Tag Archives: dear peanut

dear peanut

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how to make a gif at gickr.com

our sweet little miss elinor.

who is now 6 weeks old, by the way.  can you just quit it with all this time-flying-by business?

you are just too cute.  you make our hearts swell and swoon.  and i am pretty sure that we could just look at that little face all day long.  6am is my new favorite time.  after a full night’s sleep {wahoo!} it is so much fun to go into your room and wake you for the day.  it always seems like forever since i have seen that little face.  and each day, you look just a little different.  a bit bigger.  more grown up.

as you know, we had a merry-merry Christmas shoptacular this past weekend.  your papa and i had some elf-ing to do and we planned a full morning for us all.  and it was indeed, planned.  feedings were perfectly lined up.  our exit strategies prepared.  we made those lists and checked them twice to make sure that we didn’t miss a thing and would stay on track.  it was glorious.  and so, with a festive drizzle in the air, we hopped in the sleigh and went on our merry way for a stop at Starbucks to kick things off properly.  red-cupped beverages in hand, it was off to our next spot.  now, during the drive from coffee to our first shop-stop, your tummy made some serious rumbling sounds, your face turned red, and you let out a series of sounds from your nether regions.  we parked the car for a quick feeding and soon discovered that you had given us a fun little gift…a blowout.  so sweet of you.  thank you for making a new holiday memory for us, little one.  and so, there we were.  in the parking lot.  in the rain.  in a bit of a pickle.  but your parents rose to the occasion.  your papa got a bottle of water.  i placed you on your changing pad in the trunk so we would have plenty of working space.  then i soaked the burp cloth and wiped you down.  so there you were, naked in the trunk of a car.  in a parking lot.  in the rain.  two weeks before Christmas.  {you are welcome for the commemoration, by the way.  won’t you love it when we bust out this story at Christmastime, many years from now?  and the award for most embarrassing parents goes to…}

don’t worry, we bounced back. we got you all cleaned up.  put you in a clean diaper.  {diaper number two since you decided to pee mid-ordeal.  i am guessing it was from the al fresco changing situation that was going on in the trunk.  sorry about that. }  tossed the evidence.  plopped you in the carrier.  and we were on our way!  only 15 minutes behind schedule, no less.  boy oh boy, it was really something.  and did i mention that your festive poop got on your papa’s shirt?!  and he didn’t even have an adrian monk-esque episode.  he totally held it together.  he is amazing, i tell you.  and i must say, this is ranking up there on my list of favorite Christmases.  diaper disaster and all.  you make everything more fun.  you have taken us out of our comfort zone.  you have made us laugh at ourselves.  you have made our joy more vivid.

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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hello, little miss.  you sure are getting to be one big peanut!  we had your one month checkup a bit ago and you are perfection.  getting taller and plumper each day.  and that head, oh that head, it is growing.  your papa and i happen to think it is to accommodate your significant brain.  you are already one smart cookie!  you follow me around with your eyes.  you stare at things and analyze the world around you.  you move your head toward your papa’s voice.  you gaze at your colorful dangling rattle toys and kick away with excitement.  you coo and squawk.  but, we know the truth…those are much more that sounds.  you are talking to us, aren’t you?  your own sweet little language that we simply love.

and, it’s official.  you can no longer fit into your newborn onesies.  you are officially a 0-3 month sizer now.  i must admit that i had a bit of an emotional moment at your dresser when i realized that the newborn phase has come to a close.  you are just all baby now.  our little peanut.

oh, and can i just brag about you a bit?  you are starting to sleep through the night.  we are talking a whole 7 hours in one stretch.  amazing!  keep it up sweet girl.  while i will miss our special time together in the middle of the night, i must admit that your face looks even more adorable and yummy after a good night’s sleep.  another milestone.  i can’t wait to see what you will show us next.

love, your mama

dear peanut

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dear peanut,

this has been quite a week.  and may i just say that i am slightly overwhelmed that you are already THREE WEEKS OLD!  and, you are starting to fill out your 0-3 clothing!  you are such a good little eater…even though you occasionally spit some of your food all over your papa.  burp cloths are our new best friend.

we have gone on some strolls through the neighborhood and around outdoor shopping areas, and you have been a trooper.  there have been many outings and visitors as well, because people want to see your cute little face!  and who can blame them.  thank you for being so good as we parade you about the city and plop you in and out of car seats and strollers and carriers.  you seem to somewhat enjoy the activity which we think is pretty great.  you go with the flow and like the hustle and bustle.

this week, we have started getting into the swing of things.  you know that nighttime is for sleeping…wahoo!  and you love to be wide-eyed during the daytime so you don’t miss anything that is happening around you.  the world is such a big and fascinating place for your little eyes to behold.  and i love holding you while you explore your surroundings.  i can see your brain spinning and taking it all in.  so much fun.  we are so excited to watch you grow and learn in the coming days and weeks and months and years.  you are doing it all so quickly and we are just trying to keep up and rejoice with every moment.

