Week 16 update

Hello baby,

This week is your 16th week. It seems to be going much smoother these days now, thank the lord :) I went to the doctors today for our monthly check up. You are growing so much! I have now gained 7 pounds and within a week from seeing the doctor, she even mentioned the pop in my belly. It's no secret now, I don't look chubby, I look pregnant. And you are moving around like crazy kiddo. Thankfully it's during the day that I actually feel you moving around and not at night... lets keep it that way ;) Your heart rate was 154 beats per minute, that's what I like to hear! And you were found right away once again. I love that you are not hiding anymore. We get to finally find out if you are a Lucy or Liam on December 13th... so at 3:00- like 3:30 or so, please please please show off your special parts. I wouldn't ever ask you to do that, but we both really want to know exactly who you are so we can make your arrival the best possible.

Over the weekend your Grandma Shelly came over and she helped me pick out different styles of cribs for you. We have to find a time for us to get together and actually look at them in person. It will be a good time. And on Saturday, I dropped off some yarn for a baby blanket that I originally wanted to do, but I just don't have the time. So your Grandma Laurie is going to make you a baby blanket... but hey, at least I got to pick out the colors.

The other day I wanted to jump on here and write down a few things that I want you to be able to look back at, at any time, to help you as you grow. It may be mushy, it may be silly, but it's the stuff you gotta learn and I would rather be telling you these things instead of you learning the hard way.

1) Don't be afraid of having your own opinions and beliefs. Some people may not agree with you and would want to debate their own towards you, but stick to your guns. Don't change who you are to please another person.
2) There are always going to be bullies out there. In today's news there are children who have to deal with it every day and have turned to drastic measures to end the bullying. Please remember you can always talk to people about it. We are here for you and want you to be around for a long, long time.
3) We all have our insecurities, nobody and I mean nobody is perfect. There will always be people you will be jealous of but there will also be people who are jealous of you.
4) Your dad told you this earlier, but high school is not the world. Yes, try to have a good time and meet new people who you can be your friends, but people always come and go in life. There is nothing you can do to control it. If you are having a hard time with a "friend" let them go.. sometimes its not just worth the heartache to deal with the drama.
5) One day you are going to fall in love. Your first love is always the hardest to get over. It feels like the end of the world. Your dad and I both know what it is like to go through a tough and painful breakup. Don't give up on your dreams because your heart is broken. Just take a break from life, pull yourself together and know we will always be there to help you get through the tough times.
6) If you are gay, it's ok. Don't pretend to be somebody you aren't. We love you no matter what. We want you to be happy like we are and if that means you like people of the same sex as you, don't worry to express it.
7) Don't be afraid to come with us with any problems or questions you may have. At one time, both me and your dad have had the same questions and problems. Even if it is embarrassing or hard to talk about... trust me, we will understand.
8) Try your hardest at school and focus on what you are passionate about. Do everything you can to make those passions become your life. We will be behind you and try our best to provide whatever it is you need to make your dreams come true.
9) Sometimes we lose people who are close to us. I can promise you it will be one of the hardest things you will have to deal with. And it doesn't get easier with each loss. However, time really does heal a broken heart, though it may not help the missing of the person, but things will go on. And once again, we will be by your side.
10) Life can be extremely unfair to you (in your eyes), don't give up. The harder you work, the better chances you have of getting out of that slump. It may take some time, so don't lose patience. Just try to look at the glass as half full, be grateful for the experience and learn and grow from everything that happens. You will get there, even if the road is a little longer for you than it is anybody else.

And don't forget we love you, your whole family loves you. You are going to be welcomed into this world with a line up of people who are going to smother you with love. So if you feel you need to turn to somebody else with problems or concerns, there are going to be plenty of people who are more than happy to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to lend.

This is beginning to be a really long post, and I could go on forever, but I am going to stop for tonight. I look forward to seeing your beautiful face soon.

Love you tons,
Mama