Week 36: Reality Hits

Dear Baby,

Four weeks and counting...  A four week countdown is nothing new to me.  I’ve made them in anticipation for vacations, last day of school, birthdays, and other holidays.  But, four weeks (give or take) until Dad and I become parents – forever?  That’s crazy!

At our 35 week check up we learned you’re in a good position to make your entrance.  Stay that way!  It gives Mom optimism that labor and delivery will be challenging, yet manageable.  I continue to read material and talk with other mamas.  This also gives me confidence. 

But, enough about me and my pregnancy.  It recently hit me that as I near the end of my pregnancy journey, it’s not really about me anymore.  It’s about you!  Soon, your story begins.  After you’re born we’ll have so many details to share with you.  We’ll know your gender, your size, whether you will be born with or without hair, and weather you arrived early or late based on your due date. (February 23)  We’ll have stories to share about how cooperative or stubborn you were during labor.  We will have photos with the people who came to visit and hold you in the hospital.  We’ll remember details about the weather on the day you were born.   Right now all these details are a mystery and it’s fun for Mom and Dad to imagine everything we’ll learn about you on your birthday.

How about a weather update, since that’s what everyone seems to be talking about these days!  This winter has seen some extremely cold temperatures.  The news folks say they’re caused by a weather system called a polar vortex.  Unfortunately, we seem to be continuously stuck in the cold trap.  Currently it’s about -17 degrees.  That’s without a wind chill.  Add the blustery winds to the mix and it feels more like -35 degrees.  Dad, who attempts to look on the positive side of this weather, says that we’ll be able to tell you just how cold it was during the winter you were born.

Some other exciting events to share with you – your room is ready!  Dad and I had a date night one Tuesday and painted your nursery.  We chose the color Agreeable Gray.  It’s a peaceful room to be in.  We hope you think so, too.  This past weekend I also prepared our stash of cloth diapers.  We’re all ready!

One tiny request that I know full well is completely out of my control, but if you could hold off your arrival until at least 37 weeks that would make everyone feel a little more comfortable.  37 weeks is what the medical world considers “early term.”  But the key word there is “term.”  At that point all you have left to do is gain weight.  As excited as we are to meet you, we’re also excited for you to be a healthy baby! 

See you soon!

Mom refinished your night stand

Refinished dresser - this furniture used to belong to Grandma Liz.  Now it's yours!

Your nursery!  Still needs a few things, but we're mostly ready.

Washing our cloth diapers so they're ready for use!

Somebunny practicing how to use the new dipes! 

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Dave helped us paint our kitchen yellow! 

Week 33: A System of Support

Dear Baby,

Life is back to routine and I am a happy camper.  While all my travels were fun, I was ready to slow down and get back to a routine. 

This week I am regaining confidence in giving birth to you.  My most recent prenatal check-up was very positive.  I was able to enjoy a comfortable visit with our midwife and share good conversation about some questions I’d been pondering.  In addition to having had an extremely positive pregnancy and prenatal experience, I have been reading a few books, talking with other moms, and trusting my personal strength.  I am having fun imagining how your birthday will play out.  I know it will be an experience I remember for my lifetime. 

Dad has been getting quite excited for your birth, too.  It’s intriguing for this Momma to imagine how different a father’s “pregnancy” experience is from a mother’s.  Dads-to-be must learn and adapt to many new scenarios, too.  You are a very lucky little munchkin to have such a caring and involved Daddy.

It’s crazy to think that we’re getting close to meeting each other.  Our nurse suspects that you’ll probably be a wee little thing.  This is a just her guess based on the size of Mom’s belly.  I’m curious to see how little or big of a peanut you actually are.

Today, your Grandma Jo hosted a baby shower for us.  Attending the shower were many wonderful women who have posed as role models throughout my life.  Since I was a little girl these women have taught me much.  It is comforting to know that as I approach motherhood I will continue to have their support.  I can’t wait for you to meet all of them.

Having the encouragement from these women gets me thinking about how important it is to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you!  I am confident you already have many talents yet to be discovered. Spend time with those who will help you find these talents and support you in reaching your goals and chasing your dreams.

While we wait for your arrival, I will continue to draw on my support system.  Dad and I can’t wait to start life with you!

Your new swing!  Grandma Liz swears by this because Mom was a "baby in motion!"

