Welcome to the World, Adrian Brianne!

Hello, Princess!

We are so excited you're here! You were two weeks early (almost exactly), weighed six pounds and ten ounces, and measured eighteen and three-quarter inches. You came to us naturally after 13 hours of labor and 36 minutes of pushing. (Although Mommy did take some Nubain...) Yes, you had to be induced, unfortunately, since Mommy's blood pressure/protein count went too high. :( But you're here, you're healthy, and we couldn't love you more. (Even as I write this I know, though, that our love for you grows with each passing minute. Your Daddy is head-over-heels.)

Just before we came home, though, we found out that your bilirubin count was high and you were diagnosed with Jaundice. We had about a day to be with you (while you were on a biliblanket, a glow-in-the-dark plastic paddle-thing) before your count got so high we had to take you to the hospital. It was only overnight, thank goodness, and Daddy and I were able to stay with you the entire time, but your parents have never been so stressed. We are really tired of watching you getting poked, prodded, and being uncomfortable in general. You are such a trooper, though. So patient throughout the entire thing.

We were finally sent home to the biliblankets again, but it was only a day or two later that both Mommy and Daddy had decided we'd had enough and took you off of them. (But not until we'd done some extensive research on jaundice) The next time we took you to have your levels checked was the last. You were a-ok!

My goodness, it's taken me a while to write this. I think I started the day we took off the biliblankets and now you're a whole 13 days old!! Your face is rounding out and your feetsies are adorably chubby, which makes Mommy both sad and relieved at the same time. You're growing up, Baby Girl.

Daddy and I both try to make sure you know you're loved every minute of the day. Hopefully we can keep it up throughout time and siblings and life. :)

We love you, Enna Brianne. Never forget that.

Love Always,
Mommy

Bed Rest???

I have to say, Baby Girl, these were two words Mommy wasn't wanting to hear today. But, the midwives found protein in her urine and her blood pressure isn't going down so Mommy has to lay on her left side. She can get up to make herself something to eat and to take a shower, but that's about it. This also means another blood test. Mommy certainly isn't as afraid as she use to be, but she is kind of bummed because she thought she was done with all that. More importantly, she doesn't want to induce her little princess before she's ready, and that's become a very real possibility right now.

What Mommy has is called Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, the blood test is to make sure she doesn't have Pre-Eclampsia. If the results come back positive, you will be induced and Mommy is kind of nervous about handling induction contractions. She doesn't know if she can do that without an epidural. Mommy is definitely thanking Heavenly Father that you will be full term next week, before they can do anything. Had this happened any earlier, Mommy would be ten times more concerned than she is now.

Well, here's hoping and knowing God will take care of both of us no matter how this turns out. Mommy loves you, Baby Girl, and she will do anything and everything she can to bring you into this world healthy and happy.

Love Always,
Mommy

Be Patient, Little One

My Dear Little Girl,

My goodness, you like to push! Momma thinks you've found out that you aren't going to be coming out her tummy. No C-Sections here, if Mommy can help it. You've dropped for sure and keep spreading Mommy's pelvis. It hurts, but your Momma's glad you know right where you're supposed to be right now. :)

Yet another appointment yesterday. Blood pressure was a little high, but the midwives aren't concerned, although Mommy has another appointment Friday to make sure it goes down. Mommy thinks it's just because she was frustrated that morning. Cold showers + no sleep = Not your Mommy's favorite thing. Just in case, though, Mommy's becoming even more aware of what she's eating (cutting back on sodium) and has started walking every day since she can no longer perform satisfactory prenatal yoga... belly gets in the way. :)

So, Mommy and Daddy were planning on moving the summer after you were born, but we found tenants for our apartment a little sooner than we anticipated. Mommy's a little disappointed, since she likes the fact that the hospital is literally right around the corner from where she and Daddy currently live, but she knows everything has a purpose and trusts that Heavenly Father will take care of you, her, and Daddy. She also knows she'd better relax and not worry too much about this move or the stress, coupled with your evident impatience, might bring you here a little earlier than she'd like. If you have to come early, little one, please wait at least another two weeks.

Mommy's worries are probably completely unfounded, though. You might come late, like she did. :) We will see.

I love you very much, Baby Girl. I can't wait to kiss your sweet little toes and blow raspberries on your tummy to make you laugh.

Love Always,
Mommy

Seven Weeks And Counting...

