thankful

One thing I enjoy about blogging is that it documents significant events in my life. I now have a place to go back and remember what I was doing one year/two years ago. For instance, two years ago, I was thankful for the fact that we had just sold Jason's house in Holland. Last year, well, I don't know, I didn't document the month of November very well... :) But, I do know I tend to have pretty busy fall seasons as I have taken graduate classes for a few years now and that always leads to a busy fall and then leads up to the busy holiday season.

No surprise, but this year was a bit different. I continue with my graduate classes, but not while working my typical job. This year it has been while learning to be a mother! I cannot describe how this bundle of joy has changed my life...physically, mentally, emotionally...it is phenomenal! Thanksgiving was just another day in my life this fall as I have found that every day is my thanksgiving now. Of course for Leah, but also for all the things that she has brought into focus in my life and relationships every single day. Things are more meaningful and precious as I start to observe and reflect on how they impact my daughter. Being thankful just seems to be the tip of the iceberg!

But, enough of the ramblings...I want to document this fall too: for the first time in several years, I did not go hunting. I kind of missed it, but was thrilled that my husband did go hunting for the first time in several years! He didn't get anything, but had a lot of fun hanging out with his uncles & cousins. Also, I continue with my two graduate classes which will be wrapping up in the next week. My final degree is coming more & more in sight as I really only have about two classes left and then my final scholarly project...I still hope to be done at the age of 33. :) We also look forward to the Christmas season this year and celebrating with our family and church family. We love them all so much and can honestly say that they are who are most thankful for this year!

Leah is thankful for her hands...she has "discovered" them most recently... :)

a day in the life of Leah

Leah & her parents continue to mesh their lives together as a family...it really is indescribable to explain the thoughts and emotions that becoming a parent entails...but know that it is all good and we are all having fun!

Leah continues to amaze us with her accomplishments...most of which are the smiles that are beginning to come much more frequently. We work hard to do what we can to get them out of her!
Tummy time (or neck crunches as dad calls them) is tough work, but she does it willingly!
Then there is bath time. This is most fun because mommy sings these silly songs to try and get her to smile!

Then there is nap time. She is such a good little girl who takes after her parents and loves her sleep time. Even after laying her down awake, she'll doze off fairly quickly.

And, she continues to follow her pattern of looking just like her dad...love it!

life with Leah

so, we're about three weeks into this journey of parenthood...and so far, so good! It is without a doubt an adjustment--for all us!--but I think we're all working together to make sure the adjustment is a pretty smooth one. :)

Breastfeeding is going well, Jason is back to work, and my grad classes continue. Leah works on growing as quickly as she can and learning new ways to tell her parents what she wants and how she wants it...

We already journeyed into the great outdoors--introducing Leah to the beauty of fall in Michigan. We've had very few sunny, warm days this fall, so taking advantage of the few that come our way has been vital!

I was also able to purchase a new camera in order to capture every single moment of my daughter's life... I'm certain she'll appreciate it someday! ;)

enjoy!

motherhood

so, I've entered a new journey in my life called motherhood. At this time, I can truly say the journey is AMAZING. A new little life that God has given me (us!) the privilege to nuture, raise, and teach that God has created her to be the lovely and beautiful girl that she is!

October 9, 2009 at 12:07pm this beautiful little girl was introduced to her father & I. My first comment in seeing her was to Jason: "she has your ears!" Yet, as I watched her through tears of joy, I couldn't believe what a beautiful combination of her dad & I she really was and is. Most days I can't help but just stare at her beauty! We named her Leah Ann with her first name just being a beautiful Bible name and her middle name after her great-grandmother.

Those are some of my thoughts & emotions...some of the logistics: I am breastfeeding, I am continuing my grad classes through this semester, I am on maternity leave until after Christmas break. All of these combined have made for some interesting life changes--all to be expected, of course! Jason has taken a couple weeks off of work and that has been extremely nice in this past week (and continuing weeks!) of adjusting.

I look forward to this continued journey with all the happiness, love, tears, and joy that it has and will hold. I cannot wait to share it with you all!

final pregnancy post...

so, big changes on the arrival of our little one...at my appointment last week, the doctor let out a big sigh after she did her routine check. I said, "that didn't sound like a positive sign!" She informed me that even though I have dialated, the baby has not dropped whatsoever, and in her experience, if the baby has not dropped by now, she probably cannot due to the size of my pelvic structure. She recommended a c-section.

First off, I would trust my doctor with my life (and the life of my little girl!). If she felt this is necessary, then I will not argue. However, it surprised me how disappointed I was to have the idea of giving birth to my girl taken from me! I give credit to my doctor though...she did offer to let me go naturally and see what happens. So, I spent a long weekend praying, thinking, chatting with girlfriends who have had c-sections and decided to go ahead with a scheduled birth.

My babe will arrive this Friday, October 9!! Lord willing, of course, as His plan is the ultimate one. :)

I'm excited, nervous, anxious, happy, stressed, thrilled, tired...just as every pregnant woman in my state of 40 weeks pregnant should be!!

Oh, also this weekend, we asked my uncle to "experiment" with us and do a maternity photo shoot...we were thrilled with the results!

still pregnant...

"you're still pregnant?" that's the question I got from a student yesterday. I really did have to laugh out loud. It really mirrored my thoughts of the past few days. I've made it to the 37 week mark where my babe is now considered full term and could come anytime now. But at the doctor appointments of the past couple of weeks, there doesn't seem to be any progress in that direction. I stay positive though because my blood pressure is good, I have minimal swelling, and her heartrate is perfect. I've also noticed her somersaults have stopped and now have become pushes and jabs into my right side...a very cozy home for her right now, I'm sure!

As to other things going on at our home on Prospect...not too much. Work and grad school have begun for me in full swing which makes for some long, full days. Needless to say, other than the frequent potty trips at night, I'm sleeping pretty well!

We just continue to count down the days... :)

35 weeks

I can't believe I'm already this far! Of course, I didn't even realize I was pregnant until just less than 6 months ago. ;) The doctor's appointment today shows that I continue to be right on track: 11 pound weight gain, my blood pressure nice and low, belly measuring right on, baby heart rate 146. And, at this moment, my little girl is living with her head down; but, of course, that can always change yet as somersaults seem to be her favorite thing to do.

Work has also begun. I'm surprising several staff in the school building who didn't know I was pregnant and now arrive back to school with a larger than average belly... :) It is good to be back in a routine even though "routine" is a loosely used phrase when it comes to this public school system as every year entails a lot of shuffling around and change. But, I'm thinking it will make these last five weeks move a little faster as I get very excited to meet my girl.

We also have finished up our birthing classes. Fascinating stuff too! I thought that since I'm a nurse, I probably know more than the average pregnant mom, however, I think there were parts about it that were beneficial to both Jason & I. We both have decided that the grossest part is the delivery of the placenta, but we also decided that the best part will be meeting and holding her--which, will keep us distracted from the gross part. ha! :)

Other than that, things continue along! My two graduate classes start this week and we're looking forward to celebrating our two year wedding anniversary with a little trip up north this weekend.