Happy Birthday Zoey!

Dear Baby Bug-

Hi there Bug! It's been a while since I've written to you. We've been busy with work, birthday parties, and for me, resting. Today was a day that I had to write about- it's Zoey's 4th birthday! I can't believe that Zoey is 4 already- it just goes to show how time flies. It seems like not too long ago she was the little one pound puppy that was wearing sweaters and crying all night. Now pretty soon, that will be you! Daddy wasn't able to be around for Zoey's birthday because he had a basketball meeting, but we had a little celebration anyways. Zoey, Rudy, Mommy (and you!) sang happy birthday and then Zoey and Rudy each had a birthday hotdog. I hope that Zoey enjoyed her birthday surprise- above are some pictures that show the big celebration!

Meet Your Furry Friends

Dear Baby Bug-

I think you've waited long enough- it's time for me to tell you about the other living things that will be greeting you when you come home from the hospital. You see, Mommy and Daddy already have a couple of "children" but they are a little furrier than you will be. Their names are Rudy and Zoey and they are our (and soon to be your!) puppies. Even though they're not really puppies, that's what Daddy and I call them. I want to tell you a little about your furry brother and sister, because they are going to be just as much a part of your lives as we are. I hope that you love them as much as we do- it may take a while, but I know they will love you right back!

Your oldest brother is named Rudy and he is five years old. He will be six when you arrive in this world and if you can believe it, that will be (if my math is correct) 42 in dog years! I know that's really confusing, and we'll help you to understand that when you're older. Rudy was Mommy's first baby and he was a gift from your Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand for my graduation from grad school. Although Rudy is tiny (only 4 pounds!) he makes up for it in attitude. He won't eat his food out of the dish; we have to put it on the floor in just the right way for him to nibble on it. He loves dog treats but won't eat them right away when you give one to him. He has to carry it around with him for about ten minutes before he finds a nice quiet place to enjoy it. One of my favorite things about Rudy is that he's a mama's boy- you can find him every night curled up next to me while I'm watching TV. Right now he is wearing a little sweatshirt because Daddy thinks it's too cold for him. We call it his Grandpa Walter sweater because your Great Grandpa has a sweatshirt almost identical to it. Rudy doesn't seem to mind wearing clothes and no matter how grumbly he is, he's still our little buddy.

Your furry sister is named Zoey and she is a lot bigger than Rudy. I think Zoey weighs in at about 12 pounds and she is what Daddy likes to call a "tomboy." Zoey will plow through anything in her path to get what she wants and she doesn't care who or what it is. Unfortunately, a lot of times she is running over poor little Rudy. Zoey was a gift to Mommy from Daddy for Christmas four years ago. Daddy surprised Mommy right before Christmas with this little furry bundle who quickly grew up to be Zoey. Zoey is almost four years old and even though she can be a bully, she is the cuddliest dog I have ever known. You're probably going to hear Zoey more than you'll see her at first- she is always barking at other dogs or people on the street. She loves to play and snuggle, and she will be a great companion for you to play with. We know that you will love to play with her just as much as we do.

Now Bug, you have to know that if these furry friends don't warm up to you right away you can't be sad. They have had our undivided attention for years now and they may be a little bit upset that you are coming into the picture. I think they can kind of tell that something is up already, but that will be nothing compared to how they feel when you arrive. You just have to be sure to be nice to them- no pulling their hair or squishing them- and they should be ready to play with you in no time. Mommy and Daddy will make sure that everyone gets along and I can't wait for all of our babies to be together in a few short months!!

Baby Bug Belly Update

You must really be in there, Bug! Daddy took the first picture after our first doctor's appointment which was when you were 6 weeks along. The second picture was taken today at 13 weeks 3 days- there's a bit of a difference! Even though you're only the size of a plum, you're still making my belly grow which is exactly what you're supposed to do! :)

Another Fun Weekend for Baby Bug!

