How we recycle our empty water bottles.

Kickin' it on the bathroom floor with a water bottle.

Dear Grayson,

    I am envious of your ability to be completely overjoyed by the smallest of things. In order for me to be able to get ready in the morning, I just have to give you an empty water bottle. Yes, an empty water bottle will keep you thoroughly entertained for the better part of an hour. How awesome is that?! You also really enjoy spatulas, pieces of paper, and empty wipe boxes. 

Just helping Grandma with the dishes!

    On the train ride to New York, you spent a good 30 minutes tearing your Grandpa's magazine into bits and pieces. That ability to find magic in anything and everything tends to fade as we grow older. I feel lucky to be able to feel that again through you. Even though I try my hardest to appreciate the little things in life, it is impossible to do so to the extent of a baby or child. You grab at the water bottle the second you see it. Those big blue eyes light up and widen every time you crunch the plastic between your fingers. You wave it in the air, smile, and squeal with delight. What some people would just consider trash, brings you pure joy. &There are very few things in this world better than seeing your child experience that kind of joy. 

With Love,

Your Mama.

&So it begins..

Dear Grayson,  

    Today was quite bittersweet for this mama. You crawled for the very first time! It was incredible. I was walking upstairs to get some of your tiny baby clothes to sort and pack away, and your Dad yelled, "he just crawled!!" I had missed it, but you moved each arm and each leg forward, and had begun to crawl. I immediately ran downstairs and sat on the other side of the room from you and Daddy. "Come on Grayson! Come to Mommy! You can do it!" You looked at me with your proud little smile. Lower jaw slightly pushed out, almost, just barely biting your bottom lip. Then, you began to crawl towards me. Slowly but surely, you would bring one knee forward, one hand forward. Your other knee, your other hand. You crawled until you got just close enough to sort of dive towards me. You probably thought I was crazy because I had burst into tears, and was shouting that you did it! We were so very proud of you. Your Daddy was beaming from ear to ear. It truly was an amazing moment for us, as parents, to watch our baby boy learn such a monumental milestone. Afterwards, I tried to catch you on camera. Of course, you did not oblige and just wanted to play with Hurley.

    A little while after crawling, you just played with your little green bucket that you love so much as I continued to pack up your baby clothes. Your little brown pants, the first little onesie(a blue polo witha  crab on it) that we ever bought you, your tiny 3 month moose onesies that you wore constantly as a newborn... all packed away neatly not to be seen or adored again for many years to come. I cried again then, just a little bit. Not only had I watched you conquer that huge milestone earlier, but now I was packing away all these tiny clothes you once wore. It really felt quite symbolic to me, as if I was packing away those little pieces of our lives together to be kept safely as memories.

   Also, just a couple of days ago, you stood up on your own for the very first time! You had yourself in crawling position, with one hand on my leg and the other holding that bucket of yours. You then pushed your booty in the air, which got a giggle from your Mama! Out of nowhere, you pushed on my leg and stood up! It was amazing, and completely unexpected. You had your hands in the air, grasping your bucket. It was only a second before you fell on your booty, but that second made me burst into the happiest of tears. Sure, it is a little bitter in the fact that you are getting more independent and are no longer my newborn. But oh, it is so, so very sweet to watch you learn and grow. We love you so much!!

With Love,
Your Mama.

8 months old.

Painting pictures for Granny and Gramley!

Dear Grayson,

    You are eight months old today. This has got to be one of my favorite ages so far. This is the age where your personality is really beginning to shine! & I mean REALLY! It is bursting at the seams!

    You are currently really into Yo Gabba Gabba. One video in particular, called "I Like To Dance." You will be throwing a fit, and I will put that video on the iPad. The second D.J. Lance pops up and says "Hello, friends!!", you get a giant smile on your face. He then proceeds to tell you that it is time to dance, so get up! You oblige, and stand yourself up(with Mommy's support, of course.) &Then the song that your Daddy is really beginning to hate kicks in "Go, go, go Muno! Go, go, go Muno!" and you go crazy!! You start bouncing up and down and stomping your foot. Little baby arms, and little baby hands begin flailing. All the while, you remain completely concentrated on the screen. You love to dance, and this is certainly your favorite song. Not only is it completely precious, but I really feel as though it's quite the milestone. You know what you like. You're beginning to have actual "interests", aside from just Mommy and Daddy or anything that lights up. Our once little baby is growing up.

