To Lucy at 3 months

To my lovely little Lucy girl,

Happy 3 month birthday Lucy! Three months have absolutely flown by. And you amaze me every single day. You are growing so much - your eye color changing to more of a golden brown, your hair thinning in the funniest ways (a bald patch that started on the top of your head and now a spot in the back), but you still have long thick dark hair hanging across your collar. Your cheeks keep getting chubbier but your long little legs are only slowly getting a few rolls. You stretch your legs straight out and look like a little frog. It's too crazy that we keep experimenting with breastfeeding, society always made it out to be something so easy and yet its been the one part of parenting that I've had to work so so hard at. I am so so glad that we were able to get coordinated so that you could eat, that clipping your lip tie has helped, and that I have had so much assistance and support. It's still not always easy but the times when it is and you stop eating and your tummy is full, you smile a sleepy milky smile and it makes me more happy than anything in the world.

You are never sleepy for too long. You are a woman on a mission - a girl on the move. You are reaching out to grab things, holding your head up to look at everything, and starting to learn how to roll over. You are happy only on your stomach, and looking out on the world. You don't want to waste time snuggling and being babied. You want to see and do everything! You're getting ready to really start moving, rolling over is becoming easier and more intentional. You scootch your way around and off a blanket in no time. Tummy time is your favorite time, other than being naked of course. During diaper changes or bath time, I just laugh and laugh at how excited you get - kicking your legs and waving your arms like crazy.

My newest favorite activity is to sit and talk with you. You are so vocal! Your coos are now intermingled with squeals and the beginnings of giggles. Your cry has even changed and though hearing it makes me want to do anything and everything I can to stop your cries at the same time you have taken to puckering out your bottom lip in the most adorable way. You really don't cry all that often though, you have always been a sweet, easy going baby. Only crying when hungry or wet or just really tired, and we have really started to get the hang of figuring that out, for now.

It's hard to remember life before you were "on the outside". You are the absolute perfect addition to our family, you bring your Daddy and I so much happiness and joy. You are the entire world to us.

I love you, I love you, I love you. Forever.

xoxo
Momma


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Merry Christmas!

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To Lucy at 2 months

Dear Little Bug,

Or should I say, Turtle, or Sprout... you have so many nicknames. Either way, whatever we call you, Happy Two Months baby girl. And what a two months it's been!

November held your first big holiday - Thanksgiving. We celebrated it so many times! We had all of our friends over to our house for a big dinner, and everyone just loved you! You were such a happy girl and everyone wanted to hold you. And then we finally were able to make the trip to Iowa to meet all the rest of your family. We took you to where your Daddy grew up, and you got to meet your great grandmas and great grandpas. You were so happy to see Grandma Julie and Grandpa Dave. And the best was when you got to meet your cousin Hattie. Lucy, you and Hattie are going to have so much fun together. I think your Dad is more excited than anyone...I know he thinks about all the fun he had with Aunt Wendy, Uncle Adam, and Uncle Casey and he daydreams about the adventures you and Hattie will have together. Hattie loved you from the moment she met you. She was so concerned about you when you cried and just stared at you with the widest eyes full of concern. And she was so gentle when she touched you, but she wanted to touch you all the time. And she made the sign for "baby" right away, which only made me more determined to teach you sign language so you two can have your own secret language. I can't wait to watch you two grow up together. And of course we went to Grandma and Papa's house, and Uncle Charlie was back to see you! We took a trip downtown - your first experience with public transportation and the downtown area of Chicago. We took you to Lincoln Park Zoo for the zoo lights, and set up our Christmas tree. Lucy girl, it would probably be safe to say that EVERYONE is thankful this year for you... but I'll just speak for myself. I am so incredibly thankful for you. You are everything that is good and one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

This past month has held one of my hardest challenges, going back to work. Lucy, I absolutely HATE leaving you. All day I look at your picture, I ache to hold you, and I try to think of ways to bring you with me to work. I show pictures of you to everyone, and always share stories of funny things you do. When I'm home, I just want to cuddle you and kiss you forever.

This month also was when we discovered your lip tie, and your first medical procedure: clipping it. The doctor said you didn't actually feel any pain, and it likely was just upsetting to you that there were three different people sticking their fingers in your mouth. BUT! It made my heart break to hear you cry like that. I was so grateful that I was able to nurse you and comfort you the best way I know how right afterwards. We seem to have gotten this breast feeding thing down pat. It was difficult, but I'm so so SO glad I stuck with it because I have to say that I enjoy this time with you so very much. You fling your little hand up on my chest and play with my shirt or rub your hand on my neck. Sometimes you stop eating to just look up at me and smile.

Oh oh oh oh you have the most wonderful smile! You make me so happy, and your smile makes me laugh. It's much more intentional, and frequent. You have started playing with your faces, and peek-a-boo actually gets a reaction from you. And you are starting to talk... well, not words but you make the most delicious little noises. You concentrate and work so hard to "talk" to us. But I love it best when you are just waking up. You stretch and stretch, and then fall back asleep. Then you stretch again, and sleep some more. It's so hard - such work - to get up but I love it. You bury your face or fling your arm over your eyes. I can only imagine you as a 14 year old that I am trying to drag out of bed and off to school. You are the funniest, most expressive little girl... I don't want to miss a moment!

Everyone loves you so much, little girl. Papa said it best just today when he exclaimed, "I can't believe it's only been two months!" Lucy, you have become everything... it's hard to remember or imagine life with you, before you. You make everyone so so so very happy. You are my sunshine, you bring us so much job.

Lucy Lu, you are changing every day. I look at pictures from just two months ago and it amazes me. You outgrew my favorite outfit, one that you used to be swimming in. Grandma Julie gave it to you and it was just so pretty on you, the blue bringing out your beautiful skin and eyes. But one day I put it on you and the buttons hardly snapped and your feet pulled the material tight across your shoulders. Little Bug, it is so exciting to see you develop but it scares me how fast time is flying. I walk around the house with you just whispering "I love you" or "You are smart... you are strong... you are beautiful... you are good..." over and over again into your ear. I just hope that not a day goes by where I don't tell you those thoughts, and not a day comes when you don't believe them. I want to squeeze you, and hold you close all the time, but you are already more interested in looking around and being on the move. Just don't grow up to fast little one... and always remember, I love you, I love you, I love you. Forever.

xox Love,
Momma
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The Birth of Lucille Kathleen

My due date was September 17th, which came and went amidst the flurry of painting, prepping, and moving into our new home. I walked up and down stairs, squatted to clean baseboards, lunged to wash windows, and continued working during the day. I would see patients and they would say, "When are you due?" My replies of "today" or "3 days ago" or "a week ago" were often met with exclamations of, "Oh! Don't have it here!" But not to fear, I felt perfectly fine - not even a hint of a contraction. I started going back to my midwife every 3 days... hooked up to a machine to check baby's heart rate and watch for contractions. I had my membranes swept, was told I was dilated and effaced - first 2cm and 50%, then 4cm and 70%. With the threat of an induction looming on the horizon, I went to the chiropractor for a massage and adjustment. "There are trigger points that can help induce labor, right? DO THEM ALL" I said. It wasn't that I was over being pregnant, honestly I knew I would miss having my little one so close to me. I felt good - I was still working and moving about like normal. But I definitely did not want to end up in a hospital facing a whole list of unknown interventions.