Dear Baby Bug-

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. Mommy finally got through the PSAT which is one of the biggest things she has to coordinate in her job. It was very stressful and I am just glad that we both made it through OK! Daddy is steadily getting ready for basketball season and his team tryouts are just around the corner. It is so strange to think that there are all these major events coming up before you even arrive. Don't worry- you're the event we're looking forward to the most!

This weekend was super fun- you and I got to go back to visit Grandpa Rand and Grandma Cindy again! There was a very special reason for going back home- Uncle Brandon came home for a visit. He is in his friend Ryan's wedding so he is actually home for a whole week. The sad part is that I could only be home for a weekend to see him because I still have to work. Daddy couldn't come because he had too much work to do. Everyone misses him when he doesn't come with me, but it's good that he could have a weekend to do his own thing.

On Friday we drove to your Grandma and Grandpa's house and then jumped right back in the car to drive to Fort Wayne to pick Uncle Brandon up from the airport. He didn't get in until after 9:00 and by that time we were all REALLY hungry. We sent to Red Robin to get some food and then drove straight home to bed. Saturday was a packed day and it started with Mommy getting her hair done! No offense to you, Bug, but you caught me off guard coming when you did and it has thrown my hair schedule off. I feel like I was starting to look like I didn't care about my appearance, but cousin Staci fixed that on Saturday when she cut and highlighted my hair. Now I feel MUCH better! After the hair appointment, we went to visit Great Grandpa and Grandma Walter for a couple of hours. They are still so excited about you and can't wait for you to come. After their house, we went and stopped by Great, Great Aunt Lou and Uncle Bernard's house. They had to go to a party, but we were able to visit them for awhile. We finished the night by going to Grossman's for dinner, getting groceries with Grandma and Grandpa at Wal-Mart, and getting food ready for Grandma Cindy's big party on Sunday.

Sunday was a fun but also sad day. We went to church as usual and then went to lunch with Uncle Brandon, Grandma Cindy, and Grandpa Rand. After lunch, Grandpa Rand had to leave on a business trip to Georgia, and it was hard to say goodbye to him. Although we didn't spend much time with him this weekend, we will get to see him more with the holidays coming up! :) After lunch, we went home and waited for Grandma Cindy's party to start. There were a ton of people that came! Most all of your great aunts and uncles were there and so was cousin Sarah. She gave Daddy and I a really fun book to help keep track of my pregnancy so you can have it later and life. I bet that coupled with this blog will provide you lots of entertainment! After having a huge dinner of pulled pork (one of Mommy's favorite foods) and lots of other yummy things, everyone went home.

Monday was one of the best parts of the whole weekend. We stayed home with Uncle Brandon for the day to hang out. Instead of staying in the house, we decided to go out for lunch and to a movie. We went to Olive Garden and ate a ton of pasta then went to see The Social Network which was all about the creator and creation of Facebook. I wonder what Facebook will be like when you are old enough to use it (like when you're 25)...I wonder if it will still be cool or it will be a thing of the past? It's hard to believe that it could be old news since it is SO POPULAR right now! After the movie, Uncle Brandon and I went back to Grandma and Grandpa's and had dinner with Great Grandma and Grandpa Walter. It was the perfect day.

The more you are with me, the more excited I get to meet you! By now, you have fingerprints and you may even have vocal chords! If we could see a picture of you now, you would look like a real baby, not just a gummy bear. We absolutely can't wait for you to come into this world and as you can see, there are lots of people ready to greet you!

Fun Gifts for Baby Bug from People Who Love You!

Dear Baby Bug-

In the short time you've been around, you have accumulated some pretty fun stuff! People already love you and you don't even have vocal chords yet! Here are some of the nice things that people have given you...we can't wait for you to arrive and enjoy them!


