26 weeks and counting.......

Dear Bean,
This has been way overdue and it is about time I got this thing up and running as I have been promising friends and family for weeks now that they would be able to follow our journey. You and I have been on some fantastic adventures so far and we are only getting started.

Let's rewind for a moment and go back a few months to April when we first found out about you.... It was a Friday evening and your dad and I were trying to remain calm as we waited for the results of the home pregnancy test I had just taken. He was pacing between the kitchen and the hallway, I was on the other side of the bathroom door waiting for what seemed like an eternity. I had my suspicions, but I didn't want to get to hopeful as we had gone through this before. When it had been quite a while I took a deep breath and looked over on the counter and checked out the results.

(taken April 8, 2011) 

I dropped to my knees, burst into tears, and started praying. I just couldn't believe it, and kept thanking the Lord over and over for this incredible gift. I stayed like that for a while and finally remembered your dad, who upon hearing the tears had begun to think the worst and was waiting patiently for me to come out of the bathroom. I opened the door, he hesitated and then walked in to take a look at the results for himself. It was a minute of stunned silence, then one of the biggest grins I have ever seen slowly spread across his face (there may have been some slightly moist eyes on his part as well). 

(ultrasound at 19 weeks) 

Since your Abuela (my mom) was in town visiting, we were able to tell her the next day, and then your Grandma and Grampy (your dad's parents) the following weekend when they were in town. We made them promise to keep you a secret for a little while just until we went to see the doctor to make sure you were ok. It was hard for them as they were bursting with excitement :)

(Boston red sox onesie from grandma and grampy) 

Since then it has been a fantastic ride! The first time we saw you on an ultrasound, you were so tiny (hence the nickname "bean"), the first time we heard your heart furiously beating away was surreal. I still could not believe you were growing in my belly. It has been fun slowly telling the world about you, and when we found out you were a girl, we were both pretty surprised and soon started to get really excited. You already have your dad wrapped around your tiny finger, and he has begun to write you songs, read to you, and pray over you. Even as I am typing this out I can feel you jumping around and it is an amazing feeling. 

(in Maine, at a surprise family baby shower thrown by your aunt and uncle)

We are continuing to prepare for your arrival, and one thing is for you sure you are going to be coming into a lot of love. So many people can't wait to meet you, friends and family alike are getting excited and have been sharing their well wishes with us. As your parents we have enjoyed reflecting on what you are going to be like and how you are going to change our lives forever.....you already have :) 

We both have moments when we feel nervous about being parents, but are reassured over and over that the feeling is normal and one is never really "ready", but you go with it and although you make mistakes you learn along the way and do the best you can. We are grateful for you and consider it a privilege to be experiencing everything we are right now in the moment. You are loved and I hope you can feel that even now as you are growing inside of me. 

We can't wait to meet you little one! Keep growing, staying healthy, getting stronger and we will continue preparing a place for you, praying for you, anticipating your arrival, and getting all sorts of excited. 

Love,
Mom