Our Animals

I feel ready for the baby... until I think about our animals.

We have the best two animals in the world, Lexie and Lloyd, and I'm not ready for how a baby might change our family, in terms of our critters.

LEXIE

Lexie is the most lovable, adorable kitty-cat.  In the first several years of my having her, I cannot count the amount of times I heard, "I don't really like cats... but I like Lexie."  She loves to cuddle, and she purrs so often that the vet started calling her "motorboat" because she couldn't listen to her lungs through all the purring. 

At almost 6 years of age, she still love to play whether she's jumping up to hang from my elbow, wrestling with Hubby, popping out from a box to scare Lloyd, or attacking our ankles from under the bed.  She talks to us when she needs something -- she will meow at a closed door, if she wants it opened.

She is 7 lbs... the perfect size of our little furry, kitten-baby.  She even loves to ride in the baby-slings we now have around the house, and she thinks the bassinet and baby swing are the perfect size for her.  Lexie has been my baby since before I met Chris, and she has been such a trooper through Chris joining the family, and then Lloyd joining the family... I just hope she will always know how loved she is, and how important she is in our family.

LLOYD

Lloyd is such a pack-animal, and is SOOO eager to please.  It breaks our heart to have to scold him because he takes it SO hard when we're unhappy with him.  He wants to be with us no matter what we are doing.  As long as he is along for the ride, or laying at our feet, or in the same room he is a happy dog.

He loves to wrestle, and lick, and play, and fetch... and while he wants to be protective of us (he has a ferocious bark), he has proven to be quite a scaredey-dog when strangers actually enter the house. 

My hope is that because Lloyd is such a pack animal, that when he realizes the baby is a part of the pack, he will embrace our little one with the same blind love and devotion he has for us. 

I need to pray how to carefully, and lovingly teach him what is and what is not okay to do with the baby so he doesn't get in trouble for doing something he never learned was wrong.

Our animals have added so much love and joy to our family, and we couldn't imagine our life without them.  People have told me that your love for your animals changes when you have a baby... I hope they are wrong.  A parent's love for older children doesn't change when they have a new baby, so why would our love for our animals change with the arrival of a new baby?

In these past years, I have cried more tears into these animals fur, and danced for joy with both of these animals as much, if not more than I have cried and danced with my husband.  They are the best animals in the world, and we are SO lucky that God chose our family to love and care for them.

I am ready for the baby... until I think about our animals.  Lord, please, let them be ready for the baby.  Teach us how to love a human baby, and our two animals babies.

Treasuring the Present: Ready

 
Today it is hard to treasure the present because Hubby and I are ready for the baby... so I am treasuring the fact that we feel ready for the baby.  That being said, I want to be really clear, in my 9th month of pregnancy, I am not miserable, I am not whining, I am not begging my doctor to induce my labor or take the baby via C-section, I'm not even that uncomfortable these days... its just, for the first time since we found out we were pregnant, we are ready for the baby whenever the Lord decides it is time for him or her to arrive.

Our house is beautiful, clean, organized, ready for the baby, and ready for company.  There are no half-finished piles of work anywhere, piles of clean baby clothes that need to be folded, or even piles of dirty dishes in the sink (they are in the dishwasher awaiting the next wash cycle).

Every day, I see students, and complete work for my job, but every day, I have more and more accomplished, that it will be easier and easier to hand the reigns over to my substitute when that time comes.

Hubby and I had our perfect little getaway weekend, and upon returning, we are both ready for the what comes next - parenthood.  I'm not sure if we both have a parental sense that the birth is coming, or if we are just overly anxious because its our first child, but both Hubby and I feel that every day could be the day I go into labor.  A few weeks ago, when I called him during the day, Hubby would answer the phone immediately after it started ringing and ask if I was in labor.  This week, he has started calling ME throughout the day to ask if I'm in labor.  :-D

Each night, we cuddle up in each others' arms, fall asleep early (we hear that sleep is the thing to treasure these days), and wonder if this will be our last night before our little one begins his or her arrival.

We might be feeling this way for another two or three weeks... but today, I am cherishing that we are ready.  We are not afraid, we are not behind-the-eight-ball on the things we want to accomplish, we are not miserable and trying to induce labor, we are simply ready.

Preggers I: 38 Weeks

How far along?  38 weeks

How I am feeling?  Really good.  I even think I have less aches and pains these days than I had a few weeks ago.  Hubby and I have accomplished everything we REALLY wanted to accomplish before the baby arrives, and so we're both feeling really good.

