9 Weeks

Dear Baby Dickinson,

You've been kicking my tail this week. I am so fatigued all the time. We are getting a whole lot done to the house, though. We don't have it ready to list yet, but there is a realtor who wants to go ahead and show it to one of her clients. It will show with the understanding that we don't have everything finished  yet, but we will finish it before he takes possession if he wants it. I'm feeling pretty positive about it. I don't know if this guy will buy it, but somebody will.

The hardest thing for me right now, especially while trying to get so much done to the house, is not lifting heavy items. I'm so used to always lifting and carrying real heavy stuff. Everybody keeps getting on to me... especially Nana and Papa.

We get to go to the doctor again this Thursday. I've always disliked going to the doctor, but I look forward to it with you. I know we won't get to see you again, but I'm curious what they will do.

You are now the size of a green olive. Isn't it crazy to think you could ever be that size?!? You're about 0.9 inches long and weight about 0.07 oz. You are officially considered a fetus now... You're no longer an embryo. You're devloping more distinct facial features. I can't wait to get to see that precious little face.

I Love You!!
Momma

8 Weeks

Dear Baby Dickinson,

You flew again today, and you did great! We had an awesome time in Malibu! It was so exciting to know we were carrying you around with us everywhere we went. We think about you ALL the time! We bought your first Pepperdine shirt. Someday you'll realize how cool that shirt is because it was bought when your Aunt Kerri was graduating with her PhD. That's a huge accomplishment, so that's why we all went out there for her graduation. We are so proud of her!

We did quite a few things with you in my belly while we were out there. We went to the Santa Monica Pier and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, walked Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, went to Pink's Hot Dogs, drove the coast, and just enjoyed sme time on campus hanging otu at Nucle Zac and Aunt Kerri's house. We tried to go to Disneyland one day, but sweet Jaxon got sick on the way. We were all so sad for him because he loves Mickey Mouse so much.

I got a bump picture while standing in the bathroom at their house. I think my "bump" is more bloat than baby right now, but it's so funny to me.

You are the size of a raspberry right now... approximately 0.63 inches long and 0.04 oz. You're growing by about a millimeter each day. Although I can't feel it yet, you're moving your arms and legs like crazy. Your taste buds are starting to form, and your fingers and toes are only slightly webbed.

As for me, I'm still just really tired. As long as I eat about once an hour, though, I don't have to deal with too much nausea.

I Love You!!
Momma

7 Weeks * 1 Day

Dear Baby Dickinson,

Today, at the size of a blueberry, was your first ever flight. You did great! I opted out of the x-ray while going through security screenings because I just didn't want to take any chances with you. But they did a pat-down and it was all good. We flew from Little Rock to Dallas, and then from Dallas to Los Angeles. Nana, Papa, Nucle Jeremy, Aunt Tara, Jax, and Aunt Kerri picked us up (Nucle Zac was working). We went to their house (awesome house on Pepperdine campus with a beautiful view of the ocean) and rested while some fixed supper. Nucle Zac got home from work, so we decided it was a good time to spill the beans. We let Jax do it again with his shirt. Nucle Jeremy took the best ever picture capturing their reaction. They were SO excited!! It was really fun! Everybody loves you already!

I Love You!!
Momma

7 Weeks

Dear Baby Dickinson,

It's Mother's Day! The last two Mother's Days have been sad for me because I longed so much for you. Today was so awesome, though! Daddy gave me flowers, a sweet card, and an Under Armor aerobic outfit. After church we took Nana, Papa, Nucle Jeremy, Aunt Tara, and Jaxon to the airport, then we went up to MawMaw and Dandy's in Newport. We gave MawMaw a Mother's Day gift similar to the picture frame we gave Nana & Papa. They all congratulated us.

We had our pictures made outside in MawMaw's campaign shirts (she's running for her third and last term as state representative) and then hung out outside for a bit. I got sick again and had to run in and throw up. If it means I get to have you, though, I'll take it!! :-)

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 6 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

You taught me my lesson today: Always keep food handy! Apparently I need to eat at least once an hour. If I don't I get sick. Today we were at Aunt Tara's graduation and I started getting hungry. I checked my purse and didn't have anything to eat. Suddenly I was so hungry and weak that I thought I would vomit. Your Papa is ALWAYS prepared for EVERYTHING, so I asked him if he had food. He went to his car and came back with a granola bar to save the day. Lesson Learned!

We went to eat at a pizza place in Jonesboro after graduation to celebrate Aunt Tara. Daddy and Jax were so cute together.

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 5 Days (based on the new due date)

Dear Baby Dickinson,

I forgot to mention yesterday that they changed your due date to December 30th, which seems more accurate to me. We told Nucle Jeremy, Aunt Tara, and Jaxon today. They are so excited! They have been praying hard for you to be created. We put a shirt on Jax that said I'm the Big Cousin...

 

... Then he walked into the room where Aunt Tara was and told her to look at his shirt. Her reaction was cute.

 



 

 

Nucle Jeremy was in bed sick, so we had Jax go show him the shirt, too. He was excited and responded with as much excitement as he could considering his horrible headache.

 

 

 

Nana, Papa, Aunt Tara, Jaxon, Daddy, and I (and, of course, you) went to eat at Red Goose Deli afterward. Tomorrow is Aunt Tara's graduation.

 

I Love You!!

Momma





6 Weeks * 5 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We got to see you today. You are so tiny that it's hard to see you. You're somewhere between the size of a grain of rice and a blueberry, so you aren't that easy to spot. The best thing, though, was that we got to hear your heartbeat. It was 119 beats per minute. Your daddy and I both cried with joy. We were so elated it made the nurse cry. We can't even begin to tell you how excited we are. They say you look healthy and that we're safe to fly, so we'll be leaving Monday for California. First we're going to tell Nucle Jeremy, Aunt Tara, Jaxon, and all of Daddy's family about you.