Our Dear Baby Girl,

The hospital bags are packed, the birth plan is written out, we're planning on a time to go get the few items we're missing, a Baby Shower has been scheduled, things are really starting to come into place! Sorry your letter is a little late, Mommy's been having a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. :S

Uncle Paul took Mommy to the chiropractor's and midwife's yesterday because Daddy had to work. The chiropractor was nice. Mommy didn't know her body could pop that many times! But her hip and back started hurting again that night... Mommy's wondering if the chiropractor was really a good idea or if she just has to have more than one visit. Since there was half and hour between appointments, Mommy visited with Uncle Paul for a while. We talked about houses and Arizona, baby names and how awesome your Daddy is. Then we went to the midwives'.

Mommy had Rachel this time... and I don't think she likes me very much. It's probably because Mommy gave her such a hard time when she tried to take my blood. Mommy asked a bunch of questions, just to make sure the new symptoms that have come up this trimester were normal, and Rachel said that the next test would be for Group B Strep. She asked Mommy if I knew anything about the procedure and Mommy jokingly said that she knew it was uncomfortable. Rachel then became very stern and told Mommy it was necessary and that I was getting it, period. Mommy was pretty surprised because Rachel's voice didn't sound very nice.

Mommy is currently hoping she either becomes better friends with Rachel or Helene is on duty when she gives birth to you. Otherwise the ordeal may be a little frustrating.

On a happier note, you really love to spin around in Mommy's tummy, I think you're trying to dance in the limited space you have in there. You don't really respond as much to music, though, as to the talks and other things Mommy listens to to get ideas for her books. Perhaps you're dancing to the music you're playing in your head. No matter what you're doing, Mommy loves to "listen" to you express yourself so freely. Daddy plays with you a lot, too. He'll blow raspberries and you'll kick at him. Sometimes you'll be super sassy and stick your little bottom out. Daddy will try to push you back, but you just push harder, haha! I'm super excited to see you and really get to know your personality. My current feeling is that you'll be an "easy" child... with a touch of sassafras. :)

We love you so much!
Only about 46 days until Due Day!!

Love Always,
Mommy

As Long As You're Healthy

My Dear Enna, (Your name might change when you're born, but we're currently calling you Adrian/Enna) :)

Yet another doctor's appointment, yet another post. Mommy's officially started on her 2-week visits and time is flying by! I've started knitting you a sweater, but you probably won't wear it until October-ish, since it's a little on the big side. (And who wears sweaters in the summertime?) It's finally snowing outside, probably around 6-10 inches so far.

Everyone keeps asking about plans for your Baby Blessing, something your newbie Mommy forgot about. So far all we have planned is a tentative date (June 4th) and that we'll be having it at our home ward. It would be nice to have a little get-together afterwards so you can meet some of your extended family. I think Grandma Jensen is going to bring up Mommy's blessing dress to see if it fits and still looks nice. Don't worry, Baby Girl, I won't dress you in something completely out of date. ;)

So, Mommy is starting to meet the other midwives in preparation for the big day, since we don't know for certain when you're coming. Mommy thought she would just be assigned one midwife and be done with it, but  evidently not. So, today, instead of Karen, as usual, Helene helped Mommy out. She answered all kinds of questions and gave some good advice. You really like to do headstands on Mommy's hip, which is okay, except it tends to pop Mommy's hip out of place, but if Mommy moves, her back hurts, so Helene referred Mommy to a chiropractor who is thankfully covered under our insurance to helps us out.

Other than that, you are healthy. Helene and a student nurse who came in today to observe said that you weren't a "big baby," which is just fine with Mommy. She'd rather be able to carry a big baby and give birth to a little one than the other way around. You are so compliant it sometimes worries Mommy that you'll be too much of a people pleaser. Hopefully we can teach you to stand in your own light and be obedient to the One who it is most vital for you to be obedient to... and maybe your parents, when they're rules comply with His. ;)

We love you, Baby Girl! We can't wait to meet you!

Love Always,
Mommy

Things Are Starting to Pick Up!

Dear Baby Girl, (Baby Sophie? Baby Roxanne? Baby Adrian? Baby Estrella?)

Yep, I think we're down to only four names now! Although Daddy DID say that he liked some of the names we have picked out as middle name possibilities better... We'll see. Mommy can't wait to start calling you something other than Baby Girl. :) Mommy talks to you a lot now, since Daddy took a job that lasts all afternoon and into the evening. We listen to good music, Mommy does work for her parenting class and cleans house and at night time, when Daddy comes home, we have dinner and (maybe) watch a movie. I tell you how beautiful the snow is outside and sing some of my favorite songs to you. I tell you how amazing your Daddy is and how much your grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles love you. Sometimes I worry that you won't have any cousins close to your age, but I think that's just Mommy worrying. You'll be so spoiled I don't think you'll care, really. Not for a long time, anyways.