How big is baby?  The size of a small pumpkin...18.9-20.9 inches, and 6.2-9.2 pounds.

Sleep:  I sleep very well, and I am very grateful for it.

Boy/Girl Prediction:  I predict I will be very excited to find out if we have a son or daughter.

Baby Nicknames:  Baby, Nugget, or Little One.

Best moment this week:  Hubby and I took a "Baby Moon" -- a last romantic getaway before the baby comes.  Even if the baby doesn't arrive for a few weeks, our family begins arriving Thursday, and will stay until after the baby arrives, so this was our last hurrah as a two-some.  Our wonderful Baby Moon included a prenatal massage for me, a little shopping,  dinner out, husband-and-wife pedicures, and an amazing Bed and Breakfast complete with a canopy bed, jacuzzi bath tub, and chocolate-covered strawberries.  We had a wonderful time.

Food cravings:  Nothing really... and some days nothing really sounds good.  I'm hungry but nothing sounds good to eat.

Missing:  Nothing really... I'm really trying to cherish every pregnant moment because I feel like this is going to be over in no time.  These last days of baby movements, these last days of waddling, these last days of Lexie and Lloyd nosing my belly... I'm trying to not focus on what I'm missing, and instead, focus on what still is the case.

 

Movements:  Yes, but they have changed.  The baby is definitely run out of room, because the movements aren't so forceful anymore, they are subtle.

Labor Signs:  Yes, a few... I'm not going to go into details, but yes, my body has been preparing for labor.

General Attitude:  So excited that our house is ready for the baby AND for the company!  Check out these pictures of our beautiful guest room, living room, and basement.  All systems are GO.

Our guest room

Our living room...

... complete with our new glider/rocking chair

Our basement

Ready for over-flow guests if necessary

and even a new curtain to offer some privacy

 

if not overflow for company, it might be where the baby and I spend some nights when Chris needs to be well-rested and ready for work the next day.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  My parents arrive on Thursday, and I know they want to be here for the birth (or shortly thereafter).  It will be nice to have them here.

Milestones:  I'd say our Baby Moon, and the fact my body is preparing for labor are both pretty big milestones.  This really could happen any day... I can't help but wonder if this is my final Pregnancy Update post?

American Child

I am not always thrilled with my country.
I love America, but I don't always love Americans.
I would say, the past 5-6 years, I've been especially dissatisfied with the policy and direction of legislation in my country.

That being said... but a pin in that thought for a moment.
I have not been especially emotional throughout my pregnancy.  I think both my husband and I are surprised by this, because I am a very emotional person when I'm not pregnant.  Since becoming pregnant, some things still make me cry, but both Hubby and I agree, I cry less since I've been pregnant than I regularly cried before getting pregnant -- go figure.

That being said... one subject has brought me to emotional, joyful, overwhelming tears without fail throughout this pregnancy, and that is the thought of our child growing up in America.

I am not always thrilled with my country, but there is NO OTHER COUNTRY that has more opportunities for my child.  My child will be a citizen of the greatest country in the world.  My child will not be limited because of his or her culture, or religion, or income, or family history, or political opinion.  Our child can develop any interest, hobby, passion, career goal he or she can dream.

The fact that my husband and I are teachers does not determine what our child will be.  The fact that our child may fail kindergarten, or skip sixth grade doesn't determine his or her career path.  The fact that our child's grandparents were blue-collar workers, or white-collar workers, or congressmen, or jail birds does not determine our child's occupation.  Our child's drive, and intelligence, and hard work, and desire, and tenacity, and calling determines his or her occupation.  Our child will be born in a country without predetermined limits.  Our child will be born in the land of the free.

Our child will be an American child, and that knowledge fills me to with joy and goosebumps.  My husband and I may not be able to provide everything for our child that he or she wants or desires... but we can instill in him or her the value of hard work and the accomplishment and reward that comes from working hard in America.

Among others, these are two songs that have left me sobbing lately:

"American Child" by Phil Vassar



and
"Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn

God Bless America.