For the past three years I have know that I wanted a home birth. Wendy (Aunt Wendy to Lucy - Dad's sister) brought our attention to the Be Bold movement and Chris directed a play called "Birth" in support of the Iowa Midwives. Wendy and I both were in the play and we learned a TON about women's birth choices... I will go into "why home birth" in a different post, but this post is all about my own home birth.

Thursday night after visiting the chiropractor and midwife, Chris and I went to our new house to clean and move a few more things in. We hadn't actually slept over at our new home yet, but decided that this was the night. Friday we decided to run a few errands and buy some things we needed for the new house... Between the bathmats and batteries at Target, contractions started. They weren't that bad so we kept walking around and doing our thing. I tried not to get too excited, knowing the could stop or that it could still be a long way away from "go time". We kept trucking along and I tried to convince Chris that we needed to go look at a new stove. He instead convinced me to call our MUSIC THERAPIST - doula, Kate Taylor. "Kate, I've been having these contractions..." I started out. Kate urged us to go home and time contractions. We had to stop at Jewel first... if I was going into labor we would need food in our house for ourselves and for midwives, our doula and anyone else who may be around. Of course we didn't have a stove either... I think Chris took total advantage of my contractions/laborious state and purchased a 24 pack of pepperoni hot pockets. I DO NOT like pepperoni.

Back at home we labored and hung out, Kate came to meet us and check in on me. At 10 minutes apart we thought we were well on our way to having a baby. But! around 9pm contractions completely stopped. I mean, NOTHING was happening. Nada. Nein. I would be lying if I said I was ok with this. Yes, I trusted my body - but I was frustrated. I went to bed that night sad, impatient, and praying that things would get going again. I did NOT want to end up in the hospital on Monday.

The next morning Chris and I went on a walk with Ellie. We decided to check out our new neighborhood before the contractor came over to put in the dishwasher. We met new neighbors and new dogs, checked out a fabulous new park, and impatiently noticed that contractions were simply not happening. About 10am we crawled back into bed and prayed. I prayed and prayed that labor would start, that I would meet my baby soon. I sang comforting songs from youth ministry days and Monmouth College spiritual life retreats. We talked about how we would be parents soon. I soon devised a rotation of baby inducing efforts. I did cat cow yoga stretches, sat on the birth ball, and other fun labor starting activities. Chris went to help the contractor hooking up our dishwasher and returned to me jumping and singing on the bed (Aunt Alexis' suggestion).

Later, as contractions were coming but irregular I talked with Kate on the phone and she asked about what it was that I was holding onto, what was holding me back. She got me thinking and as I sat on the birth ball alone in my living room I again turned to prayer. Asking for forgiveness, for strength, peace, and blessings. I asked Mother Mary and every saint I could think of for their prayers and support. I implored the angels to be with me and to wrap my baby in love and safety. Chris came in from outside and joined me. We held each other in a sort of dance with the afternoon sun in our new home. Contractions picked back up and were getting into full swing. Even though they would hurt and I would catch my breath and say "Thank you". I was grateful for each contractions bringing my baby, grateful for my husband who was a rock, grateful for my body which felt more powerful than I could have imagined.

Eventually, Kate came and walked into me laying on the couch crying. It might have been a transition where contractions were increasingly painful, or the emotions of the day. She encouraged me to get up and trying something new to deal with the pain, but I first wanted to talk to my Mom. I really have no idea what time of night I called her, although it had to be before 9 because the midwives were not there yet. In tears, I doubted myself and told her, "Mom, I can't do this." Now, weeks ago the midwife had said that many laboring moms want to call their mom at some point. I hadn't been sure that I would want to, just because I thought I had mentally prepared and had a fantastic support system in Chris but she was right. Calling my Mom was one of the best things I did that night. She was perfect. My Mom can be the perfect mix of strong and sympathetic. Emotional and encouraging. Just hearing her voice reminded me that I wasn't alone, that she and so many other women had done this before and that I could do it too. I felt empowered again. No one will ever love you the way your Mom loves you.

Kate was a perfect addition to the birth. She got the music playing, got me on the birth ball, and helped me vocalize in a productive way. I would be lying if I said I wasn't vocal... I was, I was LOUD. We worked on deep moans with a open relaxed jaw (your jaw is in direct relation with your cervix and opening my relaxed mouth apparently would help my body open as well). Chris worried thinking about our peoples reactions to the noises coming from their new neighbors home. But he was smart enough not to suggest I quiet down.

Kate encouraged me to try out a shower, in which I instantly felt better and more relaxed. I sat on the edge of the tub, knelt on the floor, or lent against the wall just enjoying the soothing warm water. We had the brilliant idea of putting the birth ball in the tub, and I tried to position it so that the stream of water would hit my back. Chris and Kate were outside the bathroom when they heard a thud and my own laughter. Chris came in asking if I was ok, to which I replied "Yes" but that I needed a little help. He pulled back the shower curtain to find me on my butt, water spraying me in the face, and my (huge) pregnant self wedged between the wall and the birth ball. Apparently a rubber ball is slippery when wet and when I tried to sit down I slid right off. I couldn't help but laugh and I remember remarking that this was likely the sexiest thing my husband had ever seen.

