Sunday, July 11, 2010

10 Week Countdown

Our Bella has hit her 30 week mark today, and I cannot believe it. In 10 weeks our little peanut princess is going to be here. I have so much left that I need to get done, and I am starting to feel a little bit overwhelmed, but only because I want everything to be perfect for her. We still need to go get her a swing, stroller/carseat system, crib, and changing table...YIKES! I know we can do this, though. We just need to take things one step at a time and stay focused. I know in my heart that we are going to bring her home to a lovely nursery and a warm little home.
It's incredible how conneced I am to Bella now. Every move she makes, every hiccup, every dance routine...I feel and experience each second of it. I love talking to her and having her wiggle back in response. She is such a happy, active girl in the mornign when we wake up, and she jumps for joy when I sing to her. As hard as this pregnancy has been on my body, I am truly enjoying my alone with her. Pregnancy has been such a journey, and I know that there is so much more to come in this final stretch. Oh Bella...you're all that's on your Mommy's mind.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Bella's big party

My baby shower was beautiful. So, so beatuiful. June 26th ended up being a GORGEOUS day to be in the park celebrating a little Bella that is quickly on her way. I had a cake of lavender, delicate pink roses and balloons, and princess tissue paper everywhere. You could feel Bella's little bedazzle all around us.
There was enough food to feed a village, or in other words, a VERY pregnant woman and all of her dainty friends. The main dish I wanted was fried chicken (how classy) and I had several different kinds of salads including my mom's candy caramel apple salad, and my mother-in-law's famous potato salad. YUM! There was also fresh fruit and veggies to munch on in the hot sun, and the perfect pink lemonade. I was in heaven, and so were all my guests.
I was delighted to see all of my closest friends and family around me and excited to celebrate our Bella. Spencer's grandma came and it was precious to have her come to me and whisper how excited she was. My belly had hands covering it all day, and Bella got a little shy..I was hoping she would but on a dance recital for everyone to feel, but all the new voices kept her pretty quiet. We talked, and laughed, and daydreamed about Bella. Who would she look like? How much would she weigh when she is born? Imagining all the fun things we would do for her. It warmed my heart to have such a big group of people excited over MY little girl. She so incredibly loved.
Bella got spoiled and everyone really put a lot of thought and love in their kind words and and pretty wrapped gifts. I kept all of the cards that came with the gifts and I am going to put them in her baby book. Getting all of these lovely things for her really made me realize how much she needs and how quickly she is truly coming! Precious outfits, bottles, diapers, baby bathwash, and soft blankies. My mom even got her the pack-n-play we wanted for her. I was shocked and so thankful! We still have quite a few things to get for her, but all the help we got from her friends and family was more than we could ever ask for.
I also made a book for Bella filled with cutesy, girly embellishments on each page so people could pick out their favorit ones, and write a message to little Bella. Going through and being able to read what people wrote. Everyone had their own special message and way of expressing their thoughts to her, but one thing they all had in common is how much they wanted her to know they loved her. An overwhelming sense of joy washes over me each time I look through it.
When the shower came to an end, and people began to leave, I was covered in hugs, kisses, belly rubs, and congratulations. All of these loving and positive words of encouragement just made me feel so proud of becoming a mommy. All of my peers were glowing for me and anxiously awaiting our little arrival. I am so lucky to have a mom and mother-in-law who wanted to throw me such a perfect shower, and give me the opportunity to be celebrated as a mama. My shower is a day I will never forget.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Tomorrow's Baby Shower!

My mom's are throwing my baby shower tomorrow, and I can't believe it is already here! I went out and got a dress, pretty shoes, and am going to try my best to look and feel pretty. Hopefully that 'maternal glow' will shine through.
I am getting very excited, especially since I have my best friend here to be my date, but I must admit that I am a little nervous. I am going to have a group of people that I love the most all around me, and will be the center of attention..WOW..what a thought! But under all the anxiety, I am just tickled that everyone wants to be there to celebrate our little Bella.
I am so thankful that my mom has worked so hard to put on this shower for me. I look forward for all the beautiful decorations and food she has put together, and also can't wait to see what my mother-in-law brings! Yummy food galore! I am so blessed.

Monday, June 21, 2010

27 weeks!

My little Bella isn't so little in this belly of mine anymore. SHEESH! 27 weeks as of yesterday, and this little dancer of mine is REALLY starting to make herself known. Today was her wildest of days and I couldn't help but giggle all day at work while my belly wiggled and rocked back and forth. My bellybutton is almost completely popped out and I am starting to get my belly line. I'm not even going to BEGIN to talk about these new boobies..I am busting out of bras left and right and THAT is nothing I have ever experienced before. Wow.
Spencer and I painted Bella's nursery this Saturday with his mama. The color is called gentle gem, and it is a gorgeous soft lavender. Lots of people give their baby girls pink bedrooms, but we wanted our princess to have something different. Sure, she will love pink just as every little girl does, but just like her mama, she will prefer pearls over diamonds any day. Painting those walls really made me realize how quickly this is all happening. Sure, we have lots of furniture to get for that nursery, but adding that splash of color made the room hers. This is a room for our Bella.
Our mamas are giving me my baby shower this Saturday, and I am getting more and more excited for it. I am nervous to be the center of attention, but excited to see all of my favorite ladies and celebrate this new little lady in my life. I feel so thankful that my family loves me enough to give me a party, and even more tickled that so many people want to be a part of preparing for my Bella. Gosh..this baby is loved already by so many people. It's incredible.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Your Daddy

