Letter to a Little One [24-25wks]

Dearest Little One,

It has been an eventful two weeks in both of our lives! You have been gaining body fat (weighing around 750g), testing your newly developed nerve endings in your fingers - your eyes may have even opened already after being fused shut for months (but it's okay if you still prefer the dark).

And as for your mother? She's been on the end of your increasingly-powerful kicks - especially to the scars from previous laparoscopic surgery (the sharpness of these sensations make me visibly wince). Your feet are apparently about 5cm (2") long now, and if you're anything like either of your parents they are probably already on the larger side!

You had your second-ever plane trip over Christmas, and when I put one of my earbud headphones on my tummy during the flight you would squirm around... I'm not sure whether that means you like my taste in music or not! In fact, you spend most of the day in active mode - you're definitely like me and like to be busy (we're going to have so much fun once you're here!).

Christmas was lots of fun, you received plenty of attention from your grandparents (Dad's parents) and family, and were even given an early baby shower - you were spoilt with teeny-tiny gifts, soft toys, nappies and even a couple of sippy cups. I ate quite a lot of food, but since you're taking up a lot of space in my body these days, it takes longer to digest it all. Needless to say I spent most of the day with a swollen-looking, firm tummy and a squirmy you struggling to make room! I'm now learnt that I need to pace myself and eat smaller meals (and avoid tomatoes, as they're giving your Mum heartburn).

Your Dad and I took a two-night trip away while in Tasmania for Christmas to Bruny Island - it was gorgeous!

I was excited about receiving a gift for you from some friends at your baby shower.



Everybody who was at the shower decorated a singlet each for you - you'll be the best-dressed boy in town soon!



Your Auntie Marisa (who is your Mum's best friend) celebrated her 30th birthday on New Year's Eve, and it was a good test to see how we both dealt with 40C Summer heat... thankfully it wasn't too bad, but I was quite tired. You very much liked the chocolate birthday cake, and were wriggling around for hours after I ate it (in fact, you seem to love sugary foods - again, taking after me!). Seconds into the new year, your Dad and I looked at each other, amazed that this very year you will be born... and how both of our lives will change!



You're 25 weeks in this picture (taken on NYE).





The chocolate cake that you liked so much.



Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) may have begun, they make my tummy go hard underneath the belly button and it feels a little uncomfortable. Fortunately they only last for 30 seconds or so - there's no reason to be scared, it's just my body practicing getting ready for your birth in April.

Looking forward to seeing you on the ultrasound screen in 2.5 weeks, until then keep squirming and growing and being the best manatee you can be!

Love you. :)