35 weeks pregnant

not long now little one

Hi baby. You are 34 weeks now. It’s hard to believe we’ve already come this far. Every day I love you more; every day I want to meet you more. Though you technically have 6 weeks to go, the reality that you could come any day gets more and more real all the time.

My feet and ankles and lower legs look like an elephant mommy now. Lots of swelling for this mom-to-be! I guess I can thank you for that…. as well as all of my night-time trips to the bathroom. But you know what? You are so worth it…. and so much more.

This week when we went to see Janine (our midwife) she told us that you’re head is now faced down. That’s good! You stay put there little one! We want to have as normal a delivery as possible. No C-sections for this momma if we can help it.

Daddy and I have just finished moving into our new place. It’s so nice – you’re going to love it. We have a nice, big, open house upstairs, and Auntie Emma, Katie, JP, and Renee live in the downstairs unit. Last night we had a Christmas party and many of our friends came over. It was so much fun to open our home to them. I know you will love them all. We are so blessed to live and work in YWAM and have such a great community of people surrounding us. They are all so excited to meet you.

Baby Hoover is doing well too. We are so grateful that you will have some little friends your age to grow and play with. Jared and Rebekah – baby H’s parents – are such a sweet couple and you will love them very much. Two weekends ago we went to birthing class at the hospital with Jared and Rebekah. It’s so fun to be learning with them and be first time parents together. I can’t tell you how thankful we are that God’s given us people to enjoy this journey with.

Christmas is less than a week away now. You are the best Christmas gift that Daddy and I could ask for. (Although we don’t want you to surprise us okay? You just stay put for a few more weeks!) God has been so good to us this year – giving us you, this home, our health, and new ministry to focus on in the year to come. We are just so grateful.

We will do our best as parents to always show you love and always try and show you Jesus in life around us. He is so good to us; he is the one that gives us life and all that it holds which is good.

We love you very much and can’t wait to meet you soon.

You have my heart,
love momma x

you've got me smitten

You are the cutest thing I have ever laid eyes on. Today you are 30 weeks old and I got to have another ultrasound and see you this morning. It was magical! Though I've seen you twice before of course, this time was different. This time I got to see your little face and all of your little features. You have the cutest cheeks I've ever seen and big lips, huge eyes, and a tiny little nose. From the profile view I could see bits of your dad and bits of me... and yet it's just entirely you! It was simply amazing.

I wish daddy hadn't had to miss out. (He's still in New Zealand.) He would have loved to see you too. Since he was away I took Auntie Emma with me. You brought tears to her eyes too - that's how precious and wonderful you are. It was so special to see you the way we got to today. I just wanted so badly to reach in somehow and touch you. More than ever I want to hold you in my arms now. I'm falling so deeply in love with you and I just thank God for you.

You're such a gift to us little man! And you really are the most gorgeous of little boys.

Smitten over you,
mom x

29 weeks pregnant

in the final stretch now

You are 28 weeks, and I am into my seventh month (third trimester)! Wow, time has gone so quickly. You're a big boy now - nearly as long as you will be when you're born. (But you certainly have some fattening up to do in between now and then; you're just a skinny little guy now.)

Daddy is in New Zealand and I've been by myself with you these last two-and-a-half weeks. You've been keeping me good company - definitely making yourself known! Some nights you are so active that I have a hard time falling asleep. You're getting so strong that I now know what women are talking about when they say it feels like they have an alien inside of them! It's such a strange sensation to not only feel you kick, but to also just feel you move. Sometimes it's like a giant "whoosh" and other times it feels like you're pushing on me or sitting on some part of me (like my bladder, thank you very much!:). In any case, I'm sure glad you're alive and active.

I leave in a couple of days to go and join Daddy and his outreach team in NZ. That will be so much fun. Still in the womb and already on your second overseas trip. You're a lucky little guy!

When I get back I have an ultra sound scheduled for the next morning at the hospital. I'm really looking forward to that. They'll check your brain to make sure the little cyst has disappeared, and I'll also jsut get to have another look at you. I can't wait! Emma is going to come with me and she's so excited to get to see you too. You will love Auntie Em. She's crazy, but so loveable. No doubt you'll love each other.