Hilary (our midwife) had the 4-1-1 rule... she would come when contractions were 4 minutes apart, 1 minute long, and those two criteria had been going on for 1 hour. Chris had called to talk to her what seemed like a million times that night, and finally she said she was on her way. At 9pm Hilary and Mara (Hilary's midwifery student and aid for the evening) arrived at our house. Chris and Kate had set up the tub in the living room. I was currently on the couch but had been transitioning between bedroom, couch, and bathroom. I felt a sense of relief having them there, and when they checked my progress I was thrilled to learn I was 7cm dilated and 100% effaced. I remember looking at Chris and remarking that our baby was going to be born today, September 29th. But the time flew by, I was in and out of the birth tub, walking around, sitting on the toilet/birth ball/Chris' lap. I was so lucky in that I was able to do anything I wanted. I was the boss, this was MY birth, MY body and I could do what my body wanted. There were some funny moments, Chris says I didn't lose my sense of humor... or sarcasm. And there were touching moments, as I had gotten to the point where I was starting to push and Ellie decided to check things out. She had been fairly uninterested up until then, but she walked up to the edge of the pool to check on me. I was leaning over the side and could press my head against hers and rub her ears. I couldn't help but think of all the times I was lonely, or angry, or depressed and was able to curl up with her and cry.

Through the course of the "pushing phase" I walked around a fair bit. They encouraged Chris and I to lay down and rest earlier but I couldn't. I let Chris have a short nap but the contractions were so close together there wouldn't be sleep for me. Everyone encouraged me to walk up and down the stairs but I was stubborn and refused. Instead I walked through the apartment, Mara and/or Kate at my side, often Chris following right behind so that if I bent into a squat/sit to push he would be my support. I literally sat on his legs as he did a squat in midair to hold me. When I say he was with me every step of the way, I mean it literally. Later we would go to the chiropractor and find that ever area in which my body was misaligned from the birth, his was too. I don't think there is another man in the world like him. And I only really got testy with him once, asking him not to touch me because I was just too hot. He really is amazing.

I was coming to the end of my rope... I had already told everyone to figure something else out, that I couldn't do this. I asked for "something" to ease the pain... not knowing what in the world that "something" could be, maybe a Tylenol? Ha ha. It was now the very early part of Sunday morning. September 29th had come and gone. I had been pushing for what felt like forever. There were times when I'd get pumped up saying "I can do this" but I'd get worn down again. Kate was so perfect, she knew the best places to touch or massage... and the best things to say to me. She looked at me and told me how proud she was, how awesome I had been doing. She reminded me that in the hospital I would have been deemed a "failure to progress" but that I had worked through that - fought through that. She encouraged me. They had me reach down and feel my baby, the top of her head soft and oh so close to coming out. I was ready to really push. Hilary told me to go to bed (the birth pool had been given up on as it relaxed me too much and slowed contractions). I remember telling her I didn't want to and her explaining that giving birth into a toilet was less than ideal and a very difficult way for her to catch my baby. Given that compelling argument, I crawled into bed with my husband by my side. Mara stationed herself at one leg, Kate at the other, Hilary waiting for the baby.

It was amazing to me to have to learn how to push. I would push push push but nothing would happen. I had to figure out how to push the right way. I told Hilary she could just, "reach in there and pull this baby out" but she told me this was my birth, and only I could birth this baby. Even though I was tired and maybe ready to give up, that simple realization that only I could do this was just as encouraging. This was my job, to bring this little person into the world. They encouraged me to feel her head again, although I was scared I'd reach down and not feel her any closer than she was the last time, I placed my hand on the top of her head. She was so close to being in my arms! Only a few pushes later and then in seconds she was on my chest. Oh my goodness she had SO MUCH HAIR! I asked if she was a boy or girl, Hilary informed us that that was our job to find out. Chris made the call... "It's a girl, I think". He cut her umbilical cord, and We sat together, just us three..Hilary, Kate, and Mara swirled around us cleaning, checking, data-collecting...but it was just us, our family, in our bed, in our house. I was shocked, here she was! It was her, it was my little Lucy. I had thought about being a mom my entire life, and in what felt like seconds (42 weeks, 36 hours of labor, 4 hours of pushing... but seconds) and here she was. Chris and I just wanted to lay there and look at her forever.

Chris went out to make phone calls to announce her arrival to the world. I had a few stitches and I laugh now remembering the pang of fear that came when I saw Hilary's needle - despite the fact that I had just lived through giving birth. Mara and Hilary walked me to the bathroom, helped me clean up, and checked on my sweet girl. Kate left to get home to her own children, one of whom desperately (for Kate's sake) needed to be breastfed. She updated her Facebook status saying,

"I was so thankful for the light of day today! After douling the LONGEST.HOMEBIRTH.EVER, I got to drive home with the sunrise at my back and the fullness of the moon in my sight. By the grace of GOD, baby girl "L" was finally birthed into this world at 4:44 a.m. After nearly 36 hours of labor on and off and four hours of pushing, baby girl, her marathon momma and her courageous dad are resting together. If I have missed your call or lapsed on my commitments to any of you my dear friends, God placed me exactly where I was needed. Time.to.sleep.for.a.week."

It had gotten cold suddenly, like fall was really here. The air was crisp and invigorating. The moon was huge, as full as can be and the sun on the brink of rising as Lucy came into the world. It was the beginning of our brand new story...

 

Lucille Kathleen

4:44am - September 30

6 pound 9 ounces - 20.5 inches long

   

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On my own...

Today was my first day back to work. Amidst the tears and worry a really sad thought came to my mind (as if I needed more fodder to cry over). Today was the first time I really attended work all alone. During the interview/hiring process I discovered that I was pregnant. Lucy has been with me every day that I have worked this job. She was the one I talked to in the car between clients sharing my dreams of her future and bargaining with her to come at the perfect time, she was the one I sang to when I was jamming out in the car, she was the one I thought about when I sang "You are my Sunshine" for the millionth time that week, and she was the one I encouraged when I was tired at the end of my day... "One more person to see, Baby, and then we can go home!"

It wasn't that terrible. We survived. Grandma sent pictures all day to my phone letting me know that Lucy was going to the bank, or Wal-mart, or taking a nap. I had enough breast milk to get her through the day with some left over. The nursery staff and Grandma's co-workers didn't say that Lucy wasn't allowed back and had fun with her. I actually took a shower, ate breakfast, fed Ellie, AND loaded the dishwasher. I went to the office, looked at pictures of Lucy. Had my computer fixed and got the new company phone... and looked at pictures of Lucy. I pumped in the office, and in the car, and looked at pictures of Lucy. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home to pick up celebratory "We survived" pork chops for dinner and dishwasher detergent for the dishes I loaded this morning.

And then!

