Busy Fall

Hello little one.  It's been a busy-crazy-hectic fall.  The beginning of each school year keeps me busy and on my toes.  You've been a trooper with the long hours and hard work your mama has been putting you through.  Here's a little bit of what's been going on in our lives the past month or so...

Walks around Green Lake.

Tri Delta wedding in Idaho...it was great to share

the news of you and catch up with a 

couple of sisters.

Amy flew home from Germany for the wedding.  

So great to see her and give her a hug. 

A gift from Grandma.  

I can't wait to wrap you in this and make you some food. 

The book on making baby food was your daddy's.

(Thank you, Sonja.  I really appreciate the blanket and book.)

While at camp, I shared with a few Kirk staff about you.

The rest of the Kirk staff found out when we got back from camp.

We went to our first Huskies game...

You will not be a Huskies fan, but it was fun going to the game with Danielle.

This is Danielle.

She has a little one too that is about 7 weeks older than you.

You already have a little friend. 

Hopefully everything will start to slow down here soon.  We are going to camp with the 5th graders this next week and then we have conferences to get through.  Once that is all over with, we should be in the clear...a little relaxation, catching up on movies and knitting is just around the corner...especially now that fall is officially here.  

Love you little one.  I get to see you on the 10th.  I can't hardly wait!

Love,

Mommy

Your Family Knows!

Hi Herm.  You are twelve weeks and with how strong you seem to be, your daddy and I thought it was time to begin sharing with others.  The rest of your family now knows about you.  They found out about you by receiving the following letter in the mail.

Dear (family members' name here), 


Hi.  My mommy is actually writing this letter on my behalf because I am unable to write just yet.  I should probably introduce myself.  My name is "Herm" or "Hermie" as my daddy calls me; however, this will change...hopefully.  I'm almost 12 weeks old and due to make a grand appearance into the world on March 28th, which I hear, is the same birthday as my cousin Reese.  How exciting!


I'm currently about the size of a large lemon.  I've been busy developing my nervous system, hair (hopefully more than daddy), my skin, my GI tract, pancreas, liver, thyroid, skeleton, blood system, connective tisue, genital system and my muscles.  But wait, there's more!  I already have a two-chambered heart, air passages in my lungs and cerebral hemispheres in my brain.  I have an appendix too, which is kind of cool; although, I've heard that it is almost completely useless.  But it's there now!  My fingers, toes, elbows and knees can bend and wiggle.  I've already lost my tail, thank goodness, because it is somewhat uncomfortable and gets in the way of my acrobatic moves.  


Daddy and mommy are doing pretty good...for the most part.  They seem to have many emotions, but most importantly they are positive and eager to meet me in 6 months.  I currently have a diet high in iron and protein as mommy has been eating a lot of red meat (this is unusual for her, I guess).  Daddy doesn't seem to mind one bit.  I've also had a diet high in fiber, as mommy has also been eating a lot of fruit.  She just can't seem to get enough peaches, nectarines, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelon and honeydew.  Mmm, they're tasty.  All my developing has caused for mommy to not feel so well and she spends a lot of time sleeping in the afternoons.  


I can't wait to meet my new family in 6 months!


Love,


Hermie


Vandal Class of '34

This weekend we spent time at the Bear Paw and the Madsens also found out about you.  They are beyond excited, especially Papa Pete.  Annie and Don were really happy to hear about you too...in fact, you brought Don to tears.  Everyone already loves you, Herm.  The love is a little overwhelming for your mommy, but at the same time very comforting.

I hope I get to see you in a week.

I love you.
Mommy

Growing

Hi my little one. I got to see you again this past Friday and you had grown so much in a week.  You are about the size of a lemon.  Why you are compared to fruit I have no idea, but the nurse said that that is about how big you are.

You kicked and waved hello, which absolutely made my day...and a few tears of joy trickled down my cheeks.  Your heart beat was 168, which is right on track.  I saw your brain hemispheres, your little toes and fingers and your little belly.   You are cute.  

Here you are at about 10 1/2 weeks.

We go back in to see the doctor in 2 1/2 weeks.  By then we will be into the second trimester.  My eyes are filling with tears of joy as I type this.  You are absolutely awe-inspiring.  

I continue to pray for you...as do so many others.

I love you,

Mommy

I See You

Little one, I don't even truly know you yet, but I'm already in love.  By surprise, the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound and my heart always skips a beat at the thought of doing an ultrasound.  A skip of beat for fear of not seeing a heart beat, but also the excitement of getting to see you again.

I was emotional.  Crying.  Nervous.  However, there you were and you had grown a lot in 10 days.  I saw your little stubs for arms and legs and I saw the umbilical cord.  As always, you looked perfect.  Just perfect.  Your heart beat was a fast little flutter.  This makes me so happy.

I'm elated that I got to see you today!

See you next Friday.
Love,
Mommy

Worries

Good morning little one.

It's been a little over a week since I've written to you, but I think of you every second.  Quite frankly I wonder and worry if you are still alive.  A huge fear that I battle with daily.  I wish I could have an ultrasound weekly to see that you are okay.  Every lower abdomen twitch I feel I freak out.  I wish I could just relax...I don't think this is going to happen any time soon.

We spent the last week in Hawaii and you enjoyed the Hawaiian mud pie ice cream....every day.  It was a nice, relaxing trip and I'm thankful for Keri and her kind heart.  She was constantly asking, "How's Herm doing?"  I think she already loves you too.

Dr. Wittman is going to meet you for the first time today.  Hopefully we will get to hear your heartbeat.

Praying for you.
Love,
Mommy

Breakfast of Champions

Hey Herm,

I hoped you enjoyed your breakfast this morning, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, because your mommy loved it!

The nausea has kicked in full force.  It started as a suttle, "I don't feel so good." here and there, but now it is a constant queasy feeling.  ALL. DAY. LONG.

It's okay though.  I'll forgive you.  This is just a great sign that you are growing healthy and strong.

Can't wait to see your little heart beat tomorrow.  I'm scared that it won't be there, but I continue to pray for you and I'm trying hard to trust in God.

I love you.
Mommy

P.S.  Enjoy the slice of sourdough bread and ginger ale for lunch.  It's all I can seem to eat right now.

Saltines and Water

Hi Herm.

Today was not so pleasant.  

All I could eat were these...

And drink this...

A diet of saltine crackers and water is probably not the best for you, 

but until I'm feeling better the crackers for you will have to do.  

Love,

Mommy

P.S.  My nausea is just a good sign that you are doing great

 and I will take every minute of it...

if it means you are healthy and 

growing just as you are supposed to.