36 Week Letter to Baby #2

Hi you sweet little rib-kicking baby,

I call these next few weeks the "time bomb phase", because I feel like I'm just sitting waiting to go into labor. Pregnancy is a weird thing, little one. You are such a part of me right now, and I know you so well already, but it's a finite time. It ends and you come into the world- it's a crazy thought.

You're basically just packing on the pounds at this point. The doctors tell me that I have small babies (something I'm perfectly ok with...), but for the next few weeks, you and I are going in twice a week just to make sure you're growing the way you should be. From what I can feel though, you're doing just fine and are doing everything you can to kick your way out of me.

We still have a few things to finish up before you get here, so it's ok with me if you wait a week or so. Your room is all ready though, and we have mommy and daddy's room set up for you for the first few months when you'll sleep with us. The hospital bag is all packed and we have all the arrangements made, so now we just wait.

Your sister was born at 38 weeks so, if you come early like she did, this may be the last letter I get to write you. If it is, until I get to see you for the first time, know that we love you infinitely. Know that I'm going to do the best I can to bring you here safe and sound- labor is a really scary thing, but one I'm getting ready to face again, since it means I get to meet you afterwards. Keep growing and kicking, girly.

Love you,

Mommy

A Mother's Letter to Her Daughter // A Guest Post for Frost on the Vine

Happy Sunday friends!

I'm so excited to be sharing my first ever guest post today. Not surprisingly probably, I wrote a little letter to my girls (letters seem to be my go-to lately) with a few things I want them to know when they're my age.

Be sure to head on over to Heather's blog Frost on the Vine, to read my post! Heather was so great to work with and I'm honored to be featured on her very artistic and well written blog. Be sure to give her a follow! Thanks, as always, for reading, sweet people.

I hope you all have a relaxing rest of your weekend!

Simply Liv

31 Week Letter to Baby #2

Hi there little bug,

I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that in less than 2 months you're going to be out here in the big, wide world with us. The nervousness is kicking in full force now, as I'm trying to face labor head on. I'm not nervous to meet you, don't worry about that. I already love you more than you'll ever know. I'm nervous about the whole bringing you into the world part. I feel like I just went through it with your sister and I'm not sure I'm mentally ready to do it again....but that's probably why I don't get to choose when you come. So come whenever you're ready, little one, and I'll be ready too.

We are all moved into your new house, but your mama needs to get her booty in gear and get your room ready for you! You're going to love it here, we have so much space for you and E to explore and you get your very own room. I can't wait to show it to you....once I finish it, of course.

I'm feeling very pregnant these days. Back pain, pressure, going to the bathroom every 38 seconds....the whole package. Usually all I want to do is just sleep or sit down, but the knowledge that you'll be here so very soon is motivating me to hurry up and get ready for you!

We're doing our best to prepare Evie to meet you, but you two are so close in age that she doesn't quite understand yet. So don't let it hurt your feelings if she doesn't always show you the love you deserve right at first, this is all new for her too. And go easy on your mom and dad please ;) We are doing the best we can.

We love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mommy

On a slightly unrelated note, and just because I wanted to share them, here are some photos from my Mother's Day yesterday. It was a special day with my family and later AJ, once he got off work.

We had a hard time getting any decent pictures with Evie. She was demanding to "klop klop" with everyone and didn't want to hold still. As always.

We had some tasty (gluten-free) pizza for lunch and then watched Jane Eyre (because the boys weren't allowed to say anything negative...). A perfect, girly afternoon.

 You can thank AJ for teaching her this face the other night. We were both having a hard time not laughing, though she definitely has a better poker face than me....

I feel so lucky to be this little lady's mama. Her personality just sparkles and she's so much fun to be around. I can't wait to see what life with be like with two!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that all you mamas got spoiled!

Simply,

Liv

27 Week Letter to Baby

Sweet girl,

This is the last week of the second trimester. That means next week we are officially in the home stretch! It's kind of scary how fast this pregnancy is flying by, but at the same time, I just want you to be here already. Every time I feel your little hand or foot kick me (or, more accurately, smash up against my ribs, bladder and stomach) I try to picture what it will be like to hold you for the first time. But I've learned with your sister that it's impossible to fathom how incredible those first moments together are. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how excited I am.