There she was, back in my arms again. She felt bigger, but surprised me with how light she is. She smiled up at me and I was taken straight back to September 30th... This is my baby. My precious little girl, and I am so incredibly grateful for the honor of being her Momma. Even now when she is crabby and fighting sleep, I look over at her daddy rocking her in his arms, I can't help but think of how I am the luckiest woman in the world and my heart keeps beating "thank you, thank you, thank you".

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Giving thanks

This Thanksgiving it's hard not to reflect on the past year with wonder and to laugh a bit. I guess you never know how much can change in a year, and when your in the midst of a situation it's hard to see what may lay ahead. But like wise it's amazing to see what you've traveled through.

One year ago as we celebrated Thanksgiving I was looking forward to only a few more weeks of my internship and was ready to start a new job. We were living with my parents and that Monday we went to look at our first house. Last November we were Thankful that my internship had gone so well, that Chris had a job, that my parents had put up with us for 6 months, and that the trials and tribulations of life in the Quad Cities were behind us.

By the new year I had lost the job that I thought I had and was job hunting again. I took my certification test, became a Board Certified Music Therapist, and applied to jobs like mad. Before I knew it, I was offered another job with a hospice company. Even then, a matter of weeks it was amazing to see how much could change.

And then... we had NEWS to share. Suddenly everything changed when we found out that our Lucy was on the way.

There were ups and downs over the past year - new job, new car, new house, new baby!

The year flew by, and as I watched Lucy wake up this morning I couldn't help but think about how thankful I am. I am so lucky that I have such amazing family who loves me so much. Both my family and my in-laws are wonderful. They have helped us so much in the past year, they have loved and supported us more than I could have ever asked for. I am so incredibly thankful for a husband who takes care of his family, who loves me and stays by my side every step in our journey and who is am absolutely fantastic father. And I am so incredibly grateful for by beautiful girl. I sat at her side watching her sleep and just thanking God for sending her.
I have never been more happy...
I have never been more humbled...
I have never been more thankful than I am this Thanksgiving.

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I love you

Oh little Lucy, there are times when the only thing I can do is wrap both of my arms around you tight, hold you close to me, give you kisses all over your face, and whisper "I love you, I love you, I love you" over and over again into your ears. You squirm and try to eat my face and make the sweetest little noises, and it only makes me say it more.

I promise to do this for always. Even when you are 14 and way to cool to want me to do this. But I'll do it anyway. And I think you will secretly love it.

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Happy Halloween

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To my little bug - 1 month

Dear Lucy,

My little Lucy Bug, how on Earth are you already one month old? This doesn't seem possible to me. This morning as I was giving you your bottle, I couldn't help but think of where I was one month ago. You have completely changed me. My life, my heart, my dreams - they will never be the same. You are everything to both your Daddy and Me.

You are so wonderful, where do I begin. First of all, you are breath taking. I just look at you, and my heart breaks. Not in a bad way... it's just amazing how much I am bursting with love. I want to kiss you all the time, and hug you, and squeeze you. When you fall asleep and are lying beside me, I look at you and I can't even believe you are real. You are an angel. You are perfect. Words will never be able to describe how much I love you.

When you are awake you are always making the craziest faces. I think you get that from your Daddy. You have the most expressive eye brows! You keep us all laughing with your funny faces. And of course everyone wants to mess with you all the time. Let sleeping baby's sleep? No way! Awake or asleep, you undergo an onslaught of kisses, tickles, and ridiculous noises every time we are around you.

Lucy, you are so incredibly snuggly!! I love the way you want to burrow into my neck when I hold you. I love the way you curl up like a little tree frog to sleep on Daddy's chest. You are in every way a "Love Bug".

You love to be naked! Oh my goodness, get that diaper off of you and you are all smiles. I enjoy so much kissing your belly and playing with your toes. You are starting to smile more regularly and I think it has to be more than gas now. You're just a happy little girl! And bath time? Ha ha, you are too funny. I think you like the water a lot and that makes me so excited to take you to the beach next summer.

And oh my goodness, you are so strong! You have been holding your head up since the second day you were in my arms. You love to look around and check things out. I cannot get over the way you follow people and sounds. You recognize voices too! Daddy's, mine, your grandparents! Grandma thinks you are way ahead of your time, but please little girl don't grow up too fast.

You have changed so much since you were born. Your hair is starting to fall out on the top of your head. You look like your balding - like George Costanza (a pop culture reference I'm sure you wont get and will someday roll your eyes at me for) or your Uncle Charlie. You have really started to fill out, your face is chubbier and I am loving the rolls on your neck and chin. But your legs are still skinny and your feet tiny tiny. Your fingers are so long, everyone comments on how you'll be a piano player. I love when you wrap your hand around my finger that honestly, I don't care what you do - piano, guitar, whatever - just as long as you continue to hold my hand.

It's so funny, little Lucy girl, but you are a riddle. Every time I feel like I have a hold of something, you change it. Every time I think I understand, the game changes. When I think of ways to describe you, it's a paradox. Giving birth to you was the most difficult and yet most empowering thing I have ever done. The weeks since have been the hardest yet most fun I've ever had. You are so new to me, to this whole world, and yet I can't imagine life without you. I simultaneously mourn and celebrate your firsts, wanting this time to go by slower and yet excited to see what's to come. There are so many firsts to celebrate but I am already dreading the "lasts".

Please please please promise me two things my little love...

1. Promise me you wont grow up too fast, that you'll stay my baby for as long as possible.
2. Promise that you will never forget how much you are loved. By all your family, friends, and especially Daddy and me.

I love you forever and ever.

xox
Mama

This is one of my favorite photos of you (to date) and one of the inspirations for my nickname for you.

 

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Lucy Kate

Welcome to the world

 

Lucille Kathleen

 

 

Mr. Bean and I are overwhelmingly happy to announce the birth of our daughter.

I will be sharing our birth story soon.

 

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A letter to my late little baby!

Dear Baby,

Are you ever going to come out?! You were “due” by Monday September 17. And now, here we are on Thursday September 20 waiting and waiting. Of course, I know that due dates don't really mean all that much. The average not induced baby is 8 days late. But I can't wait to meet you!

I am seriously torn, on one hand I do not want you to leave me. I enjoy feeling you dance around inside – it's like NOTHING I've ever felt before. It's unreal. There are times when I feel like I am not pregnant at all, its hard to believe that there could be a little person inside me. But then you make these huge movements back and forth and I am reminded that your little feet are kicking away. I start to wonder what your face looks like. Do you have long eyelashes like your Dad and Aunt Katie? Do you have a little button nose like Uncle Charlie did when he was born? I wonder how much hair you have, how long you are, what your personality is like. I start to wonder about the day you will come into the world, what will it be like? I'm not scared of being in pain, I just want everything to go smoothly. Perfectly. I pray to God that you are happy and healthy and ready for this amazing adventure we call life.

