Bebe - 20 weeks

Dearest little love - this week you are as long as banana (from head to heel), and weigh about 10 and 1/2 ounces. Also, this is the "half-way" mark of pregnancy, assuming you come after cooking for 40 weeks.



I just wanted to remind you of how blessed you are, even in the womb. This week was my birthday, your momma is now 27 years old, and I was surrounded with support and love - amazed at all the people who really love me, and who can't wait to meet you.



First of all, there is your Daddy. I really could go on for days about his love, but here are some specific ways that he was extra helpful and caring this week.

• He made extravagant plans to take me out for my birthday to a lovely Italian restaurant. In the future perhaps you will understand the way your father and I have worked very hard to be frugal so that we can provide the lifestyle we want for you - one that includes a home and security in the Lord - but he was willing to put aside his preferences to eat every meal outside of the house for under $10-15 and make reservations at a place that we assume would have cost at least $50 for one nice meal. It is times like this that make me realize the wisdom in "it is the thought that counts." Truly, money is tight, and we are anxious to live differently so that we can do things we have previously only dreamed of, but the way your father was going to set aside his fears of the future, his fears about not having enough money, so warmed my heart. It was honestly so loving of him to sacrifice himself in this way, my heart was just overflowing. In previous years, perhaps i would have enjoyed a night spending money to celebrate my birth, but I decided (with help of my great love for Mexican food) to suggest eating at a local Mexican restaurant in order to be "more relaxed" as well as a bit more comfortable and "in step" on a Friday night. But your father's love was impeccable. He gladly let me choose a place to eat - and luckily, we both had a delicious dinner.


• While we still don't know if you're a boy or a girl, this might be hard to fathom that men don't like shopping much. Your father is no exception, however, on Saturday, he kindly sat through me trying on at least 25 items of clothing, to kindly critique each piece as if it would be suitable for me to wear to work for the next twenty weeks. His love has made him a very good student, and therefore he knows even better sometimes than I, what I will enjoy wearing, what I will pick out of my closet time and time again. His knowledge was completely useful in wading through the items in the store that would be useful, relevant, and work appropriate. He was so kind in delivering his wisdom, so as not to hurt my sometimes waning self esteem. Daddy is a good man.


• While he doesn't like shopping, your sweet father has been helping me find the perfect business shoe. Being 5'8, I strive to wear flats most of the time in the office, and my shoes had worn out. We had already tried at least three stores together, and your father had been looking at shoes on other women's feet for at least three weeks, when on Sunday, today, he suggested we go in yet another store. His desire to save money and find a good product doesn't stop him from wanting to find the "right product" - indeed, I tried on at least 8 pairs of shoes looking for something that was reasonable in price and would work well in the office. He is so helpful at the store, letting me know what he thinks, what works best, and when to move on to the next pair of shoes. You will be so blessed by this desire to save money - because I believe it will directly benefit you in the ways of financial freedom, intelligence, and independence in the future. You are blessed and will be blessed.


• We are always searching for a good job for your father, and even when we spend time reading in a bookstore, he is looking for books that will increase his knowledge, give him ideas for the future, and help him, generally in the investing and business section of the store. I gravitate towards the section of the store that relates to you, my dearest little, pregnancy, childbirth, and other relational activities. Sometimes we are so very typically "male and female" as God made us. On Sunday, however, we were talking about the process of birth, and how it will be important to be a team on the day you come into the world, and he gladly read three chapters of a midwifery book to help himself prepare. I'm so blessed!! You're so blessed!!

You have a wonderful father, I'm so excited for you to meet him. This week we also had an ultrasound at the Dr's office. Your Mimi came with us, it was so great to share the miracle of you with her - she's so kind and sweet. I'm "finally" beginning to feel your movements, which is such a blessing, each time it is a little reassurance that you're doing well, and I'm so grateful for that.

On January 20th, your cousin, Ignatius James was born. It was such an exciting story that is all his and his families, but it makes me more excited and more ready to have you come and be with us. Your daddy was so good at holding little Ignatius, I couldn't help but think of the moments when he will be holding you, making sure that you can hear his heart beat so that you're assured someone is with you at all times. God is so faithful! We also learned your Uncle Zach and Aunt Aubree are planning on moving to Australia, we will pray often for their hearts and their great adventure.

I love you little one, and I can't wait to meet you!

Love,

Momma