The stuffed ducky is from Great, Great Aunt Lou and Uncle Bernard for you to snuggle with when you are sleeping

The basket of goodies is from Becky, Randy, and Baby Boy Hoyle...it is stuffed full of stuff for you and for Mommy and Daddy

I Love You Forever is from Betty- it is such a good book and I will be reading it to you a lot!

Saturday October 9, 2010...Telling Extended Family About Baby Bug

Dear Baby Bug-

Today was a super special day- it was the day that you became public knowledge to the rest of the Walter family! We started the day by going to Corn School which is hard to explain now but something you will hopefully experience for many years in your lifetime. You should have been super satisfied because we got to eat an elephant ear AND a carmel apple while we watched the parade. Corn School is a lot of fun but only in small doses. Once we saw the parade, walked around, and ate some good food, it was time to head back to your great grandma and grandpa's house.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Walter had all of your great aunts, uncles, and cousins over for a haystack dinner today at my request. Once everyone got started with dinner, Mommy gave Great Grandma and Grandpa a present to open. It was a picture frame with your first sonogram picture and once they realized what it was, they were so excited! Both your Great Grandpa Ned and Great, Great Uncle Bernard had suspected that I was pregnant but they didn't know for sure until today. As expected, everyone is so excited for you....especially Great Grandpa and Great, Great Aunt Lou. Great Grandpa told everyone he could find about you and Great Great Aunt Lou and Uncle Bernard gave you your first stuffed animal- a stuffed duck!

One of the best things about this weekend is that Grandma Cindy can finally tell everyone about you. She has been dying of excitement keeping this secret and now she can tell whomever she wants that you are on your way! We are officially 12 weeks today, so Mommy feels a lot better about sharing the news with everyone who wants to know. You just have to keep healthy and grow strong...everyone's depending on you to come out in April and be ready to be spoiled!

Friday October 1- Sunday October 3, 2010...Getting Ready for Baby Bug

Dear Bug-

It was a weekend of firsts for me and Daddy! We are so excited for you to get here but there is a lot to do before that time comes. One of the biggest things we need to do is figure out all of the equipment needed to raise you. You would not BELIEVE everything we need to get for you, just one tiny baby! Since Daddy and I hadn’t done it yet, we went over to Babies R Us for the first time on Friday to see what we could find. I think Daddy was a little amazed at all of the things we need to get and the thing he is interested in most is your stroller. He wants one that looks “manly” with jumbo wheels so that you can jog with him. Now, Bug, I must tell you that your Daddy does not run at all whatsoever. So the fact that he wants to start running with you in a stroller is either very endearing or just plain nuts. We’ll see what happens- he says you are going to be his training partner. I hope you’re born with a sweatband and tracksuit on! While we were at the store, Daddy found something for you that he thinks you just have to have. It’s a big inflatable ducky that you can take baths in when you get a little bit older. He told me he would be devastated if we left the store without it, so we went ahead and made the purchase. We also bought a little frame for your Great Grandma and Grandpa Walter that will hold your first ultrasound picture- that’s how we plan to tell them about you next weekend- we can’t wait!

Saturday was a very long but fun day. Since you are going to be arriving in a few months and neither of our cars are equipped for you, we thought it would be a good time to go car shopping. After looking around ALL DAY LONG, we finally found a Black 2010 Ford Explorer- we are going to look so good driving around in that together! It’s nice and big with plenty of room for your carseat and for all of the stuff we are going to have to bring around with us. Daddy is really excited about the new car and so am I. Now all we need is you to ride in it! After car shopping Daddy and I went downtown for Jess’ birthday. The 342 Crew is so excited for you to come and they are so sweet for asking about you all the time and giving me helpful advice. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- you are going to be a VERY loved baby!