Mama's boy.

    You have been a mama's boy since day one, but you are truly your Daddy's little dude too. For some reason, you just think he is HILARIOUS. Sure, your father makes some funny jokes. He makes me laugh quite often, and it is one of the reasons I married him. But with you, anything he does is just so funny! He can walk in the room, look at you, and all of a sudden you burst into one of those full belly baby laughs. If he does something out of the ordinary, you absolutely lose your mind. For instance, sometimes he will step up on the coffee table, make a silly face, and you just lose it! It's like you recognize, "hey wait.. Daddy isn't supposed to be on that table.. That table is not for standing. But he is.. He is standing on it.. OMG THIS IS TOO MUCH, I CAN NOT EVEN HANDLE THIS RIGHT NOW." For the record, said table is from Ikea. It is very cheap. I cannot wait for the day he climbs on it to make you laugh, and it falls to pieces underneath him. Then, I will lose my mind with laughter as well.

Also, Daddy's boy.

    There are so many things I wish I could just engrave into my memory forever. For example, you can now hold yourself up standing. You get SO proud of yourself! I wish I could bottle up the look on your face! That proud little smile, where you push your bottom jaw out a bit and look to us for reassurance. It is precious. Or, how when you are getting sleepy and having your evening bottle, you start to grab and tug at your ear. When you finish, I pat you on the back and as we cuddle, you moan and groan. You fight so hard to stay up, yet just melt into dreamland there in my arms. Sure, I will always have memories, photos, and videos. However, nothing compares to actually seeing, touching, and experiencing these moments with you.

"Oh ya know, just snapping a shirtless selfie."

    Happy 8 months, my sweet boy. Thank you for letting me be your mama and watch you grow. You are my everything.

With Love,

Your Mama

Icky stuff.

    Being a mother changes you in so many beautiful ways. I could go on and on about the positive changes in my life since we welcomed my sweet boy into this world. However, this post is a bit more about the less beautiful and magical things. This post is more about, well, the nasty things.

Grayson eating spinach for the first time. Messy boy!

    I am very easily grossed out by many, many things. When I was a child(and ever since), I was the only person in my family to remind everyone of what was and wasn't appropriate dinner conversation. The thought of drool or something secreting from the body while I was eating would easily make me lose my appetite, and sometimes, what I had already eaten. Actually, I once would have gagged over the word "secreting." Becoming a mother has changed that.

    At least every other day, I realize a spit-up stain on my clothes and don't really bat an eye at it. This is not to say I have completely let myself go, and am walking around all day covered in baby fluids... but I'm not saying I haven't gone a whole day in baby stained clothes either. A spit up stain would have once made me freak out, and immediately go home to get a change of clothes. But now, I will go almost the entire day without even noticing. When I do, my reaction is almost the opposite of a "freak out." I think to myself, "when did that get there?!" and reach into my desk for a wipe. Honestly, sometimes I just leave it! These little things are just no longer a big deal to me.

    I have no problem sitting on the floor, playing with my son, soaked with drool. Without a thought I will wipe his little waterfall of drool with my hand, and then wipe it off on my jeans. Whenever we are out with childless friends, people will constantly point out that he is drooling. They will offer a napkin, or get quite concerned when my shoulder is wet with drool. "Oh no! He drooled on your shoulder! Do you want my Tide pen?" While very sweet, I can't help but chuckle in my head whenever this happens!

    Now, if you are reading this before hitting the amazing stage of your life that is parenthood, you are probably thinking I am a disgusting person. One day, when you have children, you will understand. You will pick their nose. You will wipe their drool without a tissue. You will get thrown up and spit up on numerous, numerous times. You will find that the color and consistency of poop makes it way into everyday conversation. And yes, you will laugh at the things that once grossed you out back before you met the little stinker that made your life complete.

