Baby He or Baby She What Will Baby Fredricks Be?

To our Daughter,

What an amazing week it was; filled with so much excitement and anticipation! Since Christmas morning we’ve been waiting to find out if you were a boy or a girl and that wait is now over. 

A few weeks ago we had the ultrasound to tell us how you were doing in Mama’s belly and Dr. Chang said that you’re a perfect baby and healthy as can be. We were given the sealed results of your gender in an envelope and once we had it in our hands we quickly gave them to “Auntie Em” for safe keeping – knowing she wouldn’t tell a soul.
The plan was to have a party and invite family and friends over to reveal your gender to everyone at the same time – including us! Emily took the results to Build-A-Bear and made a boy bear or a girl bear based on the results. Once we had everyone together, we would open the box and that would tell us what you are!

Not since the days leading up to when we got married had we been bursting with such thrilling energy. For the first time you looked like a human in Mama’s belly as opposed to a squirmy little alien and the thought of you arriving in August was more real to us than ever. Below is a photo of what you looked like when you were only 21 weeks old!

The 48 hours after the ultrasound was very challenging for us as we really wanted to know what you were so it was a good thing we had a party to get ready for to keep our minds off what that envelope held!

In addition to the surprise we were about to get, we had an unexpected one take place the morning of the party. You were clearly just as excited as us for the day to start because we felt you kick for the first time while we were lying in bed. What an unforgettable feeling! 

We got so much help with the party it was incredible and are so thankful to everyone’s generosity to make it such a special day for us. Emily Gill did an amazing job ensuring that no one found out the contents of the box and had it in hand all day ensuring that no one snuck a peek. 

Aunt Sara had been helping for weeks prior to the party making crafts to decorate our home with and they were perfect. Sarah Lang came over Friday afternoon and began cooking the food for the party and even stayed the night so that she could wake up early to ensure everything was fresh and delicious – and it was! We got help from Stefan Tomm and Kevin Lang who were on “poof patrol”; hanging blue and pink poofs around the house and Grandpa Frank was there too helping out where we needed him . Here are some photos of the crafts, food and poofs:

Once all of our family and friends arrived, we Skyped in Grandma Chris, Uncle Jason, Aunt Chanin and their families so they could join in on the celebration. It was absolute chaos! So many people around us bristling with anticipation!

The time had finally come. We were given the box with the boy bear or girl bear. Here’s the look on our faces when we opened it:

And there it was: a beautiful ballerina teddy bear. You are a GIRL!!!!

The final surprise of the day came when we told everyone your name: Audrey Marie Fredricks!

As we reflect on all the events that have taken place since we found out we were having you, there wasn’t much doubt you were going to be a girl. It was destined the moment we woke up Christmas morning and knew that you’d be named after your Great Grandma Audrey who’s Birthday happened to be that same day. Imagine the smile on her and Great Grandpa Bernie’s faces as they looked down on us as we celebrated with our loved ones.

So now, you’re 24 weeks old and growing rapidly; although your kicking has calmed down a bit (which worries your Mother, so if you can somehow muster up the energy to let her know you’re okay once in a while that would help her a lot). We’re getting ready to start painting your bedroom and we’ve begun getting things to put in it. We have our first baby class tomorrow morning and get to take a tour of the birthing center next week. Things are beginning to move fast – in less than 16 weeks you will be in our arms and we can’t wait!
We love you Audrey and pray that you continue growing strong and healthy and are filled with happiness inside Mama’s belly!

Love,
Your Mother and Father

April 4th and SNOW!

Hi Baby Freddy,

Well you woke up to lots of new fallen snow on the ground. You see your Mommy and Daddy picked a state for you to live in with lots and lots and lots of snow. The movie Frozen (someday Mom will make you watch it with her. Please don't mind all her bad singing) is actually called Minnesota! The lakes freeze, the wind blows and the snow falls in inches, sometimes feet.  But soon it will be Spring and Daddy won't have to snow blow the driveway anymore (yet another thing you'll learn about as you get older). Mommy's only complaint is that all her "winter" clothes don't fit and she refuses to buy new winter clothes. If it doesn't get nice out soon you'll be able to see the bottom half of her belly hanging out. Not a good look!

Other things have been going on as well. You are now 19 weeks! They say you're the size of a heirloom tomato. You're 6 inches from head to toe! Can you believe it! Almost an entire foot. You are growing each week. Mommy still can't feel you kick, Daddy said it's a good thing because if you're anything like Mommy you'll be kicking all the time! 

