Little Happys

Happy New Year! 2013 is the year you will arrive and we couldn’t be more excited!!

As I mentioned in your last letter, Kaleigh and Ben were married this week. It was a Jewish ceremony and one of the most beautiful things to experience. The weather wasn’t very cooperative and it actually started raining in the desert. Mid-ceremony we had to all run inside to the reception area and finish the ceremony. It was very intimate it special! I will certainly never forget it. While we are not Jewish your daddy and I found all of the traditions and ceremony very special.

We flew home New Year’s Eve night and grabbed a pizza. Your daddy had some wine to celebrate. He had to wake me up to watch the ball drop, but we kissed at midnight and celebrated the new year and the beginning of your birth year!

Getting back to work was not very fun after the long break, but my last day of work will be January 25th, so I only have a few weeks left!

We went out to dinner with the Valen clan at the Tampa Club and your daddy took a picture of my huge belly. This is a side by side of 6 months and then 8 months. Huge difference right?

Your movements are much more distinct and I think I am starting to make out what part of you is poking out. Sleeping is getting a little more difficult and my feet are definitely starting to swell! Wedding rings have been off for a few weeks now - not sure if I mentioned that before, but it makes me sad to look down at a Target replacement. All worth it for your baby boy!

Love you!!

My little traveling man! We had quite a week this week! It was Christmas and finally time for our trip to Phoenix for Kaleigh and Ben’s wedding! We also celebrated your great Papa’s 80th birthday in Gigi and Poppy’s finally finished kitchen!

All of the cousins were there which is such a rare treat. I can’t wait until you are running around with them, of course, led by Kins. We got a lot of really good family pictures together.

Your Uncle Mike was extremely sick, so he had to join your Auntie Leslie and I in the non-alcoholic beer!

We spent a ton of time with family which we love. Your cousins Kinsley and Mia absolutely love you and ask about you all of the time. Mia’s birthday is Christmas day so we always try to make it a little extra special for her. We did our traditional Christmas Eve dinner and then breakfast at Gigi and Poppy’s. Below are a few photos with the two goofballs.

We then went to lunch with Mimi, Manny, and Uncle Edwin at the Columbia. Mimi and Manny were going to Mexico the next day for vacation so it was good to be able to see them for a little bit.

We spent the next two days just getting things together for our trip and relaxing while we had some time off.

You have given me MANY more stretch marks, but I am going with the flow and just applying oils and lotions (that are safe for you) to try and do any damage control that I can. You move a lot these days and your little foot loves to poke out at the top of my belly. I love feeling you move around and try to poke and prod you, but Daddy always gets on to me and tells me to leave you alone. I can already tell you two are going to gang up on me. I’m okay with that though because I love you both so very much!

We had a early flight out on Friday and shortly after getting settled in the hotel we had a meet and greet as one of the first festivities for the weekend. You were great on the plane, and moved constantly to let me know you were okay. We went to Kaleigh’s Aunt’s house for dinner and drinks and then it was of for the Bachelor/Bachlorette parties. I opted out as you and I have no business being in any kind of smokey bar, but Daddy did go out with the boys for a little bit. The next day we drove up to South Mountain in Phoenix and had such a great time just me and your pops. It was so beautiful up there! Phoenix is the first place we have visited that your dad has never been and I have - it was a first for the both of you!

Kaleigh’s wedding was absolutely beautiful and definitely something we will never forget. It actually falls into the 34 week mark, so I will be sure to talk more about it for next week!

Overall we had a very eventful week and my feet are paying for it! Super swollen and resting as high above my heart as I can get them.

Love you baby boy and can’t wait to see you so soon!!!

Another week down in December, another filled with events!

We had a doctors appointment this week and everything went great! She said you were growing at a perfect rate, had a strong heartbeat in the 140’s, and if she had to guess, you would be 7-8lbs when born!! No more sonograms unless they are medically necessary, but to hear your heartbeat is still the best sound in the world! She cleared me to fly next week, so we are gearing up for our trip to Phoenix for Auntie Kaleigh and Ben’s wedding!

This week was your Gigi’s, Uncle Trey, Amy’s, Papa’s, and great Papa’s birthdays too! We had a 80th birthday celebration for great Papa at Gigi and Poppy’s house…it was a great time! All of your cousins were there and we really enjoyed the food and family. We were sad we couldn’t spend your Papa’s birthday with him in Pensacola, but there was just to much going on the make the trip. You are going to have to become a good traveler once you are born because there are going to be many trips to Pensacola to visit Mia and Papa.

