Overdue

December 28th, 2017

Well, I'm officially overdue with our baby girl. When I first found out her due date was December 26th, I hoped she would either come a week or so early or a few days late. But as Christmas approached I let myself get a little excited that she would be here for Christmas. But the holiday came and went, and here I am at 40+2 with baby girl just as cozy as ever. 

We had an appointment today where we hoped the midwife would be able to "strip my membranes" - a kind of creepy term to describe gently trying to induce labor without medications. But, I was neither dilated nor effaced at all for her to do that. I almost cried after she checked me. And I really didn't think I would! 

I just know that she is healthy right now and I want her out with us. Being pregnant isn't the most annoying part. If someone just told me she'll be healthy when you deliver her you just have to wait two more weeks..I would be fine with that. It's the worrying that overcomes me that brings me down. 

But I know this is where God has called me. He has His timing for our daughter and her birthday already set. He knows why we must wait a little bit and His timing is truly always perfect. So, I wallowed a bit this morning but I'm choosing to change my attitude. We are going to make some fun plans this week and really enjoy this last week or so we have as a family of three. I also am making sure to play the song "Take Courage" by Bethel Music & Kristine DiMarco over and over again. The lyrics are really speaking to my heart. 

Sing praise my soul

Find strength in joy

Let His Words lead you on

Do not forget

His great faithfulness

He'll finish all He's begun. 

So take courage my heart

Stay steadfast my soul

He's in the waiting

He's in the waiting 

Hold onto your hope

As your triumph unfolds

He's never failing

He's never failing

Continuing to pray for health for our baby girl with a speedy and uncomplicated labor and deliver. She'll be here before we know it! Until then, we'll be waiting on our little Edie. 

Christmas Festivities

December 26th, 2017

We went to Hagg Tree Farm again this year and I think we love this place. The tree selection is huge, the property is so fun to walk around on (very dog friendly), and they have a barn with animals and Santa! I think we'll be coming back to this place every year. 

We took advantage of the sunny/dry day-after-Thanksgiving. We invited my parents because they hadn't been there before. We walked around for a bit until we found the most perfect Charlie Brown tree. A little Noble. 

Lewis was adorable and didn't let me take off his mittens once I put them on him! He had fun walking through the tall grass and pointing out all the tall trees. That kid just loves being outside so this place was heaven to his little heart. 

Lewis always points his finger at me when he's upset. Like "Mom, how could you let this happen!". I can't help but think it's a little funny. He didn't actually cry, just let out some warning shrills. Buddy was not too excited about Santa this year. 

The weekend following our tree hunt was super relaxing. On Sunday we just sat around the house, watched football, I made leftover turkey chili, and played inside with the fire going. It was exactly the laid back day I needed (hello 36 weeks pregnant!). 

I started a tradition last year that I'll keep up for a few years as the kids are growing up. I wrap up all the Christmas books and we open just one every day leading up to Christmas Day. Since we don't have 24 quite yet, I'm still in the buying phase and get one to two new books a year. It's really fun to have that special treat every night. 

Just a pic of little ole' me 36 weeks along growing baby Edie and wondering if she'll be here for Christmas Day. 

A good night Lewis and I had. I was craving something sweet and all I could find was the Nutella. So he got a few bedtime licks. 

Our Christmas was incredibly relaxed, quiet, peaceful and everything we needed it to be. Lewis and I were finally feeling ourselves after an almost two week cold and I just didn't want any stress to be added to our days. We decided to stay home all weekend and it was truly perfect. On Christmas morning I made cinnamon rolls and we ate and watched Lewis open just a few gifts we got him. We actually re-wrapped some cars he got last year and only bought him two other gifts. We knew he would be getting more from the grandparents so we decided to not splurge with him. 

My in-laws came over that morning and we exchanged gifts and ate more cinnamon rolls and Christmas bread. I didn't snap any photos :( they got him some fan favorite cars and some books and a little bug-car as I call it that he can scoot himself around with. He had lots of fun and crashed a little late for nap time. 

39 week 6 day belly

After naps my parents and brother came over and we had another relaxing time exchanging gifts and eating dinner. I actually made a lamb roast and it turned out so good! Lewis got some veggies and pots and pans for his play kitchen. 

It did feel like a super quiet Christmas and a little weird not having baby sister out with us. But we enjoyed the long weekend nonetheless. And we got some snow! So that made it super special. Holidays truly are getting more and more special as Lewis grows. I was super thankful to have such a relaxed time and grateful for family who came to our place to celebrate. 

Pregnancy Update

December 10th, 2017

Today marks 37 weeks and 5 days growing baby Edie. I can't believe we are this far along and this close to meeting her. Yet again, it feels like finally we are here. Some weeks are a lot longer than others, but in the end time does go so fast. Thought it was about time to do a little bump-date. 

How far long: 37 weeks

Weight gained: 31 lbs

Cravings: all the sweets, mostly cookies and Nutella and graham crackers. Also wine, all the wine. But don't worry, I haven't given into that craving yet. 