With Love,

Brittany Danielle

Six months old.

Dear Grayson,

      Last week, you, Daddy, and I were all sitting together on the bed. We were playing, chatting, and just taking it easy. Then something small, yet momentous happened. Your dad hit the bed with his hand. You stared, and then hit the bed in the same spot. He then hit it harder, twice. You hit it in that same spot yet again. Also, twice. You smiled, and looked at him for approval. You could tell you were just so pleased with yourself, and the fact that you had Mommy and Daddy beaming from ear to ear! This happened a couple more times. It may not seem like something huge, but oh, it really was. In this moment, I realized that you are no longer my itty bitty newborn boy. You are our growing infant, our baby. You are as smart as can be, and learning new things every single day. No longer do you see the world with new eyes. No longer do you stare at a toy with your hands in your lap, blinking those baby blues and looking side to side. You now look at toys with intent. You look at the rings hanging off a toy, and know that you want those in your mouth. So, you reach, grab, and bring them exactly where you want them. You look at the colorful and crinkly part and reach for it. As you grasp, you realize that you have just created that sound. You open and close your hands on the crinkly parts, and smile because you know what you have done.

      So, when you copied your Dad and hit the bed, I didn't only see a baby playing with his parents. I saw the wheels turning in your brain as you observed, thought it through, and replicated his actions. I saw you wanting your parent's approval. I watched you look at our smiles and know that you did something awesome. I watched you beam as happy as can be, because of your actions. It's hard to explain, but I hope that helps you to understand why something seemingly so small, was in reality so huge.

Comforting your cousin. "It's okay, bro!"

      You are such a playful little dude. Seriously, you can find fun in anything. I love that. It is truly magical how a baby can find such pure joy in anything, really. Sure, you love your light up toys and your bouncy and all your toys that sing all those repetitive songs that I always have stuck in my head. But, you also love to play with, a package of wipes or an empty water bottle. The television remote, the iPad, or our cellphones. Oh my goodness, how you love anything that we are holding! "If Mommy has it, I must have it!!" You could seriously spend hours grabbing at different parts of mine or your Dad's faces! Most of all, your favorite "toys" are your books. I just love that. You hit at the pictures, and turn the pages. You can be crying as hard as can be, but almost always a good book can calm you down. It's amazing, and I bet you grow up to be an avid reader.

You loved your Easter basket!

      You have gotten much more loving, as well. Cuddling with you has been one of our favorite things to do since day one, but you are figuring out how to show it even more. You grab and hang on, as if you are afraid that I will put you down. You know what you want!! If you want to be picked up, you will reach for us. Seeing your baby reach for you is one of the most amazing things for a parent. It's incredible to know that we are needed, and that you love us. Not only do you reach for us, but you have started giving hugs and kisses too!! I am not sure if it is intentional, but I'm going to pretend like it is anyway. Sometimes, if I am holding you facing away from me, you will reach up and put your hand on my neck/cheek. You'll arch your back and turn around and "kiss" my other cheek. It is amazing!! Since you were born, we have been telling you over and over how much we love you. All these little things you do now, feel like "I love you too"'s.

Those eyes, I melt.

      These 6 months have just gone by so very fast. Everyone tells you how much the time flies, but it isn't something you can truly comprehend until you are a parent yourself. It feels like you were just brought into our lives. Yet, at the same time.. I can't remember our lives without you. You are the absolute best thing that has ever happened to us. Being your mom and watching you grow, is such an honor. You are everything to me, and everything I do is for you. You have my entire heart, for all of eternity. I hope you never forget that! I love you so much, Grayson Ryan. Happy half birthday, my little sweet potato!

With love,

Your mama.

32 weeks.

