Adventures Before You Were Born

Dear Adeline,

A lot has happened in the last twelve months. In June, we found out we were going to have you right before Daddy's birthday. We had a big fiesta for his 30th birthday, complete with a mariachi band. You were there for the party, even though only Daddy and I knew about you, and you were hardly more than a little speck.

Pictures from Daddy's 30th birthday party.


You stayed with Mommy for many months and went on a few adventures.

In July, you went back to IU and stayed at Read, Landes 3 with all of Mommy's college friends. Aunt Stacy was pregnant with Katherine, who is three months older than you, and Mommy found out that her dear friend Holly was pregnant too (with Abigail). Mommy shared with Holly that she was pregnant with you, and she was the first friend who found out (Daddy told his friend Andy too, so that all was fair!). Dana was also pregnant (with Avery) but no one knew it then.

In August we went to California for our friends' wedding in Tiburon, which is just north of San Francisco. Before the wedding, daddy and I went hiking in Muir Woods, among the giant redwoods, and then along the coast. The next day we drove across the Golden Gate bridge to return to San Francisco. We saw Chinatown and visited the "Painted Ladies." You went along for the entire trip, safe in Mommy’s belly.

Coastline near Muir Woods

Chinatown

Painted Ladies


In September we went to Meredith and Andrew's wedding in Paris, Kentucky, which is in the heart of horse country. They were married outside on a beautiful horse farm. We had so much fun dancing all night amidst all the candle lanterns. We went to a horse racing farm with our good friends Carl, Jeff and Janet.


In October we went to your cousin Andi and John's wedding in St. Louis. Gammie and NoNo treated us to a stay in the Chase Park Plaza, which across from Forest Park and near Washington University. Mommy loved the neighborhood, with all of its gorgeous old homes, and combined with the park, in reminded Mommy of Central Park in New York. The morning before the wedding, Mommy and Daddy went for a long walk in Forest Park, where we saw a lot of the park, including the zoo.

In November, Gammie and Grammi hosted a baby shower for me (and you!) at Gammie and NoNo's house. Grammi had lots of games (she is good at games!) including a stinky diaper game. She also gave Daddy a diaper changing kit -- he was afraid of stinky diapers! We had Thanksgiving with Grammi and PePa and all of your Adler cousins, aunts and uncles. The next day, Daddy sent us on a marathon shopping spree where we bought all of our Christmas gifts in one day. He claims we will do this every year. You may be shipped off to a grandparent in order for us to accomplish this task. :)




In December, we enjoyed all of the Christmas festivities. We also went to Chicago for a baby shower hosted by Meredith and Andrew. Although snow and ice prevented a lot of our good friends from attending, we all had so much fun! We had a yummy fry up breakfast, followed by Christmas shopping in the city, and then a fabulous shower at A&M's. Meredith made SO much yummy food -- more than we could eat. They are such good friends and we had a great weekend.
In January your Aunts Steph and Sara treated Mommy to a spa day. Grammi joined us as well. We all had Pedicures, chatted about all things babies, and had a yummy spa lunch. They wanted to make sure that I had pretty feet for labor and delivery... and I did!

Your due date was Valentine's Day, February 14th. I started having contractions that morning and you were born two days later, on February 16th.

Mommy liked carrying you around for these ten months. You felt so safe and secure there. I loved feeling your kicks and movements. And I so enjoyed having you with me at every second of the day.

Love,
Mommy