I read last week that you are now starting to have dreams of your own when you sleep. Wow, that is so precious! I wonder what you dream about and what God is beginning to form in that little mind of yours. You are growing to be an intelligent and creative and imaginative boy, and we're so proud of you.

Well little monkey, momma loves you. I need to get back to my work now. Can't wait to see you (on screen) again soon. Keep growing strong and healthy in there.

with all my heart,
mom x

my little indiana

Sweet baby, nearly 26 weeks old. I love you so much. You’ve been so active lately – sometimes I wonder if you ever sleep in there… but then again, I know you do. I suppose I just don’t notice you when you’re sleeping, just when you’re doing gymnastics or kickboxing in there.

The other morning I was sure you were playing Indiana Jones the explorer in there the way you were moving around! When you’re really moving I can now see you from the outside as parts of my belly move up and down with your thumps. It’s really, really cute and makes me so excited for you to be on the outside where we can interact together more.

Daddy is away in New Zealand right now on outreach. He misses us very much, and I miss him too. Soon you and I will join him. I’m not especially looking forward to leaving home at the moment (I’m loving home more and more these days), but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing daddy! He’s going to be amazed at how much you grow in the meantime.

We’re feeling more and more at peace and excited about your name these days. I can’t wait until we’ve made that final decision so we can start calling you by name. Actually, daddy already does sometimes – he’s cheeky like that.

I love you baby. I hope if you grow up knowing one thing it’s that you’re loved so much. Thank you for bringing us such joy.

Love you forever,
momma x

24 weeks pregnant

so in love with you

Oh sweet baby, I am so in love with you! You are such a delight already and every day I thank God that you're in my life.

You've been kicking and moving so much lately - a constant reminder that you're with me and that you're growing healthy and strong. In two days time you will be 23 weeks, or six months! It's hard to believe that I've already been your mommy for six months.

My belly is growing noticably each week and that makes me happy since I know you're growing with me. All of our friends are so happy to see my belly "pop" out and they can't wait to meet you.

At lunch time today daddy and I were laying on the bed... He talked and sang to you and you kicked (or punched) his face. :) We love it when you do that. You two are going to get along so well.

You are the luckiest kid to have such a great dad. I hope you will grow to appreciate him and love him and honor him as he deserves. No doubt he will love you and give his life for you.

Keep growing my dear little boy. Love you so much.

mom x

20.5 weeks pregnant

my little boy the blessing

Hello my sweet little boy. Little boy! We got to find out last week (September 3rd) that you are a boy… at least that’s what the ultrasound technician told us. :) We didn’t really get to see, but she’s the expert so we’re taking her word for it. It’s so nice to now be able to say “he” this and “him” that. Calling you “it” just never felt right… but calling you “the baby” was kind of strange too. It’s nice to now be able to refer to you as a boy. :)

Daddy and I have been thinking about names more and more… now that we know you’re a boy we can narrow it down. It’s so fun to think of what kind of name might suit you – your personality and who God’s designed you to be. It’s also wonderful to know we have a son to carry on the Booker name. Nan and Pop will be so glad for that.

And, in other exciting news… I can feel you moving inside of me now! The first time I felt you was actually a couple of weeks ago now. It was the Friday night when we returned home from camping – the 28th of August. I just felt this little flutter across the bottom of my belly near the surface… and it was you! How thrilled I was.

Since then I’ve been able to feel you more and more to the point where sometimes I just feel you moving around in there, and other times it’s clear you are kicking or elbowing or punching me. J I love it! The best part of it was this last weekend.

I felt you very strongly on Saturday night and wondered if you could be felt from the outside yet. Daddy was already sleeping but I prayed that the next day – which just happened to be Fathers Day – Daddy would be able to feel you too. And guess what? God answered my prayers!

Sunday morning we were laying in bed and I started feeling you wiggle and kick. I putt Daddy’s hand on my tummy and—sure enough—he got to feel you kick four very big kicks! It was so much fun… and what an amazing first Fathers Day gift for your dad. Awww… you are already such a considerate boy. :)

We love you so much. I think about you every day so often throughout the day. You are constantly on my mind, in my prayers, and in my heart. Like I said we love you so very much. I love you so very much.

We’re proud of you and can’t wait to hold you in our arms soon.

