Dear Bo, We're done with another week...

25 weeks

You have a name now, Bo!

We had a great weekend trip, and we spent most of the week catching up. We went to the doctor this week and found out that while your kidneys still have some fluid build up, it's at low levels, and it's nothing that can't be corrected when you get here. Yay!

Daddy and I worked on your putting pulls on your chest of drawers. It's going to look great (will post pictures when finished). I got a really cute paci clip for you this week. I wonder if you'll take a paci? I hope you don't prefer your thumb like your Daddy! We may have a battle of wills if you do.

Keep growing!

What you were up to this week:

While it does not appear that you are that big, you are slowly gaining some baby fat, making your appearance less wrinkled. If you have hair, the color and texture could be seen at this point. However, it can change after you are born.

You are now 13 inches long and weigh anywhere from 1½ to 1¾ pounds.

These were my prayers for you this week:
That the altitude wouldn't bother you. That your kidney fluid levels stay in check. That you stay safe in me until you're ready to come out.

Love,
Momma

Dear Memory Bank, Babymoon Days 3 and 4

We enjoyed coffee Sunday morning, packed up, and went on a gorgeous drive through Boreas Pass. There was about a mile corridor of aspens that were gorgeous!

After our drive, we had another round of crepes before heading to Colorado Springs. We stopped just outside of Colorado Springs at Garden of the Gods. We did the short Siamese Twins hike, and took some neat pictures, then stopped at the Visitor's Centers for more pictures before heading to our hotel.
I have always wanted to stay at The Broadmoor. It was as gorgeous as I imagined, and everything about it was 5 star. We were definitely out of our element, but it was fun to enjoy for 24 hours! The grounds were immaculate, we went out on the paddle boats, we ate at the only reasonable restaurant (The Golden Bee), we sat by the firepit, and then enjoyed an evening in.
We got up, had coffee and read outside before checking out. We had a yummy brunch at the Marigold Cafe & Bakery (yum!), then got on the road. We planned to visit the Airforce Academy, but the weather turned sour so we decided we'd do that another time.

It was a really nice getaway. As a couple who has gone a ton in our 9 years, it's hard to believe that's the last time to get away and only have Scout (our Pomeranian) to worry about! We're looking forward to returning home to more than dirty laundry and a happy pet though!

Dear Memory Bank, Babymoon Day 2

We got up early and were at the trailhead by 8:15am. We planned to take the Spruce Trail to Mohawk Lakes. It was a gorgeous day to be outside. The trail was difficult, and it was slow going, as I stopped frequently for bathroom breaks and to rest, but we made it to the lower lake. We didn't attempt the upper lake, as I was pooped. It was a nice hike, and we enjoyed some great views.

We immediately went to Oktoberfest to enjoy some brats and the most amazing crepes at Crepes a la Carte (oh my! Heavenly=peanut butter, chocolate, and bananas) before getting ready for the wedding (which was at 4pm).

The ceremony and reception were beautiful, and we managed to get back to our condo in time to watch some football before turning in.

Dear Memory Bank, Babymoon Day 1

I read the term "babymoon" used to describe the "last trip" a couple takes before the baby arrives. Well, we took our babymoon this weekend to Breckenridge and Colorado Springs. It was a "multi-purpose" trip really...a babymoon before Baby Boy gets here, an early anniversary trip (#9 is in October), and a trip to attend a friend's wedding.

We were on the road by 8am on Friday. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at a roadside stop (side note: if you haven't given up bathroom breaks at convenience stores in favor of bathroom breaks at public rest areas, you're missing out. Each one we've been to has been so clean, and the people so friendly and helpful!). We stopped to peek at the Royal Gorge. I went there in high school and wanted to see it again; I thought Jonathan would find the suspension bridge interesting. It is highly commercialized now so we didn't pay the high admission price to do all the activities, but we did go down to a lookout point and take some neat pictures.
We arrived in Breckenridge about 3:30pm. The aspens were turning, and it was a pretty drive. We stayed at the Main Street Junction No. 20, which I would highly recommend. It was within walking distance to Main Street, was a one bedroom condo with an attached garage, and we got a great rate (as part of the wedding, but I hear they have specials frequently).
The rehearsal dinner was at 5pm so we didn't have a lot of time to spare, but we did manage a short nap before we went to dinner. Dinner was at a neat slopeside restaurant (Sevens) at the bottom of Peak 7. It had lovely views.
We turned in early to rest up before our busy Saturday...

Dear Baby Boy, You're accumulating quite a bit of stuff...

24 weeks

Another full weekend and week! We went to the farm Friday night so Daddy could hunt with Pop, Uncle Bud, Uncle Heath, and Cousin Landry. Daddy already can't wait until you can go with them, too. Aunt Amber and Mimi helped me come up with a registry list, and Mimi and I went to the store to look at some things to put on the registry. Daddy and I registered on Saturday (and by that I mean that Daddy checked football scores on his iPhone while I registered). I can't believe it's already that time! I got your baby book, and it's just what I wanted.

I spent Sunday going through some of the 0-6 months clothes your aunts have loaned me. I hung up some things and folded others to put in your drawers. You got some more love gifts: the cutest socks that look like tennis shoes, Aggie pacifiers, and some preemie clothes in case you get here early.
We got to see you at the sonogram on Wednesday. You finally look like a little baby! I just want to kiss your sweet little feet! Your kidney fluid measurements were not what we hoped, but we'll find more out next week. Until then, keep growing!
This is what you were up to this week:
Your brain is growing rapidly at this time. Taste buds are also developing, and the lungs are becoming more developed and complex. The branches of the main lung are beginning to form as well as special cells that will produce surfactant. Surfactant is necessary for the air sacs to inflate easily. Babies who are born prematurely often have trouble breathing because these cells have not had enough time to develop or are not producing the necessary amounts of surfactant.