Friday Letters: Baby Moon

• Dear Life, You are about to change in a way I cannot even begin to fathom or imagine.  It's about to be the end of the world as I know it.
• Dear Baby, I think you're running out of space in my belly.
• Dear Work, Every day I'm able to do my job without pain or labor complications is a really good day.
• Dear Hubby, This weekend is our last time just the two of us -- forever.  I'm excited for the little celebration we have planned with each other.  It's our very small, but special "Baby Moon."
• Dear OBGYNs, The closer I get to going into the labor, the more I hope that one particular doctor is on call when the time comes for me to deliver.  I'm praying like crazy for one doctor in particular.  If you feel suddenly prompted to change your schedule, rest assured, it is just God (hopefully) answering my prayers to make sure that one specific doctor is on call when our time comes.
• Dear Lexie and Lloyd, You are just the best animals in the world.  I pray you fall in love with the new member of our family without too much drama or sibling rivalry.
• Dear Friends, Many of you have sent me emails, texts, or facebook messages out of the blue just to let me know that you're thinking of me, and keeping me in your prayers as I come close to delivery.  These messages are so special and comforting.  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, and thank you for taking the time to tell me.
• Dear Rental Car, I'm kind of in love with you.  I would be tempted to trade both my work and personal cars (which are getting repaired) for you for the rest of the year.  You even have an automatic car started AND a seat warmer.  HEAVEN for this mama-to-be who leaves the house in single-digit temperatures.
• Dear Hubby, I love you so much.  So much is about to change for us, but my love for you will not change.  It will probably grow, develop, deepen, and expand... but the fact I love you will not change.

Preggers I: 37 Weeks

... A few days late due to my birthday...

How far along?  37 weeks

How I am feeling?  More and more prepared... Hubby and I spent a lot of time this weekend finalizing the main floor of our house and making sure we're not just ready for the baby, but we're ready for the company that will follow the baby.  Our main floor is officially ready... and this weekend we will make our basement ready... and then, we're officially good to go.  I also have periods of feeling nervous about what's to come, which means I've been spending more and more time in prayer each day.

How big is baby?  The size of a winter melon...18.9-20.9 inches, and 6.2-9.2 pounds.

Sleep:  I realized the other day that I have no idea how many times each night that I get up to use the restroom.  I think its a minimum of three and probably a maximum of six.  If I had to guess, I would say I average four times a night getting up.  I do sleep well though.

Boy/Girl Prediction:  I predict I will be very excited to find out if we have a son or daughter.

Baby Nicknames:  Baby, Nugget, or Little One.

Best moment this week:  Feeling as though we're more and more prepared for the baby's arrival.  The diapers, the clothes, the blankets, the hospital bag, the guest room, and more are ready.

Food cravings:  Nothing really... and some days nothing really sounds good.  I'm hungry but nothing sounds good to eat.

Missing:  Not having numb fingers.  I've started to get some pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel in my right hand, and sometimes the numbness is pretty intense.  My doctor says this is very normal and should subside in the weeks following delivery.

 

Movements:  Yes, the baby definitely moves these days, and its crazy how big the baby is... I will feel kicks up by my ribs, and then down by my hips at the same time.  That didn't happen when the baby was smaller.  Some of the kicks are a little uncomfortable at times.

Labor Signs:  I've have had some minor Braxton Hicks contractions when I've been on my feet for awhile, but nothing that's become active labor.

General Attitude:  Grateful for each day that I'm able to do what needs to be done -- whether its work, or homemaking, or cleaning, or cooking.  Also, Hubby and I are specifically praying for which doctor will be on call when I go into labor.  My doctor is in an OBGYN practice of four women, and whichever one is on call when the time comes for me to deliver will be my doctor.  We know that God knows exactly who will be there and when and what time the baby will arrive, and we are praying for His perfect timing and provision in everything.

What I am looking forward to this week:  This weekend is Hubby and my last weekend just the two of us before family descends for the next month.  My parents and brother and his family arrives January 23, and then Chris' family will be coming when the baby arrives, and my parents don't leave until the middle of February... so this weekend is our last hurrah just the two of us.

Milestones:  Much of my reading says that I am now "Full Term" -- although my doctor says I'm not full term until 39 weeks.  Either way, our understanding is that anytime the baby arrives, the baby will be (Lord Willing) ready for life outside the womb.

Great Start to a Decade

When I turned 25, my mom told me that I was about to embark of five of the most exciting years of my life.  She told me that when she was 25, she had met my dad, but they were not dating, and by the time she turned 30, she and my dad were married (and had been married for 2-and-a-half-years) and she was pregnant with me, her first child.

With those words, I sincerely looked forward to what those 5 years would hold with great hope and expectation for ages 25-30.

Today, as I look back on those five years, my mom's words were prophetic.

When I turned 25, I had not met Chris, and by the time I turned 30 (yesterday), we have been married two-and-a-half years, and I am (very) pregnant with our first little one.

