O'Connell Family

 Dear Peanut, Right now I am 38 weeks and 2 days along. I have a scheduled induction this Thursday. As an ObGyn, I will be interested to look back at this plan for a 39 week induction and see if it is standard of care everyone, or a different recommendation in the future. It is definitely harder to get around, and I am contracting more, but I am very lucky to still be feeling good and healthy. It is crazy to know that this time next week, you will be in my arms instead of in my belly! You really do make a statement in there. Even now, this far along, you move SO MUCH! I don't know how you have the room in there. I wonder if this is evidence of how much energy you will have on the outside?  Your Dad and I have so many different feelings right now. We are of course just so excited to have you in our life; to get to know who you will become and the fun adventures we will have together. We are also nervous; we have never done this before!!! We don't know what life will bring, I su...

 Dear Peanut, It is officially 2021! 2020 was a very tough year for many people. The pandemic changed life for everyone in the world; sadly almost 350,000 people lost their lives in the US, it limited our ability to see our loved ones, and many people lost their jobs. There were a number of other things that happened this year including major fires in the west coast of the country, and a very contentious election between Trump and our soon to be new President Biden and a historic Vice President Harris (first female and first person of color in the office!) I want you to know how much the world changed while you were growing. I also want you to know how lucky your dad and I have been. In 2020, you came into our lives and we both stayed healthy- we are so unbelievably grateful. I was very lucky a few weeks ago to be among the first to get the Covid vaccine and will get the second dose next week. I am so glad that you will get some of that immunity through me!  I am now just over...

 Dear Peanut, While I haven't actually done many ultrasounds on myself this pregnancy because I have honestly felt good and didn't feel like I needed to check in on you. Plus, you move SO MUCH I know you are just fine. Though, we decided to have some fun at the office the other day and did some 3D pics. I think you are going to have your Dad's nose. You are already so cute! I am 29 weeks as I am writing this but it was 28 weeks when the pictures were taken.  Here are just a few things I hope you also inherit from your dad: - His hair! the O'Connell hair is epic - His humor. Your dad is very witty.  - His resilience. He is willing to keep working at things and not give up. I mean he will stalk an elk for days in terrible weather.  -His athleticism. He's a great golfer, mountain biker, hunter, soccer player, skier. Again, goes back to the resilience. He is also competitive in a healthy way. Whether you like it or not, you will watch a lot of sports with him too.  ...

Dear Peanut, One day you will learn about 2020 in school. It has been quite the year. The Coronavirus pandemic has been steady, but there are times when the case numbers increase and we need to really hunker down. Right now, as the weather gets colder, case numbers are rising and we won't be able to travel to see family for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are so glad that we recently had the chance for some family to visit us before things started to get bad again.  Nanna and Papa came to visit for the weekend. They were so excited to see my growing belly and feel you kicking! Man do you kick... I mean you can see my belly shaking! We cooked a ton, per usual; we made a tomato tarte (I took extra pepcid so I could have a bite!) homemade pasta and sourdough bread! Homemade sourdough is such a 2020 thing- your dad made the started during quarantine and we have kept it going :) We also went to the botanic gardens. Your Nanna knows so much about plants it is crazy. I swear every plant she...

 Dear Peanut, We had the 20 week anatomy scan this week! This was tough for me because I had to strategically look away from the ultrasound because we wanted to keep it a surprise if you were a boy or girl. You were acting very shy; you had both your arms and hands up crossed in front of your face! Your dad said you weren't shy, you were just dancing. Here are some pictures of you to share, you know they will be a little more nerdy and anatomical but this is what I do!  You weight 12 oz right now. I'm very relieved you are in the 55%. We know you will always be special, but an average weight is great right now! Ok here's the nerdy shot- its your spine and aortic arch! So pretty!  This one is admittedly creepy. Its your right eye and your moth is wide open yawning!  I'm sure I'll add a few more cute ones along the way :)

 Dear Peanut, I just accepted a new job at Kaiser. I worked very hard to become a doctor and am so proud to be an ObGyn. Every day I get to be a part of someone's life. Sometimes it is the best day of their life, and sometimes the worst. But either way, I love what I do. I guess you could say I've focused much of my energy on being a doctor up until this point. While I know I will always love my job and will continue to do it well, having you in my life does change things, and for the better. The reason I am changing my job, is so that I will have more flexibility and stability to be your mom. I have always been afraid of how to balance it all. I was so lucky to have incredible parents that were always there for me, and helped me through some incredibly challenging times. Your Dad is exactly the same. We both have big shoes to fill.  I know there may be times in the future that I am not home when you go to bed, and I may miss a sporting or school event. For that, I am so sorry...