You're about 15 inches long and weigh over 2 pounds. You still have lots of bulking up to do, but your lungs, brain, eyes, heart- all of it- is developed and working like it should. You get the hiccups probably 8 times a day and it makes me laugh every time. How can someone so small get the hiccups already!? You're too amazing for your own good.

We are trying to prepare your sister for your arrival as best we can, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't understand. She loves babies though, so don't worry. You'll be her favorite. It's me she will be mad at- you're going to be pretty demanding at first ;) But we will figure it all out and get settled into a routine in no time. We just can't wait for you to get here!

I love you,

Mommy

23 Week Letter to Baby

Well, little one, it is almost the part of the pregnancy where I forget what it's like to not be pregnant. Feeling you kick and squirm and hiccup inside me (which you do almost constantly), feels so natural that I forget only (almost) six months ago you were just a thought that we hoped would surprise us soon.

You're growing so fast- almost a foot long and over a pound! My pregnancy app says you're the size of a large mango ;)

I've finally started going through all our baby stuff (I don't know HOW we've accumulated so much of it already with only your sister) and luckily, we already have a lot of the things we will need! I'm so much less overwhelmed this time. The first time you have a baby, everything is new and crazy and it feels like an unending list of things you'll need. But this time- now that we have our "learning curve" child under our belt ;), I know we really only NEED a few things and that if you surprise us and come out a boy, you're going to have to be okay with wearing all of your sister's old clothes. Sorry.

We can't wait to meet you, girly, so lets make these last few months fly by! Keep growing and dancing; I'll keep eating and eating.

We love you to the moon,

Mommy 

20 Week Letter to Baby

Dear little GIRL,

That's right, we know what you are now! I'll be completely honest and say that I was a little shocked. I had been picturing you as a boy this whole time, and so when we learned that we'd be having a girl, I had to do a little 180 in my thinking. But needless to say, we are SO EXCITED that you are going to be Evie's little sister and our second girl. Girls are the best, I would say. Bring on the tea parties!

You've changed SO much since my last letter I wrote you. You're the size of a banana and weigh around 12 ounces- still so tiny, but trust me, you're a mover already!

We've hit the half way mark, 20 more weeks till we get to meet you, sweet girl! My heart can hardly contain the excitement. I constantly catch myself thinking about what you will be like. Will you have dark hair and brown eyes like me, or will you be a blue eyed beauty like your sister? Will you be as easy of a baby as Evie was or are you going to switch gears on us? I only have your sister to compare this to, so bear with me here.

I know you're going to be completely your own unique person, and I never want you to feel like you have to live in the shadow of your big sister, or anyone else for that matter.

You are so special to us. I feel incredibly lucky to share this journey with you- feeling you move and helping you grow is one of my most treasured jobs right now. Keep at it, love, and I'll do my best to take good care of you :)

I love you,

Mommy

Letter to Baby- 15 Weeks

To my tiniest love,

This week you are 15 weeks old. We've still got a long way to go, but trust me, you will be here before you know it!

You are about the size of an orange this week, which explains why my pants are having a hard time buttoning lately. My tummy is growing everyday and if I sit very, very still, sometimes I can feel you fluttering around in there. It gives me butterflies, not just because it feels literally like a butterfly, but because of how excited it makes me. Keep moving, little one!

You can already suck your thumb, and are practicing your breathing (even though its not oxygen yet). You can even hear things happening around you, so I'll try not to let Evie be TOOOO noisy. You'll probably just have to deal with it though- you are the 2nd child, after all ;)

I can't stop thinking (read: freaking out) about you. Sometimes it seems impossible that we will have another member in our family, but usually, it feels like there is a hole here just waiting for you to fill it. I'm starting to make a list of things I need to get done before you get here. Wow. I'm gonna be a busy momma trying to prepare for you.

We are so excited and wish you were here already. But take your time in there! Keep growing and moving, and giving me excitement butterflies.

I love you.

 Love,
Mommy