dear baby | 35 weeks

Hi there, sweet baby.

You and I are sharing a special moment right now. You probably won’t remember it years from now, but I sure will. It’s late afternoon on a cool September Saturday and just a moment ago, you decided it was time to stretch and dance and do your baby yoga. I was laying on the couch, scouring the internet for a perfect mobile for your crib when the calesthenics began. (Speaking of which, why-oh-why are there so many ugly baby mobiles out there? I just don’t get it.)

It was only a couple of months ago that I would put my hands on my belly, concentrating so hard. I desperately wanted to feel your kicks, but you were so little that I would only feel tiny popcorns popping in my tummy. And your poor dad couldn’t feel anything at all. My, how things have changed! These days, we converse regularly – not with words, but with movement. The instant I know you’re awake, if I rub my belly to say hello, you say hello back with kicks and twirls and the occasional hiccups. I stare at my belly in amazement as you bounce around. It’s the craziest, most astonishing thing I’ve ever seen!

Most of the action happens on the left side of my tummy. The midwife says that you are head-down (good girl!) and thinks that the movement I feel is where your legs and feet are. Makes sense.

Even though I know which way you are situated, I still can’t picture you. I know you’re in there. You make your presence known almost every second of every day, but I wonder what it’s like for you in there. What do you see? What do you feel? I hope you feel loved. I hope you hear my voice and your daddy’s voice. We talk about you a lot. 

Lately, I’ve been wondering what you’ll look like, what you’ll sound like, what you’ll smell like. Will you be blonde like your daddy was when he was born or will you be a redhead like me? What color will your eyes be? What will your itty-bitty toes and itty-bitty fingers look like? I can’t wait to see them and kiss each and every one of them a thousand times. That will certainly be the best day of my life.

As much as I can’t wait to meet you, I am also enjoying this special time with you. Once you’re on the “other side”, there’s no turning back. This is the only time we’ll have so close and cozy together. And although you are getting heavier and making mama tired and achey, I am so grateful to have you there – to know that my sweet little Poppy is with me every step of the way. It’s lovely to know that we’re in this together. We make a good team, don’t we?

It’s time to bring this letter to a close. WOW. You’re still kicking me! I think you’re telling me that I should eat some chocolate. Yup. That’s exactly what you’re telling me. Okay, if you insist!

Love you,
Mom

P.S. Check out the monkey on my belly. That’s your very first stuffed animal. He/she doesn’t have a name yet. How do you feel about Mr. Monkey? Or Monkaroo? Or my personal fave, Sillyface Monkelstein? Don’t worry. You can decide later.