28 weeks 4 days

I haven't updated for a long time. Here's a current photo from this past weekend:

Things are going well. We had an appointment today. Dr. said our little lady is measuring right on track. Today she's laying sideways with her head digging into my lower right side and her feet poking into my left ribcage. What a sweetie. :) I really don't mind....not yet anyway. Every movement is a reminder that we're blessed to have her and I'm thankful for that.

I've gained 19 pounds so far. They said about 30 by the end is what we're shooting for. They also said I'll be gaining 1/2 to 1 pound a week from here on out. That leaves 11 weeks until 40....or 8 weeks to full term. I can't believe it!

I feel like I've gotten MUCH bigger in the last week or two. I broke down and bought 3 pairs of maternity pants for work and my goodness....there's a reason they make them. They're SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE! Jeesh.

I am getting very tired again, my stomach is starting to ache all over and there are multiple times throughout the day that I just. need. to. sit. Lucky for me, I'm married to an amazing man who never complains about picking up my slack. He even surprised me a few weeks ago with not one, but TWO one-hour prenatal massage sessions for January and February. *sigh* What a guy. I can't wait to use them. I've already scheduled the first one. It. Will. Be. Divine.

Baby baby baby!!!!

We're getting the nursery semi-pulled together....a little at a time. My wonderful Nate took off all the baseboards, sanded, re-stained and varnished before we were allowed to decorate. Now, we're watching the clearance end caps like vultures and scoring some pretty sweet deals.

 

Here's the progress so far:

 

Martha, here’s your close-ups:

The zebra has the hymn“Come thou Fount” as his white fur.

This owl has a belly made out of a torn-out book page. Don’t worry, I used a crappy cowboy book…nothing good.  

Repurposed birds from a baby shower I threw for a friend…

 

These came in the mail yesterday- the first set of 12 reusable diapers. Average savings per child: $2,000. (!!!)

Our deal of the week: 3-piece luggage set for little girl Eigsti.

We found these at Kohl’s.

Originally $120.

Price reduced to $49.99.

15% off coupon

$10 off coupon

gift card from Grandma E.

Gift money

Total cost: –$1  (YESSS!!!!)

And Nate’s other project (as if he didn’t have enough to do!) Here’s the before picture of the floor:
And the after- new tile. He did a WONDERFUL job…it’s beautiful.

And just for good measure, here’s what Charlie is up to. There’s a new little lady that moved in this summer- her name is Bella and she LOVES Charlie. He might be partial to her as well…..as you can see.
Spread the love!!

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day. Today we remember the men and women who have fought for our freedom. And two of the most important men in my life have served our nation's country in this way: Dad and Grandpa.

My dad
* is one of the kindest, most gentle men I've ever met.
* Is a Vietnam Veteran
* He's always been an encourager, gave me freedom to dream out loud and share ridiculous visions for my future, and allowed me to be completely myself.
* He was always proud of me and made sure I knew.
* He's a verbal encourager.
* I used to wish so badly that I was a runner, because my dad was and I respected him so much for it.
* Some of my favorite memories are of him working on a project in the garage, the smell of sawdust or varnish permeating the air. I would sit for hours in a lawn chair watching him or journaling, classic rock on Z-98 blasting from his paint-splattered stereo.
* He's an amazing artist and craftsman and doesn't "play" with his talents nearly as much as he should.
* So many of his traits are similar to Nate's, and I'm thankful for such a wonderful dad to show me how husbands should really treat their wives.
* He and my mother have so much fun.
* I. Love. This. Man.

These are my adorable parents. We took this picture at the Omaha Zoo this past summer.


My Grandpa

* Has the biggest heart of anyone I know
* Is not afraid to cry
* Talks more about how blessed we are than anything else
* Should have written a book with all of his stories that we hear again and again and love it every time.
* Is a WWII Veteran
* Became a follower of Christ after he was married and had his first son- because a pastor knocked on their door to share Christ with his community.
* My favorite memories of him are singing "Down by the Old Mill Stream" and swinging on the front porch swing- just the two of us.
* He spends nearly every morning walking the mall with my grandma. He does more walking, she does more shopping. :)
* He loves wearing flannel and plaid.
* He's a "hat grandpa" and looks adorable wearing them.
* Grandpa LOVES Port wine. It was one of the 3 items on his Christmas list last year.
* This man and his wife have been married for over 68 years, and she still giggles at him.
* "Whatever you do, don't overdo it" is one of his favorite sayings.
* So many times I've thought "What would Grandpa do" and rationalized decisions based on his character because I respect him so much.
* He is wiser than any other person I have ever met- at least, I like his advice the best.
* I feel so incredibly blessed to STILL have the ability to call and have meaningful conversations with him.
* He is one of my favorite people in the whole world. Love him!