Sunday was a good day for me because I am finally starting to feel back to normal. I had enough energy to clean the house today and I barely felt sick at all. You must be doing great in there and I hope that you are liking all of the food that I am eating for you. Today ended up being especially exciting because Becky let Daddy and I borrow her fetal Doppler so that we could hear your heartbeat for the first time. It’s very faint, but you are in there! It’s was hard to find you because every time we had you, you decided to do some somersaults and swam away! I hope you’re having fun in there and I can’t wait until I can actually feel you moving. We will get to go to the doctor on Thursday and hopefully he will listen to your heartbeat and let us know that everything is going just fine. Because of you, so many things are changing for the better and Daddy and I are just so thankful that you are part of our lives. You are 11 weeks and 1 day old which means that you are almost out of your first trimester! Hooray!! Pretty soon we will tell everyone else about you and there will be many more people anticipating your arrival in April.

Sunday September 19, 2010...Baby Bug's First Concert

Dear Bug-

It was another busy weekend for Mommy and Daddy! Last night we went to Wrigley Field to see the Dave Matthews Band concert with some of our closest friends. I can’t wait to introduce you to my best friends in the world and, now that they know about you, they can’t wait to meet you! The friends I was with last night are my oldest and dearest friends whom I affectionately refer to as the 342 Crew. Mommy lived with Jess, Sara, and Annie in college and Carrie was kind of like our fifth roommate. Annie couldn’t be there last night, so we are going to have to tell her about you some other time. You are going to love these friends, Bug. There are even going to be some friends for you in this group! Jess and Tom have a little guy named Ethan who will be almost two years older than you when you are born. Sara and Jeremy also have a little guy named Kaden who is just a little bit older than Ethan. But, the super exciting news is that Sara and Jeremy are also going to have a baby and that baby is going to come just one month before you!! That is so exciting!! When we see everyone this summer, it will be a summer of babies!

Once we told our friends about you, they were very excited. Rob told me he was going to hi-five my uterus which is a positive thing. Jess thinks that all of us should go to Lake Geneva this summer to hang out, so you may already have your very first vacation planned for you! It was fun to talk to Sara to see how she is feeling and we are so excited that both you and Baby Wilking will be born so close together. Carrie is excited for you to come, too, and is already thinking of ideas for a baby shower. These people are so nice, fun, and genuine- the perfect people to hang out with and have around you. You’ll get to experience the fun of the 342 Crew firsthand in only a few months, so get ready to laugh a lot and be showered with love!

Mommy has to get ready for bed now. It is going to be a busy week! Great Grandpa Walter’s brother Frank passed away last week, so Mommy is going to Columbus, Ohio for the funeral. It will be very hard not to tell the rest of the family about you this week, but we aren’t quite ready to reveal the surprise just yet. Later this week, you are going to go to your first Cubs game at Wrigley Field and then we are traveling to Carmel for Tiffany and Kyle’s wedding. Whew! All of that makes me tired just thinking of it! No matter how busy I am, I just hope that you are getting plenty of rest. You should be able to move your arms and legs now, so if you want to start doing some Zumba or something in there to help your muscles develop, go right ahead! Just don’t stay up too late! Love you, Bug!

Tuesday September 14, 2010...Peek-A-Boo, We See You!

Dear Baby Bug-

Mommy and Daddy received the most special gift of all today- we got to see you for the first time! Dr. Hamburg ordered an ultrasound for us so that we could see you and make sure that your little heart is beating like it should. It was the most amazing thing ever, seeing you for the first time. You aren’t even the size of a peanut but the nice ultrasound lady was able to magnify you and you actually do look like a tiny little baby! You weren’t moving around at all- you’re probably tired from all that developing you’re doing- but your little heart was beating at 171 beats per minute! Holy cow! You can’t imagine how relieved I was to see you on that little screen and to see your fast little heartbeat. Your Daddy is just absolutely sure you are a boy, but even though he asked the lady a million times if she could tell, she convinced him that we still have a couple more months to go before we find out if our little Bug is a “he” or a “she.” I don’t care what you are, as long as you are happy, healthy baby! The best part of the experience (besides seeing you and your little heart) was that the ultrasound technician printed off four little pictures of you so that I can carry you around with me all the time- both in my belly and in my wallet! So far, you are very photogenic…I’m sure that you will have your picture taken a lot once you actually arrive in the real world!