You know, I'm laughing because your Daddy made me wait 5 years before marrying me... and now here you are making me wait too! It's ok though, all the good things are worth waiting for. And your great grandpa always tells me, “Put your patience in the corner”. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly that means but I'm generally trying to be patient and realize that everything happens when it's supposed to happen. Besides, you are giving us more time to finish up your house!

I already love you tremendously. Come out and play soon!

xox

Mom (that's so weird! I'm a MOM?!)

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40 weeks!

How far along? 40 weeks... and counting...

Total weight gain: I dont care anymore

Maternity clothes? I'm over clothing in general... if it isn't sweatpants and t-shirts I really dont want to be wearing it.

Stretch marks? Bleh

Sleep: I am actually sleeping pretty well... I just wish I could have MORE time to do it

Best moment of the week: (Great) Grandma's birthday party celebration

Miss anything? My sanity
Movement: Lots of movement, hiccups, kicks, dancing around

Anything making you queasy or sick: I keep feeling sick but I'm not sure what is causing it

Gender prediction: Who knows?
Labor signs: Unfortunately... none

Symptoms: I am actually GIGANTIC

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time? Probably more moody than I'd like to admit

Looking forward to: Moving...the house being DONE... hopefully?

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39 and I feel fine!

How far along? 39 weeks... they say the baby is the size of a mini watermelon!

Total weight gain: I haven't even checked.

Maternity clothes? I hate all my clothes... AND it's been cooler because while I was happy to avoid buying a lot of maternity clothes, it also means that I have no long pants to wear.

Stretch marks? Bleh

Sleep: I am sleeping again, but only because house remodeling is wearing me out.

Best moment of the week: Arriving at our new house and finding the scaffolding gone - masonry work is DONE! Also, Mom (Grandma), Kate (Auntie Kate) and I found diswashers on clearance for the house - mega score. AND we had our home visit with the midwife, which was pretty cool... made things very real.

Miss anything? Not really, just looking forward to moving and not working on a million projects at once. Movement: Baby keep sticking his/her butt out, its actually pretty funny. S/He pushed my guitar away from me the other day!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Gender prediction: I really have no idea... but I'm leaning girl now...

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Exhaustion and I am seriously HUGE

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but I tend to get overwhelmed quickly

Looking forward to: moving and that the birth of this baby could be any day now!

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38 weeks!

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain: staying the same

Maternity clothes? Nothing new but loving my sweatpants

Stretch marks? yeah... whatever!

Sleep: what's that...seriously...I am freaking exhausted

Best moment of the week: watching Adam and Kelsey get married (gorgeous wedding) but also, moving a HUGE sleeper chair onto the top of my C-RV with Paul and Leigh Ann. They are the best.

Miss anything? not going to lie... would have enjoyed a glass of red wine at the wedding

Movement: still rolling around in there!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: Your guess is as good as mine!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: I am emotional!!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, but it was kind of a rough weekend and so I will be honest and say there were quite a bit of tears and roller coaster emotions!

Looking forward to: rest, peace, whenever that will come.

Practicing for the song we sang for the ceremony

Which led to jamming with the groomsmen

which led to serenading the bride

  

aren't they two gorgeous people?! Congrats!

 



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37 weeks!

How far along? 37 weeks

Total weight gain: staying the same

Maternity clothes? Nothing new!

Stretch marks? Bleh

Sleep: what's that?

Best moment of the week: COWBOY BABY SHOWER and a surprise spa/angel/blessingway type retreat

Miss anything? not sweating

Movement: Hiccups will never get old.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: I have no idea...

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Sore sore hips

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? still off...

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: Wedding extravaganza this weekend for Chris' cousin and seeing his family is so fun!

Photos from an amazing baby shower... complete with mustaches, burbon cupcakes, and water balloons.

It was beyond words amazing, little baby you have the coolest Aunties.

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36 weeks!

How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain: staying the same

Maternity clothes? Nothing new!

Stretch marks? In the words of Scarlet O'Hara, "I'll worry about that tomorrow."

Sleep: uncomfortable... my hips are killing me.

Best moment of the week: Kat's wedding, we had a BLAST! And we did NOT have a baby.

Miss anything? Not really

Movement: Still a lot but less rolling and more stretching...like baby is getting squished in there!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: I have no idea... boy one day, girl the next

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: my hips are sore!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? still off...

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: My super duper awesome friends are throwing a YEE-HAW cowboy themed baby shower this weekend! I am so so SO excited to see our friends all in one place!

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Week 35!

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain: staying the same

Maternity clothes? Nothing new!

Stretch marks? Let's be positive and say no new ones have appeared

Sleep: not enough

Best moment of the week: Yesterday as I was playing the guitar, little one did a complete roll over in my belly (or at least it felt like it)... made me think s/he was saying "Not now, Mom. I'm trying to sleep!"

Miss anything? Not really

Movement: Lots and lots.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: with the dreams we have been having I'm confused, my BOY conviction is waining.

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: not being able to eat as much but eating a little more often

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? still off,

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: I'm not sure why, but today I'm ready for baby to just BE HERE! I'm impatient to hold and kiss and snuggle my little one, probably because I was so snugly in my bed with the cooler weather. In my head, I laugh and know that I need to wait. Wait for baby to get chubbier (which is what we're working on this week), wait to move into our new house (which we hope to close on this week), wait to do more laundry or actually buy a car seat (which I am sure will happen within the next few weeks)...
But it's almost like I miss having this little one in my arms. Isn't that strange?

We aren't really ready for you yet, Baby, but I am sure excited to have you make your appearance!

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Week 34

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain: I am maintaining at 10lbs.

Maternity clothes? I think I might get by without buying anything more!

Stretch marks? Ugh.

Sleep: not enough

Best moment of the week: We had friends up in Michigan last weekend. Hanging out at the beach, enjoying GREAT company, eating tons of ice cream. It was the best.

Miss anything? I have a list of food I'm really looking forward to... sushi, tuna salad... *sigh*

Movement: TONS! I love every moment of it.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: boy...Chris joined me and has started having dreams that it's a girl...