For your listening pleasure while Mom is working :)

Your bedside crib.  We are slowing getting ready for you!

Week 32: Becoming a Mommy

Dear Baby,

The reality of becoming a mommy – your mommy – is getting more and more real.  I’m a mix of emotions about it.  Some moments I can’t wait for you to get here!  I count the weeks we have left in my mind, ponder your due date, and think about whether you’ll make your appearance early or late.  Other moments I start making lists of everything I need to do before your arrival.  Sometimes I question whether I have what it takes; the knowledge, patience, and stamina to be a mom.

Lately I’m finding it difficult to plan my parenting goals or picture my ideal parenting lifestyle.  There seems to be so much information to sift through.  I want to know it all!  I want to do what’s best for you.  But, if I think too much I become overwhelmed with the pressure of advertisements for new or convenient baby products, advice from other parents, and warnings about being cautious in regards to health and safety hazards.  This is where I need to remind myself of my own self-confidence.  I will approach parenting just as I do many other things in life.  I will approach it with an open mind and heart.  I will have to trust my own instincts and “Duchrow with it!”  Thanks in advance for letting me practice with you.

Today was an exciting day – your cousin Mary was born!

Here's some photos of all that we've been up to lately!

The Big Easy at Christmas Time

Bridesmaids on Jane's Wedding Day!

Our friends, Emma and Max, are curious to see your hair color since we figure all our children's hair will be about the same.  It's science, right?

The after wedding party continues at Pat O'Brien's

Your first souvenir

Mom was practicing with the car seat

More practice... you'll definitely be cozy!

Christmas Eve

Rotary Lights in downtown La Crosse with your cousin Ryan

Bridesmaids on Nikki's NYE Wedding Day!

Wigs & Wiggles - Jane's Burbon Street bachelorette party!

Week 30: Show Off!

Dear Baby,

Well, even though I find myself in week 30 of pregnancy, and didn’t write you a letter during week 29, I don’t feel like I’ve “missed out.”  I just don’t have a letter to prove it.  I’ve had a little bit of writer’s block and feel like I don’t have anything astounding, interesting or knowledgeable to share with you.  Still, I’ve been fully involved in things happening around me.  In a busy holiday spirit I’ve baked cookies, designed and sent Christmas cards, shopped for presents, wrapped gifts, and enjoyed time with friends.

As I write this note to you Dad is in the basement working on organizing our belongings.  It’s a task he’s been diligently tending to for a good week now.  Once we have enough space cleared in the basement I’ll begin the project of refinishing furniture for your nursery.  I’m looking forward to it! 

This past weekend our final appliance was delivered! We now have a refrigerator!!!  Very exciting!  I also took some time this weekend to install our new blinds.  Dad and I were sharing a conversation the other night about how we feel blessed the way everything worked out.  The fact that our house is slowly being pieced together gives us time to fully appreciate every new detail.

Mom had a prenatal check-up appointment today.  Our midwife didn’t need to ask if I was feeling you move because she could see you.  You were being a little show-off as she checked your heart rate and measured Mom’s belly.  As you squirmed your heart rate fluctuated between fast and slow.  Guess you’re getting your exercise in!  Seems like your new favorite position is to push your tiny tush into the right side of Mom’s ribs and wiggle your toes on the left side of my belly.  You continue to grow in size and Mom's belly is proof of this.  You weigh nearly 3 pounds now and are roughly 15.7 inches long.  Incredible!  

This week you get to tagalong on a special trip!  We’re headed to New Orleans, Louisiana.  Mom is in wedding for her good girlfriend Jane.  Dad, Grandma Liz, and Uncle Mike are coming, too!

Week 30

Week 27 & 28: Don't Miss Out

Dear Baby,

Daily responsibilities, appointments and projects for you, beginning birth class, Thanksgiving, and our recent move have all played a part in keeping Mom and Dad on our toes! Add all this to the early stages of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season – wowzers! We've had full schedules! That's why in this week's update you're getting two weeks wrapped into one. Is this because I haven't found the time to write you, or because I haven't made the time to write you? I haven't decided which “excuse” seems to fit better. Either way, this dilemma gets me thinking. Is there really any valid excuse for missing important things? Because you are indeed important!