Bella Bean,
You have so many people excited for your arrival, and already loving you so much. Between family and friends, you have quite the welcoming committee counting down the days until we can show you off for your big opening number. I think the person that is most anxious for you to get here is your Daddy. Of course, I am excited as your Mommy to have you here and hold you in my arms, but I am lucky because I get you all to myself all day long. I get to feel your little kicks and hiccups, not to mention your wild dance routines..so you are always with me..but your Daddy only gets to feel you once we get home from work and you wake up from your naps.
Let me tell you a little bit about your Daddy. First and foremost, he gave me you, and for that, he is the most precious person in my life aside from you. Your Daddy showed me what it means to love someone with no boundaries, and how to live every day with a purpose and a glow.
Daddy is one of the people who always knows how to make me laugh, no matter how hard I may have been crying only moments before. I think he is going to get lots and lots of giggles out of you. He loves to make people smile, and proves to all those around him that he is genuine at heart. Daddy gives lots of his closest friends advise, not because he wants to, but because they come to him for it. This is because he listens with is heart and not with his mind.
Your Daddy is a dreamer, and wild about chasing all of his ambitions with his eyes closed, once again following that heart of his. He is bright-eyed and willing to fall down as many times as he needs to in order to succeed. That is something that I hope you learn from him and carry on through out your life. No matter how scary things may seem, Baby, be sure to listen to your heart despite the deep waters. Your Daddy will help you hold your head high and nudge you along.
I wish you could see the way your Daddy's face lights up when he feels your little wiggles and dance routines. His eyes light up with all the stars in the sky, and he grins with all his might. You kick so hard when he talks to you and rubs my belly just the way you like it, and every time, his heart melts. He loves to talk to you and kiss you all over through my belly. Daddy calls you his Pandabell, his princess, his angel. He can't wait to spend his life taking care of you, loving you, spoiling you, and protecting you from any harm. He says he most looks forward to taking naps with you, having you curl up on his chest and just being safe in his arms. Daddy gushes about you to his friends and brags about how smart and strong you are getting each day that goes by. He has all of his friends promising to help him look out for you and keep the boys far far away. Oh little Bella..you have lots of watchful eyes on you, and you are so surrounded with undying love.
I want you to have a close relationship with your Daddy, Bella. I want you to rely on him with anything that you have on your plate, good or bad. Laugh with him, play with him, learn from him. Fight wiht him, cry with him, and at the end of the day, dance with him Bella. I'm sure there will be days where you two are furious with each other, but always remember that he is the only Daddy you will ever have and a bond between a father and his baby girl is like no other bond out there. Without him, my litte Bella, there would be no you and I can't imagine this world without something as perfect and beautiful as you.
There are the basics about your Daddy, but there is so much more for you to get to know about him, and I cannot wait to watch your relationship with him blossom. He is the number one man in my life, and I know that he will be the same in yours unitl that day that he has to give you away to the person you want to spend your life with. But even then, Baby..promise you will save the best dance for him.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hiccup!

Bella Bean got her first set of hiccups while I was getting ready for work this morning. I couldn't help but giggle. At first I thought she was just getting a little bit wild and kicking, but then I realized that each little jump was pretty consistant and sharp. HICCUPS! She would kick between each one almost like she was frustrated and after about five or six minutes, they were all done.
Mama's little princess is getting so big! I love this new discovery and now I can't wait to hear her little hiccups when she has arrived!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Mommy's Tiny Dancer at 25 Weeks.

My time being pregnant has been by far the most wonderful time in my life. I hear a lot of horror stories about women that have to deal with mind-blowing morning sickness, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, etc..but not me. My Bella Bean has been so good to me. The only struggles I have had to face is getting used to a big growing belly. Naturally I know that a belly comes with growing a baby, but always being so petite and slender, it is definitely hard to adjust to none of my clothes fitting and only gaining weight in my tummy. I am always hearing how lucky I am that this is the only place I am gaining weight, so I am trying to keep that in mind. Feeling her dance as much as she does now makes me get over it a little easier, and my oh my does this little girl dance!
My favorite time of the day is when I first wake up in the morning. I have NEVER been a morning girl, and my family can agree with this, but now...each morning is so wonderful. She has her own routine, so she starts to wake me up with her little kicks about half hour before my alarm goes off. Then we get up and take our shower. Bella loves the hot water on my tummy and I feel her do little cart-wheels while I wash my hair. Then we try to quietly tip toe out of our bathroom, through the bedroom where her daddy is still sleeping. Once we get out to the living room, I put on a movie, and blow dry my hair so I can curl it. While my curling iron heats up, I brew our pot of decaf coffee, pour a cup, and take my place back on the floor in front of the mirror to start my hair and makeup. This is when we have our time to talk and play. I push on my tummy and she kicks back. I try to talk to her as much as I can so that she knows my voice and gets to know me even more than she already does. I tell her about her daddy and how excited he is for her to get here. I tell her how special she is, and that I have never been so madly in love with anyone..especially before I even met them. Once I know she is awake and alert, I sing to her.
Bella loves it when I sing. People might think that I am crazy for doing it or thinking that she likes hearing me sing, but every time I do she dances. Not kicks..DANCES! I sing her anything ranging from Jewel to Hootie and the Blowfish to Neil Diamond. But I must say, that when I sing her the song Tiny Dancer by Elton John, she reacts the most. She dances to all of them, but I sing her Tiny Dancer so much that when she hears it, she pulls out her best moves. This is my song for her.
Every year on my birthday, my mom plays me the song Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison and we dance. I am so excited to carry on this tradition with my baby girl, and I know that every year on a crisp September morning, I am going to get out of bed before she wakes up for school, and play that song as loud as I can through the house so I can pull her from her warm covers, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and we will dance. Cutting a rug will never have the same meaning to me anymore, because now I have the best dance partner in the world..she will always be the first girl on my dance card.