Pregnancy

I am pregnant!  Pregnancy is wonderful experience. I am currently 33 weeks and only have 7 weeks to go. I am so excited and thankful to be having a baby girl in April 8, 2013! I can't wait to meet my daughter! To see her sweet face and hear her first cry, is truly a special treasure from God! My husband and I are so thankful that we can have children. It is a special gift that we're hoping and praying for. I get excited every time I hear her little heartbeat! ;-) We have decided that her name is Alexandra Rose Slyter. Here is her first letter from me:

Hi Baby Girl!

We are so excited and blessed to have you in our life! Its been amazing to see how you've grown inside of me and the miracle that you are! We are so thankful to have you in our life! We can't wait to hold you and meet you!  Carrying you inside of me has been an amazing journey. I'm so glad I have the support of your dad, family, friends, and My Savior. So far, my favorite moments with you are:

A month before, me and your dad had been trying for you for a month already. I wanted to wish your dad a Happy Fathers Day! But there was no sign of you yet. I was getting discouraged. Your dad was very supportive and reminded me that it is all in God's timing. He wanted to be your dad just as much as I wanted you.

At week one, I missed my period. I told my friend. She got excited and said to check with a test! Since I tried a few times before and got disappointed last month, I waited a few days just case my period came late. It didn't come. I tested it was positive! I wanted to tell your dad in a special way. So after work, I gave him a present with the news! After a long day at work, he couldn't have been happier!

4 months

At 7 weeks, I would make your dad laugh with my weird cravings. He though the weirdest one was cheerios and raisins with soy milk! I craved a lot of greasy kid food-french fries, hamburgers, and salty food. It would make him laugh because it definitely wasn't me. With these cravings, I was hard trying to eat healthy. This was also the week we decided to have you at home after a lot of research and prayer! We are planning a calm peaceful home birth for you! We want to welcome you into this world in the most gentlest way, free from medical interference.

At 10 weeks, Me & our dad heard your heart beat for the very first time! I started to cry! Your dad all couldn't stop smiling! The midwife happy exclaimed-"Lanie's definitely pregnant!" It is amazing the love I have for you already!

Labor Day!

At 12 weeks, we announced to our family that we are having you! We had them over for dinner and told them. They were very excited and your grandma had a tear in her eye. We told them not to tell. It was a hard secret for them to keep! On Labor Day, we announced it publicly on Facebook. It was your Dad's idea to do a play on of words-"Happy Labor Day!"

At 20 weeks, we saw you for the first time! Seeing you through the ultrasound was amazing. We could see all your little eyes, arms, legs, toes, and fingers so clearly. You were already fully developed inside of me. You just needed to get bigger. We couldn't keep our eyes off the screen. I was so amazed at your little life inside of me already. You kept moving around that day! So the tech had to keep moving so that we could see you! This is your first picture!

you! ;-)

At Thanksgiving 2012, we find out that you were a girl! We had the tech at the ultrasound not tell us your gender then. Instead, we had her tie a pink or blue ribbon on a teddy bear and put it in a bag. Then we had to do the hardest thing yet, WAIT and not look! It was soo hard! We hopped on a plane to go to your grandpa's house in California for thanksgiving! Me and your dad decided to open the bag with family after dinner. I opened the bag and the whole family exclaimed it was a girl! We called your dad's family at home. Everyone was excited there too. Your Aunt Emmery was only 6 then. She started to cry. We couldn't be happier to have you! Here's the video link-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh8jwEPrRXM.

Thanksgiving

At Christmas, we were scared for you! I got pretty sick with food poisoning. I felt weak and nauseous for days after. We were very worried. We prayed for your life to be spared. We praise God that it was! I started to feel better and our midwife assured us that you are ok at our appointment. Your dad would pray over me for your safety everyday. Hearing your dad pray for us was the sweetest and most touching thing I have heard in life. It made me feel safe that we are in God's hands. We also got to see your dad's family and they gave us their congratulations. Your Aunt Emmerie said that she wanted to make you a special gift, a quilt! You got your first Christmas present a little lamby! It was a special Christmas because I had the best present inside of me!

Christmas

At 26 weeks, a friend from Church gave us your crib. We were so thankful. It is a beautiful crib and matched perfectly with the dresser in your nursery. I made me feel better and reminded me that God will provide us with what we need! What a blessing!

At 30 weeks, I could feel your kicks for the first time! Your dad could too! He was surprised how strong you were already! And Gramie is beyond excited! She keeps talking into my belly. She is buying you clothes and planning your baby shower! This is the week I started my pregnancy dance! It would make your dad crack up!

Christmas

At 32 weeks, you started to hiccup! I could feel little bumps within me. I could feel you move and little kicks by my ribs. You especially like to kick me before or after a meal. You'd help me remember to eat! This is the week my belly was really getting big. People at work would congratulate me. I kept telling them that I look forward in being home with you full time!

Now I am at 33 weeks. This week we have decided on your name! Alexandra Rose! It's very classic, modern (but not to trendy), princess like and you can make it our own with any nickname. It means defender of men. I hope you like it! Also this week, your brain is developing now and you are already 4 lbs! I have been feeling great except my back. Yoga, walking, and trips to the chiropractor have been helping. I am trying to stay healthy and eating well to take care of you. With only 7 weeks left, I am getting scared of birthing. Our birthing class at HypnoBabies and scripture has helped me. The verse that has really helped me-"I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 43:4. I know that it will all be worth it to see you!

33 weeks!

I will be better to write you and let you know how we're doing each week! I love you with all my heart little girl!

Love,

Your Mom