Dear Grayson,

    32 weeks was definitely a week to remember! Not only did your Grandma and great Aunt Anne come to visit, but we also had our baby shower, and got to see you with a 3D/4D ultrasound! It was almost too much fun for one week(or weekend, rather) to contain.
    You kicked your Grandma the first night she got into town. She was so happy. Usually, you don't like to move much for anyone aside from your Daddy. But, the second she put her hand on my belly, you gave her a swift (loving) kick! You must love her tons already, and I know she loves you! She is already spoiling you rotten. She got you some really cute clothes, your crib, and made you the sweetest blanket which I'm sure you will have for years to come. Between your Grandma and Granny, you will surely be spoiled by love!
    The baby shower was such an amazing time. We had it at your aunt Michele's house. Granny, Aunt Michele, and Amy planned it. They did an amazing job. It was so cutely decorated, and the food was delicious! I'm so happy Grandma and Aunt Anne were able to come out for the shower. So many of Mommy's friends and of course our family came to celebrate you. Let me tell you something, Grayson. You are already surrounded by SO much love. You really are one lucky baby, and I am the luckiest Mommy. We played fun games, took silly photos, ate yummy food, and talked and laughed for hours. & It was all in celebration of you. I couldn't have asked for a better day.
    The next day, we went to have a 3D/4D ultrasound done so we could see you. Thankfully, your Grandma's flight wasn't until much later. She was able to come, as well as your Granny, Auntie Maddi, and of course Daddy. It was definitely one of the most amazing days in our pregnancy so far. (Yes, I know. I have said that about many days. But you know what? Pregnancy IS amazing and every little monument with you has been life changing!) The man and woman who worked at InfantSee 3d were SO nice. It made me think of what an amazing job that probably is.. To watch people see their sweet babies all day long. Wow! Anywho, you can tell the gentleman who did ours really loved his job. He was too funny, and reminded me of an overly excited sportscaster or something. He described every little thing he did, and every little thing we were seeing. I loved that.
   You had your hand and foot in front of your face. You kept playing with them, as well as your umbilical cord. I said it about your last ultrasound and I'll say it again, you take after your dad. You don't like pictures! We positioned me a bunch of weird ways, pushed and tapped on my belly to get you to move. Even the process of trying to get a better shot of your face was amazing. I absolutely love looking at every teeny tiny feature of yours. Your little fingers, and feet. Your belly, and heart. Your big lips, and the chubbiest cheeks. You did move eventually, and we got to see your face. Oh my goodness, that face absolutely took my breath away. You are so handsome, and already the absolute cutest baby I have ever seen. Your Granny was crying, your auntie was smiling, and your Grandma had a look of pure joy in her eyes. And your Daddy... Wow. He was just in complete awe. His jaw was dropped almost the entire time. It makes me love him even more to see how much he loves you. It was completely surreal to see you. We saw you in 3d before, but this time you are almost completely developed. We saw what you are going to look like, what you already look like. I keep looking at your pictures over and over again thinking, "That's my baby, this is our son." I use the word surreal WAY too much since I became pregnant, but it really is the best word to describe it.
    I can't wait even more to meet you now. Having an idea of what you look like just makes it that much more of a reality that in 8 short, short weeks, you will be here! With those pouty lips, and those chunky cheeks... Just waiting to be covered in kisses. We love you so much, handsome boy.

30 weeks.

Dear Grayson,

I can't believe it is only 10 weeks until you make your grand entrance. I feel like my pregnancy has just flown  by. In the beginning, everyone was telling me to savor every moment and that it would go by so fast. At the time, I didn't understand that completely. Now, I fully understand and am so glad I took their advice and really took in every moment of pregnancy so far. I know we have 10 weeks to go, but trust me when I say that 10 weeks is nothing.

    We can't wait to meet you. Your Dad says so all the time. I think it's a little different for him. I get to carry you around in my belly all day and feel every single movement. He only gets to feel you when he has his hand on my belly. Or his arm, back, or head. Actually, almost any part of his body touches my belly and you start moving! You guys love each other so much already. Anyway, I think he is extremely excited for the day that he gets to be the one carrying you around, and holding you in his arms. We both can't wait to see what you look like. Last week, we went to Florida and stayed at your great grandparents' house. It was such a nice time, and I got to see TONS of baby pictures of your dad. He was the cutest little baby! If you look like him, I won't complain a bit. Though, in your last 3d ultrasound, you definitely had that Frastak nose. I hope that means you will look like BOTH of us. Your dad seems to think you will look like him. He said he has "strong baby genes." Confused, I asked him how would he know that! He said he looks just like he did when he was a baby, and most people (according to him) don't. Therefore, of course, that means he has strong baby genes. I thought that was the funniest thing. We'll see!!

