today is the day

Dear Addelyn,
Today is the day you are coming into this world.  Today is the day that you will forever change my life.  Your daddy and I have been looking forward to your birth for so long now.  I hope I have provided you a good "home" over these past ten months. I hope to provide you a good home for the rest of your life. It has been an honor carrying you with me, feeling you move and grow inside of me.  You are truly a blessing.  I can't wait to watch you grow up, to watch you become the beautiful woman I know you will be.  Always know that your momma loves you unconditionally.  I have loved you since you were just a thought, a desire, in my mind.  I promise to support you, to nurture you and encourage your independence.  I will always be here for you.  I will always be your mother.  Thank you for already amazing me in so many ways.  I love you and can't wait to start our journey together. 
Love Always,
Mom

Dear Addelyn,
As I am writing this letter to you, your mommy and I are just a few hours from meeting you for the very first time.  Apparently you are a pretty big girl, you mommy has to deliver you via c-section.  For the past nine months we have worked very hard to make sure that when you come home in a few days everything is perfect!! I could barely sleep last night because I was so excited for today.  I can't wait to see you and Mommy together, I think you are going to look just like her!
  I know that you won't remember today but there are so many family members and friends that are so excited to meet you.  I promise you that I will take care of you and your mom every day of my life.  I am a very lucky man to have you both. 
  The Dr. days that you have a lot of hair and weighed 7 lbs & 15 oz last Wednesday.  I can't wait to see you in person.  You have a bunch of cute clothes to wear, I have already got you some Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks onesies and dresses.  I have a feeling that you will love sports and especially love our Mavs & Cowboys. 
  I love you so much Addy!! I can't wait to watch you grow up and become an amazing woman.
P.S. no dating till you are at least 30!!
XOXOXO,
Dad

progress

picture taken at: 36 weeks + 3 days

how far along? 9 months (+ 5 days)

maternity clothes? even my maternity shirts are becoming too short to cover my big 'ol belly. target's long and lean tank tops have been my go to tops these past few days

stretch marks? nope

sleep? occurs in nap like segments regardless of the time of day or night. it must be true that your body prepares for the lack of sleep you are to get once a newborn is in the house weeks before the newborn actually makes her appearance. at this rate i should be quite prepared.

best moment last week? successfully reaching the 9 month mark, and hearing my sweet girls heartbeat. the doctor says i am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. :)

movement? she's a dancer! it has been so great experiencing all the different movements over the past few months. feeling her movements transition from butterflies to sharp jabs to rolls and tumbles has been one of my favorite experiences throughout this pregnancy.

symptoms? i haven't gained weight (according to the scales) this past month or so, but my belly has grown by leaps and bounds. again, it is crazy what your body does.

gender? girl. Addelyn Elizabeth

nursery? done, except for a few pictures to hang and a screen to put together.

labor signs? well, it's hard to say. ive had plenty of pains the past few days, but don't know what exactly to call them.

belly button in/out? in, don't think it is going to pop out at this point.

what I miss? being comfortable. it is pretty hard to find a comfortable way to sit, lay, walk, etc...

looking forward to? MEETING THIS LITTLE GIRL!!

what the professionals are saying:

How your baby's growing: Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.) Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz via baby center