After we left the doctor’s office we called your Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand and then we went to see your Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Carol. They were so excited to see your picture and asked all sorts of questions. One of the most valuable things we found out today is that you are actually a week younger than Dr. Hamburg thought, so you are only 8 weeks and 3 days old today. This also means that you are going to be due a little later than we thought- April 23rd instead of April 16th. You can come out of there whenever you want- just make sure you’re fully baked and ready to go!

Even though today was an exciting day for us, it was also a sad day for Mommy. Mommy’s friend Rachel is moving to Ireland to be with her husband James and today was the last day that I was able to spend with Rachel before she moves. Rachel, Betty, Beth, and I all had dinner to celebrate Betty’s birthday and to say goodbye to Rachel. We had such a good time and they are all very excited to meet you. Betty gave you the best book ever which is called “Love You Forever” and it is one that you will hear me read to you even before you are born. The message in the book is “I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” This is so true, because even when I’m old and can’t walk, you’ll still be my baby, Bug. Once we were done with dinner, we had to say goodbye to Rachel which was very hard. You’ll learn that it is hard to say goodbye to good friends….it’s all part of life’s lessons. Rachel is going away for a good reason, though, and it is so that she and James can finally be together. You’ll get to meet them some day, and you’re going to love them just as much as I do.

Now I have to get to bed because today made me very tired. I want you to know that we love you so much and it is such a miracle that you are growing inside me. We can’t wait until the next few weeks are over and we can tell the rest of the world about you. For right now, we are going to just be happy knowing that you are right on track and developing beautifully…and that your little heart is beating super fast, ready to help the rest of you grow! Good night, Bug- Mommy and Daddy love you!!

Sunday September 5- Monday September 6, 2010...A Wedding and Big News for the Terry Family!

Dear Baby Bug-

This was a busy, busy weekend for us! Daddy was busy getting ready to start teaching at his new school and start basketball conditioning. I spent most of the weekend preparing for the Terry family to come over for a BBQ and we also went to James and Rachel’s super fun wedding. Hopefully you will get to know Rachel and James even though they are going to be living an ocean away. They are very special people to your Daddy and me and I know that you will love the time you do get to spend with them.

Today was Labor Day, which means that Daddy and I did not have to go to school. We had your Grandpa Jeff, Grandma Carol, and your aunts, uncles, and cousins over for a BBQ for Grandpa Jeff’s birthday and to celebrate your Daddy’s master’s degree and new job. It was a very fun day and the best part was that we got to tell everyone about you! They were so excited to know that you are coming in a few months. Grandpa Jeff just kept shaking his head and saying that he is so happy. He even called your Grandpa Rand and Grandma Cindy to share the happiness! You’ve been wished for by many people for a long time and now you are finally going to be part of the family. You are going to be a very loved baby- all of your cousins are already planning when they are going to get to babysit you and visit you this summer. I know that you are going to love your family just as much as Daddy and I do. They are so excited to meet you and it is going to be such a happy day when you arrive!

Thursday September 2, 2010...First Doctors Appointment for Mommy and Baby Bug

Dear Baby Bug-

We finally got to see the doctor today! After three looooong weeks of waiting, we were able to go and meet with Dr. Hamburg who will probably be the first person you will see on your way out into the world. He is a very nice doctor and he really helped me to stop worrying so much about every little thing I do. The best news is that he has ordered an ultrasound for two weeks from now so that we can see your little heart beating and make sure that you are growing on schedule. Another piece of great news- your estimated due date! Dr. Hamburg predicts that you will arrive on or around April 16, 2011! We can’t wait to meet you, Bug, but for the time being we are anxiously waiting to see your little body on the ultrasound on September 14th….and that super strong little heartbeat that we know you will have!

