name

Dear Baby, We had the perfect name picked out for you. Your daddy liked it and I liked it. It was going to be so cute. We were going to name you Jackson if you were a boy. And call you Baby Jack. Then, I said your whole name outloud and everything changed. Jackson Michael Van de Casteele. Crap! Sounds like we're obsessed fans of Michael Jackson who are traumatized by his death. Back to the drawing board. Love, Mom

dreaming

Dear Baby, I've had a few dreams about you. In the first dream, you were a girl and your name was either Aubrey or Audrey. This kind of freaked me out because I've always thought you were a boy. And then a few days later, my fortune cookie taught me how to say "girl." But last night in my dream you were a boy and your name was Jacob. So maybe God is just preparing me for either gender. Either way, I'll love you. Love, Mom

wisconsin

Dear Baby, You survived the trip to Wisconsin. It was a long 16 hours, but thankfully we slept for most of it. I was also excited that you didn't even make me pee that much. This past week, my stomach started to pop out just a little bit. I'm excited to finally look a little bit pregnant. Also, this past week I started to feel normal during the day. Yippie! You're still making me sick in the morning, but I'm used to it now. I'm trying to eat more protein like the chiropractor told me, but it's pretty hard. Good thing we're in the cheese state now. Love, Mom

chicken

Dear Baby, I got to eat chicken today!!!!!!! Seriously the most exciting thing that has happened in weeks. You see, apparently you have not been a fan of chicken for about 10 weeks. The thought of it alone was enough to make me run for the bathroom. But today, I ate some and enjoyed it. Granted it was fried chicken so really it was crunchy skin and grease, but still, there was some chicken meat mixed in there. And, come to think of it, I'm not sure if I was nauseous at all today after I threw up this morning. These are the days that make me think there is hope yet that someday I will feel better. Love, You mom

snow days

Dear Baby One of the best things about being a kids is snow days. It's so much fun to wake up in the morning and find out you don't have to go to school (or work now). There are so many fun things you can do, like stay in your jammies all day. When I was a kid, we'd go out back and get some clean snow off the porch and then pour maple syrup over it. It created this kind of candy slush. So yummy. I'll make it for you someday. Stay warm! Love Mom

dad

Dear Baby You're going to love your dad. I think that's why I really hope you're a boy. I know he's really excited at the potential of having a son to go camping with and do crazy things that you don't tell mom about. Not that he won't be excited if you are a girl. You will have him wrapped around your finger so quick. Tonight we celebrated your dad graduating from grad school. It's crazy to believe that he's done. That's the whole reason we moved out here, and yet, we are still staying out here, at least for a little while longer. Your dad is so smart and such a hard worker. There were many quarters I didn't think he'd get everything done on time, but he always managed to. He also managed to keep everything in balance and still make time for me. I know you're going to love your dad so much. I can't wait for him to teach you how to be a man of God and to respect women (if you're a boy). I also can't wait for you to know how much your daddy loves you and thinks your beautiful (if you're a girl.) Most of all I hope you'll always know how much I love him. Love Mom P.S. I really need you to have his hair. Not some wavy version, but all the curls!

Sleep

Dear Baby, I have always known I was a great sleeper. I really hope you take after me in that department and not your dad. Your grandma loves telling the stories of how she used to have to wake me up on Christmas morning because I just wanted to sleep. I've also always been a great napper. I'm really banking on you carrying on that trait as well. I do have to tell you that these past 24 hours, you've taken it to the extreme. I have probably slept 18 of the last 24 hours. Guess that's what happens when you're preggo and trying to fight off a cold or strep. Best thing is that it totally worked. I hope you remember how much you like to sleep when you are here. I'm sorry now if I'm really grumpy when we get up in the middle of the night. Love Mom

comment

Dear Baby, Today I got my first weird comment. Andrea was talking to her kids about how I was having a baby. They were asking all sorts of questions like if you are a boy or a girl. Then, one of the kids asked "Who's the dad?" We got a good chuckle at that. Andrea's response was pretty great too. She just said, "Mr. V. You know, her husband. Have you heard of him?" I'm sure I'm in for some more weird questions these next 6 months. Love Mom

Sadie

Dear Baby, Sadie is going to love you. I think she may already. She tries to cuddle with my stomach sometimes. Even though right now she's really just excited about ball, she is excited for you to come. She's probably most excited for when you're older and she can sleep in your bed. She just doesn't know it yet. Sorry for all of your toys that she will chew and all of your blankets that she will get hairy. You're going to love Sadie. Love, Your Mom

enough

Dear Baby, It would be great if you could stop making me throw up. I think 8 weeks is enough for one person. I do love you, but some days I'm not your biggest fan. Good thing your Dad still likes you. Love, Your Mom