Mommy got pretty sick last Monday (March 24th). She woke up at 1:00 am with some really bad morning sickness. It was very odd because during your first 12 weeks she wasn't really sick at all. Mommy was sick from 1-11 am. So your wonderful, amazing Daddy brought her to the Urgency Room. She had gotten too dehydrated and needed some fluids. Mommy even had the nurses check your heartbeat just to make sure you were doing good. 165! Your little heart sure beats fast. The nurse also said you were kicking and moving around in there quite a bit. But that you were strong and healthy.  Mommy was so happy to hear this she started to cry (take note: your Mommy and Daddy are both criers).  After about 4 hours Mommy was feeling much better and they let her go home.  She did however take the next day off to really recover.

Daddy has been working hard in the bathroom. And it's coming along quite nicely. He asked Mommy to pick out some paint colors. So the painting will take place soon.  

Mommy has been working on your Gender Reveal Party. She has been making pink and blue poofs and a few other things. Auntie Sara has been a big help as well and is really good at crafting. Someday you'll get to craft with her.  

Mommy is still skating lots! She's doesn't want to give it up when she gets bigger but knows that it's for the safety of you! 

Auntie Ali turned 18 last month also! Mommy can't believe she's 18 years old.  She remembers the day she was born.  Your Auntie Ali has a very big heart and loves you dearly.  You will be her first niece or nephew!  She can't wait to meet you! 

Daddy and Mommy love you very much! Only 2 weeks until we find out just what you are! 

Love you Baby Freddy!

Daddy & Mommy

Seventeen Weeks

Hello Baby Freddy,

It's been a few weeks since we've written to you. But not a day goes by that Mommy and Daddy don't think about you.  

Lot's has been going on. 

You went to your very first BIG concert; Arcade Fire. We were only 10 feet away from the front of the stage. This band loves it when their fans dress up. Mommy and Daddy dressed up in costume. Mommy was a pregnant Jackie O. and Daddy was Clark Kent.  You'll have to google Clark & Jackie when you're big.  Here is a picture of us. Clearly your parents are very cool and hip. 

Mommy has been doing lots of skating due to ice show time. Thank goodness her feet haven't gotten any bigger or skating may be difficult!  This is something that your Mommy has done since she was a little girl. And some day she'll teach you how to do it. Just be nice to her and she'll be patient with you.

Daddy has been working very hard on remodeling the main bathroom. He wants it to be all nice and new for you.  Mommy is very proud that she married such a wonderful man that is willing to take on projects in the home.  He even crawled up in the attic, which isn't easy to do at all.  Slowly but surely the bathroom is becoming complete.

You went to the doctor today! You're heart rate was great! Nice and strong and fast!  The doctor said that Mommy will soon be able to feel you moving and a kicking.  She can't wait for that day!  So kick all you want to! All is good though and we have about 3 more weeks before we find out just what you are. A BOY or A GIRL? 

Mommy is still convinced you're a little girl. But who knows!

We love you very much and look forward to your arrival in August!

Lots and Lots of KISSES!

Mommy and Daddy 

From your Father...

14 down, 26 to go until we see your beautiful face. Mom says you’re the size of a lemon - which is incredible because just a few weeks ago you were the size of a pen tip. You're getting bigger and stronger and I love that! Whatever you're doing in Mommy's belly is working - just keep taking care of yourself and doing what you're supposed to. You come from two stubborn parents, so please don't attain that trait just yet. Wait until you see the light of day before you go getting all crazy on us :) Mommy's doing her part and truly doing a magnificent job taking care of you. I'm so proud of her - she's an awesome Mom, and if you knew her the way I do, you'd know that there never was a doubt she was going to be. I know that you're unable to hear yet, but I'm talking to you and telling you I love you all the time. I wonder if Mommy gets tired of me kissing her belly and putting my hands on it for long periods of time - I just want you to know that I'm here and will always be here for you. I'll do whatever I can for you while you’re in Mommy's belly and you can guarantee that's going to happen once you're out. I'm also hoping that you're enjoying the music we're playing for you. Although you can't hear, I have to believe that you can feel vibrations and that's been coming in the form of Explosions in the Sky and Miles Davis. As the weeks go by in Mommy's belly, I'll introduce you to more musicians and artists and can't wait to share more with you when you're in my arms or sitting by my side in the car. On April 19th, we're going to find out if you're a boy or a girl. We're throwing a big party at our home - inviting our friends and family to join in on the surprise. People ask me if I have a preference and I tell them no, I just want you happy, healthy and strong. That's probably a fairly common response, but I truly don't mind if you're a boy or a girl - I will love you regardless and can't wait to wrestle with my boy or braid my girls hair. We've got a few appointments set with potential pediatricians for you in the upcoming weeks and will soon begin looking for furniture to fill your room with. Mom has a very clear picture of what she wants your room to look like and I'll help do what I can to make that vision come to life. Other than that, Mom is officially in her 2nd trimester, so the majority of her pregnancy symptoms have gone away although you are giving her fits of heartburn. Mommy might not like me saying this, but please continue giving her normal pregnancy symptoms - it means you're doing your job :) I'll deal with the consequences of that statement for the next 26 weeks and that's okay - keep at it Baby Freddy! There are so many people excited about your arrival it's unbelievable! One thing you'll quickly learn is that you're surrounded by a huge village that will love you and help raise you. We are blessed to have an awesome support system and are humbled by the amount of love we receive each day because of your addition to our lives. Thank you for being that blessing. We love you!