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: The occasional waddle... this isn't a symptom but Chris recorded the heartbeat at our last midwife appointment. Listen here!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? still off, though I haven't tried to put them back on

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, though a little dazed from lack of sleep

Looking forward to: Seeing our maternity photos... I am impatiently waiting. :)

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33 weeks is awfully sweet... or 33 weeks, I wish I was asleep

How far along? 33 weeks

Total weight gain: Total for the whole pregnancy is at 10lbs.

Maternity clothes? Got new things to wear for the photo shoot, but actually none of it was maternity

Stretch marks? Keep putting on belly butter and vitamin E.

Sleep: Still really uncomfortable and inconsistent, which means I would love to take extra naps

Best moment of the week: My amazing baby weekend which included fantastic maternity photos done by the exceptional Joshua Ford (or check him out on facebook) and a surprise shower thrown by my Sister and her helpers. It was absolutely awesome. I had a TON of fun. Aunt Katie did an amazing job of planning... everything from the cake to the decorations. A ton of my family was there, people were FAR too generous, and it was just a really fun time.

Miss anything? Sleep

Movement: Lots and lots! Baby is like an Olympic swimmer in the kicking around.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: boy...but I had another dream last night that we had a girl - this baby may be a surprise

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Lots of movement and wanting lots of sleep!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? I had both my wedding ring and engagement ring on for the maternity photos but they were awfully tight. After I got them off I haven't put them back on again...

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but grumpy when tired, so beware.
Looking forward to: Seeing our maternity photos!

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32 weeks!

How far along? 32 weeks - this was when I was born (a full 2 months early), so since we've gotten past this point I'm pretty happy. My fetal fibronectin test came back negative, meaning I have not yet made the hormone that means maybe labor might start... but really it wasn't going to tell me anything definitive, so we wont do another one. I just keep telling baby to "stay in"!

Total weight gain: According to my midwife, I lost .4 lbs since my last visit. I'll take that.

Maternity clothes? Other than 3 shirts and a bathing suit - none! I'm so happy I bought those bella bands!

Stretch marks? Let's not talk about it.

Sleep: I would love to just sleep all the time, but it's getting a little uncomfortable

Best moment of the week: Writing our birth plan and seeing how much Chris knows and cares about all this stuff. He's pretty much awesome.

Miss anything? My hips not hurting and sleeping on my stomach.

Movement: Lots but it's hard to anticipate movement. It seems like every time Chris puts his hand on my belly the baby stops moving and I don't want to be that awkward woman who has her friends just hanging out, touching her belly, and not feeling anything. I promise you aunties out there, if I knew you'd feel the baby I would let you hang all over my belly - but without movement it's just awkward! :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender prediction: boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Lots of movement and getting more uncomfortable.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: Maternity photo shoot this weekend!

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31 is so much FUN!!

How far along? 31 weeks!

Total weight gain: up a little more, but also at a LOT of delicious food last weekend...

Maternity clothes? Getting lots of use out of my maternity bathing suit. :)

Stretch marks? Keep putting on belly butter and vitamin E.

Sleep: If I could I would sleep all the time!

Best moment of the week: Last weekend was my friend (Auntie) Kat's bachelorette party. I had a TON of fun. Aunt Alexis did an amazing job of planning and it was just fantastic to have time to be with the girls.

Miss anything? Not really, I had a blast this weekend with the girls...which just went to show I don't need alchohol to have a fantastic time!

Movement: Tons! Yesterday I had to play for a patient that was very hard of hearing. So! I had to play my guitar extra loud... and Baby just went crazy kicking and moving around to all the music.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Gender prediction: boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Lots of movement and wanting lots of sleep!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On... But I think it's stuck on... oops!

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy - what's NOT to be happy about!?

Looking forward to: Baby showers!

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30 Weeks!

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain: +2 lbs

Maternity clothes? A couple of new maternity t-shirts.

Stretch marks? I think they are starting to fade a bit

Sleep: Yes, please!

Best moment of the week: We visited family in Iowa. Chris' Mom - Grandma Julie - gave us the stroller Chris used to ride in as a baby!! So cool, it's retro and definitely makes our baby one awesome kid! That and just seeing everyone for his grandparents 50 wedding anniversary was fantastic!

Miss anything? 80 degree weather

Movement: Yeah, but only when I am cooled off in the air conditioning

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing lately

Gender prediction: boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: I am really starting to FEEL pregnant

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy

Looking forward to: Air conditioning



The Overberg Clan



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The Power of Love

28 years ago, my parents bought two tickets to see Huey Lewis and the News perform live in Chicago. With two months to go before “the baby” arrived. Their young couple status would soon upgrade to young parents, and the love nest would get a little cozier with a new plus one. It was a last hurrah of childless bliss.


My Mom worked in an art gallery in Woodfield Mall. She was by far the most qualified (an artist herself and former art teacher), the most personable, and from what I understand the most successful sales rep employed there. Managing the gallery and getting excited for a night out with her husband and good music, she started having Braxton-Hicks contractions and decided to go for a walk. Her walk didn’t help in the slightest. White knuckled, clutching the arm rail, and after touring the entire mall she dropped to her knees and crawled back into the gallery. She composed herself in the back room and went back out onto the floor to help a customer. Standing and talking for a while, the lady finally said, “Ok, your contractions are about 2 minutes apart. You probably should head to the hospital.”

Instead, she headed home.

Getting ready for the concert, she called from the bathroom for my dad to “listen”... astonished that, despite the fact that she didn’t have to go, a stream of fluid was trickling into the toilet. As a safety precaution, they decided to stop by the hospital on the way to the concert. My dad made sure to grab the tickets on the way out the door.

At the hospital, they learned that they would NOT be attending the concert. Instead they would be checking in and at 4am the next morning - two month to the day of the original due date - they welcomed me, their tiny premature baby, into the world.

They never did see Huey Lewis perform.

So this year, when I found out that Huey Lewis and the News was performing not too far from the cottage where my parents were enjoying the Fourth of July, how could I resist? 28 years later, with their first grandchild in utero (2 months and a few weeks before this little one is due to come out), they were finally rocking and rolling to Huey live.

“Why don’t you and Chris come with us?” My mother asked.

I’m not even going to chance it.

Happy Birthday to me… And here’s to you Mom and Dad – it’s hip to be square.

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29 weeks!

29 weeks and loving it!

How far along? 29 weeks and 5 days

Total weight gain: same old, same old...

