Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Last Trimester

Dear Froggie,

EEEEEEK!!! We are officially at the last tri-mester which means you are closer and closer to making your appearance. Mommy worries because she isnt getting very big, but hopefully you are all good in there :) Daddy says Mom should relax!

Anyway, both of your parents are teachers and as such we dont have a very high tolerance for ridiculousness. Know that we will help you if you struggle with something (well everything) but giving up or acting up is not an option.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

November 2012

Dear Froggie,

Once again it has been a little while since your Dad or I have had a chance to write anything. November and December are always very hectic. This year more than normal. Thanksgiving was early this year so we didnt put up our Christmas tree until December 1st. As always your Aunt Leila was a huge help with decorating. Your Uncle Anwar had fun making silly faces at us while we decorated outside. Mommy and Daddy dont go too crazy with the Black Friday shopping (and by dont go crazy, I mean we dont go at all) I think we spent that whole day watching movies/playing games/being lazy. We keep getting warned that once you come we wont have much lazy time, but hopefully you are either as good at napping as your Mom or as laid-back as your Dad. I did spend a little time and bought you some outfits online but between your Aunt Shelby and Aunt Melissa, I think you will be good on clothes. So far, we havent really done much in your room but that is because your aunts, uncles, and cousins will be coming from Mexico so we want them to have someplace to sleep. But, after Christmas it becomes your room for good :)

As of right now both Mommy and Daddy are enjoying all your kicking, though sometimes it makes Mommy feel like she is on a roller-coaster but if it means that you are strong and happy, we will take it. We are also trying to make sure that everything is ready to go for Mommy's work and activities just in case you come earlier or later than expected. Its a little stressful but it makes for a very easy 2nd semester.

We are getting close to the third tri-mester and we are both excited and terrified at the same time. But we have found with all the stress and insanity, hugs, kisses, and cuddles always make things better, and I am sure they will as you grow up as well.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Trips and other fun events

Dear Froggie,

Hi sweetheart. Sorry it has been a while since your daddy or I have written anything. This week was very hectic, but you did very well when Mommy had to travel to UT and Texas A&M and it was a long day. You are a very lucky little girl you know. You have more adopted aunts and uncles, big brothers and big sisters than anyone else. They were excited to see Mommy's belly on the trip and are all probably going to come meet you after you arrive. This week was also a doctors appointment for Mommy and apparently you are doing great, though you like to move around so it was hard to find you for the heartbeat!  Tomorrow we are going with Aunt Shelby to start picking out stuff for your room. Always remember these little things and how much you are loved.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election Day

Dear Froggie,

Today is election day and one thing you will need to know is that your daddy and I both feel that it is very important to become part of the process.  There will be lots of discussions and arguments with families but know that no matter what is going on, being polite and not name calling is very important. We don't know who will win tonight but your vote will always count.

Monday, November 5, 2012

24 weeks in

and Mommy finally had to give in and give you a little growing room. It is apparently appreciated since you are kicking during the day a little more than normal. These next 10 days are going to be a little hectic so hopefully we work together and get stuff done. But, after that things should calm down and we can focus on getting stuff for you and starting to get your room together.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

5 months down...4 to go

Dear Froggie-

You have now been growing for 5 months and we only have 4 months to go. While it seems like a long time away, I know it will fly by. Guess we need to start looking at stuff for your room soon :)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Family, Teams, and Naming you!

Dear Froggie,

This weekend was a little rough. Your Grandpa has some issues that we as a family are going to have to help with. I know he is very excited to meet you though. All your grandparents love you so much already, they can't wait to meet you in a few months.

On the other hand, like your Dad said, he and I make an awesome team. We may argue sometimes but at the end of the day, there is no one I would rather spend my/our lives with. Right now, we are having fun trying to combine Mommy and Daddy's schedules. Its a little complicated but I am sure we will get used to it. Just know that you will be a very active little girl.

Lastly, we have had your name picked out, I think since before your dad and I got married. Your name is from a series of books by Robert Jordan. Your dad loves them (all 200 of them j/k dad!) and I got through about 4 of them but the one thing I got, was your name. Anaiya. We had no idea what it meant, we just both really liked the name. Then your mom, being a history person, liked the story of Katherine of Aragon before she married King Henry. (no worries, you will get to read about her later!) Her Spanish name was Catarina. With all the cultures you have going on (Mexican, Pakistani, Irish, Italian) we wanted to try to include as many of them as possible.  Luckily, after we found out what you were, we started looking the names up.

Anaiya- which is based in India- means "she who brings sunshine" or "God's gift"
Catarina- which is Italian/Spanish (and based in Greek) means "pure"

We both saw the meanings of your names and realized how perfect they are for you. You are going to bring sunshine to so many.

PS- lots of people have asked if I have felt you yet, and YES!!! You have quite the little personality there. Apparently you dont like the buttons on my pants all of a sudden and have decided to kick them repeatedly. You also like to move around right when Mommy is ready to take a nap. But, the stronger you are and the more you move, your Dad gets to feel you too. And, actually as I am writing this, you are kicking the buttons. Guess they are pushing on you in a weird way. Time to go get bigger clothes.

