30.5 weeks!

Just a few more days and we will be down to the single digits - just 9 weeks left :)

You have been putting on quite a show in there! Your Sadler family enjoyed watching you twist and kick when we were all together for Gramma Sadler's birthday. Your Uncle Brian's eyes got SO big when the stripes on my shirt suddenly jumped! Your Aunt Jess and Gramma watch you slide across my belly and laughed in awe. Your kicks have started to hurt as you get stronger, but that also means that I can get a better picture of what position you are in. I love rubbing your little butt!!!!

Your Grandad Johnson came over a bit ago on his way back from hunting in South Dakota. I woke up to let him inside our house, make him a sandwich, and chat for a bit. As we were talking, you starting kicking (you seem to love deep voices) and I had him feel my belly. side note - I am very very very open with sharing my pregnancy, body, and developments with anyone that is interested. I feel that it is my opportunity to share a miracle (YOU!). With his hand on my belly button (you are always very low) you moved around and he smiled and said, "Oh yeah, I feel her". These moments are very powerful for me. I get to share you with MY dad. And as you grow up and adore your own Dad, you'll know how important sharing special moments with him are. Your dad, my dad, Daddy's dad - these are all men that will protect you. Oh, and Owen will take care of you too :) My mom, Daddy's mom, Jess, Jen and Allegra are all women that will serve to be great role models for you. My friends will also do anything to help you succeed. I know this because they have done so much for me.

I know you are safe and cozy in there, but do not be afraid of this world. You will be surrounded by good, Godly people, that will love you always.

xoxox

Mom

From Mother to Daughter

I found this today and wanted to share it with you. It is part of a letter my mom sent to me when I was in college.

"I hope to always share your life--first in me, then with me, then through you--the woman you have become and the life you are building for yourself. You will always be a part of me; and I, you.

All my love,

Mom"

Little You

I don't have a lot to update - I am just thinking about you.

Last night your dad was rubbing my belly and talking to you. I loved hearing him say, "Hey ______-bird, this is your daddy. I can't wait to meet you." He says pretty much the same thing every time, but its always so sweet and sincere. I can't wait for you to look into his eyes and wrap him around your finger in that instant.

I look forward to sorting laundry and folding your little pink shirts and ruffle-butt pants :)

I want to model a strong marriage for you. I want you to size up every boy you date to your dad -- just like I did :)

I want you to be daring and confident yet careful and humble.

I want you to love everyone yet be mindful of who you give your heart to.

I want you to smile often yet experience challenges so you can learn how to rise above them and laugh about it.

I want so much for you and I will do everything I can to make you happy and safe.

love, mom

You make pregnancy beautiful :)

Hello Appleseed.

It is Mom.

I love you.

29 weeks

Morning, baby! You now weigh about 2.5 lbs and are about 15 inches long! Your muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and your head is getting bigger. You will triple your weight in the upcoming weeks.

I have been feeling MUCH hungrier lately, but besides that everything seems the same. You kick the most around 10 am and 10 pm and are kicking pretty hard!!!

We had a doctor's visit on Friday and your heartbeat was between the 130's and 140's she said. I have only gained 9 lbs but I bet that will change soon. I am hungry right this second!!! I received the paperwork for my Vbac and Daddy and I need to sign everything. We talked about how nice it would be to have you here for Christmas and that scheduling a C-section could make that happen. It just doesnt seem right though. I have so many dreams for your delivery. The excitement of NOT knowing when you'll arrive, the joy I'd feel after working so hard to meet you, and that's not even addressing the ability to hold you right afterwards. I hope it works out the way we planned. If it doesn't, thats okay too as long as you are happy and healthy, but I SOOOOOO want to have a successful Vbac. Can you work with me on this one? :)

love you baby girl....so so so much,

Mom

Scare

Oh my girl, the things that are happening to my body! Yesterday I had a near-fainting episode that scared me SO badly that I have been monitoring EVERYTHING that passes my lips. I was talking to a co-teacher and I started to get sick. I felt the blood leave my face and I thought I was going to throw up. Suddenly everything went blurry. I rubbed my eyes. The co-teacher asked if my contacts were blurrryyyyyyyyyyyyy.......... as she said this my hearing failed me. I held on to the counter and waited until I felt stable enough to go to the bathroom. After leaving a message for the doctor, I spent the next hour waiting to feel you kick. I would rub your side (my side) or sing to you. I drank warm hot chocolate and then cold water. Even after you would move, I would second guess myself and do it all over again. Yes, I tend to worry.

The doctor said I need to eat protein 6-8 times throughout the day. I need to drink more water.

I haven't been the type of woman who takes it easy. I have a tough time leaving a weekend open with no plans. As a pregnant woman, I do not rest. I guess I should admit that I do not rest like I should. So I will. I will do anything to make sure we never have to go through that again. I hope you are enjoying the peanut butter :)

SIDE NOTE -- Your Daddy and I agreed on your name :) I chose it a LONG time ago but Daddy wouldnt agree until we found a proper middle name. Well, I thought of your middle name while I was driving home from a photoshoot on Sunday. The sun was setting and it just popped into my head. I do not know anyone by this name but I think you will set a high standard :) By the way, I call you_________-bird all the time. Even if your Dad came up with a really really great new name, I can't imagine being able to let go of _______-bird. It just fits you, already. It fits us.

love you!

MOM

My love.

My love for you is stronger than:

the sudden urges to pee RIGHT NOW

the unforeseen leg cramps in the middle of the night

the incredibly painful round ligament pain through my side

the strong stretching of the widening of my hips

the intense, hot, daily heartburn

the fatigue that never went away during my second trimester

any mistake you ever make. My love is always stronger.

Welcome third trimester!!!!!!!!!!! Each week is going by so quickly - you will be here before we know it! Though being pregnant isn't always easy, it is such a miracle. And I hope you will look back on this blog one day when you have a baby in your belly and enjoy these posts. We are lucky. We are loved. We are blessed. God has a great big plan for us, Appleseed. I am so thankful His plan for me was to be a MOM. Your mom. Owen's mom. (and maybe just one more babe down the road!) You already have the eggs inside of your body that you will need for your entire life. You know what that means. I have your babies in me too. I am carrying my grandbabies in here! Tell me God isnt amazing. I feel blessed and special that He lets me do this.

I love you with all of my heart, all of my being, and with all that God has given me.

love, MOM