I went to your cousin Kinsley’s Christmas performance this week, and she stole the show! That girl is a little star! She was front and center, knew every word and every move right on time. She smiled the whole time and didn’t get nervous in front of the large crowd. Auntie Leslie went for her doctor’s appointment (12 weeks) and the sonogram tech told her if she had to guess your new little cousin will be a girl! We won’t find out for sure until the end of January.

I am still getting more stretch marks and am putting oil on my belly constantly to help eliminate future ones and diminish the current ones. Your daddy is so sweet and tells me how beautiful I am everyday. He loves to touch my belly and talk to you. He swears you know your name, but I think you just know his voice :)

Love you baby boy!

Round two of holiday parties this week! I had a work Christmas party this week, but it was just for the immediate group, so daddy didn’t go….I wished he was there the whole time. We did a white elephant gift exchange and of course I ended up with the cocktail/bar stuff.

I also volunteered with the Salvation Army this week for their Angel Tree. That is where families who don’t have much put in requests for items needed. People and families who have more to give, adopt a family for the holiday, and buy them items requested/needed. We went to the warehouse and helped match the donated items to the families in need so children would have gifts from ‘Santa’ to open on Christmas. It is one of my favorite programs and I know your daddy and I will adopt a family with you one year so you can help and know how good it feels to give back.

This week I went to girls night dinner at Timpano’s with your Auntie Leslie, Melissa, Stephanie, Ashley, and Danielle. We had such a great time and the food was delicious! I did get stuck in the booth when I tried to get up to go to the bathroom. There is always a first for everything, and that was pretty funny. We had to move the entire table for me to get out.

You have been on the move lately and I can feel different parts of your body. This week is was clearly your foot/heal up towards the top of my belly. It poked out in a little bulge and was so cool to feel. Your daddy got to feel it too, and we both loved it!

Can’t wait for next weeks developments!

Love you!

We are officially 10 weeks away! We had an eventful week as the holiday parties were starting and your daddy and I have a full schedule.

We had dinner with your Mimi and Manny, and your Uncle Edwin this week. I also had a baby shower brunch with Kacee, Elizabeth and Savanna. They got us your high chair, which is SUPER cute. Kacee also got us a boppy which I hear nursing mothers swear by.

Later that night we went to a holiday party for your daddy’s work and ate lots of good food and had a great time. For historical reference later on in your life, it was the night Manny Pacquiao was knocked out by Marquez. The boys all found it very exciting, but I made a promise as your over-protective mother, that you will never be a boxer…capisce?

Your daddy accepted a new responsibility this week at work, and I couldn’t be more proud. He will be one of the people to supervise and manage the college interns. He is excited about it and I know he will be an awesome mentor.

Overall we had a good week and I am getting more and more anxious about your arrival!

Pierson Ray! Let this be known as the first time I am ‘getting on to you’…you gave me a stretch mark this week! How dare you! I am onlyslightlykidding….I know, I know, it is part of the process and is barely even noticeable, but I thought you and I had a secret deal going on. I wasn’t going to mind how big I got as long as no stretch marks were involved :)

Everyone I show laughs at me, that is how small it is…but moving forward, let’s pray to Bio Oil that it doesn’t happen any more, mmmkay?

Other than that event, there has been one other pregnancy related change…I have woken up almost every day this week with a sand dollar sized wet spot on my shirt. This first time it happened, I thought ‘maybe I just sweat in the exact spot?’…but once I thought it through, I realized…I was lactating! And only out of one boob! You are a boy and totally not going to appreciate this, but it too is part of the process and I want to make sure I document it to see if it happens in future pregnancies with your brother(s)/sister(s). I was embarrassed to tell your father at first, but of course when I did he made me feel a lot better. And now we laugh about my leaky boob. All the research I did says it is completely normal, and can mean that I have good boobies for breastfeeding…so ‘yay’ to that!

We went out for Brianna’s birthday this week and saw our first Cirque Du Soleil show called Kooza. It was amazing! We loved all of the acts and you were dancing up a storm in my belly when the music was playing!

The day after, we got our Maternity/Christmas card pictures taken. It was such a beautiful day and the photos turned out amazing! Here are a few below. You daddy and I never have pictures taken of us (and only professional ones at our wedding) so it is a treat to have some nice photos (with you there too!) for once!

I can’t believe that in one more week we are exactly 10 weeks away from your due date!!! February seems to be so soon…but not soon enough!!

Love you baby…even if you give me stretch marks ;)

Momma

This week was Thanksgiving - which is basically heaven to any lady who is pregnant! We got our fair share of carbs, sweets, and everything I typically don’t eat when I am not pregnant.