Maternity clothes? Clothes? Who wants to wear clothes in this heat?! I DID get a maternity bathing suit... Stretch marks? I think they are starting to fade a bit

Sleep: If I go to bed late, I sleep through the night and am tired in the morning. If I go to bed early, I wake up to use the bathroom and am tired in the morning... Yeesh

Best moment of the week: Being up in Michigan with my WHOLE family... Aunt Katie, Uncle Charlie, and my parents (who can't decide what they would like to be called).

Miss anything? Being a reasonable, comfortable temperature

Movement: Yeah, but only when I am cooled off in the air conditioning

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing lately

Gender prediction: boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: I am really starting to FEEL pregnant

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, except when it's hot

Looking forward to: Snow.

There's a bump on the beach!



I might complain about the heat, but in reality - I absolutely love being pregnant.
This is the coolest adventure I've been on yet!


Baby - Mom and Dad love you so so so so sooo much!



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Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!

How far along? 28 weeks - Welcome to the 3rd trimester!

Total weight gain: staying the same...but anticipating the growth spurt of the 3rd trimester

Maternity clothes? bella bands and dresses are getting me by so far!

Stretch marks? yep but no new additions

Sleep: Crazy, crazy, dreams

Best moment of the week: Today I had an appointment with my Midwife... I love ALL of the women at Gentle Birth Care, Inc. Seriously. Today, I just feel good about my pregnancy, heard the little one's heart beat, and am in a generally good mood.

Miss anything? The 70 degree weather

Movement: Baby is break dancing!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Postnasal drip... still

Gender prediction: still thinking boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: congrestion, but it's better
Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: Seeing how much bigger I'll get... it's hard to imagine.

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Dream a little dream

So... I've mentioned to a few people that I've been having some strange dreams. Many have been scary, but some just plain weird. This is one of those weird ones... I think it was inspired by the Bradley Birth class discussion on visualization. Our teacher was talking about how she visualized a rose blooming during labor to open her cervix. Later that night, I dreamt I was in labor. I decided to tell if I was progressing by watching Ellie chew her bone. Except this was a HUGE rawhide bone... and Ellie, though chewing away, did not seem to be making any progress. I became more and more upset every time I would see that the bone looked hardly touched, despite all my laboring/Ellie's gnawing. I decided to change tactics and started chanting "Bloom, bloom, bloom" to myself... until I woke up and caught myself actually willing my cervix to open and thinking, "bloom, bloom, bloom". Wide awake I freaked out and started talking to my 27 week fetus... "Stay in, stay in, stay in...".

Good grief.

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The Final Stretch

So Annie and I keep arguing over whether we are in the final trimester of our pregnancy or not. I say that simple math prevails, counting boldly on thumb and two fingers,

"June 20th to July 20th. July 20th to August 20th. August 20th to September 20th. That is three months. TRImester!" Annie rebuts with some technical explanation of weeks to term and an algorithm that calculates from last menstruation to due date. I sigh and concede that the professionals who devised these calculations are much more experienced at this than I.

I don't know much about having a baby.

There are times when this realization fills me with anxiety and strikes fear in my heart. What if I do something wrong? What if I permanently damage the child by feeding it something too early in life, or allow it to play with knives, or listen to Justin Bieber? With all the regulations, recalls, and restrictions around, I often think of children as frail collections of fat and bird-like bones. But then I stop and consider the history of mankind. Women have been giving birth with great success for thousands of years, and the majority of those children have survived. So why do I always assume that I'm going to screw up this kid?

I know that I will not be the perfect father. But when I look at some of the other male role models that populate the dysfunctional landscape of American pop culture and family values, I am reassured that I am going to do an adequate job at a dad. I know I wont be perfect, and at some point in my life, one or all of my children are going to hate me. But right now, there are few things that cause me to be giddy with excitement like the anticipation of this little life that is due for arrival in September. The joy, the adventure, and the education that Annie and I are about to delve into are beyond comprehension, and I seriously cannot wait.

Whether we are in the final trimester or not, we are on the final stretch of this pregnancy. It has flown by, and it makes me afraid that the next stage of our lives will also be past us before we have time to stop and enjoy it. I can only hope that, amid the zany experiences that will undoubtedly come in the next few years, that we can enjoy the moments we are in and appreciate what life has given us.


~CW
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Week 27... I'm in heaven!

How far along? 27 weeks - as of today 90 days to go! And baby is the size of a cauliflower!

Total weight gain: maintaining
Maternity clothes? dresses are my friends
Stretch marks? yep but no new additions
Sleep: About the same...congestion, heat, and bathroom breaks are making sleeping through the night near impossible. And the crazy dreams just keep coming.

Best moment of the week: Friday the baby let out one major kick (the first real kick so far) that made my whole stomach move.. even my dress jumped. Too cool!
Miss anything? Breathing normally.

Movement: Still lots of tossing and turning around in there...but after that kick I'm anxious to have more like that!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Postnasal drip... gross
Gender prediction: still thinking boy

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Sleepy, congested, emotional... same old, same old.
Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: More kicking! I have been dancing and shaking my belly around hoping to instigate more movement... no such luck. I just really want Chris to SEE the baby move like I did.



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100 days to go...

I am a master at countdowns. Countdown to Christmas, countdown to vacation, countdown to the last day of school... I love to do some backwards counting. ;)

So when my babycenter.com app on my phone said "100 days to go" last week the count down really hit me. I remember "100 days to go"...

100 days until I return home from studying abroad. Sitting in my bedroom in Florence, Italy feeling excited to see my family, friends, and boyfriend again but also never wanting to leave. Feeling kind of guilty to be looking forward to leaving such an awesome and beautiful place.

100 days until the end of a school semester. Depending on when you caught me there were mixed emotions about the end of a semester. I loved being away at school, I loved dorm life, I loved my time at Monmouth College. But there were times when being away took it's toll and I just wanted to be in my own house, with my family, and sleep in my own bed. Or the stress of school work, papers, finals, whatever would pile up and have me looking forward to it just being OVER.

100 days until my wedding day. Funny there was less waiting time for our wedding day than there will be waiting for this baby. I never wanted to be engaged for a long time... I just knew if I was things would get bigger (more expensive) than they needed to be and in reality I couldn't wait to marry the man of my dreams. People thought I was crazy for only planning a wedding in 8 months, some asked if I was pregnant, but it worked for me. The 100 day mark had me stressing a little with still needing a wedding dress and making final plans, but it was also exciting because I really couldn't wait to marry Christopher.

