Making Memories of your Beautiful Baby Belly

Mama, Papa, and your brothers had a lot of fun capturing your beautiful baby belly, my sweet little one. You are so very precious to us!

Pure love!

Daydreaming about you in your nursery

Kisses from your whole family :)

We love you so very much!

So ready to be big brothers

Anxiously awaiting their new forever friend and family member!!

These boys LOVE LOVE LOVE you!!

 They just can't wait to meet you!!

Happy Birth Month!

It's here; August 1, 2014!

We made it to August!! Can't believe how fast this year has gone.
You will be here soon!!
Happy birth month little Leonardo!!

My thanks

Before you arrive little one I have to tell you how honored I am to have had this nine months with you. The Lord knows how much we prayed for you. And you know that from the very moment Mama found out you were there, I have been in awe of you, your strength, your beauty, and the miracle that you are.
Even when Mama was so very sick, I could not help but feel such an immense feeling of joy. There was a time not that many years ago when your Mama was told she would likely never have the gift of carrying children on her own. And I feel like the luckiest Mama in the world. There is no more amazing and incredible feeling than to have you inside of me, growing so strong and "talking" to Mama when you like music and your brothers' voices, or when we all read books together. How I have cherished every single kick, every single hiccup, every single roll over, every single milestone, AND every single morning when you wake me and want to play for hours before the sun comes up :). Thank you for being my angel, for giving Mama this beautiful experience. Thank you for proving everyone wrong and being here with me!!

Your Mama has her moments of sadness these days when I think about not being pregnant anymore, despite all of the swelling, 24 hour heart burn and reflux, and inability to get out of my bed without a crane :). These months have been so very precious for me and I can not begin to tell you how much I know and love you more than anything else in this whole world. But in between these little moments of sadness (your Mama is very emotional!) I then have moments of sheer excitement over when I will finally hold you in my arms. Yesterday I passed a Mom holding her brand new baby in her arms while waiting in line at the store and your Mama could feel, as if you were here, your little weight in my arms, the warmth of your body on my chest, and the softness of your sweet breath. It was like craving chocolate....but wanting my baby instead! :) I think the other Mama knew what I was thinking as I smiled at her and rubbed my belly!
What a wonderful nine months we have had together my little one, and what a wonderful life we will have when you arrive. Your whole family is waiting to love you forever!!! I already do!!!!

All my bags are packed.....

I'm ready to go!  :)

Your Mama can feel her hips loosening and small pops in my back.... nothing official yet but my body is telling me something :)
My weekly check-up today included our last sonogram and the very last pictures of you little one, before you arrive, growing so strong inside! You look SO beautiful. And your Mama and Papa are so darn proud of all of those organs, that beautiful heart, and your big ol head and delicious round belly! You are measuring in around 6lbs already even though Mama has two more weeks before your scheduled arrival. But we shall see! :)

Your new home!!

To my sweet little one,
Mama and Papa have been working on your nursery since January and it is officially complete. Now all that is needed is YOU! And your Mama can NOT wait!!

Mama sits in the nursery and listens to her favorite cd (which we will listen to together when we have our quiet moments at night!) and I daydream about you and having you here with our family. Your new room has been filled with love from the very beginning! Little tiny diapers await your little rump roast and all of your beautiful blankets and onesies are washed and waiting for your gorgeous little self (and your sweet smell - one of the most beautiful in the whole world!).

Mama made you a special mobile that moves quietly in the breeze from the fan. And your brothers helped pick out the beautiful message on your wall (with Pooh).
You will be surrounded by lots of duckies, teddy bears, and sheep :) but none of them will be as cute or cuddly as you! :)
I just can't wait to have you here. I just can't wait!!!

Your portrait

Little duckling,
I tell you often how excited your big brothers are to meet you and have you in our family! But this was too cute to not post.
Your big brother Benjamin came home from kindergarten with a portrait of you! He was so proud and so was Mama!!

I just love that he gave you long eyelashes :) and big brown eyes!!
You are wearing a pink dress (I think) but he refers to you as his brother and his sister at various times. Either way, HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!
We all can't wait to meet you soon!