    We might actually see pretty soon! Well, at least have an idea. In a couple weeks, when I hit 32 weeks, we have another 3d/4d ultrasound. We can't wait!! It's perfect too, because my baby shower is the day before. So your Grandma will be in town, and gets to come along! Of course, your Granny and Auntie will be there too! It should be pretty amazing. Last time we saw you, I was 21 weeks. You were very developed, and we got a good look at that sweet face of yours. But this time, you will be almost fully developed!! We are hoping we get a very good idea as to what you look like.

    At 30 weeks, you're about the size of a head of cabbage(3 lbs) and just about 16 inches long. Oh my goodness! You've come a long way from the size of a poppyseed! It's no wonder that you will now kick and move my whole stomach! It's pretty crazy looking/feeling. Sometimes you'll kick so hard, it'll make your dad jump and take his hand off. It's very funny. Mama is feeling pretty good! I feel very blessed that you have been so kind to me. Don't get me wrong, the third trimester is turning out to not be a walk in the park. My back is killing me, and sleeping is near impossible. I toss n turn, and pee about 5 times a night. I'm also big, everywhere. I waddle, and my feet and ankles are swollen. I miss my ankles, which are now certified cankles! However, I see a lot of people that have it so much worse. Therefore, I am very thankful. I just can't wait to meet you, and hold you, and kiss you, and look into your eyes. I cant wait to watch your dad meet you, and hold you, and kiss you, and look into your eyes. I can't wait to officially be a family of 3!!

    We love you so much Grayson!

    With love,
    Your mama.

26 weeks.

Dear Grayson,

    I am now 26 weeks pregnant with you! You are currently about a pound and two thirds, and packing on more baby weight every day. You're about 14 inches long, which is about the length of an english cucumber. SO BIG! Your ears are more sensitive and developed. You can hear your Daddy and I talking to you! The other day, I was singing in the car, and you were going crazy in there. I like to think it's because you were happy to hear my voice. Your dad thinks it's because you wanted me to stop singing, but we both know the truth! You are also practicing breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Get those lungs strong, baby boy!
    I definitely feel fully pregnant now. My back hurts, and my feet swell. I'm starting to accidentally hit my belly on walls when I turn around(not hard of course), or not realize how close I am to things. There is DEFINITELY no mistaking by anyone that I am pregnant at just a glance. Though I'm pretty sure it's been that way for awhile, I myself, am finally convinced! It's crazy though. With everything setting in and feeling completely real, I feel like it has gone by so fast so far! I feel like I am going to meet you so soon! I can't wait to see what you look like. Will you look like me or your dad? Or perhaps you will be a perfect combo of both of us? I can't wait to give you hugs and kisses and tell you how much I love you.
    At the same time, I am starting to freak out a bit! Not in a bad way, I just want everything to be perfect when you get here. I want your nursery to be perfectly put together, your clothes to be washed and hung. I want our new couches and our house to be completely unpacked and organized. I want you to come into a clutter free world. I want to be completely educated and ready for you. I want to know every little thing about taking care of a baby so your dad and I can be perfect for you! I know, your mama is crazy. We have 3 months until you make your grand entrance! For some reason, at this point it just seems so close!
    However, even with all these crazy thoughts of perfection before you arrive, I know we won't be perfect. I know we will fumble just as all first time parents do. I know stacks of laundry will pile up, and the dishes will get left to the side a few times. I know our home won't look like it came from a Martha Stewart ad. And you know what? That's okay with me. All I really want deep down is to know that your dad and I are surrounding you with as much love as humanly possible and doing everything we can to make sure you are the happiest baby. I'm pretty sure that much we can accomplish.

With love,
Your Mama.
 