So now, as I look at "100 days to go" in my pregnancy I have a lot of the same feelings of other 100 day milestones. I was born 2 months to the day early and my mom was 1 month early, so it is very possible that I could have only 70 days... or God forbid 40 days to go. That makes me scared beyond belief. We are not nearly at all ready to have a baby next month... and August isn't looking that perfect either. I enjoy being pregnant (so far). I am really in no hurry to get this baby out. And then there are lots of people who make a happy little home for baby and the little one just doesn't want to come out. When we went for our ultrasound the tech said that baby was actually measuring to be due later, though they didn't change my due date. And while that would be OK, I'm sure impatient to meet this baby! So basically what 100 days says to me is to enjoy the time I have. Make the most of it. What will get done, will get done. What doesn't, doesn't. I will never be able to duplicate this time, with this child, ever. So it is my goal to enjoy each day and stage as it comes. To live in the moment, because when the 10 day countdown starts... watch out!

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26 weeks

How far along? 26 weeks

Total weight gain: holding since last week... only 6lbs

Maternity clothes? Went and bought a couple of maternity shirts and a tank top this weekend... just needed things to be a bit longer.

Stretch marks? A few :(

Sleep: Congestion, heat, and bathroom breaks are making sleeping through the night near impossible. Plus I've been having some scary dreams lately.
Best moment of the week: Sharing the pregnancy excitement with a friend who just found out she is pregnant, getting our first set of cloth diapers in the mail, and passing the "100 days to go" mark

Miss anything? Not really

Movement: Still a good amount of tossing and turning around in there... Baby especially likes to move when I am driving. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Postnasal drip... queasiness has come back
Gender prediction: boy, although I did have a random dream where baby was a girl...
Labor signs: None
Symptoms: Sleepy, congested, emotional, but otherwise just happy as a clam!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to: Moving... hopefully... everyone keep your fingers crossed.

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Saturday. Woah... what a week!

What a week it's been!

To recap:

Last weekend Chris, baby's Aunt Evy, and I all went up to Minneapolis to become Godparents for my friend Emily's (that's Aunt Emily to you, little one) boys. Elijah and Eadan are just awesome little guys and watching them grow is just amazing. On our way home we also stopped and saw one of our good friends from college, Katie, her little girl, and brand spankin' new baby boy. Between playing with Emily's little men and holding Katie's 2 weeks old I had a good look at my future for the next two years. It only made me more excited that I was before...

Monday was Chris'  birthday, so we celebrated in style at a great new restaurant in Schaumburg. The main component of said restaurant is whiskey, so it was less exciting for me... but it was so fun to watch him freak out over the PLETHORA of whiskey options. "I haven't even heard of some of these!" He exclaimed while looking over the double sided extra large whiskey only menu. I love birthdays. It just goes right along with my love for Christmas, or Valentine's Day, or really any excuse to have a surprise... just because it's a special time to tell someone you love them. No, we don't have to have a special day to tell people we love them, but the reality is that life flies by so fast it's nice to have those special reminder days to do something a little extra. And I'm a sucker for the extra. Let's be real, I like dinner to be surprise... Chris will often ask what I am making and I respond, "You'll see" as I sneakily work away on something simple like buffalo chicken. But, this is just me... I like to do something a little extra for people because the people in my life ARE wonderful. Everyone is. And everyone deserves to feel loved, remembered, special. So, I like to celebrate in any way I can.

Anyway, Monday my amazing husband turned 27 whole years old. It made me think about how at our age our parents were waiting for their babies to be born... time goes so fast! On birthdays I think about how it happened that in the course of however many years someone came to be where they are today... 27 years ago, what did Chris' parents think while looking down at his little face? What did they dream for him? Did it even cross their minds that 27 years later he would be all that he is now? Did they anticipate the trouble he would get in with his sister? The adventures they would have together? Boy scouts and soccer? Car accidents and proms? Did they think about the day he would move away to college or start a new job in Chicago? Did they think about someday becoming grandparents? With our own baby, will Chris think about those things the first time he holds his son or daughter?

I remember when I first realized that Chris was "the one" for me and how badly I couldn't wait to marry him.. to have a home... to have kids... and now here we are! Happiest of birthdays to the Prince Charming I dreamed about as a little girl... the sweetheart who stole my young adult heart... and the man who is making my dreams come true. You are a gift to me.

Tuesday we were off to another appointment with our midwife. I actually met one of the other midwives for the first time as my "usual" lovely lady was off attending to a birth. It was a great appointment hearing baby's strong heart beat and being measured for the first time. All seems to be on track... I even survived the blood draw they took for testing. I'm really happy with Gentle Birth Care, Inc. and all the wonderful care I am getting. Exciting news is that we are moving up appointments now... no longer am I supposed to be seen just once a month! I just realized that 28 weeks is the mark of the 3rd trimester, and I will be visiting my midwives more often... I can just tell it'll be September before I even know it!

Wednesday I was woken with a fabulous text message...

Our dear friend is PREGNANT! I have been secretly wishing for a pregnancy buddy... and it's even better because our babies will only be a few short months apart! She and I have already determined that they will be BFF's or possibly an arranged marriage. Haha...

Other than that I also got to see baby's Aunt Alexis, which is always wonderful. Talk about a soul sister... Alexis and I have been great friends from the beginning of college and I am so happy to have her in my life. It's always great being with her... whether we are off on a crazy adventure or just grocery shopping. And, little baby, your Auntie Lex is making sure you are well taken care of... she made some delicious fresh juice (apples, pears, beets, and all sorts of mystery greens) just for me.

Thursday we had our first Bradley Birth class. Again, this was a point in which the whole pregnancy just seemed to get more real. I think it'll be a fun class and I am looking forward to the opportunity to just be together with Chris and prepare for what's ahead. Sure we talk about it all the time, but it was so nice to have our homework "drive home question" and be given some direction of things to think about. I hope Chris finds it just as empowering as other people have... his brother in law and sister (Uncle Chris and Aunt Wendy) took BBM classes and told us how much they got from them. They really convinced us to give it a try. I think I must have been a bit more hormonal or just exhausted (class is from 7-9:30) but I started tearing up like 7 different times... I'm just so so so excited. Little one, I am so very excited to meet you!

Friday I had a long awaited girls night celebrating Auntie Em's birthday. It was a really nice night of just hanging out, singing along to musicals, and being with good people. And at the stroke of midnight we had officially "100 days left" of this pregnancy. I know, I know, baby might make an appearance early OR decided to hang out for a while but regardless time is flying by!

   

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