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 4 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We get to see you again tomorrow! I'm so excited about going back to the doctor and seeing you again! I've been feeling pretty good today for the most part. Daddy and I worked on the patio some more. We drove down to Sherwood to look at the house Nucle Jeremy and Aunt Tara put an offer on yesterday. Then we ate at Smokin' Buns BBQ on Hwy 107 in Jacksonville. That place is awesome! We ran by Scott & Marian's to pick up Connor's birthday present from MawMaw and Dandy, and little Wyatt is really growing. He's 5 months old now. We also talked about your name. As of right now these are our choices:

BOY: Brantley Reise
GIRL: Marlee

We don't have a girl middle name picked out yet, but I like Adele. :-)

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 3 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

I've felt a little sick all day. Nothing too severe, but it's been enough to keep me from going too long on any chore. I got some things done to the house, then I'd have to sit and rest. We want to get this house listed the first of June, so we have a lot to get done. In case you're ever curious abotu where we lived when I was pregnant with you, it's

12 Fortson Rd.
Vilonia, AR 72173

I think it'll be cool for you someday to look back on all of this. I know I wish I could look back on what your Nana & Papa's life was like when they were pregnant with me.

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 2 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

I had my first official vomit today since the beginning of this pregnancy. I actually had one a few weeks ago, but it turned out that one was before you were created. So this was my first. It wasn't that bad, though. It was just proof to me that I need to eat something when I first wake up in the mornings. It also didn't bother me because I know it means you are growing in my belly. I'll take that!

Nana texted today to tell me she wants to buy your baby bed. Papa keeps texting to see how I'm feeling. They're so cute. They are so excited about you!

Daddy and I have both rested all day. We've not felt like doing much of anything. I guess we both needed to catch up. I'm about to rest some more.

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks * 1 Day

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We told Nana & Papa!! As we knew they would be, they were SO excited!! Nana immediately started crying. Papa was so proud! I made a black and yellow picture frame that said "UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2012." We let Connor give it to them, and to throw them off he said, "Thank you for taking me to Disney World," when he handed it to them. (They took Daddy, Connor, and me to Disney World last summer.)

We also got to surprise Daddy with the patio today. That was cool. He was really surprised. It still has a lot of work to be done, but we made a lot of strides.

This was an awesome end to a fun, but exhausting weekend. Now to get some rest.

I Love You!!
Momma

6 Weeks

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We worked our tails off today, and I am exhausted!! We used concrete forms to pour concrete and make it look like rocks. Nana stirred the Quikrete and poured it into the forms, and I smoothed it into the forms. Jeremy, Tara, and Jaxon showed up in the evening after looking at houses all day. Jeremy helped tremendously with the patio.

 

 

 

 I'm exhausted, so I'm calling it a night.

I Love You!!
Momma

5 Weeks * 6 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

I'm keeping a secret from your daddy! I got him and Connor shipped off to Space Camp this morning (we had to be there at 5am!) and then I came back and got ready for the arrival of Nana & Papa. They came down to help me build a patio to surprise your daddy when he gets home.

We went to Conway to get the materials, and we ate at Marketplace. The whole time I was having to keep the secret from them about you. I have to say, all these secrets are getting difficult. I CAN'T WAIT to tell Nana & Papa about you, though! They will be SO excited!!

I Love You!!
Momma

5 Weeks * 5 Days

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We went to the doctor today finally! We are not as far along as we thought. They estimated 5 weeks and 5 days. Either way, we are stinking excited. The only sad thing is we have to wait a month longer than we thought to meet you.

So... we told Connor tonight. He is so excited! He's going to love you! We got it on video and pictures. We gave him a card from you that said, "I can't wait 'til December to meet you! I love you already! ~ Baby Dickinson"

 

 Then he opened a gift, and it was a t-shirt that said "Big Brother 2012."

 

 

We're going to let Connor tell Nana & Papa about you. He and Daddy leave early in the morning for Space Camp. I made granola, chocolate/almond butter bars, rice krispy treats, and ham & cheese melts to take. I can't wait to do those things for you someday.

I Love You!

Momma

One More Day!!

Dear Baby Dickinson,

We get to go to the doctor tomorrow!! Your Daddy and I have both been thinking about it all day. We are so stinkin' excited!! We are really hoping we get to see you in an ultrasound. The main thing we are most curious about, though, is how far along we are. We really think we are 9 1/2 weeks, but it is possible that we are only 5 1/2 weeks. Although we will be happy either way we are hoping we are 9 1/2 weeks. That will put us closer to being out of the "danger zone" of the first trimester. I'm barely starting to get a baby bump, so we really think we are 9 1/2. I took my second profile pics today (actually daddy took them of me).

I had an average headache today, but I was fatigued more than anything... again. It's all worth it, though!!!

I Love You!!

Momma

MayDay

Dear Baby Dickinson,

Today was the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden. If you haven't learned about that yet, you will soon. It was a big thing in U.S. history.

I talked to your Nana a couple of times today, and it was SO hard to not tell her about you! I want to tell her SO bad!! She is going to be so excited!

Today was also your cousin, Taylor's, 21st birthday. I think reading things like that will be cool for you someday to see what was going on while you were growing in my belly. :-)

I felt ok today... just really tired still! It is so hard on me to be this tired. I'm used to going all the time.

I Love You!!

Momma