Day 279...

My Little Audrey,

As I sit at the kitchen table eating breakfast with the warm sun beating down, watching the hummingbirds fly by, I realize there is silence in our home. A silence that in time will be broken with cries, laughter and little words.

I am having a hard time lately. All I want to do is meet you, hold you in my arms, kiss your forehead good night and feed you. To soothe your cries and read you hundreds of books. You truly are running out of room inside of me and I feel you would be much more comfortable in my and Daddy's arms. 

This time with you in my belly has been the most amazing time. You and I have done so much together already and it's only just begun. More adventures are in the coming days, months and years of your life. 

You were truly an amazing little daughter to carry. I only got sick one time, I gained the correct amount of weight, my feet didn't get huge and I didn't retain much water. The only issue I am having at 279 days is my right hand seems to be going numb. The doctors said this is normal because you are laying on some nerve on my left side. You see little girl you love the left side of me. It's your favorite place to be. Sometimes you wedge your entire body on the left side and then panic because you get stuck. I just roll over and try to help you move your little bum back to the middle. 

Your Grandma Gerri thinks that you'll show up on your due date August 28th, 2014. She believes this because your Great Grandma Audrey was always on time. If you don't show up tomorrow it's ok. You'll learn to be on time as you grow older. 

You see Miss Audrey Marie you are named after two very important women.  

Your Great Grandma Audrey was the matriarch of her family. She had 5 wonderful children and raised them to be wonderful adults. You will see this as you grow up in this family. We all love and care for everyone. We treat all as equal and do our best in each community that we live in. She was a wonderful wife to Great Grandpa Bernie, loved him and cared for him. She was an amazing Grandma to all of us Grandchildren. She taught us to play games and sing songs. We all loved our days with Grandma & Grandpa they made each one of us seem so special to them and we always felt their love.

Your Great Great Grandma Marie was born in Austria and came to the U.S. on a ship with her parents, eventually settling down in the small town of South St. Paul. That's right, you live in South St. Paul. She raised 4 beautiful children in this town. All graduated from South St. Paul High School. Your Great Great Grandma was an amazing baker. She made the best streusal and donuts. She was 96 years old when she passed away. One of her best qualities that I can remember as a little girl was how sweet and kind she was. 

As each hummingbird flies to the window to feed I see a piece of Great Great Grandma Marie and Great Grandma Audrey. For these little birds remind me of each of them. So peaceful and calm. Able to fly in each direction so quickly bringing a smile to many faces. You will soon love the hummingbirds in our yard.

I do realize Audrey that I need to calm down, relax and take these last days of silence with just that. Silence. I know you'll be coming soon.

I love you so much! 

Thank you for being the most wonderful Daughter.

Love,

Mommy

Week 38....

Our Little Audrey,

This may have been the longest week of pregnancy that your Mommy has experienced. The days are slowly passing and we still have 2 more days until 39 weeks. As a figure skater and dancer her feet have never hurt so bad and she's been having stronger contractions for a week now so hopefully you'll be making your big appearance soon!

She just can't wait to have you in her arms rather than carrying you around in her belly. You are starting to get heavy and are still kicking her on that lower left side. She's pretty sure it's a knee or an elbow and you're little butt is up next to her belly button.

She wouldn't change anything about this pregnancy no matter how long it has been. It's an honor to be your Mother; to have cared for you over these last 38 weeks and knowing that soon you'll be here in our arms. You have been very good to your Mommy throughout this pregnancy. She only got sick once, was able to travel, teach skating and come out of this pregnancy with no stretch marks. She thanks you!

On Saturday your Daddy had the boys over for a Fantasy Football Draft Party. You'll learn lots about this when you're a little older. He was a little concerned that you'd arrive on this day so he had a firm talk to you about waiting to arrive so that he could enjoy this day with his friends. He was only kidding, as he wouldn't care when you arrived no matter the day or time.

You might even help him make important decisions with his team. Mommy was shocked to hear that he re-drafted Arian Foster after trading him last season due to him being an older, oft injured running back. Clearly your Mommy wasn't around to help him make this decision. He did however draft Colin Kaepernik. You will have a difficult decision to make when you're older as you'll be a Vikings fan like Mommy or a Niners fan like Daddy, or maybe a fan of a totally different team like...the...ugh...Packers :(. Daddy said if you're a Vikings fan you'll learn what true heartbreak is at a very young age. Mommy somewhat agrees with him.

Monday, Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 2nd Anniversary together. We did a mini celebration on Sunday and then dinner on Monday. On Sunday, Daddy took Mommy to the Basilica in Minneapolis. This is where he proposed to her. It was a very sweet of him to bring "us" back to where it all began. Your Daddy is an amazing man and we are both very lucky to have him in our lives. Don't ever settle for anyone that doesn't treat you like your Daddy.

Mommy had a pretty cool gift made for Daddy for our anniversary. Here's a pic of it.

As each day passes and we get closer to 40 weeks we cannot wait to meet you. If this is our last blog before you arrive, know that it was been a blast writing to you these last 39 weeks and that we'll continue doing so as you grow.

We love you so much!!!

Mommy & Daddy

Soon to be the End of an AMAZING ride!

Hello our adorable Little Audrey,

Mommy is now almost 37 weeks along. Mommy is getting bigger and bigger. Last week you "dropped". Don't worry this just means Mommy can breath and eat again. You are now just sitting lower in her belly. You are still kicking and pushing more than ever. Still on that lower left side which seems to be your favorite spot.

Daddy is doing great! He's been busy working a lot lately but wishes he could be home with Mommy for these last few weeks. When he is home he works on your room. He's gotten all the pieces together and we now just need to bring your clothes into the room. Which you have a ton of! More than Mommy and Daddy combined. 

Over the last couple of weeks things have been pretty low key. Mommy has decided to stop skating on the ice. Not because she didn't feel safe but because it's the right thing to do. She made it to 35 weeks which is pretty amazing, and you still love going to the rink each day. Even if it's to stand next to the boards. Last Tuesday was Mommies last day of watching the Karl girls. This was very difficult for Mommy as for the past year she has grown very close to them. She plans on staying close with them though so that you will have great role models growing up. 

Daddy and Mommy went to a soccer game last Tuesday with TJ, Sandy and Stefan. It was at TCF Bank. That's where the Gopher Football team plays. It was lots and lots of fun. Especially listening to Daddy yell and scream for Olympiacos. 

Sunday was Grandma and Grandpa's 35th Wedding Anniversary. We celebrated with them, Auntie Sara and Uncle Darin at The Smack Shack. We had such a wonderful lunch laughing, talking and enjoying each others company.  Mommy ate not one, but TWO lobster rolls. You clearly were very hungry that morning. We all had a "neat" time. Ask Grandpa about that one. 

Monday we went to Foster the People. You are quite the concert goer little girl. It was very loud and Mommy thought it might hurt your ears. So she moved to the back. But you loved it! You were kicking and pushing the entire time. We clearly have a dancer! Or a ROCKSTAR!

You also attended your first National Night Out. The neighbors are thrilled to meet you once you make your grand appearance. 

The weeks are counting down and days are flying by. We know you'll be with us very soon.

We love you so much and can't wait until you're in our arms. 

Love,

Mommy & Daddy