THIS IS THE PART WHERE I TALK TO THE BABY

To my beloved Baby Perry:
I just wanted to let you know some things that your foray into the inside (of me) and outside world has done.  Make no mistake, I am going to love the ever-lovin heck out of you.  But here's what you've already done to your poor mother and some other words of advice:

1. I stopped drinking wine on December 31.  Sad but true, I did enjoy some cocktails during games and in social settings.  It's weird to drink Sprite at Buffalo Wild Wings.  But I did, because I love you. 

2. I stopped drinking Diet Dr Pepper the following week.  Ok, I do still have one maybe every couple of weeks.  But I gave up caffeine for you.  And I am sleepy, yet appreciative.  I had no concept of how many DDP's I could put down in a day.  So thanks for the motivation.

3. My boobs hurt.  Foods I used to get excited about make me want to puke.  I threw up on Christmas Day.  Instead of me getting into shape before you got here, my pants no longer fit.  This is all normal and how it's supposed to be, but I can't wait to take you out in the stroller and get back comfortably into my pants.

4. My blood pressure has gone up.  This is partly because of you.  Partly because of the house and work and that my dietary habits are closer to that of a 6 year old.  But you need to know that I am not stressed because you're coming.  I'm stressing about what to do when you get here.  And I want to make sure that we are the best parents for you that we can be, while not having to live in my office.

5. Everyone likes to pet my belly and talk to you.  I know how Gracie feels now.  They are so excited that you are growing and creating who you are.  You might get scared of all of them when you finally come out, but they are all good people and love you already.

6. I don't know how to breast feed you.  It seems like I ought to do that for your well-being and my pocketbook, but it also seems like it'd hurt.  I'll give you $5 if you don't bite me.  I don't know what I'm doing.  I usually like to research things before getting involved in doing them.  I planned a fantastic wedding for your Dad and I.  This is new territory.  Your Dad said I needed a new project after the wedding.  I was thinking we'd get a puppy.  Trust me, you are better than a puppy. 

7. If you hear me talking to someone named Amy, don't worry.  I am just making sure that you and I are on the right track.  She's done this three times and is a great Mom.  Don't ask her how much the Tooth Fairy gives for Tooth #1, you may be disappointed with what she says versus what you receive when the time comes.

8. I hope to God that you are healthy.  I wouldn't give up wine and DDP for just anyone.  I even eat fruit as a snack now.  Hopefully you can talk me into continuing that once you're out and about.  Well, for the most part anyway.  Your Dad has strict instructions to provide me with a cooler of iced-down DDP once you're born.

9. I want to go ahead and introduce you to your Nana.  You may not see her in person, but she is always here.  She is madly in love with you already and I know that she wishes she could be here for the both of us.  Your mom misses her and hopes that you will be half as smart as your Nana.

10. I hope you get only the best parts of your Dad and I.  We both have good parts and bad parts.  Please strive for the good.  Your mother isn't sure she can handle it if you choose the bad, though she'll love you the same.

11. You may be conflicted about your choice of sports teams.  Your parents are first and foremost Tar Heels.  But your Mom went a little crazy and got degrees from Wake Forest and Georgia.  She also has a soft spot for Oregon (who doesn't love a Duck??).  But, what will not be tolerated in the Perry family is a soft spot for the dark side of Durham.  I will push you back in if you ever even think of cheering for Duke.

12. Don't be a vegetarian.  Your Dad likes to smoke and grill all forms of meat.  Please like sports.  Neither your Mom or Dad know anything about ballet.  I'd prefer you not swim year round, I have enough of that at work.  That said, we want you to become who you are and not who we want you to be.  Seriously, it might not seem like that when we sign you up for soccer and t-ball, but we hope you love those things as much as we did when we were kids. 

There are many other things that I'll share as we move along this process, but this is a good start for now.  You have a lot of work ahead of you these next 6 months, so keep up the growing and the moving and the developing.  Your Dad and I want everything working when you come out in August.

Mom