Merry Christmas Lily

Wow, for a Season that has such an early start anymore (pretty much Halloween and Christmas both start showing up together now), it sure does seem to end suddenly. Yesterday was Christmas, and today, it's back to work & back to reality. Hmmm, kind of depressing. No more Christmas music on the radio, and everything is geared up towards New Years! Well, I guess I can start looking forward to next year, when you'll be Celebrating your 1st Christmas.

You may not have been born and with us yet, but you were definitely celbrated. For Christmas, half of the gifts were labeled for you. I hope you don't mind if I opened them. :) Oh, I bet you'll love the 25 Year Anniversary Care Bear. I can't wait to see you playing with that. It is so pretty, all white & silver. :) You also received what I believe is called "Rainbow Bear", I'll have to get to know the names soon. Then, we received a ton of reading materials and manuals to read before you come. I hope this doesn't reflect a lack of trust on our Families part. Neither of us are experienced with raising a child, but with God's help, and a wonderful Family, I think we'll manage. Hopefully you'll agree in 20 years.

The big gift this year was a Video camera. We're all set to record your star studded acting skills and then show them off to your husband in 20-30 years just to embarrass you. Your Grandma Pam's gift from us was a DVD of her old videos (transfered from reel). Your Daddy's photos from about 1 year old and even your Aunt Amy's Birth was on there. What fun to watch after almost 30 years!

Today is your Cousin Mason's Birthday. He turns 3 years old. Still a reasonable age difference to someday marry him. :) I hope our little Godson is having a good day.

Well, as for you and your progress, you'll be at 34 weeks on Sunday. That's only 6 1/2 weeks away right now. I've already worked it out with my Boss, Charlie to plan on being out beginning February 4th. We'll just have to wait and see what your plans are, but I'm anxious and excited, as that date draws so near.

There is a baby shower planned at the Lake House on the 5th of January, a week from this Saturday. I can't wait to see everyone. There will be alot of people I haven't seen in a while. I'm sure we'll record some of the fun.

Scott & Kim are coming to visit in a couple days. I'm sure they'll be many Preggo stories swapped as she is about 10 weeks along right now. We have a big party to attend in NoVa this weekend at Josh & Ellen's. What an amazing adventure they're about to undertake as they move their lives to Thailand for the next 2-3 years. Maybe we'll go visit them sometime. :)

Well, for the third year in a row, I just signed up for the Monument 10k, with your Dad, Grandma & Grandpa. Your Aunt Laura is going to keep you company on the sidelines. :) I can't wait. Hopefully it will help your mom get back in shape, not that she was ever in a good shape. What a good time to hang out with 30,000 of our closest friends and see the beautiful sights of Monument Avenue. This really is a great town we live in.

Well, I should get back to work. I'm slaking off a bit. I'll try to write again after your Baby Shower.

Much love to you Lily or Lilly or however we end up spelling it. Your dad is trying to get 4 L's and no vowels. Hmmmm.??? That could be tricky. We've also joked about pronouncing it in Spanish with double L's (the L's become silent and your name would sound more like a short grunt). Don't worry, that's just your Dad's humor, we won't let that happen.

See you soon my Daughter. Stay safe & sound in there, just for a while longer. :)

Dear Lily

As of this weekend, you are 30 weeks along (7 months). Only 10 more weeks till your arrival. I really can't believe how fast it's approaching. One of the side effects of being pregnant is hearing everyones horror stories of labor. I'm not sure why people chose to share such moments with a first time Mom-to-be, but they do. I've heard multiple stories of babies that were born 2 months early and spent the first months of their lives in ICU. I pray everyday that you hold out a little longer, just to make sure you're good and ready for this world.

I've truly enjoy reading about your progress inside me. This past week, it says you've begun to practice breathing. What a miracle right there! First that God could create another living being within the womb, feeding off of my body. Second, that he planed out the entire process to include preparing you for the world out here. It still amazes me to think of the process. From the first day when you were barely visible to today, when you're fully proportionate and practicing your breathing. Of course, what they also mention, is the fact that you're breathing in the amniotic fluid that is currently your home. With that comes a little side effect of hiccups. I finally know what those feel like, as it becomes clear to me that you've been doing a lot of practicing in there.
The other amazing development is that of your senses, which are now fully developed. You can see, hear, touch, taste & smell everything going on around you. With that said, I hope you enjoy the Christmas music. :) I can never get enough of it. I wish I could see a picture of you looking around and taking it all in. Again, what a miracle. God is Truly Amazing.

Well, 3 more weeks until Christmas. Even though we'll celebrate your first Christmas next year, I can't help but feel like you've been a part of this one all along. :)

Tonight I begin our first class of prenatal yoga. I think it will be so much fun. It's supposed to help build muscle and prepare me for the adventure ahead, you!

Take care my sweet child. I love you so much.