I received an email today about this truth. In short, it wrapped up like this:

“As we go throughout our busy days this holiday season, we are continually met with opportunities to impact others with the words we speak. The man in front of us in line at the grocery store, the woman at the checkout counter, the waiter in the restaurant, the fellow passenger on the airplane, or the neighbor across the street might be your special assignment for the day.”

This was a wonderful reminder. It makes me recall one of my favorite quotes: “Be happy for this moment; this moment is your life!” You have already been given the gift of life. Right now you are alive and healthy in Mom's belly. As you grow you'll find that your own life on earth will be filled with special assignments each day. Opportunities to learn and grow. Opportunities to meet, interact and impact others. Please use these opportunities as they present themselves. Life only happens once. I will try to remember this as I enter this year's holiday season – but more importantly as my life of becoming a parent approaches. Right now I want to treasure the changing times that include just me and Dad. I want to enjoy the hectic times, knowing it won't always be this crazy, and sometimes it could be even more crazy! I want to enjoy the last few months that I have the opportunity to carry you inside me. And, when I become a parent, I want to be present for, cherish, watch, support and cheer you on during the important events of your life.

Despite both myself and Dad's desire to finish our move as quickly as possible, we've had to succumb to this understanding that life only happens once. As we find ourselves unpacking and organizing into the late hours of the night we realize we need to take time to stop and enjoy. On Thanksgiving we took a break to enjoy our first holiday meal in our new house. We ordered turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole from the grocery store deli and ate it off of paper plates with plastic utinsils. (A fun first house memory to have!) We welcomed our first house guests – Grandma Liz, Aunt Katie and Uncle Mike. They were a huge help in moving, unpacking, and organizing. There was enough work in our new home during their visit that we could have kept them busy 24-7. Instead, we paused to celebrate a belated birthday dinner. The next day, even though boxes were still piled high throughout the main floor, garage, and basement, we also paused to enjoy our new appliances! We threw a pizza party. Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Chuck joined the celebration.

It's taken a few days, but thanks to much help from family and a few close friends we are officially moved into our new home. And we have some fun memories from the process. I've heard that as we grow older, life continues to happen faster. My hope would be to welcome you into a home that appreciates slowing down at times so that we are able to see the world and activity that's happening right in front of us.

Remember that you will always be important to me, and that important things are worth taking the time to pause and enjoy!

P.S. I almost forgot! We hit a pretty neat pregnancy milestone this week. You have definitely ramped up your wiggles and squirms. Early one morning Dad visibly saw you move. So cool!

Week 28

The very beginnings of your nursery

New appliances for new home!

Our temporary refrigerator (Good thing it's getting chilly!) 

Starting to test paint colors

Our new kitchen table!

Week 26: Home Sweet (Hectic) Home!

Dear Baby,

Did you feel the sugar rush? We had an appointment this week and Mom had to drink a high-glucose, orange-flavored beverage. It wasn't as bad as anticipated. You were quite squirmy for the rest of the day after it. If your summersaults weren't caused by the sugar high, maybe you enjoyed Dad's yummy cooking? Or maybe you felt squished because of my stretching during yoga class?

It's been quite an eventful last few weeks for Dad and Mom. Our search for a new house has continued. In the past year or more our hunt has brought us quite the variety of options. We've visited many different locations and neighborhoods in the Coulee Region, gained new perspectives and insights about what we want in a home, and battled mixed emotions to include both highs and lows throughout our search. We never had a style of home or neighborhood in mind. During our hunt we were intentional about keeping a mental list of features that would be nice to have, but never let this list limit our options. If any property had the slightest potential we'd schedule an appointment to visit. We've kept faith knowing that God is the perfect realtor and when the right house came along we'd realize it! Easier said than done sometimes. Prayers helped us stay patient.

About a month ago Dad stumbled upon a new real estate listing. We followed our usual M.O. This is a process that included a drive by to assess curb appeal. Looks good. Contacting the selling party asking if we could see the property. Yes, we could. Dad doing his diligent research and digging deep for important information. Hmmm, checks out okay. Arriving to the showing with as little pre-conceived opinion as possible. Wow, we liked it! We really, really liked it!

Baby D, we have found your perfect first home. And, like He always does, our Perfect Realtor came through!

This past month has been a whirlwind of paperwork, phone calls and appointments — all welcomed chaos on the journey to becoming homeowners again! We cannot wait to get into the new space and create a home!

