Introducing...Porter Jonathan

As I said in the last post, I threw your dad a surprise birthday party last Thursday evening. He was very surprised and very humbled by all the friends and family that showed up. Everyone couldn't wait for us to cut into the cake that would reveal your gender.

I let your dad do the honor. But because of his calm nature it felt like he was taking FOREVER, and at one point I had to stop myself from yanking the knife out of his hand. Once he slid the piece out and I saw blue I started jumping up and down. I wanted a boy very badly and I couldn't believe I got my wish. I should let you know that your dad really could have cared less if you were a boy or girl. I've never seen a father so intent on just having a happy, healthy baby. I love him.

Happy birthday, Dad! We're having a boy!

We are so excited to meet you. We have been going back and forth, well I should say that I've been going back and forth with names, but your dad has been stuck on just one name. I guess I should tell you the story about that.

Years ago I told your dad that we were going to have three boys and name them Harper, Porter and Baxter. He liked all the names but as the years went on Harper became "too popular" and having a lil Baxter would just makes things too confusing. So I started looking at different names altogether. Little did I know that your dad was still focused on Porter. Just yesterday I was emailing him some different names and he replies: "Porter Jonathan Turfitt sounds really good to me! I actually feel good about it. Let me know what you think." 

Nothing I suggested could deter him. I like Porter I just wasn't crazy about the name. And you'll learn one day that naming a child is a HUGE responsibility. It's very stressful! I started asking family and friends what they thought of the name and just as soon as it would roll of my tongue their faces would light up as they exclaimed, "I like it!" This made me more fond of it and once I decided that we would go with that name I felt good about it.

I told your dad last night that I was "letting" him have the name he wanted, but he would have to be more open-minded with me on the next kid. He promised he would...unless he forgot, which is why I'm documenting it here ;) 

Last night, your dad prayed that Heavenly Father would let us know if it was the right name, and I think it is because I feel even better about your name today. Porter Jonathan it is. 

Wow! Now that we know we're having a boy there is just so much to think about. I asked your dad last night if he was nervous about having to raise a son to which he explained that he probably wouldn't be nervous until I went into labor and reality set in. 

I beg to differ. I wish you could see the way that he treats me and this pregnancy. You will learn that your dad is a worry wart and I'm the exact opposite. He worries about every little thing I do and put into my body. He is already a concerned and very proud parent.

p.s. I went to the doctor yesterday as a follow up to the Braxton-Hicks contractions. She said not to worry too much about it as there's no way to tell if it indicates preterm labor or if it's just a crazy fluke. I'm not worried, and your dad is trying hard not to act worried. 

Contractions already!

I'm 19 almost 20 weeks along with you. Last week lots of things happened. My belly seemed to explode over night, I started feeling you moving all the time and we had our thorough ultrasound.

The first time I knew it was you moving inside me was a complete epiphany. All of a sudden, it was like I wasn't just "pregnant," I actually realized that I have a living person growing inside of me. Reality slapped me in the face real hard and I couldn't believe that you would actually be here in my arms so soon.

And now you move ALL the time. Last night, I was feeling you move all around and I placed my hand on my stomach and it was the first time I felt you move from the outside. Your dad has been wanting to feel you move so badly so I told him to come over quick and I placed his hand on my lower stomach. We sat for a while waiting and then I felt you move again. I asked him if he felt it and he said he thought he did (with a smile creeping up at the corner of his mouth). I can't wait until he really feels you move.

Last Wednesday, we had our anatomy ultrasound where they looked at all your tiny bitty body parts and told us that everything looked wonderful. They could also tell us your gender, but we decided we were going to wait until your dad's birthday, which is tomorrow. He's going to be 30! And I'm throwing him a surprise party that he has no idea about and that he's really going to kill me over :) The ultrasound tech placed the gender in an envelope, and I brought the envelope to the bakery who is making your dad's favorite chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a surprise blue or pink filling. We can't wait to find out!

Yesterday, I was having bad cramps in my stomach all day. It hurt to move or walk or do anything. I wasn't feeling too concerned about it, and I went into work late trying to suck it up. But as the day went on and the pain didn't ease up I was starting to get a little worried. I went to the clinic at work who told me to contact my doctor who told me to go to the hospital if the pain didn't go away by evening. By the time I got home, it seemed to be getting worse so I called your dad, who had been worried about me all day and told him that I thought we just needed to go get everything checked out.

Lots of questions, examinations, blood tests and one ultrasound later, I was diagnosed with Braxton Hicks contractions. Contractions! At only 19 almost 20 weeks along! I couldn't believe it but the doctor made it sound completely normal. I'm really hoping that they don't persist and are rare during the rest of this pregnancy. By the way, the ultrasound tech at the hospital called you "a very pretty baby." That made me smile :)

I'm reading lots of books and doing research on how I want to bring you into this world. I feel like I've become a total hippie once I became pregnant, but it is only because I want to do what's best for you.

I hope you can tell how much we already love you.