Happy Due Date, Erin!

May 25.

The date that is plastered all over my obstetrical charts and all of Erin’s ultrasound pictures.

The date I used for my pregnancy tickers.  The date Erin’s full-term pregnancy would have been complete.

Instead, today is just another sunny Tuesday, and rather than waiting for labor pains to begin, I instead get to enjoy day 22 of my daughter’s life.

Dear Erin,

You have already experienced church, a three-state road trip, lunch dates with both Nonna and Gramma, a parade, a picnic, and the city park.

You’ve already grown an inch and gained a quarter-pound.  You aren’t quite ready to turn in the preemie clothes for newborn ones, but you have moved from preemie diapers to newborn swaddlers.  Yea, you!

You are eating about 3 oz. of milk, though you haven’t really established any type of two- or three-hour schedule.  You pretty much sleep, wake up, get your diaper changed, and then demand food immediately.  Bossy little thing you are, when it comes to your bottles. ;)  But we aim to please.

Your toes…..oh, how I love your toes.

You are going to be a dream pedicuree.  Your little piggles automatically separate for the foamy toe-separators. ;)  I can’t wait until your nails are big enough to polish.  How fun will it be to girlify your feet!

You are a tummy sleeper, just like your brother.  I know it’s not what the pediatrician recommends, but….well, your head control is already something to be reckoned with, so I think we’re okay.  Maybe you’re so used to sleeping on your tummy because you aren’t too often NOT being cuddled to somebody’s chest:

You haven’t had a tub bath yet; your umbilical cord fell off right on schedule, but you have an “innie” (Seth has an “outie”) and it’s taking its sweet ol’ time to completely heal.  So, you’re milking sponge baths for all they are worth.  For the record, I don’t blame you; Gramma is wonderful at lotion massages.

   
Speaking of milking….

Just so you know, if anything happens to mommy’s milk supply, Seth is ready to come to the rescue with all your breast pumping needs:

Too bad he can’t lactate.  His technique is flawless. ;)

Erin, you already have shown that you are a completely different baby than Seth.  Not that I expected you to be just like him….I just didn’t know how you would differ.  I can’t wait to watch as your personality emerges even more and more.

I can hardly remember what life was like before you completed our little family.  I hope I never have to.

Happy due date, baby girl.  Mommy loves you.