Reflections // as the two turns to a three

Dear Baby,

Third trimester looks good on you. How do I know? Because I see you every day, or at least I can see you move every day. You're huge! We can often pick out how you are positioned based on how you're moving and where we can feel out your little body.

I've been telling daddy now for a while that I should update my facebook status with this witty comment: "Every time I sneeze instead of saying 'bless you' please just ask me if I need new underwear. #pregnancyproblems" I'm too shy to actually do it. It is funny though, don't you think? It's not funny when it happens, but I'm prepared at all times to handle a crisis. I've also mastered this new sneezing pose that involves crossing my legs like a ballerina mid-twirl. Coughs are just as bad.

Grandma and Grandpa Wuthrich came to Korea to see me and daddy. It's weird calling them that. They loved meeting you. They felt you move and listened to your still perfect 145 bpm heartbeat. At one point while site seeing I fell behind the group to take a picture. I ran a little to catch up, and when my daddy turned around to see where I had gone he started laughing at me! I asked him what was so funny, and he replied that he just loved my "cute baby bump." That's grandpa love at its finest baby; I loved that moment.

Other things to note about hitting trimester number three is the acid reflux and the return of the charlie horses. The two are inversely related. The more water I drink the less I have charlie horses, but the more I have acid reflux. The less water I drink the more I have charlie horses, but the less I have acid reflux. It's okay though baby, because I just drink lots of water and take tums. It works out for both of us.

There are bad days, I have melt downs. The latest breakdown was because I yelled at the kids at school at full volume three times in a row, all I could picture were your little ears hurting and I cried for hours. But daddy held me and kissed my forehead and helped me through it, and here we are, you're still moving and your heartbeat was actually 150 last night since I ate so many cookie dough bites to feel better (you're welcome!).

Grandma and Grandpa Struthers are visiting daddy and I in Korea right now! We love having them. They have both been able to watch as my belly does what we call the "boiling water dance," where it just kicks and bounces and pops like a pot of boiling water.

We still can't believe that you're real baby, that you really came to be! We call you our miracle baby at least once a day, and we mean it.

The last thing to note is that the more my body prepares for you the more I appreciate just how terrific my body actually is. I am proud of my body, and the effort I put in to keeping it healthy and strong for you. My new favorite thing is seeing my body prepare food for you. All of the sudden being a woman feels useful, and it's immensely satisfying. All I can say is that you are incredible, and you make me feel like my body and heart have a purpose.

Enjoy your last 12 weeks in heaven!

Love,
Mommy