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.

pregnancy reflections

So, this is what happens at 12:15am when one is 34 weeks pregnant: no sleep. :)

However, pregnancy is an amazing feat to me. The creation of a complete an entire separate human being who will resemble her father and me in a beautiful and unique way; both physically and mentally in all our good ways and bad ways. God already knows who she will become, what amazing feats she will accomplish, and all the other little details of living a life that is glorifying and pleasing to Him.

Wow!

This midnight reflection puts it all into perspective for me. :) The achy back, the sore hips, the swollen hands and feet, the carpal tunnel (yes, that is what I have now), the insomnia, the heartburn, the frequent bathroom trips...they all pale in comparison to the life somersaulting and moving within me. I love you little one, but believe it or not, God loves you even more!

My little one's lullaby:

All through the day
all through the night
dwell in His promises
walk in His light.
Darkness shall flee
at His command;
All through the day and night,
we're in His hand.

time flies when you're having fun...

...at least that's what I'm telling myself as to why I've not kept up with my blog! ;) Seriously though, life is good on Prospect. Keeping busy means keeping out of trouble and the end of July and the beginning of August now have been pretty trouble free!

An account of the past weeks is below in pictures...

Our baby girl's bedroom is coming together with new trim paint, new carpet, a crib, and a changing table. I think she's got all she needs to arrive home! A few more finishing touches will be completed in the next few weeks...

Jason sorts through a storage unit that held pretty much all of his father's earthly belongings. It has been an interesting (and rather fun!) trip down memory lane for him. Of course now we're a little stuck trying to figure out where to put all these things...

Jason's mom got remarried. It was so sweet to see her and her new husband so in love! (just to clarify, Jason's mom and dad had been divorced for many years...)


And, our biggest project this summer has been an extreme makeover for the backyard. It began way back in May and has progressed slowly throughout the summer. Tearing down the old shed, building a retaining wall, and now building a new shed...we give many thanks to dad and Uncle Doug for their many hours of help and labor as this project has slowly unfolded. The end result will be great!