Dear Baby Sister: Part Eleven

January 18, 2017

Dear Baby Sister,

We're down to less than TWO weeks to your due date. I was always hoping that you would come earlier (this week was my hope, actually!) but now I'm glad you are still hanging out in there. Of course I'm pretty uncomfortable, all the peeing is getting irritating at night and there's lots of pressure, but all three of us have had this nasty cold for over a week now and I want you to stay in there so you don't get it too! I mentioned your big sister had it in my last post, and she's mostly over it but me and Daddy are definitely feeling it now ourselves!

Anyway, we have a few more things to do before you come, so yeah, hang in there a bit longer ;) The crib still needs to be done, the bottles need to be sanitized, and your monogram is ready to finish but I need some glue for the buttons still. Then I have to rearrange some things to hang on the walls... it shouldn't take too long but I do want to get it done before I feel out of commission after having you. If it wasn't for this cold, I think I'd actually be feeling pretty good! I've only gained 33 lbs and that's much better than 50 lbs from last time. My BP was a little high at my doctor's visit but I'm HOPING it's just cuz I didn't get to see Dr. Lown and I knew I was getting checked at the appointment, which always makes me nervous. Dilated to 1 or 2, but the doctor thinks I've got at least one more week in me. Good, this time!

I can't wait to meet you, but I'm still very scared. Delivery is a tough thing, and I want you to be wonderful and healthy. I want to be a great mommy and do everything I can to keep you safe and happy. It's hard to explain but I don't feel very good at this job and it makes me scared that I'm going to mess up so bad. But I already love you and I love your sister and just want you to have an amazing life.

Looking forward to meeting you... soon :)

Love, Mommy

^Feeling pretty good at 38 weeks, if it weren't for this COLD!

Dear Baby Sister: Part Ten

January 10, 2017

Dear Baby Sister,

Happy New Year! You will definitely be a 2017 baby now! I can't wait to meet you and we are getting so close now. We've got a name picked out for you finally and though I'm not making it widely known, it's pretty exciting. Elaina Jae Hoekstra (probably Lainey for short... and anyone who sees this, please keep it quiet until we announce it :) I'm 37 weeks today, and actually feeling okay. Sometimes I can't breath well but my blood pressure has been good and I've been sleeping okay (well, MOSTLY). Julie has a cold and I was up worrying the other night about what happens when she brings icky sicknesses home from daycare but there's not much I can do about that, I suppose. I'm just a ball of worry half the time, but I need to chill out. It's hard with all these hormones going and changes coming up. Such is life I suppose.

We've got everything ALMOST ready for you. The few things we still need to purchase are in my Amazon cart. I have to inspect the old bottles. I think they will be okay to use again as they are only two years old and Julie only used them for a year. We'll see. Your crib is "ready", I just need to dress it up a bit and have Daddy raise the mattress again. I'm still worried about the two of you sharing a room, but we'll find out pretty quick if that'll work or not. Daddy thinks it will and I think it won't but time will tell! I've got your butterfly stickers on the wall (Julie likes to point them out to me) and your monogram project is in progress. Jules came the day after I finished hers so I'm thinking maybe next Wednesday will be a good day to finish that up ;)

Daddy and I went and got pedicures on Saturday which was fun. He only does it before baby, although I think he likes it so it's a good excuse. We won't have a lot of opportunity for such things when you come but I'm still excited. It'll be a transition for sure!

Anyway, I've got a doctor's appointment today. No contractions yet but definitely a lot of pressure. You don't seem to have much room to move anymore (makes sense!) but you are still kicking around. It's so hard not knowing for sure when you will arrive (Dr. Lown thinks we'll get close to my due date but I still am hoping its a little sooner ;) but you'll be here before we know it. Can't wait!!!

^Jules sneaked into the 35 week photo!

^Looking pooped at 36 weeks.

^Feeling a little better at 37 weeks (even though I'm getting a cold!)