Symptoms: baby girl is still really high up and it makes me short of breath all the time. I also am getting a lot more pressure on my pubic bone, especially right in the morning. I have an inguinal hernia that's gotten worse but is only bothersome in the morning. A newer weird symptom is my right fingertips have been going numb. I talked to my midwife and she believes its the carpal tunnel syndrome where the median nerve becomes compressed because of the swelling. My hands are a lot more puffy than with Lewis' pregnancy, and at the end of a long day at work my legs and feet are swollen. She wasn't concerned and was very much convinced it will go away within a week postpartum. But thats been an interesting thing to deal with! 

The Braxton hicks contractions have slowed down immensely, which is nice because they weren't helpful to labor and were just uncomfortable. But no signs of early labor either. Most everyone is convinced she'll be here by Christmas. But I think she'll come the week after. Her due date is December 26th and we would induce anywhere between Jan 2-Jan 9th. But hoping she doesn't make us wait that long. 

We just want our Edie girl to be healthy and come when she is ready. Getting more excited about her birth and trying to focus on the fact that we get to snuggle a new little baby in just a few short weeks. 

Maternity Photos

December 8th, 2017

Earlier last month we had our maternity / family photos taken by our lovely photographer Nakalan Mckay . And I say our photographer because this has been the 4th time she's photographed myself and our family! We just love her style and her as a person! 

We wanted to do another cozy in home session because we love being home. I wanted the photos to be at places that we live and love. So we started inside, worked our way outside, then went down the block a bit. I absolutely love how they turned out. Getting professional photos taken of our family has always been a high priority for me. I just think there is something so special in capturing the everyday of what we do. And getting photos of all three of us ( four now!) is rare. 

I loved them all but here are my favorites:

see a similar photo of Lewis in my tummy here !

All the heart eyes for these photos! She literally captured us doing what we do on a normal day. Playing in our living room, walking around our yard with our Lucy dog, and heading down the road to grandma and grandpa's house. I love how she caught Lewis doing "yoga", walking on his dad's feet, and that cheeser grin we love so much! That photo above of just him makes me melt into a puddle. How is he real and how is he ours!? Thanking the Lord so so much right now for that little boy!

Next time Nakalan is at our home to photograph, we'll have baby Edie in tow. Cannot wait to get that season of our lives captured. 

All photos taken by Nakalan Mckay - one very happy mama right here. 

Just a really good day

December 5th, 2017

Today was such a great day! I have to recap it all because I don't want to ever forget it. A simple day that just sung to my mama heart. Lewis woke up a tad early but woke up crying, which he never really does. I knew he wasn't going to fall back asleep so I quickly scooped him up out of his crib, holding him close and whispering "okay buddy it's still too early to wake up. We can lay down in mamas bed and snuggle okay?". He said "yeah" and we made our way downstairs. Cory met us at the bottom of the stairs and gave us each a kiss. He was headed out the door for work as we were headed back into bed. He laid his head in the crook of my neck, I covered him up, and stroked his hair and he rubbed my belly. He laid still for about 4 minutes. A long 4 minutes for him. It made my heart so happy to hold my boy who isn't the most snuggly these days. 

After those four minutes he was done and ready for the day to start. We jumped out of bed and had breakfast - our avocado egg toast - then got dressed. It was only 815 by this time so I decided we were going to the zoo. The weather was so nice with no clouds in the sky, and despite it only being 36 when we left I knew we'd have a fun day. 

So onto the zoo pics!

Nobody was there today and it was probably because it was so stinking cold, but we were excited to run (Lewis ran, I waddled) around and find all the animals. Our favorites were definitely the lions and the cheetahs.  We got so close to the pack it was amazing! When we first approached the lions we saw one lioness roaring playfully to the others. They played around, like the cats they are, and then the male came out. He walked around and then went down to the little den. All the lionesses followed him. We walked down and found that the den had a window in it! It was exhilarating and terrifying watching this huge animal just stare Lewis down. 

I may seem a little over excited, but this is only the second time I've been to the zoo in my adult life and it is really cool seeing those animals. We were able to see the elephants up close and the one elephant that was the closest to us was born on December 26th, 1982. A fun little coincidence with that being our Edith's due date. We saw the monkeys, the giraffe, the sea otters were swimming like crazy, and we just had so much fun. 

We came home for lunch and naps then played in his room for a bit before heading downstairs. Cory came home not too long after and I made a simple quiche for dinner. I ordered his One Year photo book and it came in the mail that day, so after dinner Cory and Lewis looked through it. We skipped bath time and just hung out downstairs for a bit longer than usual. Once it was bedtime I turned off the lights and held him above my belly like usual and he tapped my lips. I asked if he wanted me to sing and he said "yeah". Oh my heart bursted again. I am a terrible singer but the fact that he loves me singing is just the sweetest. I sung away in a manger and silent night before lying him down. 

It was just a really good day and I am soaking up this time with my first little buddy before we add another side kick to our adventures.