AliceLayne

And three weeks later, you are already wearing my arms out with all of your growing.
First things first. “Up all night” is an understatement. WIth you, it’s “up all day.”

You are just like me. You don’t want to miss a thing. So going to sleep is not an option for you. Your Daddy and I have definitely accepted this life change with so much love in our hearts for you. But man, were we in for a surprise when we brought you home. The first night, you cried so much in the middle of the night, we ended up grabbing that pacifier we received for free in the mail that we so much did not want to introduce to you, and shoved it right in your mouth. You took to it well and we were able to get a bit of sleep. I don’t regret it.
I have you strictly breastfeeding as of right now and let me tell you, it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have the sole responsibility of feeding you and making sure you are getting what you need. It is by far the coolest, yet the most stressful thing I’ve ever done. Your last doctor’s appointment was great and you passed with flying colors being in the 90th percentile for your age which makes me a proud Mommy.

They aren’t kidding when they say when you become a parent the amount of love that pours into your heart for the child you just gave birth to is amazingly strong and something I have never felt before. The minute I laid eyes on you as you came out of my belly, I cried alongside your Dad with tears of happiness. I am a Mother now. I have some major business to take care of now. This is all real. And even though I am still in the stages of being completely overwhelmed by everything, I am ready for it all and I couldn’t ask for anything more. You, my dear, are a huge handful and what Birdie would call a “fuss-budget,”  but I love you with all of my heart and will come back with a “bring it on” attitude. (Maybe with a few tears as well.)

Your great Grandmother Mary Alice is so proud that her first great Granddaughter is named after her. She is no longer with us anymore, so when I say “she is proud” it is because I know for a fact that she is up there looking down on our little family and is so very proud. I pray to her and God on a regular basis to give me the strength and patience in this brand new job I have taken on.

My girlfriend is here. My friend who I have been writing notes to for nine months. My daughter who I have been waiting to hold and take care of for nine months. My life which has now been completed.

Here is to the beginning of my life because it has not truly began until yours did.

I. Love. You.

Facebook posts the day you were born:

Girlfriend,

Your Daddy and I can’t wait to see your face today. ❤

Mom

(We have been in labor since 2:30 this morning. Water broke at home. Waiting game now. Will update hopefully soon.)

As of 10:06am we have a beautiful baby girl. 10 fingers. 10 toes. 20 inches. 7lbs 12oz! Mom and BabyHop are doing great!! -Matt

Thank you everyone for your amazing comments! This has been the best day in our lives thus far. Alice Layne is one healthy lady and I could not have asked for an easier pregnancy, labor, and birth. Thanks again. So overwhelmed with love from everyone! ❤ xoxo

You are a good girl already. Way to be prompt, Alice! Here we are, right on your due date.

I woke up with pains in my abdomen at around 2:15am. Didn’t wake your dad up until I knew what it was. Well, you can bet I knew as soon as my water broke and my contractions got stronger and started at four minutes apart. We got the bag packed and ready in a hurry and woke up your grandparents.

I have now been at the hospital for four hours waiting to see your face and meet you in person. Here is to me pushing well and you coming into the world healthy.

Anxiously waiting,
Mom

Looks like I will have you at 27! Your Dad and I were wondering if it would be before or after. I was a little hopeful to have you on my birthday as well. As of right now, you have thirty minutes to come out if that is going to happen. Now I don’t think I want it to happen.

I understand. You want your own day. I get it. I would too! I have been feeling a little different tonight on my birthday, so I’m wondering if you will give me some sort of big sign overnight or tomorrow. We are so ready for you so come on! Stop hiding from us. You have been super active today, more than normal. So I’m wondering if maybe this is it. Bags are packed and grandparents are on their way! Let’s not disappoint.

Can’t wait to see your face.

Mom

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Happy new year to you, Alice! This is YOUR year. We can’t wait to start our family of three with you. See you very soon.

Auld Lang Syne

And only on my right side too! Those little kickers need to watch the rib cage, please! They seriously feel bruised.

We had a celebration in your honor towards the end of November. You were there, but probably not aware. Although I’m sure you could hear every wave of loud noise coming from your grandparent’s group of friends. They love a good party. We ended up coming home with a truckload of goodies for you. You have so many people who love you and cannot wait to meet you.

We are still working on getting the house nice and clean for your arrival. After all, you get here in about a month from now! You have me nervous, scared, excited, and anxious all rolled up in one. Your Daddy and I eagerly wait for that day to come. I will have no idea what you look like until you come out, as we will not be getting another ultrasound to see you floating around in there, but I can’t help but imagine it every single day. This and many other things involving you have caused me to have what they call ‘baby brain.’ I can barely form full sentences when I talk aloud. One of those other symptoms that I embrace during pregnancy, along with an almost cracked rib. But hey, kick away, because each time I cringe with pain, I smile immediately afterward with the updated knowledge that you are perfectly fine and healthy in there. Love ya.

Mom

You sure are one active baby in there!

