25 Weeks!

My dearest baby,

You are 25 weeks old today! That means we only have 104 days until you are due to arrive in our lives! I cannot believe how the time is flying by and how soon you could arrive. You are 13.5 inches and weigh about 1.5 pounds or the size of a rutabega! I've never had a rutabega (or even seen one) but it's apparently a type of radish root vegetable.  You are starting to gain a little fat this week so you can be nice and chubby when you come out.

 You have been kicking a lot the past few days and I have to say I absolutely love it.  Its so reassuring and comforting.  Its a special feeling that you and I share and I am trying to soak up all our bonding time.  Its unlike anything I've ever experienced - to actually see you moving around in my belly.  And to feel your jabs and kicks and occasional rolls.  Which really gives me this feeling like I am riding a rollercoaster when you do roll/flip.  My bellybutton is getting less and less deep and looks so small these days.  My belly is looking very pregnant but I do not have a huge bump just yet. 

Our top baby names right now if you are a girl are Sahana or Sarina.  Our top boy names are Keshav or Dinesh.  We have no idea if you will be a boy or a girl so I really want to find names we absolutely love either way. 

This past weekend you went to your Noopur Mausi and Scott Uncle's wedding in Chicago.  It was a great wedding (your first!) and I was Noopur Aunty's matron of honor/bridesmaid.  This weekend is your Shreya Mausi and Anoop Uncle's wedding in Cambridge, MA.  All of our college friends are coming to stay with us and I am excited to have them back in town - Sangeetha Mausi and Krishna Uncle, Radha Mausi and Mitul Uncle, Aunty Stephanie, Uncle Brad and Clara, and Aunty Jaime, Uncle Tom and Finley!  That's a lot of people for you to be meeting while you are still in my womb. 

The weekend after that we are heading to Achchi and Seeya's house in California to have a party for you and me! Achchi and your Namita Bhabhi are throwing us a baby shower so we can be spoiled with love.  I've been driving your Dad nuts and buying a bunch of dresses for the baby shower.  It's just such an usual thing to be pregnant - I feel beautiful and like a woman but at the same time I am feeling as huge as a house.  But truly no matter what I need to sacrifice or give up, it is completely worth it if we get you. I know that seems cliche but its true and something I've never truly felt until you came into our lives.

Sweetheart, pumpkin, love of my life - I cannot wait to meet you! Just keep growing though and we'll both be patient.

Love,

Mommy

18 Weeks!

Dearest Baby,

You are 18 weeks old today! I can't believe how big you are getting - you started out as a poppy seed and this week you are as big as a sweet potato!

According to some baby sites you are very mobile and are yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing! I haven't been able to feel you doing all these things yet but it is supposed to happen any day now.  I really can't wait to be able to feel you wiggling around in there.  Every time your dad and I go to visit you, you are always wiggling around and kicking so I'm sure I'll be feeling you soon.  My belly is starting to grow also and I'm looking a little more pregnant every day.  Today is the Fourth as July and we spent it hanging out with your Chacha and soon to be Chachi and Uncle Pavan and Aunty Namrata.  Normally people go to see fireworks but we were all just too tired to stay out late so we went and got food and walked around downtown Boston.  It was a hot day and probably the most exercise you and I have had in a while.  Sometimes I still can't believe that this time next year, you will be in our lives as a little 7 month old baby.  

I wish I had started writing letters to you earlier but I was honestly too scared to start for fear that something would go wrong.  Now that we've visited you a few times, seen your strong heart beating and your little legs kicking I feel more confident.  Every day though I still hope and pray for you to be healthy and grow strong.  My mantra I used to chant in my head when we first found out you were growing in me was "Grow baby, Grow!".  I would repeat that over and over in my mind just willing for you to stick with us.  Tomorrow we have a big ultrasound appointment to measure all your little parts and see how you've been growing.  A lot of parents find out the gender at this time too but your dad and I want you to be a big surprise.  Sometimes I have a feeling that you are a little boy but other days I change my mind.  The day you are born will undoubtedly be the happiest day of our lives whether you are a boy or a girl so we thought we'd keep it a surprise for when you are ready to enter the world.

Your dad has now been calling you "shakarkand or shakar ghadndhi" which just means sweet potato in Hindi.  My favorite nickname has been Dal Pandey for when you were the size of a lentil (about week 5-6).  Our usual nickname for you is BP for Baby Pandey.  I love you so much my little sweet potato.  Remember, to just keep growing.

All my love,

Mom