We had another doctor's appointment today, glucose screening and everything. Mommy flinched when they stuck her finger, but it really wasn't that bad. It hurt less than someone snapping a rubber band on your wrist. It was a nice relief to hear that there will be no bed rest or diabetes this pregnancy! Yay! Mommy measures perfectly (28 inches, 28 weeks) and you're already head-down! Such a good little girl, so compliant and cooperative. Thank you for making this so easy on your mommy. I hope you know, though, that I love you no matter what.

You get the hiccups every once in a while. Last night you hiccuped in perfect rhythm to the music your Mommy and Daddy were listening to. It doesn't surprise your parents, though. Mommy's a dancer and Daddy plays both the bass and the drums, so you probably have an innate sense of rhythm. :) You seem to like Jenny Jordan Frogley, just like your Mommy and Grandma, and the strawberry-banana smoothies Mommy has every once in a while.

You might have to remind Mommy to register at the hospital, take a tour, and start in on the online birthing classes sometime between this and next week. Soon we're going to pack our hospital bag, have a Baby Shower, and go do some pre-labor shopping. The visits to the midwives are starting to come closer together, since we're going after three weeks this time, then once every other week, then weekly and, before we all know it, you'll make your debut!! Mommy is getting very excited! But if Mommy's excited, Daddy's ecstatic! He loves you very much and he loves your mommy very much, too. Get ready for a lot of mushy kissing, baby girl, because you are going to see a LOT of it! ;)

I love you, Baby! I can't wait to see you!

Love Always,
Mommy

P.S.
Words from the chorus of Mommy's favorite song right now:
You look at me with those trusting eyes
You need someone who won't compromise
Constant and steady, with love never ending
With everything life will put you through
You can find me, I'll be here for you
Constant and true, in everything that I do for you.
-Constant, by Jenny Jordan Frogley

Your Family Loved You Before They Met You

Our Dear Baby Girl,

If you ever wonder why you have so many baby hats, just know that each one is a small token of how much your family loves you. Grandma Jensen made you one that matches hers (the one with the pompom the size of your head, haha!), and each of your aunts are waiting for their turn with the "baby hat knitting ring" to make you one of their own.
Aunt Matea says your name should be Sophie. What surprised me is that Daddy likes it when he turned down the name Sofia... We still haven't decided yet, however. We probably won't until you're born. (I think I've said that already, haha!)
Grandpa Jensen was very attentive to how Mommy took care of herself and you. He even ran to the store when Mommy was craving milk and granola. ...Mommy is a little unused to having people do things for her...
Aunt Lyric is quite excited to dress you up in little feather bows and flowers. Mommy's going to have to make a soft hairband so you can wear them
You also played with Aunt Tayli. She'd pat my tummy where you were and you'd kick in response. She couldn't feel the kicks, (evidently Mommy has rather thick skin) but she laughed along just the same when I told her what you were doing.
Everyone "ooh-ed and ahh-ed" at the 3D ultrasound pictures and Great-Grandma Wilcock gave Mommy some pretty good birthing advice.
Uncle Connor is now on his mission and Mommy's waiting to hear his response to the pictures she just sent him.
Grandma and Grandpa Guerra are also very excited to see you. We were supposed to go see them for Thanksgiving, but ended up being with Uncle Paul and Aunt Cait instead.
Uncle Chris is doing well in his first month in Riberao Preto, immersed in the work of Heavenly Father in his assigned mission at last. Mommy needs to send him pictures, too...
I can just imagine how you'll say Aunt Leanna's name when you start speaking. (A while yet to come, but Mommies can think about it.) She's playing soccer for her highschool and is very good at it, I hear.
Uncle Tony is becoming Mommy's "in" when she's going to make important announcements or needs something stored in Oregon. He's very helpful and a LOT of fun. I think you're going to smile and laugh a lot when you're with him.
We're going to go see everyone Guerra in July for a family reunion. You'll be a whopping two, almost three, months old! I hope we can visit them sooner, or that Grandma Guerra has the same opportunity as Grandma Jensen to come visit the week after you're born, but we'll see.

The midwife says everything is perfect so far. We're taking the glucose test next, which they've thankfully simplified. Mommy doesn't know if she could fast an entire day AND take three blood tests without getting sick, but I suppose many, many, many mommies have done it before, so your Mommy can, too. Mommy's also taken to knitting you a panda poncho to match your panda teddy and maybe some booties and a hat to match for your take-home day.
Only 15 more weeks to go! I hope you're getting ready in there!

I love you, Baby Girl,
Mommy

PS
You make both Mommy and Daddy laugh when you stick your little bottom out. Silly girl, don't you know your parents don't believe in spankin's? ;)