Pregnancy for me is like a new class all the time. I learn something new almost everyday. You have gone from little tiny jabs to big kicks and rolls to put yourself in a new position. My favorite is when you move an entire limb and it glides across my belly. Any movement lets me know you are healthy and still just-a-growin!

January is approaching so fast! I can’t believe we will meet in just a few short months. I feel like I pseudo know you already.. with the games we play. You poke, I poke back!

My belly is getting bigger and bigger. It is a huge weight change that the rest of my body isn’t used to, so let’s just say you have caused Mommy a little (or a lot) of back pain. Not only that, but as of today, I am sick for the third time since being pregnant with you! I hear it helps build your immune system up, so it makes the sniffles and the headaches seem like nothing when I know your health is in good shape.

This is us dressed up as a kangaroo for Halloween. I called you my little Joey all night. (As opposed to the normal ‘LadyHop’ or ‘Girlfriend’ I have been calling you to disguise your name.)

And this is us as of now.

Your Dad has been taking excellent care of us while sick and even when not sick. He is a saint and will be an amazing father to you. Don’t ever forget that. Those kick, punches, rolls, and twists that I was telling you about before? Well.. you have already stolen Daddy’s heart with them. Way to use ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ to your advantage so soon! That’s my girl!

Love,

Mom

We found out today, your father and I, on this day September 12, 2011 that you are a little gal inside of my belly. How sweet. I cannot stop thinking of caring for a little girl!

Your name? Alice Layne. Hope you like it. It’s yours for the rest of your life. I wanted something classic for your first name. I think older, more feminine names for girls are great. I wanted Alice to be in your name since I found out I was pregnant with you. Your Great Grandmother’s name was Mary Alice. I named you after her. She died in 2009. As I was cleaning out your room to prepare you coming into this world with us, I found her funeral card which said the date that she died on it. Which reminded me that we find out the sex of our baby on this same day. September 12. I had been hoping for a girl, and I knew that she would have been honored to have you named after her. I know with all of my heart that she was there today in the ultrasound room with us when the doctor told us the news. I wore her favorite watch that I can hopefully pass down to you someday. I wish you could have met her. She was an amazing, funny, witty, crazy woman who loved to drink Crown Royal and coke.

Layne is a name that your Dad has always loved. It is my middle name, my Uncle’s name, and my late cousin’s middle name. He always wanted to include it in your name whether boy or girl. Alice Layne just seems to flow real well.

After we found out your gender, your father and I thought it would be fun to announce the big news in a big way. There is a boat in Charleston that was washed up during hurricane Hugo back in the 1980’s right next to Folly Road on the way to the beach. Since 1992, people have been painting and decorating it for major highlights in their lives such as birthdays, anniversaries, and so on. Your Dad thought it would be a good idea to paint it when we found out what you were.

So, Alice Layne, a new step for us in our pregnancy and a new step in your life. It is becoming so real to me now. Your grandparents are going to spoil you so much as you are the first granddaughter on both sides.

PS: While we were at dinner tonight, I noticed we were right next door to a ‘little girl’ store, so I popped in just to buy you something since I had just found out you were a girl today.

Welcome my sweet little girl. Daddy and I are so elated.

Mom

You have been a kickin’ fool for a few weeks now. I don’t ever feel it from the outside. Only the inside. but when I do, it makes me smile and giggle.

Tonight, however, was a monumental moment between your Dad and I. I swore to him about two nights ago that I could feel you kick with my hand on my belly. So I made him be patient while he sat and waited for you to do it again.. but to no avail. Surprise surprise, Dad fell asleep during said belly touch.

Which brings us to tonight. Dad was mad at me because I gave Quincy a chicken wing bone to chew on and instead of chewing it, the next thing I know, the bone is gone and Quincy had swallowed the whole thing. Oops.

I made Dad touch my belly to make him happy again (because anything to do with you makes him smile) and not two minutes later I asked him if he felt what I just felt from the inside. At first he said no and started giving me some dumb excuse like “the doctor said I wouldn’t be able to…” And then you kicked again. Harder this time. In a gasp I asked if he felt that and before he could even finish his sentence he just said “Yes” and smiled.

Mission accomplished.

Hello there BabyHop!

So I’m on your Mom’s laptop right now, watching the movie Inception for about to 20th time.  Mom is at work making some money for your future needs, and I decided to take this opportunity to make my first imprint on your blog.

We are definitely counting down the days that mark new milestones in your development.  Mom didn’t feel you kick this morning even when I played “Amber” by 311, and as you may or may not know by now, she is FOR SURE the worrier in this household and it’s up to me to keep her and us grounded.   In twelve days we will be finding out if your going to be a rambunctious little boy or Daddy’s little Princess.  I’m not hoping either way, as long as you are in great health.

Alright BabyHop, I’m new to putting my thoughts down in writing so I will end for now, but I Love You and wish nothing but the best for you.  I promise to always work hard for you and Mommy and do anything I can to make life a little better for you.

Love,

Dad

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!