Dear Hop Hop,

Happy 25 weeks little one! You are one busy little bee in my belly these days. Moving all over and bumping me every which way. For now they are cute little bumps, and they surprise me how much they can move around all over my belly. They say you are about 13″ now so I guess that’s getting pretty big and would take over much of my belly. So that would make sense. I am beginning to remember though how quickly the cute bumps become painful punches and I can just imagine what I am in for in weeks to come.

It’s so funny how little we have to do this time around. With your brother I got to enjoy registering and learning all about new baby stuff that seemed so foreign to me then. Now, we were lucky enough to get all we need and now we just wait. I’m not going to lie…the getting presents part last time was pretty cool. I have peeked at some baby stuff lately and realize how much things can change in just 3 1/2 years, but nothing seems to be THAT much different that we need to buy it again. I promise to buy you little things like pink blankets and sleep sacks though. My little princess won’t be wearing her brother’s blue things. Even if your daddy thinks it’s OK!

It’s almost surreal that you are going to be here soon dear little one. I have waited so long for you, and I prayed and I cried for you. And now, we have come so far, but it almost seems like a dream? I have pictured my life with another child…sort of…in theory, but now that it’s becoming a reality it’s hard to imagine. What will our days be like? What will you look like? What will you be like? How will we all fit as a new expanded family? So many things that are so wonderful. Is it really finally happening to me?

I am ready to move full steam ahead on your room. It will be ready before you know it! It’s time to start really getting prepared, and boy am I ready.

Love, Mommy

Head to heel, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn’t much more than an average rutabaga, but she’s beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she’ll start to look more and more like a newborn. She’s also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you’d now be able to discern its color and texture.