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!

 

 

Week 24: Movin' and Groovin'

Dear Baby,

Time is flying by!  This week allowed few moments to sit and be.  I found myself running from one activity to the next frequently.  The moments I did take time to relax became special.  That’s because when I stop moving it seems you start moving.  You’ve been most active in Mom’s belly before bedtime and early in the morning.  Sometimes its rhythmic kicks, other times is what I’d call slithers.  I am not yet accustomed to feeling you and sometimes I’ll react with a jolt.  Nothing has caused me discomfort or pain – I’m told that’s coming.  I’ve also been told your movements inside me are something I’ll miss once you arrive.  This advice has prompted me to enjoy our time together.

Dad and I are also making a point to spend time together.  We know that once you’re here time for just the two of us will be limited – all for good reasons!  We’ve made a point to schedule mini dates and have cherished each other’s company and conversation.  While on a date this week, Dad and I celebrated “National Nacho Day!”  We love our nachos!  We make our own using different ingredients, but also taste test different variations from restaurants.  After learning it was “National Nacho Day” Mom and Dad decided we should celebrate our happy hour date by ordering nachos.  You were very squirmy that night.  You must have enjoyed the nachos just as much as us!  You’ll fit in well in this family, baby!

Happy National Nacho Day!

Week 23: Trick or Treat

Dear Baby, 

I’ve noticed you are most active after I drink orange juice and then go sit somewhere quiet for a bit.  Makes me realize just how much sugar is packed into fruit juice.  Consider it your Halloween treat from your mummy!

An exciting milestone is that Dad felt you move for the first time.  It was very faint, but he could tell it was you.  What an incredible thing to be able to share with him!

I have to admit that I’ve been taunting you a little bit this week.  Supposedly your cochlea, or inner ear organ that’s responsible for detecting movement and balance, is now fully developed.  This means you can hear and have a slight sense of what is upright and upside-down.  I imagine this development is partly to blame for your increased activity.  No one likes to be stuck upside down for too long!  The cochlea development also means you can hear sounds.  And even though your eyelids are fused shut, I read that you can detect light.  This is where my taunting has come in.   I’ve been playing music via my iPhone and, along with a flashlight, holding both against my belly.  Consider this your Halloween trick from me!  I probably look ridiculous, but I’m anxious to feel your presence again like I did last week!

Dad and I have picked names we like for you, but we’re not telling! We think this should be a surprise along with your gender.  For now, we still refer to you as baby.

We love you, baby!  Since I forgot to take a belly photo this week, here's a few photos of our family getting into the Halloween spirit!

Cousin Calvin dressed as a bat and helping hand out candy

Grandpa Steve and Grandma Liz dressed as condemints for St. Mark's "Trunk or Treat" event

Aunt Katie on her 26th birthday dressed as jelly, along with her car disguised as a toaster!

Week 22: Wiggles and Water Parks

Dear Baby,

I felt you for the first time this week!  While lying awake in bed early one morning I felt a tickle in my belly that came with a little more oomph than what I’m accustomed to.  The tickles kept coming on a pretty consistent basis.  I reached to touch my tummy where I felt you moving.  When I did so I pressed against something quite hard; much more firm than what I’d felt any other time when I touched my stomach.  You pushed back and then squirmed past my hand.  I’m not sure what part of your body bushed past my fingers, but it sure felt cool! The information I read says you’re about 11 inches long and weigh just about one pound. For the small amount my belly has grown, it’s very reassuring to know that you have room to wiggle in my womb.

This weekend we traveled to the Wisconsin Dells with Dad’s side of the family.  We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge.  Family threw us a fabulous baby shower!  We played fun party games, shared good conversation, ate yummy food, and went swimming!  Our family gifted us with many items that will come is very handy once you arrive!  You also got some darn cute clothes.  Mom and Dad definitely felt loved!

You haven’t moved a whole lot since the one encounter this week, but nurses say that’s common right now because you still have room to move quite a bit without affecting Mom. Enjoy your stretching and kicking now – your world is only going to get more cramped as you continue to grow.  I’m looking forward to feeling, and even seeing you move as my pregnancy continues.

Week 22

Playing in the hallway with your cousin Ryan

Adorable shower decorations made by Aunt Stacey

Playing Jenga at Earl's in downtown La Crosse

Week 21: Family of Three

Dear Baby,

We’re going to be a family!  This week has brought some emotional ups and downs that make this fact more and more of a reality to Mom and Dad.