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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::  two weeks  ::

dear elinor,

your papa and i are just so in love with you.  you are so darn cute!  those little mouse squeaks and sighs.  your fussy face with furrowed brow.  your fists of fury that punch wildly when you are frustrated or leaving a little something for us in your diaper.  your yogi frog legs.  your bicycle kicks.  your fingers and toes.  your wild eyes.  your sweet smirk.  we are in big trouble, little lady.

by the way…your papa is pretty amazing with you.  such a natural.  he is taking such good care of us.  and hearing him call us “his girls” is my new favorite.  i sure do like our little family.  and i know that it will just get better and better as we continue to learn about each other and find our groove.

i feel like i am slowly getting the hang of you.  at least enough to know that there is really no getting the hang of you.  you love to surprise us.  sometimes you are a grumpus and sometimes you are just a doll.  sometimes you want to be all bundled up and rocked and sometimes you want to enjoy some tummy time, straining to prove that you can control your own head and move about with ease.  just when we settle into a nap schedule, you decide that napping isn’t for you and you would prefer to remain awake and alert.

you are always curious.  you love to observe, eyes darting around to capture your surroundings.  and all the while, God is using you to teach me.  i am learning how to be more patient and soft and nurturing.  i am learning when to take action and when to be still.  i am learning how to protect and put your needs ahead of my own.  i am learning how to perfect the swaddle.  i am learning how to maximize our feedings.  i am learning how to pray.  i am learning how to savor the moment and fully engage in the present.  i am learning how to be flexible.  i am learning anew how much i need a savior and very present help.

here’s to exploring and growing and learning – together – with God’s help.

 

love, your mama

{an extra special} dear peanut

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our little peanut has arrived.  {sigh}

oh, we just love that little face.

…

elinor grace whitehouse

november 4, 2012

8:34 pm

5 pounds 14.7 ounces

18.5 inches

…

all is well.  we are just enjoying our time together as a family of three.  eating, sleeping, pooping, cuddling, swaddling, oohing and ahhing.  you know, all that amazing baby stuff.  {sigh}  God is good.

i will be checking in to post pictures.  but i do i have some special guest posts lined up so that you don’t just overload on baby cuteness.

dear peanut

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oh, well, hello there!  as you can see, mozart the monkey is happily awaiting your arrival.  he has informed me, however, that his excitement is getting really intense and his patience is wearing thin.  so, you know, for mozart’s sake…you might want to consider coming soon.  for mozart.

us?  oh, we are fine.  yup.  just sitting here, patiently waiting for you.  the request isn’t for us.  we are good.  really, mozart is the one with the problem.

in other news…we have everything ready for you.  room ready.  car seat in.  bags packed.  plans made.  good to go.  your papa is on alert and is trying to maintain focus until he gets my call.  codename: skyfall.  that is the signal that things are starting to happen… skyfall.  we figured it was an apropos code.  it has a playful chicken little meets swanky secret agent 007 feel to it.

anywho…here we are.  still here.  waiting for skyfall.  any time, little one.  any time…  oh, we just can’t wait to meet you!

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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oh my goodness.  what if this is my last dear peanut letter?  we are so close now that it is a real possibility.  your papa and i keep saying things like…this could be our last weekend, just the two of us…this could be our last dinner before she comes…this could be your last day at the office…this could be the last load of laundry before she arrives…and on and on and on.  we aren’t getting our hopes up that you will arrive early but we are doing our best to prepare, just in case.  the reality is that i could very well be writing three more letters to you [eek!  please don't linger that long!] before your arrival.  this sure is a lesson in patience, little one.

God is teaching me to be still.  even though i am so very excited to meet you and get to know you, i am trying to soak up the last moments of this season.  i am trying to enjoy the final days of pregnancy…i know that not everybody gets to experience the birth of their child in this physical manner.  so, i am trying to not complain but to be grateful that my Heavenly Father has allowed me to carry you.  that He has allowed my body to adjust and to sustain you for this long.  so many women cannot conceive.  so many women have turbulent pregnancies.  some women’s bodies fight against them.  some women’s bodies just can’t or won’t carry them through to the end.  i have been given this special gift of pregnancy and heaven forbid that i take that for granted.  in my moments of frustration, i remind myself that God has blessed me with this time and wants to use this time to mold my heart.  no complaining allowed!

God is using all of it to prepare me.  when i bump my bump into a chair, He is teaching me to slow down and be watchful.  when i cannot do the things that i used to do in the same way, He is teaching me that i am not in control and that i need to rely on His supply and grace.  when i get frustrated, He is teaching me self-control.  when i have to swallow yet another capsule or vitamin or healthy supplement, He is teaching me to put the needs of others before my own.  God has me in training.  i am training to be a parent.  He is molding me into a mother.  preparing my heart for your arrival.  and i need to take advantage of this time because once you arrive, little one, we move into major on-the-job training.  bring on the feeding charts and piles of diapers and pediatrician visits and sleep deprivation.  it is going to be so blissfully bewildering.