24 weeks

Dear Grayson,

    I can't believe I am already 24 weeks pregnant with you. You are already just over a pound, and about a foot long. You're about the length of an ear of corn! I know I say it in every single letter I've written to you, but I really just can't believe how big you are already! Your brain and lungs are developing more quickly now. You also are more proportional and starting to plump up just a bit. However, you still have a ways to go before you are my chubby little newborn. So, stay in there a few more months and keep growing!!

    In all the excitement over finding out that you're a boy, I forgot to talk about your kicks in my last letter. Around 19-20 weeks, your dad finally felt you!! The very first time, I had him put my hand on my stomach and you kicked. Immediately, he looked up at me. I told him he felt you, and he said "I think so, but I don't know!" But I knew from the timing of his look he definitely did. The second time he felt you was a bigger kick and he was certain. You should have seen his smile! He was in complete awe of you. You kick him all the time now. He is the only person, (aside from your mama!) who you keep on kicking when he puts his hand on my belly. In fact, you won't be active and he will put his hand there and say "kick me, little guy!" and sometimes you actually will. You also kick him in the mornings when I am still sleeping. I think he really loves that, and is quite proud his baby boy kicks him even when mama is sleeping! It's like one on one bonding time for the two of you.

    Now-a-days, you kick and flip and punch CONSTANTLY! You are such an active little boy already. I can even see you moving my stomach from the outside. The first time we saw it was actually on our honeymoon, and it was very slight. Now, you punch and kick at the same time and my whole stomach moves! It is really insane to see. Sometimes, you will kick SO hard, I swear it feels like you're just going to burst through my belly button. I love every single movement, though. It's amazing. It's yet another thing about carrying you that is absolutely surreal.

    We move into your first home in a couple of weeks. You probably won't remember because we will be stationed elsewhere when you are 2, but it will be your first home. I can't wait. Not only am I very excited to be moving on base, and into your Dad and I's first townhouse, but I am excited to be able to see your room. I can't wait to walk into your nursery and know, this is Grayson's room. I can't wait to start decorating and putting everything together. Just another thing that will make this all that much more real! Also, it is right up the street from the hospital you will be born in! How exciting!

    Only 3 more months until we get to see that handsome face of yours in person. We love you so much, baby boy.

With Love,
your mama

22 weeks.

Dear little one,

    So much has happened in the past four weeks or so! Your dad and I have been very busy with our honeymoon, our ultrasound, work, moving, and so much more! Since I missed my 20 week (HALFWAY EEK!) letter to you this one might be pretty long.
    Oh, what's that? You noticed I said ultrasound?! That's right, last week (21 weeks, May 22nd, to be exact) we found out that you are... A BOY!!! Grayson Ryan Kuhn, that's you! Though, you already know this since you are reading this much into the future, right now it is new to us and extremely exciting. Our sweet baby boy. We are over the moon, ecstatic, elated, completely overjoyed to be having a baby boy! It's completely surreal, and I feel so much more connected to you now that we know.
    It is amazing seeing you on the screen. You are quite the wiggly one! The ultrasound lady kept laughing because you just kept on dancing and squirming and not cooperating too much. I would feel you kick, and a second later see it on the screen. We saw your legs, your feet, your arms, your hands, your big lips.. Your lungs, your kidneys, your brain, your heart.. Every little feature, even your organs, were absolutely beautiful to us. I was so in awe, I almost forgot about gender until she asked asked if we wanted to know. We immediately said YES!! I looked at your dad, and he looked anxious. Not in a bad way, but you could tell he was just overwhelmed with excitement.
    That's when she said that she was 98% sure that we were having a... GIRL! "Wait, what?" is probably what you are thinking. Haha, oh gosh! Well, she mentioned the cord was in the way. For some strange reason, it didn't seem quite real. Perhaps because we didn't get a 100%, or maybe because subconsciously we knew she was wrong. Either way, we were so happy. Both your dad and I teared up. A few minutes later, she decided to double check and see if she could get a better shot of "the goods". Well, Mr. Grayson, let me tell you. You did NOT like being called a girl. There it was, hanging out for the world to see in every shot she got. She said "Oh my gosh, you're having a boy! That is definitely a boy!" I smile thinking of her giggle and how certain she was after mistaking before.
    My world spun for a moment, and I needed to know for sure! I asked both the tech and your daddy a few times, "100%?! You're sure?!" She said, "Yes, look!!" It was there, your third leg as she later called it. "Yes babe, you can see it right there! That's definitely a boy!," said your dad. I will never forget the look in his eyes and the huge smile on his face knowing that he was going to have a son. He was certain, and therefore I was certain. I was overcome by the most immense feeling of joy. Completely surreal. I had absolutely no doubt as I did when she had said girl. Just pure happiness, and excitement. I just kept thinking, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SON!!!!! We both had tears in our eyes. Your dad and I were both at a loss for words. We just kept looking at each other and smiling. Deep, giant, and true smiles. Smiles that neither of us had seen before. Smiles that expressed a level of happiness that there are just no words for.
    After we found out for certain, she tried to get a good picture of your profile and face. You were not cooperating. You're camera shy, just like your dad! So she switched it over to 3D mode. It was in that moment, that we saw your handsome little face. It was absolutely incredible. In that moment, both your Dad and I fell even MORE in love, if that's even possible. It was the most handsome, beautiful, and perfect little face I have ever seen. I have that picture on the background of my phone, and your Dad has it as his desktop at work. We look at you constantly. We point out how big your lips are, how you have your mama's nose, how much you look like Wyatt did in his 3D photo already. We can't wait to see you in real life. To be able to kiss that perfect little nose, and those big lips! You are absolutely perfect, and you aren't even done developing yet!
    Speaking of development, you are about the size of a papaya at 22 weeks! (11 inches)Your eyes have formed, and your eyelids, lips, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct. You look like a little newborn in there!! &We saw first hand, you really do. I can't wait to meet you Grayson!! Your Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!