All our love,
mommy & daddy x

p.s. you are five months old now and the size of a melon - such a big, growing boy! :)

16 week pregnant

your heartbeat is music to our ears

Bubsy! You are growing so fast. You are 16 weeks old today. I’m told that you can start to hear now. You can hear me speaking and singing, which is amazing to think about, but you can’t hear daddy yet. (He’s practicing his jokes on you anyway. :) )

Yesterday we had our first appointment at the Birthing Centre with Janine, my midwife. She was lovely and it was easy to see how passionate she is about babies and their moms. We are happy to be learning more about being pregnant, growing you, and eventually birthing you and raising you! She has lots to teach us about all sorts of things related to my pregnancy, your delivery, and your care. It’s so exciting and daddy and I were very impressed with the level of care being offered through the Birthing Centre.

Also, during our appointment yesterday daddy got to hear your heartbeat for the first time. It was magical. He was completely spun out by it... you should have seen the grin on his face! I got to hear you for the first time last week when we went to see Dr. Kerry. It was so strong and so fast (healthy!). I couldn't believe it was really you and when it sunk in I couldn't help but cry. But then seeing daddy hear you yesterday was equally wonderful - the joy on his face was priceless. It really is incredible to think you are so tiny and yet so alive. We're amazed by you sweetie.

Well little one, you keep growing healthy and well. We are so proud of you already, and growing in love with you more every day.

kisses from momma x

our little fighter

Hello precious one. You are just over 14 weeks old now. They tell me that you're the size of my clenched fist. It's so crazy to think that last time I wrote you (only a few weeks ago) you were the size of an olive! You've grown so much and so fast. We're very proud of you.

I'm enjoying being your mommy already and it's fun to start to see a little belly growing on me now. I can still fit in my clothes, but I can tell things are getting tighter. I'm looking forward to being 'obviously' pregnant as you grow bigger and bigger.

A couple weeks ago I was out sick for a week with the swine flu. They are saying it's a global pandemic at the moment - many people are getting sick with the virus. It was a pretty yucky week, but my main concern was that you would not be harmed by it. Dr. Kerry says that you should be just fine so we're believing that and trusting God for no adverse effects on you. No doubt God is making you strong and to be a fighter... in all the right ways. :)

Daddy and I are talking about names and beginning to get things together for your arrival. We still have lots to prepare for, but we also still have lots of time. It's fun to think about how to fix up your room and make it "just right" for you to live in. :) I'm sure the next six months will fly so fast - the first three certainly have! It will be so amazing to hold you in our arms when it's time.

I talked to GiGi and Poppa McIntosh today; they are going to come all the way from America so that they can be here when you are born! It will be so much fun. Nan and Pop Booker will also come to see you. Everyone is so excited.

We love you very much little bubby, but we're not in a hurry for you to come out yet. You still have lots and lots of growing to do! Know that you are loved and prayed for often by many.

love mom
xoxo

12 weeks pregnant

my little olive

Hello my little olive. You are almost 9 weeks... which, they say, is the size of a green olive. It's so funny right now to measure your growth in all these different types of fruit - but it's also quite cute.

We had our first ultra sound on Friday. It was so amazing to see you in there! We know you're a miracle, but this just made you seem all the more miraculous! We could see your little tiny heart beat blinking on the screen... such a beautiful sight. The technician said your heart beat was 162, which is strong and healthy. I can't wait until you get big enough that I can actually hear it too! :)

And, they changed your due date. You are now due to come January 29 (rather than the 26th) plus or minus 5 days. So, you still could be an Australia Day baby! In any case, we don't mind what day you come as long as you come healthy.

I'm still feeling really good, aside from being more tired much of the time. I've read that my body is working so hard inside to make your placenta that it's as if I'm running a marathon! That's pretty crazy considering I would never even think to attempt running a marathon!!! But for you, on the other hand, it's my absolute pleasure.

Well sweet one, you keep growing and developing and being yourself in there. Father God has you in his hand and under his protection. He has such a brilliant plan for your life. Already, just you being alive brings such great joy to him and to so many others. We love you little olive.

love, momma x

eight weeks already

You are 8 weeks old now. Wow, how time goes fast! News about you has now spread all over the world. We've had so much fun getting emails and phone calls and text messages from friends congratulating us and telling us how excited they are for you to come! You are so loved already.