Monday August 30, 2010...Daddy's Got a New Job!

Dear Bug-

We got some more exciting news today! Daddy had an interview on Friday for the varsity head coach position at Lincoln-Way North and he got the job! I am so happy for and proud of your Daddy because this is one of his biggest dreams come true. We are going to spend many years cheering on Daddy and his team. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re born with either a basketball or a pair of pompons in your hand! Get ready for a life full of basketball, Bug…there’s no escaping it in this household!

Friday August 27-Sunday August 29, 2010...It's a Baby! Telling Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Rand, and Uncle Brandon About You!

Dear Baby Bug,

I don’t know if you could feel it in there, but we had a very exciting weekend! We traveled with a whole group of people to Cincinnati to celebrate Grandpa Rand’s birthday and it was a weekend full of surprises! Saturday morning Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa Rand, and Grandma Cindy (and you, of course!) rode to Ohio to Aunt Sharon and Uncle Glenn’s house to have breakfast. While we were there, your cousins Sarah, Aaron, Kelly, Chase, and Taden were there and we got to meet Taden for the very first time! By the time you get here, Taden will probably be a full year older than you. Taden was too little to come with us this weekend, so his other Grandma and Grandpa took him home so that we could leave for Cincinnati.

Once we arrived in Cincinnati, it was time for Grandpa Rand’s first big surprise. We had arranged for your Uncle Brandon to fly in to Cincinnati for the weekend and Grandpa Rand didn’t know anything about it! Uncle Brandon arrived at the hotel a little bit after we did and I think Grandpa was really surprised. We don’t get to see Uncle Brandon very often, so when he gets a chance to get away from Atlanta we are so happy to see him!

After the Uncle Brandon surprise, it was time for an even BIGGER surprise…telling everyone about you!! Grandpa Rand opened his birthday gift and then we made Grandma Cindy go stand by him. I then gave them a suitcase that says “Going to Grandma’s” that had a bunch of stuff for you in it! Grandma Cindy screamed and was so happy that she started running all over the place. Daddy thought that was pretty funny. Grandpa Rand looked a little dumbfounded, but he was smiling and I know that he is very excited. Everyone else started smiling and hugging us and saying, “Congratulations!” It was a really nice moment and I am so thankful to you for making it possible. You are going to be a VERY loved baby…you already are!

After all the excitement, it was time to rest a little bit. Once everyone had calmed down, we went to a really good BBQ place called the Montgomery Inn. Daddy was very impressed by the waiter- you will have to ask him about how good he was at his job some day. I think he left an impression on your father! Once dinner was over, we went to the Great American Ballpark to see the Cincinnati Reds play our most favorite team- the Chicago Cubs! As you will soon realize, the Cubs are a very important part of our lives and we can’t wait to take you to many, many games. The Cubs aren’t doing very well this year (which is pretty par for the course) but they decided to play really well last night and actually won for Grandpa Rand’s birthday! It was such a perfect day and Daddy is very happy because, so far, you have an undefeated record when attending Cubs’ games!!

With all the excitement this weekend, Mommy and Daddy are very tired. We haven’t told the rest of the family yet but can’t wait to tell the Terry side next weekend. We also have our first doctor’s appointment this week, so we finally get to find out when you will OFFICIALLY arrive! I can’t wait and hope that you are doing OK in there. I love you Bug!

Sunday August 22, 2010...Lots of Lazy Sundays Ahead for You!

Dear Bug-

Happy Sunday to you! Mommy and Daddy are having a lazy afternoon at home after a morning of church, lunch, and shopping. We went to church today and talked to Pastor Bassam and he wants to come over to our house for a visit some time next week. We are very excited to tell him about you because he has been praying for you to come. When we were in church a few months ago, he pulled Mommy and Daddy aside and whispered to us, “I have been praying for you to have a child.” And now, here you are! He will be very excited to hear about you and we hope you have a chance to get to know him before he decides to retire from our church.