Here he is at the Lion's Club pancake feed a couple of years ago.


And for good measure, here are the ladies on a very windy mother's day this past spring. What a bunch of cuties. :)

November 3rd

Today is blustery and cold; typical weather for early November. The skies are gray, trees contrast with dying vibrant colors, and fallen leaves whip across sidewalks and streets. Today is November 3rd.

Today I met my husband after work at the cemetery where our son, Oliver, is buried.

Today is his due date.

I woke up in a bit of a fog, not having slept well, but brushed myself off and headed for work. It wasn't until I was mere blocks from work that I realized how hard moments of my day were possibly going to be. The only sign of a Kleenex I had in the car were the drive-through napkins stuffed in the passenger side door compartment- just out of reach, and the half paper towel with smears of cream cheese from my morning bagel. I'm not sure if I just needed a really good cry, or if it was the realization that the wetness I felt on the paper towel was either from A) tears or B) parts of cream cheese that I was potentially smearing all over my cheeks that caused me to break down into the sob-fest. Could have been a combination of the two.

By the time I got to school, my eye liner was gone completely, and I was really wishing that I had my faux glasses to slightly cover the increasingly puffy eyes.

All joking aside, today has been, for the most part, normal. There have, however, been small bits of great heartache as I daydream about snuggling up to a perfect baby boy, who could have been here by now. I've allowed the visions of a new baby for Thanksgiving and Christmas enter my heart and head. I've glanced more than once in the direction of "Baby's first Christmas" outfits and "Santa's little helper" sleepers at Target and Khols. I've wished that he could be here with us. I've imagined Nate holding his son, Oliver curled up into the newborn ball, taking naps on dad's chest, and even wished for crying in the middle of the night from a little voice.

We are daily prayerful and thankful for our daughter, who will join our family in March. We love her and look forward to sweet moments with her. She will bring great joy in a few months, and we know that.

But today, we remember our little boy who will never be held this side of Heaven. We won't hear his cries or watch him learn to crawl. He'll never take first steps or attend a Thanksgiving or Christmas family gathering at Grandma and Grandpa's. We'll never buckle him into a car seat or pack a suitcase for him on vacation. He'll never play with Charlie or learn to crawl on our stairs. He just won't. And today, that makes me cry. We really wanted him. We really loved him. And we had such mighty dreams for his life.

Today we remember Oliver. We think of him every day. We love him always. And we look forward to meeting him and sharing in the joys of Heaven one day.

Happy November 3rd, Oliver. We love you.

A hat for Baby D

This is a hat I made for my friend April's little girl last week. But now, I'm thinking that I'm going to have to make another one for our little lady! I might have to start experimenting with different colors and flowers!

The results are in! It's a......

Little girl!!!

 

This is a shot of her bum and legs. I think her shins and feet are tucked or going straight at the camera. She DOES have 2 entire legs.

These are her legs (on the left)- thigh, shins and feet, and her elbow is resting on her knee.

This is her body- sans the head. Her back is at the top, you can see ribs, legs on the left, shoulder and arm on the right.
This is a profile of her face. She’s looking up…..see it?
And in this one, she’s looking at the camera, one hand under her head and one up on top- looks like she’s poking herself in the eye.

What a sweetie!  We’re so so SO excited….thanks for all the prayers! We’re feeling extremely blessed with a healthy little girl on the way!!

October 26 gender reveal!!!

Today.....TODAY we find out if Baby E is a he or a she. I can't wait!!! I've put myself out at work today getting my classroom ready for post-fall break, new calendar, report cards are done, new seating arrangement....

I'm trying everything to keep my mind off of the VERY exciting appointment we have today.

And to be honest, I'm a little scared. I'm trying really hard to "not be afraid"...but it's so easy to relive unpleasant appointments from the past and fear that we're going to be faced with more bad news today.

However, I'm trying to be simply joyful for this day. Excited for the news, hopeful for a clear picture, and so so eager to see the profile of our little miracle.

If you read this before or around 1pm, please pray for our appointment- that things will go well, that we will be ready to receive the news they have for us (hopefully good news) and that we would be able to enjoy our visit and the glimpse of our sweet little babe. I'll be back tonight or tomorrow with exciting news for you!!!

Enjoy this beautiful fall day!!