Ultrasounds, Weddings and 12 Weeks

February 24th, 2014 

Hey Baby Freddy,

Hope your staying nice and warm inside Mommy.  It's been pretty cold out and we've gotten lots of snow this winter. Don't worry you'll have plenty of opportunity to go sledding when your little. 

We've had a few ultrasounds (which are pictures of you inside Mommy's tummy). It's pretty neat to see how much bigger you've gotten. Although in the pictures you're pretty hard to see. 

Here is a  picture from our first ultrasound at almost 6 weeks. You're the circle. See how little you are!  

And this ultrasound is from almost 8 weeks. Still little but getting bigger.  

We can't wait until our 20 week ultrasound. That's when we find out whether your a BOY or GIRL.  Mommy is starting to think your a little girl, but sometimes she thinks you're a boy too.  Either way we can't wait to find out because we will LOVE you to pieces no matter. 


We are now 13 weeks along.  It's hard to believe that the first trimester is over.  Mommy had some tough days but she stayed strong for you and Daddy and fought through them. She's doing much better now.  Later she'll tell you all about her strange cravings she's been having. 

At the end of 12 weeks Mommy and Daddy went to Mexico for Auntie Sara and Uncle Darin's wedding. You were absolutely wonderful during the wedding. Letting Mommy have her fun on the dance floor. And Daddy have a few swigs of tequila. Something you'll learn about when your much much older. 

 You also let Mommy and Daddy go snorkeling and see a 5 foot barracuda! Don't worry everyone was safe. Mommy held her tummy when she snorkeled, for some reason it made her relax more in the water. Daddy did a DIVE off a 20 foot cliff into a beautiful fresh lagoon! You'd be very proud Baby Freddy. Someday he'll teach you how to dive.  Grandma and Grandpa Weber came snorkeling  too. Also Great Auntie Leigh Leigh and Great Uncle Dave. We all had so much fun looking at all the different fish. Be sure to ask Auntie Leigh Leigh about her diving days. 

Here is a picture of all of us in the cave.

Here's a picture that we took in Mexico. We couldn't wait to share our news of YOU with everyone!!  

We love you so much Baby Freddy.  

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

A Bear, A Bird and A Baby!

December 25th, 2013


Hi Baby Freddy!


We are creating this blog to let you know how much we love you and can't wait to meet you!

Here is how we found out we were adding YOU to our family.  

Christmas morning! 

Let me go back to a week prior. One morning Mommy woke up and said to Daddy. Wouldn't it be great if we found out on Christmas we were pregnant? Daddy responded with yeah that would be the best Christmas present ever!

Fast forward to Christmas Eve.

Uncle Tom Darden asked Daddy what he would like for Christmas this year? Daddy responded with a BABY and a tool belt. 

Now.

Christmas Morning. It was early, 5:00 am not a creature was stirring. Well Mommy was because she needed to go potty. You see she had been waking up at about 5:00 am each morning to go potty. This morning was different. It was Christmas! So she decided to take a test. Just to see if their gift of a baby could actually come true.

Positive.  Clear as day positive. 

Mommy was so excited she wanted to wake up Daddy right away. But she knew she couldn't because Daddy was so tired from the Christmas Eve party we had the night before. 

Mommy went into the bedroom and gathered up a special gift for Daddy. She wrapped it up nicely and put it with the other gifts. Then she couldn't wait anymore. She had to wake him up! She snuck into the bedroom, it was about 5:45 am. She woke Daddy up who wasn't too eager to wake up.  But got out of bed for coffee.  

Your gift was the first gift opened on Christmas morning. You were the only thing on Mommy's mind she couldn't wait to tell Daddy about you! 

He opened the card which read:

You've been an Amazing Friend
You've been an Amazing Boyfriend
You've been an Amazing Husband
You've been an Amazing Soul Mate
Are you Ready to be an Amazing Dad?

He was so surprised! He opened up your gift and inside he found a stocking cap that looks like a football, a 49'er mini football and a Patrick Willis little jersey.  

We then went back to bed due to excitement and exhaustion! 

Christmas was a very special day for us. In fact, because of you it was our favorite day of the year. Below is a photo of Mommy and Daddy skating on Christmas Day a tradition that we can't wait to have you join. 

We love you to pieces Baby Freddy! 

Love,
Mommy & Daddy