What an amazingly blessed five years this has been... and I know the decade to come is going to be every bit as exciting, blessed, challenging, and joyful.

Yesterday, my new decade started with a wonderful birthday...

5:30am homemade breakfast by my wonderful Hubby

My Christmas present, a satellite radio hooked up and programed to use in my car for the first time

surprise flowers from my cousin

gifts and cards from family and friends

a delicious dinner out with my wonderful Hubby

... and... incredibly fitting and symbolic of what I hope and believe this next decade will entail...

a brand new rocking chair from Hubby and his parents, for me, as the expectant mother.  My mother-in-law says that every new mother needs a rocking chair.

*Picture to come... when its safely assembled...*

This decade is off to a great, wonderful state!

Still 29

Last night Hubby and I had a very memorable dinner experience at The 10th Restaurant on Vail Mountain to celebrate my 30th birthday.  That being said, I am still 29 until tomorrow.

This very upscale restaurant opened on Vail Mountain about two years ago, and Hubby and I have been wanting to try it, but we have wanted it to be a special occasion when we do.  For over a year, we have planned to eat dinner there on my 30th birthday.

The 10th is a special restaurant because you actually have to take a gondola up the mountain to Mid-Vail, after all the lifts and the entire mountain are closed to eat at the restaurant.  Then, there was a UTV to drive us the 100 feet from the gondola to the front door of the 10th.

Dinner was very pricy, but it was the fanciest meal we have ever had together.  In addition to our appetizer, entree, and dessert, our dinner included a pre-muse, an amuse bouche, sorbet to cleanse our palet, and fudge to end our meal.

It was a very memorable meal, and a great way to begin the end of my twenties.

The 10th is a beautiful, very unique restaurant.

The amuse bouche - pear and blue cheese

Our baked bre and filo dough appetizer -- A-MAZING!

Watermelon sorbet before our entrees

I forgot to take pictures of our entrees before we dug in...
I had elk tenderloin,

and hubby had halibut and lobster risotto.
Yum!

They surprised me with a DELICIOUS, fancy, birthday dessert...

Look at this!!!  They even wrote my name on the plate!

Hubby enjoyed a berry cobbler dessert

The 10th is opened during ski hours, and provides warm slippers for patrons to wear instead of their ski boots.  I was SOOO excited about these slippers, and I wore snow boots in anticipation of the slippers.  It turns out, the slippers aren't usually available after ski hours... but the staff was so sweet, and they found me a pair of slippers so I didn't have to wear my boots all night.

The mountain was so beautiful, peaceful, and serene at night, with the moon and stars and no skiers.  It was also our baby's first time on the mountain (I skied all last season, but I didn't become pregnant until May -- after ski season ended).  It was a very special night.

A lot of lights are on the trees in Vail Village in the winter... it is such a beautiful place.

But, let the record show... I am still 29.

Lately...

I haven't really had much to say on this blog recently because, to be honest, there is SO much on my mind.  And, its not like my life has been in the past where "so much on my mind" means company coming, or work reports due, or a national certification exam on the horizon... that is a kind of stress I am used to.  I have had nearly 25 years of practice with that kind of stress.

On my mind these days is the magnitude of what's about to happen in our lives.
And the fact that I don't know when its going to happen.
And the fact that some days I am ready for it, and some days I am terrified.

Chris and I are about to be PARENTS.

Just the birth alone is full of decisions...

• natural birth or medication
• home birth or hospital birth
• obstetrician or midwife
• pediatrician or family practitioner
• spontaneous delivery or scheduled inducing
• vaginal birth or cesarean

 

... Then, the decisions are only just beginning...

• breast-feeding or bottle feeding
• breast milk or formula
•  bassinet or co-bedding
• cloth diapers or disposable diapers
• circumcision or not
• vaccinations or not
• swaddling or ... is there an alternative to swaddling?
• baby carrier or baby wearing

... and that is the smallest, simplest drop in the bucket or our decisions ahead...

Then, to add a huge dose of seriousness to this tremendous life event, childbirth is a dangerous business.  Women give birth to healthy babies every day... and I am thinking positively about how our birth and delivery will go... but tragedies happen during labor and delivery as well.  Giving birth is serious business, and is not without serious risks to both mother and baby.

Lately, I've had a lot on my mind that I'm lifting up in prayer.

If you think of me in the coming days and weeks, please pray for all the decisions ahead, all the things on my mind, the labor and delivery ahead, and the safety of our baby and me through it all.