23 weeks and 6 days...

Dear Sweet Pea (name given to you by your Pop Pop Stud),

I just had to share with you some of the things that your Dad says to you as they are so funny. This evening when he came home from work, he started talking to you pretending that you were geared up to celebrate your birthday one day early and so he was saying how he saw you in there with your party hat on and party popper as well, a cake, but that you could not hide them from him as he could see you try to sneak them behind your back and that you would have to wait until we celebrate your birthday tomorrow morning as we always do with a "Happy Birthday" song. I was laughing and laughing as I could just imagine this little baby hiding his party stuff.

Then, later I walked into the room giving my belly a vigorous rub with both hands and Dad looked up and said, "Don't do that you will give his hair static," and I started laughing again imagining your little head with your hair standing up on end....how sweet.

Today, I was playing with you and I was so surprised to find that you would kick my two fingers as I pressed them into my belly and no matter where I moved them, you hit them. You were definitely following my fingers around and playing with me back. I told your Dad about it and he did the same thing and had the same experience. It is really something that you are so aware of your surroundings and really can't see yet as your eyes are not open, but you have a sense of where we are when we press on my belly. You are such a wise little soul.

This week, I have been so happy as I rang the painters on Tuesday and they came and painted the two front bedrooms in our house. I really did not like the original colors which were a baby blue in the office and a purple in the spare bedroom, where we are going to keep your things. So the colors I chose where a terracotta red for the the office and a rich, golden yellow for your room. They look so nice and have changed the whole feel of the front part of the house and made it feel more like our own home instead of a rented house. I am so glad that we were able to paint.
Well, I am off to bed. My friend Cassandra is coming over tomorrow and we are going to go out in the morning together to the craft store where I am going to look for a book that I can make a baby book for you. It would be so much fun to create something for you.

It is hard to believe that you are now going to be 24 weeks tomorrow. I feel so well and happy. My tummy is definitely sticking out and you are growing so well. It looks so cute and I often say to you, "You are making Mummy's belly look so cute!" Besides the belly, the rest of my body seems to be holding its shape, which is a bit of a relief. I think I was concerned that I would gain a lot of excess weight, but I look and feel GREAT! I bought my first maternity top and pants as I am starting to grow out of my normal clothes.

Much love to you little one. Daddy and I love you very much.
Momma