29 weeks, 3 days

Dear Baby,

Today I am 29 weeks and 3 days pregnant. It is very hard to believe that you will be here in about 10 weeks. I've been blessed with a relatively easy pregnancy. The worst "symptom" has been heartburn, so I can't complain (too loudly.)

Last night, your father felt you kick for the first time. He said it was like someone had pushed out my stomach from the inside. He's the master of the obvious. You have been very active kicking and stretching. You certainly let me know that you don't like to be squished. I don't like it much either. I first saw you roll and reach out in my 11 week ultrasound. You really haven't stopped since.

There have been a lot of things happening in the months leading up to your arrival. At a more local level, your dad and I have been adding onto our house. We started the project in January 2008 with our first meeting with the architect. We broke ground on September 2. As of today (October 28) the entire addition has been framed. The contractors are working on the interior framing and stairs. Later this week, they'll put on the siding and roof. The plumbers arrived yesterday and the mason finished up the brick work on the side of the house. Your grandfather and Uncle Dave have been at the house since Saturday working on the wiring and lighting. They have been a tremendous help and I don't think they make big enough Thank You cards.

I'm really hoping that we can move back in shortly after your arrival. We've been living in Newburyport since the start of October. It's a nice house and very close to the beach (3 minute walk, which Indigo and Azure LOVE.) The drive to and from the house, though, is starting to take it's toll. We leave at 6:15 each morning and get home around 8:00pm. That's probably the biggest drawback of the Newburyport house - how far away it is (45 minutes to our house, 75 minutes to work.)

At a national level, we are in a general election year. It's been a very contentious Presidential race between Senators Obama and McCain. The issues include the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, women's rights (always an issue), taxes, housing, and the economy. It's been this way for the better part of a year with the primary elections. We saw our first female candidate for president in Hillary Clinton and our first African American candidate in Barack Obama (actually, he's half black and half white.) Next Tuesday will prove to be historic in many ways - either the country elects the first black President or our first female Vice President (Sarah Palin.)

Overall, it's been a historic year, with the elections and economy. We are in the midst of a 'global economic crisis' where all markets are suffering. Your father and I are doing our part to keep the money moving - see above paragraph about the addition.

Well, Baby, that's just a brief summary of all that's been happening while we wait for you. We'll see you in a few short weeks!

Love,
Mommy