When we were at lunch today, your Mommy and Daddy made a very important and exciting decision. We decided that we are going to tell your Grandpa Rand, Grandma Cindy, Uncle Brandon, Grandpa Jeff, Grandma Carol, and all of your other aunts, uncles, and cousins about you in the next couple of weeks! First we will get to tell Grandpa Rand, Grandma Cindy, and Uncle Brandon next weekend when we are together for Grandpa Rand’s birthday and then we will tell Grandpa Jeff, Grandma Carol, and the rest of the Terrys at Grandpa Jeff’s birthday party. Mommy and Daddy are so excited that we can barely stand it! I’ll give you more details about how we told them after it happens but for right now, Mommy has to get busy thinking up some good ideas to reveal the surprise! We’re about ready to take a nap right now, so get some rest and enjoy the rest of your lazy Sunday.

Saturday August 21, 2010...Some Pampering for Mommy and Friends

Dear Baby Bug-

Today was a real treat for Mommy- I was able to pamper myself along with some of my closest friends and you were along for the ride. It was a tricky day because no one knows about you yet, so I had to be careful about the things I said and did around my friends. Mommy’s friend Rachel is getting married in two weeks to a wonderful man named James and then she is moving to Ireland. Mommy is really going to miss her, so today Mommy, Rachel, Beth, and Betty went to the spa to spend some time together before Rachel’s wedding. It was so much fun! I got my first facial today and I am hoping that it will help with all the funny skin problems that your growing has given me. I don’t mind the skin problems or the tiredness or the feeling sick as long as you are healthy!

After the spa, we went back to Betty’s house to have breakfast. You will find out soon enough that Betty is a wonderful hostess and an awesome cook! She made us all omelets and raspberry scones- it was delicious! It was nice to hang out with my friends and I want to tell them about you so bad but I can’t until Daddy and I know that you are healthy and strong. It still seems like an eternity until we get to visit the doctor to learn more about you, but in reality it is only 12 days away. I hope it is here before we know it!

According to our calculations, you should be about 6 weeks old today. This means that you are no longer than a grain of rice and supposedly resemble a gummy bear. You should be starting to develop your organs and your heart will start beating some time soon! It is so exciting to think of how you are developing and I am hoping that I am eating the right things to help that development continue. Since today is Saturday, I am going to try hard just to take it easy and get some rest. We’ve got some rough weeks ahead of us and we need to get through them the best we can. Mommy and Daddy love you, Bug…keep growing strong!

Thursday August 18, 2010...Life Goes On Around This Big Secret

Dear Bug,

How are you doing in there? I hope that you are growing and you’re working on developing that heart that we can’t wait to hear! I can’t tell you how lucky you are that you don’t have ears yet because today you had to sit through a lot of long, boring meetings with Mommy at school. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be getting ready to attend Munster High School as a big Munster Mustang!

Today was the first day of the school year for both your Mom and Dad and both of us had a lot going on. Your Dad is nervous about his teaching schedule this year because he feels like he doesn’t know how to teach the hard math classes that he has. Daddy is very, very smart and the best teacher in the world so I am not too worried about him. He will be just fine. I had a lot of new students to enroll and it was a hard day. I just keep telling myself that you will be here before the year is over and then we will get to hang out here at home for a couple of months- that will be so much fun! I hope you are feeling OK- only two more weeks until our first doctor’s appointment!

I talked to your Grandma Cindy tonight and she is busy at her school as well. We’re getting excited because your Grandpa Rand’s birthday is next week and we are taking him to Cincinnati to see a Cubs/Reds game. I can’t believe you’ll be going to your first Cubs game in my tummy in a little over a week! We can’t wait to take you to all kinds of Cubs games after you are born. Even though they are terrible this year, it’s still fun to be a Cubs fan. I think your Grandpa will like going to the game because we are going to get to see some of our other family members. Your Uncle Brandon is even flying in for the game! I am sad that you won’t see your Uncle Brandon very much because he lives so far away, but you will love every second you get to spend with him. He will be one of the coolest people you know.