We love you little one!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Greetings from the other side...

So, hello there, Froggie...

I figured that it was long past time that I weighed in and gave you a few words. Your Mom and I are going to make mistakes. We know that going into this. But, we also know that, regardless of any of our mistakes, we will be there for you. I am a terrible role model and I would hate for you to make some of the mistakes that I have made but, I understand that each of use has to find our own way. I will do my best to give you wisdom, gained through my blood, sweat and tears, comfort, from the many hugs and protection I hope to provide and, more than anything else, smiles and laughter because, a life without smiles - a life without laughter is a life unworthy of your time.

Your mother and I are both stubborn. this is not especially important, I just wanted you to know. We will both want to get our way both with you and each other. Sometimes that will cause friction. You should know now that it will happen from time to time. Mom and I are an amazing team but we are still individuals. We both have our opinions on things and they sometimes clash. It doesn't change our feelings for you or for each other. That is just, sometimes, how we operate.

Mom is really bad about uncovering surprises that are meant for her. That said, it is totally o.k. to be sneaky when it comes to planning fun things for Mom. Otherwise, you should try to be honest.

P.S. - Don't try to grow up too fast. Being a kid is one of the best things this world has to offer and you should try to enjoy the wonder and candor that come with the territory. try to keep your eyes open and marvel at the natural surprises that the world has in store for you if you just take the time to see them. I will do my best to point out a few once you get here.

So...you're a .....

Girl! Your daddy and I are excited to finally know what you are. We told both sets of grandparents by taking them pink flowers, and both of us have pink flowers in our classrooms. Also, apparently you are a little bit of a show-off, moving all over the place during the ultrasound. We have a good picture of your head and your hands but the rest we can't really tell what it is. While we now know what you are and what you will be named, you are still our little froggie.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Please be on your best behavior today!

Dear Froggie,

Today we go to the doctor to find out if you are a girl or a boy. Since you already know what you are, it would be nice for us to know too. Mommy likes everything to be organized and your Daddy wants to start decorating your room!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Your daddy's first week

Dear Froggie,

I guess you decided to put on a show last night when we were helping your dad set up his classroom. Of course that could be because I hadnt fed you since lunch. :) sorry! Mommy forgets to eat sometimes. (I know that isnt a good thing) Anyway, your dad's classroom is pretty cool. Maybe I should get him a little stuffed frog so that he has a little piece of you, since I get to have you with me all the time.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cuddles

There will always be time made for cuddles, its a very important part of the day.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Jumping into a cold pool

There is an idea that if you try to slowly ease into a cold pool, you will never go in but that if you just jump in after the initial shock you will love it. Your dad is jumping into a cold pool this week getting to be in the classroom on his very first day on the job. But you know your dad, he can do anything and will do anything for you and I. So, if you are ever faced with a chance to jump...go for it!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Sometimes...

Dear Froggie,

One day hopefully you will read this and after some days where things might not go your way, you just have to remember that you are doing the best you can and people dont always understand. Believe in yourself and those that love you and know that you can do anything you set your mind to. There is a line in Harry Potter (your dad is going to shake his head at mom) that says "sometimes we must choose between what is right, and what is easy" and lots of times the right thing ISN't the easiest, but its what is best.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Listening to Mommy

So this morning (and I am sure someone will say its just gas) I said good morning to you, like I do every morning, and you moved, it was pretty cool to think you can hear me. Hopefully you will learn lots of history and government (and how to yell at football teams) since the next 5 months will probably be my only one-on-one time to convert you. Maybe between the 2 of us we can convert your dad ;)

Monday, October 1, 2012

Football v. Video Games

Dear Froggie,

Please like football more than video games. Mommy gets outnumbered otherwise. Thank you that is all ;)

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Dear Froggie....the beginning

Dear Froggie,

Your daddy told me a while ago that we should keep some type of journal. Well, I guess this is as good as any. Today is September 30, 2012 and you are now 19 weeks old and apparently the size of a mango. (I don't know where they come up with this stuff). This has been a very eventful week for your daddy and I. On the day you were officially 4 months old, your dad got a job offer. We are very excited even though working together for 5 years is going to make not working together a little strange. But you are bringing us little miracles all the time. I guess I should back up.

We found out about you on a Friday the 13th. July 13th actually. Your Aunt Maria was living with us before moving to Abu Dhabi, and Uncle Maz had just moved in. I didnt want to take a pregnancy test because even though you were giving me all the signs, I didnt want to be disappointed if it wasn't true. After 9 months of tests and doctors appointments and medicines, we didnt think it was possible But, I took the test and there it was "pregnant" I think I didnt know how to react. I was so excited and terrified at the same time.  Your dad is way calmer than me though and has been throughout all of this.  By the 10 week appointment, you were showing off, jumping around, hence the froggie nickname. Your dad is a little scared that you are going to be more like me than him, but I think it will be ok.

Since then we have told people and everyone is very excited, although, the belly rubbing is a little ridiculous. 

Your dad has been coming up with cool ideas for your room so we will start working on those once we know what you are, but either way its going to be awesome. Its neat though to see your dad looking up all this stuff.

Hopefully, one day when you are old enough you will read this and know how much you are loved :)