This was AFTER my glucose test! Which was not as bad as expected - the orange drink was small, and I used my college experience of throwing back shots to good use. Pretend I didn’t add that until you are old enough to drink :) I told the nurses about my dream the night before, where I had to drink 50 Capri Suns instead of the drink they gave me. They were all cracking up and I told them I was just frustrated with stabbing the pouch to put the straw in (you will understand in a few years). You were perfect at the appointment and the Doctor said you had a very strong heartbeat which of course makes me a happy momma!

We had a short work week and got to spend a lot of time with family. Your Papa Tom came down and stayed with us. He brought down Christmas presents and you got a BEAUTIFUL stocking and momma got gorgeous Blue Topaz jewelry. Reminds me of you little boy! Your great-uncle Jay was in town too! We are the most happy just hanging out with the family, you moved and kicked for both Auntie Leslie and Cousin Jessica.

We also spent time with Auntie Krystal which is always fun! Your momma even got a little Christmas shopping done, which never happens this early. The Gators played the Seminoles and we one! You are NOT allowed to like the Seminoles…well unless you end up there at college. I may pull a Gigi, and not allow you to apply there like she did for me :)

You continue getting bigger and clothing items that I actually fit into are hard to come by. I picked up a few more things at Destination Maternity and am hoping that it will last me until you get here. I would much rather spend money on you! Speaking of, Auntie Krystal talked me into getting you your first bow-tie - it is the cutest thing I have ever seen!!

Until next week….Love you my little turkey!!!

(here is a photo of your daddy that I found at 6 months old….he is a beast!)

One more week until we hit the next milestone! 7 months! We picked up the dress for ‘Auntie’ Kaleigh’s wedding this weekend and thankfully it was too big! We would rather go down a size versus up! She looked gorgeous in her gown and is so excited to have us both in her wedding!

We had a garage sale this weekend and finally got rid of all of the extra stuff we didn’t need. It made our house and your room much more baby-safe.

We went to a food-truck festival this week and had so much fun! You and your daddy loved the yucca fries and especially the mini-donuts :)

Looking forward to another doctor’s appointment next week and to hear your little heart beat. I’ll also be taking my glucose test, so lets hope that the food truck adventure didn’t mess up this healthy pregnancy we have had so far.

Love you baby boy!

Oh baby, what a week!!I have been feeling great and you are certainly showing more and more. I feel your movements are much stronger than before and I think you recognize your daddy’s voice! That makes us both very happy! I think I felt a little arm or leg through my stomach too!

It seems the more still I am, the more I feel you move. So obviously I imitate a statue most of the day :)

Auntie Leslie had her sonogram this week and she is doing great! Your little cousin will be here around June 11th, 2013! You guys will only be 4 months apart! Kinsley is excited about the ‘babysitter’ in her mommy’s stomach…that child is hilarious.

We went to Kacee and Patrick’s wedding this Saturday, it was beautiful!! We danced all night and I taught your daddy how to salsa.

We also had our baby shower this Sunday…it was beautiful! All of your family and friends were there. It is always special to have everyone together in one place. We were gifted almost all of the big items we needed (stroller, swing, etc.) and also a ton of other necessities and the cutest baby boy clothes I have ever seen! Your ‘aunties’ Evelyn and Krystal hand made you some very special gifts that you will look adorable in and even gave me a Baby P charm necklace that I wear almost daily.

It was a beautiful weekend where you were surrounded with a lot of love!!

Love you baby boy!

Your momma is no Martha Stewart, but I did paint a picture for your nursery this week. It is an anchor with bold orange stripes in the background. I think it will go great in your room! Speaking of your room, we have 99% of the stuff we were storing in a storage room and the stuff we are selling set aside for a yard sale. It is much bigger than I thought, so your daddy suggested putting your changing table by one of the windows. He knows you will love to look out in the yard, just like your feline brother.

We have had a pretty calm week. I am very busy at work and so every little nudge and bump from you makes me smile and appreciate the time I am putting in now to be able to spend much more time with you when you are born.

In terms of parties/celebrations, seems we don’t go a week without one, we celebrated your Uncle Mike’s birthday. We went to the Sail Pavilion on Harbor Island and then took a boat ride to Rick’s on the River. We had so much fun and it was a beautiful day! Gigi and Poppy picked cousin Kinsley up from the Pavilion and she saw us off on the boat. As we pulled away she said “Bye baby Pierson!” That girl is obsessed in the best way possible!

Another week down, and another week closer to meeting you!

Love you so much!