Well, Bug, it’s time for Mommy to go to bed. Your growing makes me very tired and I have to get enough sleep so that you are taken care of. I hope you’re not lonely in there- Mommy and Daddy are always thinking of you!

Friday August 13th-Sunday August 15th, 2010...So Hard Not to Say Anything!

Dear Baby Bug-

You have no idea how hard this weekend was for Mommy and Daddy. We decided to take a trip to your Grandma and Grandpa Walter’s house and it was so hard not to tell them about you! We had to spend the whole weekend talking about everything BUT you and that is not an easy thing when you are all I think about. Grandma Cindy may have suspected that you are in there because there are a lot of things that Mommy has to change to make sure that you are healthy which Grandma may have noticed. First, I have to stop drinking diet pop and drink lots of water to make sure that I am hydrated for you. Second, I can’t chew my favorite gum anymore so that the ingredients don’t make you sick. Third, I had to buy some new vitamins to help you develop and Grandma helped me find the right ones. We don’t like having to keep you a secret, but it’s for the best until we are sure that you are going to be healthy. Grandma and Grandpa Walter will be so excited to find out about you and I can’t wait to tell your Grandma and Grandpa Terry! Grandpa Jeff has been wishing for you very hard and I think that his wishing helped you to get to us quicker. You are going to love your grandparents, but probably not half as much as they are going to love you. ☺

We are dying to know when you are going to be here. If the calculations are correct, you should arrive around mid-April which means that I don’t even have to go through a whole school year before you get here! It also means that we will have more than the whole summer to spend together before I have to go back to work. You sure have your timing right and we really appreciate that.

Daddy is very concerned about the things that I am eating, the movements I make, and how I am feeling. He is going to be the best daddy in the world! He told me that he doesn’t want me to exercise so that you don’t fall out. I don’t think there is any chance of that happening, but you will come to find out that we just have to go with what daddy says a lot. He also seems to think that you wouldn’t want to bounce up and down while I run. We’ll have to see who wins that battle. For right now, Mommy is just concerned about eating healthy things so that you get what you need. The rest is up to you! If you do your job and I do mine, we’ll all be together in just a few months. We love you!

August 12, 2010...It's Positive!

Dear Baby Bug-

Today was a big day for your Mommy and Daddy- it was the day that we found out that you were going to be part of our lives! We have been wishing for you for a long time and now that you are real, we can’t wait to meet you! It’s going to be a long nine months, but I am hoping to write to you along the way to let you know exactly what your journey was like before you were introduced to the world. You may find this funny, but you won’t be able to remember this part of floating around in my belly and I think it will be fun for you to know later what the world was like before you arrived. So sit back and relax (and grow strong!) because your Mom and Dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are anxiously awaiting your arrival (even though most of them don’t know about you yet)!

The day that we found out about you started like any other. I had to go to the bathroom and just had a feeling that maybe you were there. I waited and waited for the test to develop and, sure enough, there were two lines! I ran and jumped on your Dad who was still snoring in bed and made him wake up. At first he thought he had done something wrong and that I was going to yell at him but once he put on his glasses and saw the proof, he was so happy!!

You can’t imagine how many thoughts were running through my head all day long. I was so incredibly happy, but still finding it hard to believe that you were actually in there. After sitting through a whole day of work, I finally called the doctor to make an appointment to make sure that you are growing big and strong. That appointment isn’t until September 2nd, which seems SO FAR AWAY but it gives us all something to look forward to. You better watch out- you are going to be the most loved baby in the world!

You may wonder why I call you Bug. For some reason, as soon as I knew you were in there, it just seemed like a natural nickname. Don’t worry- we will give you a real grown-up name once we know more about you, but for right now you are my little baby Bug and I love you! ☺