12 Weeks

Dearest Baby,
Today I am 12 weeks pregnant. We are 3/9 of the way through our pregnancy journey together. Today also marks the end of my first trimester and the beginning of a period of rapid physical growth for us. During the next few months, both you and I will be gaining a lot of weight! This past month has been very exciting because you are no longer a precious secret, but a tiny being that everyone already loves. We got to tell our family (the few remaining will find out tonight), our friends, our church family, and our co-workers. I am in heaven. It is so nice to share this joyful feeling with all of those who are close to our family. You have also started to expanded my waistline a little already. Most of clothes are now feeling snug but not too constricting. I have started to feel some "pressure" inside which means a lot more standing up and stretching happens during the day. Every time I look down, I hope to see more of my belly staring back at me. Next week, we will have our 12 week sonogram and get the result of all the genetic testing. I can't wait to see what you look like now. What a huge difference it will be from the 6 week ultrasound. You will look like a actual baby and we will get to hear your heart beating. I am sure it will be the sweetest sound I have ever heard. Speaking of looking different, here is my 12 week picture. (Please ignore my face since I seem to be stuck in teenage acne land these days!)

You can see that a little bump has started forming. Go Team Beale! We are headed to Washington DC this afternoon for a weekend of fun and laughs. You will also be attending your very first Cubs game and hopefully you will grow up to be as big of a fan as I am. The Cubs will teach you a lot of about patience and learning how to be a gracious winner and loser. I will write you again on Monday to give you the scoop on all your Aunt and Uncle's reaction to your arrival.

Until then, I love you,

Mom