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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hello there miss peanut.  i hope you are having fun hanging out in my pelvis!  must be a nice change of scenery for you.  i can tell that you are reveling.  i must say, while i like that you have shifted down out of the ribs [sweet full lung capacity!] you are making things a bit more goofy in the “walking” arena.  hmmm.  please don’t make me resort to waddling, little one.  not a cute look.

on a super adorable note: we got your diaper starter pack in the mail and they are just the cutest things!  your papa even brought one into work with him to show off how tiny you are and how precious those little BM-collectors are.  i think he’s got it pretty bad.  papa-citis has taken over.  and i am no better.  we are officially those people.  the ones who tear-up over smooshy, squiggly, and goofy-looking ultrasounds.  the ones who show off diapers to co-workers.  diapers!  the ones who ooh and ahh over crocheted baby hats.  the ones who sniff baby lotion. [that one might be just me]  we are your parents.  your earthly stewards.  the ones that God has predestined to care for you and raise you.  what a tremendous blessing and calling.  what an overwhelming gift.  and you are stuck with us, little one.  all our flaws and eccentricities and personality.  in spite of it all, please know that our hearts’ desire is to be godly parents…with a generous helping of grace and plenty of prayer.  we love you and we take you and our new role very seriously.  such a prodigious, substantial, considerable [and all words BIG] responsibility swaddled into such a tiny package.  you are a precious gift from our Heavenly Father that we will preserve, cherish, love, cultivate, and polish.  for His glory and for our good.

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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::  our baby faces  ::

hello there, little peanut.  your parents are pretty excited to meet you.  we keep staring at your sonogram.  that little nose.  your ears.  the eyelashes.  your tiny fingers all curled up next to your mouth.  the hair.  it is kind of our new favorite thing.  a parental pacifier to keep us from jumping out of our skin from excitement.  you will be here so soon!  my goodness.  we can’t wait to meet you and see that precious face.  will you have your papa’s nose?  will you have my hair?  i hope you don’t mind if we just sit and stare at you for a while once you arrive.  because the real thing will be so much better than the sonogram…

just so you know, i have scheduled out all of my doctor appointments from now until the due date.  woah.  on the calendar.  the doctor was happy with us this week and said that everything was progressing beautifully.  your heartbeat is strong.  my blood pressure is good.  you are growing at a consistent rate.  and the belly size is small but solid.  all good.  just waiting for the right time.

love, your mama + your papa

….

JOINT FAMILY ADDENDUM

with regard to the aforementioned “right time” remark:  your entire family respectfully requests that you, while chatting with God, mention the following arrival tips and suggestions.  you know, in case He asks your opinion on the matter…your family has some ideas and opinions [ahem, always] to help you along.

  • please, do not arrive earlier than sunday, october 21.
  • saturday, october 27 – tuesday, october 30 are nice dates.
  • please, no halloween birthday.  the ongoing birthday party expectations are frankly, overwhelming for everyone.
  • if not before wednesday, october 31, please refrain from a thursday, november 1 or friday, november 2 arrival.
  • saturday, november 3 – monday, november 5 are good days too.  try to steer clear of election day.  too much political pressure that day.  it is best to stay put and swim around for a bit longer in a blissful state of unawareness.
  • PLEASE do not loiter in the uterus for longer than one week past your due date.  i know it seems nice in there, but we’ve got some soft, warm, and cozy things waiting for you on the outside.
  • if you must delay, please do not come on saturday, november 10.  that is coco’s birthday.  the poor thing already has enough personality disorders and neuroses, we don’t want to send her off the deep end by making her share a birthday with the “favored, non-furry” baby of the family.  who knows which of your stuffed animals she might rip to shreds in a psychotic break… let us just keep the familial peace and sidestep the issue altogether.

with respect and love,

[and in the knowledge that it is God who numbers our days]

[and with an understanding that the same God who knows the number of grains of sand considers our requests]

your nerdy, scheduled, active, and kooky family. 

don’t roll your eyes, little miss, i’m sure you’ve got some of these genes going on…

dear peanut

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hello again, little one.  i trust that all is well inside the belly.  things are going pretty well on the outside.  we are getting so very close to your joining us out here!  very, very close.  i am now seeing the doctor weekly until your arrival.  she will be checking that heartbeat of yours and making sure that things are strong and that you continue to grow.  at our last appointment, she told me that you are on the small side of the scale.  but teeny in a good way.  as in, a good size for your mama… they are going to keep an eye on your fattening up in the coming weeks.  they want to make sure that those duck fat fries make it to you instead of to my booty.  it isn’t very kind of me to hog the fatness.

did you know that in less than two weeks, i am considered full term?  that means that if you were to come early, they wouldn’t stop you.  wow.  we have almost made it, sweet girl!  but if you don’t mind, please stay in there a bit longer than two more weeks.  your papa would relish the extra time to get those final ducks in a row.  and i don’t mind the extra baby chub that you will gain.  however, if you would like to join us a few days early, we wouldn’t mind that one bit!  for some reason your papa thinks that you will be here by october 27th.  i guess we’ll see if he is that smart and intuitive.  october 27th!  if you arrive then, that means you will be here with us THIS MONTH.  oh. my. goodness.  so soon!  and we are so excited to see that little face of yours. eyelashes and all.

love, your mama + your papa