Dear Baby Boy... 31 Weeks

Dear Baby Boy,

We only have single digits left in this countdown, my little darling!

Daddy and I are feeling more and more prepared for your arrival as each day goes by. Your baby shower last Saturday was lots of fun, and now your nursery is filled with all sorts of goodies that will make your arrival easier, and hopefully a little more fun.

Daddy and I attended another class in our Childbirth Preparation Series this week, and unfortunately it was kind of a waste of our time. You'll learn that we are not very touchy-feely or emotional (you'll learn about these things from Aunt Erin), and this particular class was focused on labor coping techniques, which meant a lot of awkward exercises. Sitting in a room full of people, holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, learning how to communicate with "non-verbal cues" seemed ridiculously silly to us, and I just couldn't stop giggling (and probably disrupting the rest of the class). But we just can't take stuff like that seriously! Don't worry though, I'm not at all concerned that Daddy won't be able to help me cope with the labor of your birth... we'll just be doing it our own way.

I saw the doctor yesterday and she said everything continues to look great! You are now head down and will likely stay that way until you are born. It seems weird to me thinking of you hanging upside down for all that time, but I guess it's extremely normal and you don't mind a bit.

You are now the size of a pineapple (about 18 inches long and weighing more than three pounds) and are going through major brain and nerve development. Your irises react to light and all five senses are in working order, although you won't pick up anything from your nose until after birth (smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid). You can turn your head from side to side and your arms, legs and body are beginning to plump out as fat accumulates underneath your skin. You are moving a LOT, which is a sign that you're active, healthy, and probably heading into a growth spurt.

Physically I've been feeling okay, but yesterday our family suffered a devastating loss... My incredible, wonderful, kind, intelligent, amazing Uncle Steve passed away, and it has just about broken my heart to realize that you will never get to meet him. I miss him so much. He was my Godfather and I've admired him my whole life, and the fact that he's gone feels like a crushing weight on my soul. I know the stress of this grief has not been good for you, so I'm trying to pull it together for both our sakes, but Mommy is having a hard time right now. Only the thought of you, my precious, innocent son, keeps me from just curling up into a ball and avoiding the world altogether.

He would have adored you so much, and I can't wait to tell you all about him someday.

Love Always,
Mommy