Dear Baby,

I have to admit, being pregnant has introduced me to a whole new world of blogs. Baby Blogs. I love to read my regular blogs (the usual design blogs, Cup of Jo and stalking many others). In many ways it is a relief from reading graduate level texts, students' mediocre Italian, and focusing on all the other stress that comes with life. Adding baby blogs to the list only gives me more excuses to escape other responsibilities I should be doing. I happened upon Dear Baby, which I have thoroughly enjoyed as it is created by quite possibly the cutest pregnant lady ever (which also makes me kind of want to hate her, but alas, she is too darling). Not only has she given me more fashion inspiration than hours of searching various clothing websites, but I love the whole premise of the blog. She writes letters to her baby. It is such a sweet and clever idea. Sweet and Clever enough that I am going to steal it.  So... Here goes:

I swear pictures do not capture what I really look like. I feel about 3 times this huge. This is the best I could capture for today.

(16 weeks)
Dear baby,
These past few weeks have been exciting.  I have been reading as much as I can to prepare myself for you. I read that you are now calmed by my voice. I told your Dad this. He automatically got jealous and has been yelling at my belly ever since (Think Phil Dunphy) "Baby! Baby!  It is your Daddy! I am your favorite parent!" In this second trimester, I am starting to feel more energized. Running is getting harder. You bounce around on my bladder and it makes it hard to run for very long until I can't take it any longer. I keep getting leg cramps and Charlie Horses in the middle of the night. I woke up this morning, and tried to do some yoga, because I thought that might be a nice change for my legs. Turns out any muscles, balance, and control I once may have had is completely gone. I feel like I am going back into my pubescent phase of life where I was constantly twisting my ankles. I have had completely tripped once, and twisted both my ankles at least twice, to the point of swelling, during 4 months of pregnancy. I cannot even imagine when I have a large belly to throw me off balance.
Speaking of large bellies, I am growing.  This week I feel like I am starting to legitimately look pregnant. One of my students was gone for a few days, and when she came back to school she said " WHOA! Look at your belly!" You are definitely starting to get noticed. I am anxious to know if I can call you a girl or a boy. Dad keeps calling you she. I keep calling you he. 4 more weeks until we find out. The doctor tells me you are active. I have not felt you move yet, but she thought that was surprising, considering you are constantly doing monkey flips in my belly. I am sure you will give me a run for my money.
I love you already and have honestly enjoyed being pregnant. I hope all of my pregnancies are this good. Until next week.
Love,
Mamma Tua!