A fellow Mama in training

When I was pregnant with Christian, a Mama spider took up residence in my bedroom window and I watched in wonder as she hatched tons, and I mean tons, of little baby spiders :) I was trying to channel her Mama strength.

As if nature wanted to support me in this next amazing journey, a little Mama bird decided last month to work tirelessly to build a perfect little nest between my front door wreath and the front door. How or why she chose this spot, I will never understand....the dog barks madly right at the door, we open and close the door constantly for packages, visitors, contractors, etc. etc.

But she spent weeks making this little nest just right. And has now laid 5 adorable little eggs.

I peak through the stained glass and talk to her quietly when she is sitting on the nest. I don't think she appreciates my giant size eye staring at her, but I so enjoy the message she shares with me. If she can build a nest in the midst of craziness and take care of her little birdies then so will I :). Lord knows life will be even busier and crazier than it is now in the Leonardo house when you arrive sweet one, but what a beautiful crazy it will be. I can't imagine anything less that could fill my heart with such great joy and peace!
Thank you Mama bird for your spirit and strength. And good luck with those little ones! I'm trying my best to keep the front door traffic to a minimum :) but I know you can hear what goes on in here!

Hello little one

Papa and Mama enjoyed "visiting" with our little one today during a sonogram where we got to see every little part of you. Dr. March says you are one happy baby :) and that makes your Mama so very proud!
You kicked and pushed the ultrasound away but then patiently tried to talk to us, opening and closing your mouth as if you were mouthing a message. In all the ultrasounds and sonograms we've had, we've never had one of you beauties try to talk to us. Dr. March says you clearly have Italian blood and will have a lot to say when you come out...I bet you are keeping notes in there :). Oh lordy!!! :) Not as if the Leonardo house doesn't already have some very strong voices in it :)

You are beautiful, strong, and just so amazing. Your Papa and I are truly in awe of you little one. This miracle that God has granted us leaves us speechless each and every time; even on the third time around, every time we get to "see" you, you bring us to tears.
Oh how we love you so much and forever!!!

Your Amazing Belly Yoga

Don't know if this video can do it justice but it's too awesome not to try.....
You work some serious dance yoga magic in there little one! Not sure how you find the room! But you love it. And Mama is so in love with your strength!! :)

A visit with his 21st great-grandchild!

How very lucky we are to be blessed with Great Grandpa in our lives!
And how even more amazing that at 92 he made a trip down to NC to visit us and be with you while you are cooking :)

Your brothers adore their great-Grandpa

And Mama was overjoyed and so excited to have Great-Grandpa feel you kicking; his smile when he felt that bump was one of the best moments ever! And the joy I saw in his eyes as he thought about his 21st great-grandchild and the amazing legacy he has created with our family is beyond priceless!

We love you SO much great-Grandpa!!

Listening to some tunes

I mentioned in a previous post how very much you love classical music! But Mama has found that you love to dance.....period! :) So we listen to lots of tunes together. I love watching you kick at the headphones and feeling you literally roll over and spin!

(And yes those are Christmas pajama pants....not too long and you will see for yourself just how much your Mama loves anything Christmas...all year round! :))

Reading to my sweetheart

Mama sits in your nursery in the quiet moments of the day (aka when your brothers are napping :)) and dreams about when you will be here. We talk about how strong and beautiful you are (and sometimes Mama puts in a wish that maybe, just maybe you will sleep like your brother Christian :)....I've probably now officially jinxed it :)).
When we talk, Mama also loves to read to you. I have come to see how very much you LOVE reading books as you kick like a karate champion each and every nap and bedtime when we are reading books to your brothers. This is your special book;

Mama loves reading it to you now and will cherish reading it to you VERY soon when you are in my arms!

In LOVE with the belly!!

Each and every pregnancy I find that I fall in love with my baby belly right around the 7 month mark. I am obviously in love with my little one from the very moment I know you are there (and while we are praying for you for that matter!) but there is something about the 6-7 month belly that is just so beautiful!
I find myself "hugging" the belly all the time :), rubbing it, and spending hours playing kick with you, little one. You stretch out a leg and I push back.You stick out your rump and I pat it, you let me rub your head! :)

Pregnancy is an amazing gift! I look down and can't believe it's my body housing you and your beautiful growth. And I am so forever grateful!!