Dear Aunt Laura,

Thank you for the monkey bib!

I liked it so much I asked my mommy if I could wear it right away. She said it was too big, but I wore it anyway. As soon as I get bigger, I'm going to wear it all the time.


I can't wait to meet you.

Love,

Jack

Yesterday, Jack's umbilical cord fell off and he debuted his very own belly button. Which meant.......he could finally take his first bath!

For 75% of the bath, he loved it. He cooed adorably and seemed to enjoy the sensations.



But as you can see, the last 25% of the bath, he screamed bloody murder.


Oh well, I think he'll eventually like it.

Dear Jemar

With the extra pregnancy pounds, let's just say I love you a whole lot extra these days.........

Congratulations!

Did you know you can get a congratulatory note from the President when you have a baby? For free?? I think it's pretty awesome, particularly considering that it will be President and Mrs. Obama signing Jack's note!

I faxed the request in today. I'll post pictures when it comes next month!

Jonathan Leonard Tisby

Jemar and I are SO excited to welcome Jack into our family. On July 28th, I was exactly 39 weeks pregnant, and he came to us at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches.

His first name, Jonathan, means "gift of God". In the past 12 months, we have been reminded of the fragility of life, something we hope we never take for granted. Jack is truly a gift, and one that we cherish.

His middle name, Leonard is a family name on both sides. We want Jack to be surround by strong men to emulate. He shares a name with his father, paternal great-grandfather, maternal grandfather, and maternal great-grandfather. How could he help but be a strong little man with a legacy like that?!?

As for the Jack, our son is truly a southern boy. And every southern boy needs a nickname. Our southern boy goes by Jack, Cutie, Pumpkin Baby and Jack Jack.

7 Reasons I'll Miss Being Pregnant

As Monkey's eviction notice goes into effect tomorrow, I am swiftly realizing that today is my last day of being pregnant. While I'm looking forward to meeting him (let's be real, I would bet money I'm getting my boy!), I'm also kind of sad about losing the identity I've had for the last 39 weeks. It's such a special time, and it's hard to believe it's almost over.

In the last month or so, at least one person a day asks me how I'm feeling and assumes I'm sick of being pregnant. Here's the truth: It actually doesn't bother me that much. 9 out of 10 days, I feel like I could be pregnant for another few months. As for that 10th day, the discomfort level is so low it doesn't really bother me either.

I've been doing some thinking over the weekend, and I think I've determined the biggest reasons I'll miss being pregnant:


7. Sleep

All of my pregnant friends and moms are a little angry with me over this one. While pregnant, I sleep like the dead. It doesn't matter how big I've gotten, I still sleep like a rock, with limited bathroom breaks and no bouts of insomnia. I actually look forward to going to bed each night, knowing I'm going to have a great night's sleep.


6. FOOD

If I eat a ridiculous amount now, I have a clear excuse. BIG belly = BIG food. When you're already gaining a zillion pounds, having cake for breakfast really doesn't seem that big a deal. Once this kids pops out however, it's back to eating like a responsible adult. (As I can't eat after midnight tonight, I have one last day to gorge. I intend to take advantage of it.)


5. You can bring total strangers to tears

Despite the roller coaster of emotions that pregnancy brings, there's a mood boost you get that's like no other. Little compares to the excitement and anticipation of what's to come. And it's not just your mood that gets a list. The bigger you get, the more you notice other people's response. They look at you in the most endearing way -- and yes, they occasionally gush and break into tears. When we were in Mexico, a woman walked by looking at my huge belly, and a big smile spread across her face. I couldn't help but smile back.

4. You get VIP treatment.

When people see your growing belly, they often roll out the red carpet. I've been offered seats on a bus, people have volunteered to pump my gas, and everyone is suddenly willing to fetch me drinks or carry my bags. Other VIP perks include doors being held open, prime parking spots and the first spot in the food line. (Stereotypical perhaps, but hey, I'm not turning it down!)

3. Child Care is SO much easier!

Right now it's easy to feed, bathe, sooth, and rock Monkey to sleep. It will be much more difficult once s/he's out of my uterus.

2. Jemar-care

I currently get foot rubs, back rubs and pretty much whatever I want whenever I ask for it. PLUS, anytime he goes to a store, he comes back with candy. In the last four days he's brought me sour skittles, BIG nerds, sour patch straws and IBC root beer. In fact, I'm blaming at least 10 pounds on Jemar-care.

However, I'm pretty sure he'll drop me like a bad habit once Monkey is here.


1. Baby Connection

There is nothing more special then feeling Monkey move. It's a special connection that's primarily just between us. While it is often uncomfortable (and makes my stomach move into crazy contortions), it's also the sweetest sensation. I'll miss being able to rub my belly and feel comforted knowing he/she is safe.

Coming Soon!

Well friends, big news on the baby front. Since Monkey is breech, it's really dangerous if I were to go into labor now. As a result, we've scheduled a c-section for Wednesday the 28th. It's quite disappointing as it is the exact opposite of the childbirth experience we were hoping for, but it's also exciting to know that we get to meet Monkey in just 4 days.

It's a little like knowing the day of your execution (take the uber-negative connotation away and work with me here). We know this is our last Saturday alone. We know that after tomorrow, the next time we go to church we'll have a baby with us. We know that these are our last days and minutes as a duo. So, we are doing everything we can to cherish the moments.

4 days and counting........