As we walk through the big, empty rooms we imagine all the memories that will be made within our new walls. We've already picked what room will be yours. Last week we visited the house late at night. I walked upstairs to your room, stood in the dark space and thought about all the late nights and early mornings I'll spend there. It is fun to imagine all the possibilities for how we could decorate your nursery. But, I know the only thing that will truly make it complete is you. I can't wait to cuddle you and hold you in that room.

We love the layout of our home. It doesn't have the yard that Dad (and partly now me) would love, but it's in a neighborhood that has a wonderful vibe. It has a backyard for you to play in. It comes with an unfinished basement where Dad can dabble in projects. I think he's looking forward to that. Perhaps we'll designate an area in the basement for you to leave toys strewn about, crash ridable toys into unfinished walls, and wreck havoc in any way you choose. My favorite part of the whole process has been shopping for appliances. Picking paint colors will also be fun, although slightly overwhelming.
The final days of November are sure to be hectic as we re-pack our belongings and situate ourselves into a new space. We'll settle just in time for the holidays to get crazy. We'll take one last breather as a family of two in mid January before you arrive and our lives change forever!
Our nurse says you're growing perfectly and your heart beat sounds healthy. It's reassuring to know this. It's also reassuring and thrilling to know that when you do arrive we will get to welcome you to our NEW home!

Week 26
(Thanks to some reminders from friends I remembered to take a photo this week!)

Our NEW house!

Inside our new house

Week 25: No Pressure, But I Know Some Incredible Kids...

Dear Baby,

As your arrival becomes more of a reality, I am slowly stepping away from various roles and activities.  The process of doing this in preparation for you is thrilling.  But, I can’t lie, there are moments where thoughts of letting go are tough.  I am reminded of incredible blessings that make my transition to motherhood somewhat bittersweet.

La Crosse, the city where you will grow up, is an amazing place!  Since moving here six years ago I’ve come to love the history, traditions, scenery, and connections that accompany smaller town living.  La Crosse is where I found my footing as a young adult.  I started my career here, explored my boundaries, made mistakes, met spectacular friends, learned big lessons, reconnected with my faith, and celebrated many successes.  It’s where I met and married Dad, the love of my life!  This place is awesome and I hope you come to appreciate all it has to offer!

What I love most about La Crosse is the community of people.  People and relationships, I’ve found, offer purpose and meaning in life.  One place where I’ve met the most extraordinary people of La Crosse is at English Lutheran Church.  I know and believe that people matter to God.  If it were not for the people present through my own faith journey and life experiences, my self-worth and leadership capabilities would be less than where they stand now.  It has been people who’ve befriended me, persuaded me to reach new limits, and supported me time and time again.  This is true of my church family from St. Mark’s where I grew up and, now, my church family of English Lutheran.

For the past three years I’ve had the honor of working as the high school youth coordinator at English Lutheran.  Through this position I’ve met some amazing youth. I’ve laughed, cried, traveled on mission trips, and served with these kids.  I’ve opened up to them, and in turn, they’ve opened up to me.  What will remain most memorable is that I’ve prayed with them and for them. Baby, no pressure here, but before you were born I already knew some pretty remarkable kids.  And these kids have set the bar pretty high!   I know you’ll keep up.

In my role of mentoring high school youth, I’ve also been mentored.  Lessons and examples from the parents of these youth, guidance from pastors, and even the kids themselves have taught me much.  I realize every situation has specially prepared me to become a mom – your mom.  And, as I reflect on my experiences, I am so very thankful for such an inspiring path to help begin the teachings of parenthood.

As I transition to leave behind my role as high school youth coordinator, I want every youth who has ever passed through English Lutheran’s doors to know they are loved by me, by their church family, and by God.  My joy would be for the youth of English Lutheran to one day reflect on where their spirituality took root, knowing they were befriended by myself and others who pushed them to new limits in the church and community, and supported them time and time again.  It would also be my joy for you, baby, to one day be a part of this awesome high school youth program.  You have lots to look forward to!  I can’t wait to be your mom, and I can’t wait for you to meet some of these awesome kids!  Know that you are already a special child of God, dear little one.

How do you sum up an experience like this in photos...?  You can't.  But, in an attempt to share just how incredible these kids are, here are a few highlights from over the years!