You are over 12 ½ inches long and weigh 1¼ to 1½ pounds.

These were my prayers for you this week:
That your fluid levels improve (or at least don't get worse). That you use your brain to do much good in life and love to learn. That your lungs fill you with life for a long time.

Love,
Momma

Dear Baby Boy, We got a lot done this week...

23 weeks

We had a fun weekend and a productive week!

Our friends Christine and David came so the boys could go to a weekend event for a friend. Christine and I had girl time while the boys went to their event--we stayed up late catching up, got pedicures, and she helped me with the decision I have just NOT been able to make...which baby bedding to choose! She and David picked up your crib and chest of drawers from Aunt Lori's; her friend David was kind enough to paint it for us. It looks wonderful! Little buddy, I pray you make good friends. That you surround yourself with people who make you laugh, let you cry, who you'd love to spend every minute with, but even if you don't, when you get together, it seems as if no time has passed it all.

After the boys' weekend event, we went to Binger to see your great grandmother Zanowiak and Aunt Donna and Cousin Zac. We had a nice swift visit. We talked a lot about you. They're all looking forward to meeting you.

Daddy and I assembled your crib that got painted this week; I love it! Aunt Lori, Uncle Bud, Momma, and Uncle Heath all used the crib; it's so special to me that you get to use it, too. I ordered some new hardware for your chest of drawers, and once that comes in, your furniture will be all ready (except for what Uncle Bud makes you). I left Mammaw's dresser painted ivory and black, and it looks so good with everything.

Today is September 11--8 years ago is when a horrible tragedy occurred here in the States. Someday you will read about in your history book. I was reading about some of the men and women who perished that day. In particular, I was reading about Todd Beamer, who died with the passengers on United Flight 93. He was 32, as was his wife. The January after he died, his wife gave birth to his third child. I just keep thinking about them. Daddy and I are the same age they were at the time, and she was at this exact stage of pregnancy when her husband died. I cannot imagine.

This is what you were up to this week:

You are continuing to gain weight, but the next several weeks will be when you really begin to fill out. Lanugo, or the fine hair that covers your body, may darken at this point allowing it to be seen on an ultrasound. You are beginning to look more like you will at birth.

You finally reached a weight of 1 pound and are approximately 11 ¼ inches long.

These were my prayers for you this week:

That you meet wonderful friends through each stage of your life. That Daddy and I always let you know how unconditionally you are loved. That your ureter measurements are perfectly normal this week.

Love,

Momma

Dear Baby Boy, We passed the 5 month mark...

22 weeks

We've hit the 5 month mark! We saw you again this week, and you were doing just dandy. Your heartbeat was 153bpm. You are moving a ton now--not only can I feel you at night, but during the day, too.
We are getting your furniture this weekend, and I can't wait to get it in your room. Keep growing!

This is what you were up to this week:

You have pretty much taken on the form of a newborn baby, but you are incredibly small. Much development will continue to occur over the next 18 weeks. Your skin appears wrinkly, but this is because you have not yet gained enough weight to fill the skin out. Your lips are becoming more distinct. Your eyes have completely formed, but the iris (the colored portion of the eye) still lacks pigment. Your eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and the pancreas is continuing to mature.

You are almost 10 inches long and weigh a whole 14 ounces.

These were my prayers for you this week:

That I would give you all the nutrition you need, that you would continue to grow as you are supposed to, that your kidneys are fine.

Love,
Momma

Dear Me at Fifteen,

I listened to the words to this song tonight, and it got me thinking.

Fifteen (Taylor Swift)

You take a deep breath, and you walk through the doors
It's the morning of your very first day
And you say hi to your friends you ain't seen in a while
Try and stay out of everybody's way

It's your freshman year and you're gonna be here
For the next four years in this town
Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you and say
"You know, I haven't seen you around before"

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen, feeling like there's nothing to figure out
Well, count to ten. Take it in
This is life before you know who you're gonna be...
At fifteen

You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail
And soon enough you're best friends
Laughing at the other girls who think they're so cool
We'll be outta here as soon as we can

And then you're on your very first date and he's got a car
And you're feeling like flying
And your momma's waiting up and you're thinking he's the one
And you're dancing 'round your room when the night ends,
When the night ends

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
When you're fifteen and your first kiss
Makes your head spin 'round
But in your life you'll do things greater than
Dating the boy on the football team
But I didn't know it at fifteen

When all you wanted was to be wanted
Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine
And Abigail gave everything she had to a boy who changed his mind
We both cried

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen, don't forget to look before you fall
I've found time can heal most anything
And you just might find who you're supposed to be
I didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen

Your very first day
Take a deep breath girl
Take a deep breath as you walk through the doors

Oh my, how this rings true for me at fifteen. I was thinking about what I would have told myself at fifteen that I know now. The short version would look something like this:

Dear Me,

This is the most thin you will be. Enjoy it.

Stop taking yourself so seriously. This is the most carefree your life will ever be.

Keep studying hard and reading; your livelihood will depend on it one day.

It's a form of love you feel for him and from him, but it's not how you will love The One and be loved by The One.

Your friends now will not be there when your Granny dies, when you marry The One, or when your son is born...but you will meet friends who will be.

Your parents are speaking from experience and with good intentions.

There are consequences for every action and inaction.

You will travel valleys deeper and wider than your worst nightmares, and you will come out on the other side better for it.

Your life will be better than the best scenario you could paint for yourself at fifteen. I promise.

You will be comfortable in your own skin one day and not give a second thought about what anyone else thinks of you. Just hold on.

Life will just get better and better.