Daddy and I have started looking at names. It's so fun to think about names and wonder what kind of a personality you will have. We want to find a name that will suit you, but also be a declaration over your life. Part of our process in finding it will be its meaning and what we believe God is saying about you. As parents, we count it as a huge priviledge to be able to bless you with a name.

Last week we announced your presence to the base, along with the Jared and Rebekah Hoover. It's so much fun to think their baby is due the day after you. I'm sure you'll be great play mates. The whole base went wild with excitement to hear both announcements at once. Someday we'll get to show you the little video clip.

On Friday we get to go to the doctors to get my first scan. We will be able to tell if you are one or two and they will also confirm your due date. We're so looking forward to seeing your picture!!!

I also talked to GiGi and Poppa today for a brief moment. They are so excited to come to Australia and meet you next year. They're already planning their trip all the overseas, just to see you and be able to give you kisses in person!

I'm doing really well. So far this pregnancy has been really easy. I've not been sick like many women are, and I'm so grateful! Every day I count my blessings and think how lucky I am to be your mommy. I really am so proud of you already.

Well sweetie, I just want you to know right from the beginning what a wonderful father you have. Your daddy loves you so much, and he loves me so much. He is such a gentle, wise, humble, strong, and kind man. We couldn't be more blessed to have him caring for us and loving us the way he does. I can't wait for you to meet him in seven months time.

I love you little one. My precious little rasberry bubby.

love you forever,
mommy x

baby booker and baby hoover announcement

We got to announce that you're coming to our YWAM friends along with our friends Jared and Rebekah. Our due dates are one day apart! It's so fun that you'll have a little friend around who is exactly your age!

blueberry baby

They say that this week you're the size of a blueberry. It's really crazy to think that someone so small could already be so loveable.

Daddy and I went to the doctor this week. You will love Dr. Kerry. She is so lovely. She gave us some good advice and told us that we get to come back in two and a half weeks to get a scan. That will confirm your due date and also let us know if you are one or two! We're so excited for that.

We've been telling more and more people about this these last few days. It's so fun! on Wednesday we're going to announce you to the base and also to the world! We're so excited for that.

For now, your job is just to be yourself. Grow strong and healthy, and know that you're very, very loved.

kisses from mommy x

you're six weeks old

Hi sweetie. We think you're six weeks old today. We get to go to see Dr. Patane in two days. It will be fun to tell her I'm pregnant and begin the visits to her.

We've now told Grandma and Grandpa Booker about you, and also Uncle Andy, Uncle Ben and Auntie Koronae, Emma, Chad and Nicole and a few others. It's really fun to begin to tell our wonderful news to the people we love most. We can't wait for the whole world to know you're on your way!!!

I can't tell you're in my tummy yet--not as far as a "bump" at least--but I think I have a few other "signs" that you're in there! :)

Daddy talks to you every night before we go to sleep and we pray for you every day together. I pray for you and think of you often and it's always with love, joy, thanksgiving, and anticipation. You've made us so happy!

We continue to pray for you to be blessed in every way: physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally. We love you so much and absolutely welcome you into our lives!

love momma x

the miracle has begun!

Your dad and I are both sitting in class right now - our Leadership Development Course in Spain - and neither of us can focus... because we've just found out this morning that you are alive and growing in my belly!

We've both dreamed of this day for so many years... it's hard to believe that it's here. I think we're both still in shock, but also completely giddy and absolutely over the moon. You are such a gift and we thank God that he trusts us to be your parents.

We just got off the phone with my parents - GiGi and Poppa? - and they are so excited that you are here. We also tried to call daddy's parents - Nan & Pop? - but they weren't home. They will be so pleased to hear you're here. We can't wait to announce to the world that you are alive, but for now we will just tell our closest family and a few people to pray over your earliest development.

Our prayer for you now is that you will grow to be strong and healthy, full of life and the goodness of the Lord. We Ask for God's covering and protection for your life. Now you are smaller than a pin point, but soon you will be in our arms. We can't wait to hold you and kiss you and laugh with you.

We are so blessed and don't even know how to express the joy you give us. Bless you little baby. Welcome to our world.

Love momma & daddy x