With Love,
Your mama

18 weeks.

Dear little one,

    I am now 18 weeks pregnant! Though, technically we are measuring about a week ahead. So really, I am just about 19 weeks. But unless the doctor changes the due date at my next ultrasound, we are going to stick with 18 weeks for now! Speaking of which, my next ultrasound is in less than 3 weeks, right after we get home from our honeymoon. At that ultrasound, we should be able to find out if you are a boy or a girl!!! Please cooperate and don't cross your legs! I cannot wait. I want to shop and plan for you, and quit having to say he/she. Mostly, I want to see you. You are/will be soo much bigger than the last time we got to see you. You'll look like a realy baby and be doing a lot more! I just can't wait. Time is crawling by.

    Then again, sometimes it seems to be going by SO fast. You are already about the size of a bell pepper!! Your ears are in their final position, and you're developing a protective coating around your nerves. Your blood vessels are hard at work, and are still visible through your skin. You are getting a work out in there, flexing your arms and legs. Practicing your own little kickboxing routine! I have felt you more regularly now. I feel you everyday!! The kicks have gotten much bigger and more noticeable. You're even kicking me right now as I write this!! I've even felt you flip a few times, which is a very strange sensation(but awesome none the less!).
 
    The other day, I was out with your Aunt Maddi. She pointed out that you were on the right side of my stomach. I looked down, and she was right! I could SEE that one side of my tummy was bigger than the other. It was so strange. She pushed on that side to get you to kick later on, and I literally felt you swim on over to the other side. It was the craziest feeling!!! I have felt you kick with my hand once, but you have yet to kick hard enough for anyone else to feel just yet. Your Dad is dying to feel you! We know you will when you're big enough and ready, though. I already know that you love him. Last night as we were laying down, your Daddy had already fallen asleep. He put his hand on my stomach, and you immediately began to kick right where his hand was! It wasn't hard enough to feel from the outside, but it made me tear up. It was like you knew he was there, and wanted to say hello. When I told him, he was so excited. It really was amazing.

    We both love you SO much already! :)

Love,

Your Mama.

Laughs.

(Love my country boy. On his family's property in KY.)

My sister asked Justin if he was hoping to have a boy or a girl. He responded with, "I don't care as long as it's healthy. & Either way it's wearing camo." Yep, that's my country boy. I can just see our first Christmas card now...