nora Grace.  I can't wait to be your Mom and I hope I remember to include the Lord in our relationship so that I can be guided to raise you and teach you all that I need to .  So that I will be patient at all times.  Even when it seems impossible.  I'll need your help and I know the Lord will help our whole family if we dedicate ourselves to him.

9 weeks to go princess and I am loving all the details of preparing for Motherhood.  I can't wait to meet you.  Send your Daddy some love at this time and keep me lots of company!  Keep up the acrobatics because I love the time we have together.

Love always and forever,
Mom

7 Months

It's crazy to think how far we've come since that day that I saw those two pink lines on that stick.  Many days of sickness have passed, many moments of joy.  Many tears, both of happiness and sadness.  Many doctor's visits, pictures, work days, and lazy Saturdays.  Many moments that begin to fade away, and a few we will never forget.  Literally, months have passed us by.  So much has happened to bring us to where we are today.  The truth is that pregnancy has been hard.  It's been hard on me physically.  Becoming so big isn't really something that anybody is comfortable with.  Even though I know it's for a good cause, it's still hard to see my body transform.  Thanks to your amazing Daddy, I don't doubt that he thinks I am still beautiful.  He loves the pregnant me.  But I still have a hard time accepting pregnant me.  Not only does my body look different, but it works differently than it did before there was a little ole' you in there.  I quickly learned that I wouldn't be able to workout during pregnancy.  Running was ruled out within the first trimester.  Exercise is such a good outlet and I haven't been able to take advantage of it for months.  Even walking has become a challenge for me these days.  I feel overly exerted from walking through the grocery store.  Tasks that used to be so simple are now challenging for me.  What happened to the old Jamie who had lots of energy and loved to cook for her sweet husband?  Who cleaned the house often and did crafts in her spare time?  I've been sick for months.  I've thrown up more times than I can count.  My back aches in places I never knew existed.  My feet burn all night every night.  And I cry all the time.  I feel helpless and slightly worthless at times.  This isn't the "Me" I want to be.  I can't do everything for myself and others that I used to be able to do.  I feel like a burden to your Dad, yet he has been nothing but kind and supportive through all the tears.  And you know what the truth is behind all this?  The truth is that I can't wait to be your Mom and I love you more than words can say.  I can't express the excitement and joy I feel to welcome you to our family.  I feel so blessed that the Lord has trusted me to be your mother.  I know that none of the crazy symptoms and setbacks could ever change the way I feel about you.  It may not have been the easiest journey, but it has always been worth it.  You are the prize princess, and I couldn't be more honored.  I hope one day that you too will make these small sacrifices to experience the joys of motherhood.  I know my love for you will only grow.  It is through these trials that I have grown to appreciate you and the bonds we've made.  I love you baby girl.  You've always been worth it.