February 26, 2013

Dear Baby Hawley,

Today was visit number two with the midwives at Clark.  I saw Alison again.  I think she is my favorite midwife, although Beth is pretty good, too.  You will get to meet one of them in July or August.

We listened to your heartbeat and you are at a strong 150-160 beats per minute.  It took a bit of work to find you today, but not quite as much as last month.  I'm glad each time I get a chance to hear your heart beat as it is another reassurance that you are alive and well.

I have begun to feel you move inside me.  I can't feel you all the time yet, but a couple of times each day you flutter to let me know you are there.  That is one of the best feelings in the world.  Right now only I can feel you, but I know that in a very short while, your dad will be able to feel you too, when he puts his hand on my belly.

I'm gaining weight as my stomach begins to expand.  I can still fit into some of my own clothes, but each week I find I have to put another pair of pants into the "I will wear this again one day" box.

Oh, Little One, you are loved.  Keep growing and keep kicking.

Hearing Your Heartbeat

Dear Baby Hawley,

Today was my first visit to the midwives at Clark.  You are 13 weeks now and everything looks good.  I have been healthy - I still haven't felt the exhaustion I had with Catherine.  I've gained two pounds and so far, unless we've told them, no one can tell that you are on the way.  We will keep the news just within the family for a bit longer, letting you grow.

Alison, the midwife, was excited to see me back in the office, and is happy that we want to try for a VBAC.  Catherine was born via C-section, but we hope to avoid that with you.  We will watch you closely and hopefully you won't get turned around and stuck like Catherine was on the day she was born.

We listened to your heartbeat, and at 150 beats per minute, you sound strong and healthy.  You gave me a moment of worry this morning, because it took Alison quite a while to find you with her doppler.  You are tiny and we think you like to hide!  She finally found you, and my heart relaxed and jumped for joy at the same time as I got to hear you for the first time.

I love you, Little One!