Families come in all kinds and sizes.  Most commonly, family is a group of people connected by blood lines.  Once you arrive we’ll be a family of three; a mom, a dad and a baby.   It’s important to know that there is no one correct type of family structure.  What all “families” have in common is that they are a group who practices unconditional love towards each other.  Unconditional love means that families care about and act with compassion for the well-being of others through good times and bad.  Sometimes this love is shown through kind words and empathy.  Other times unconditional love is visible through the sharing of harsh truths.  Families hug, kiss, high-five, share caring conversations and encouraging words.  No matter what, families support all members.
Mom and Dad have had some decent practice at being a family of two.  We’ve seen each other through many really good times and some more difficult times.  Still, we've got lots more to experience.  For Mom, this week leaned more towards the difficult end.  I didn’t always feel myself and lacked motivation in some areas.  Call it pregnancy hormones, a week of unexpected outcomes, or both.  Your dad was my #1 supporter who reminded me of my talents.  Experiencing his encouraging words reminds me of how great of a dad he is going to be and how important it is to have family members who can offer encouragement, especially when you can’t seem to find it on your own.  Though most of what you throw at us will be our first pass in parenting, we both want you to know you can always rely on your mom and dad for the truth, a listening ear, support, compassion, encouragement, and love!  Your grandparents, aunts, and uncles will be great for this, too!
Speaking of family we’re expecting some visitors this weekend.  Grandma Liz, Aunt Katie & Lizzie, Kris and Erica are coming to visit La Crosse this weekend.  We’re having ladies day out.  (Not to worry if you’re a boy, we’re not getting too girly with activities)  Weather permitting we’re planning a trip to the apple orchard and a short hike to see the fall colors.  I’m really excited to see our family!  Next weekend we’ll spend time with Dad’s side of the family.  We’re looking forward to visiting them, too!
An exciting package was delivered to our house this week – your stroller!  I think at first it made Dad a little apprehensive, but once I had all the parts assembled he warmed up to the idea.  We’ve both taken turns pushing it through our cramped kitchen pretending to be on a walk.  It’s neat to imagine you sitting inside.  Sometimes I’ll even pretend to wave to the "neighbors."  Dad just laughs at me.  (I mean with me)  Being goofy is something else that families do really well together; especially our family!  It’s fun to imagine all the giggles and adventures we’ll share as a family with your stroller.
I hope you’re ready to smile tonight – we have family photos for the new church directory.  Even though we can’t see your cute face, know you were a part of our first family portrait!

Week 21
Just before attending yoga class :)

Your brand new car seat and stroller

The weekend visitors stopped to say hi to Dave at work!

Week 20: The Halfway Point

Dear Baby,
We’re about half way to meeting you!  I say about because it’s a give or take estimate based on when you decide to make your debut.  It’s ironic that as we celebrate your halfway milestone, Mom and Dad are celebrating a complete year of something else – our marriage!  Happy Anniversary to us!

We celebrated our one-year of marriage in a special way.  We attended the wedding of our good friends Chet and Alison.  How meaningful to watch two of our friends so in love make the same commitment we did one year ago.  It wasn’t only their ceremony that refreshed Mom and Dad’s memory, but also the falling leaves.  We can both remember on the year of our wedding watching the leaves on the trees change colors and fall to the ground.   We both hoped that just enough leaves would hang around for us to get some decent outdoor photos.  Well, it worked!  Now, in addition to the fond memories of raking and jumping into leaves when young, the look and feel of fall reminds us of being surrounded by family and friends on our wedding day!  I can remember walking to meet Dad on the day of our wedding with the smell of damp leaves and misty air.  He looked so happy, proud and handsome that day!  Seeing him look dapper as a groomsmen one year later was yet another reminder of our special day.

We also celebrated our anniversary with two special weekend dates.  On Saturday morning we walked to Caribou Coffee to enjoy a hot beverage, enjoy conversation and read the newspaper.  To our surprise, we were able to complete the daily crossword puzzle!  Not our intention, but definitely an empowering feat and one that made us feel intelligent!  On Sunday we woke up and made a homemade breakfast. Dad cooked special order omelets and Mom baked monkey bread!  Yum!  Dad spent the remainder of our anniversary day at work.  I feel lucky I got to celebrate with him!

According to our weekly calendar you weigh about three-quarters of a pound now.  When I read this information to Dad he recognized that to be the same weight as three quarter-pound cheeseburgers!

Week 20

Caribou Coffee date & completed crossword puzzle

Remembering Our Wedding - 10/13/12

Celebrating Chet & Alison's Wedding

Week 19: Picture Perfect!

Dear Baby,
We can see you!  We had our first ultrasound appointment and were able to see amazing pictures of your little body!  Our nurse tells us that you’re about 6-7 inches long and weigh less than one  pound. If we could hold you right now you’d only fill the palm of our hand. You’re so tiny; yet you possess has all the intricacies of the human body.  We saw your heart, stomach, bladder and brain.  We saw you moving your arms and legs.  We even saw your mouth move as you drank the fluid surrounding you within your small, compact world. All your measurements were normal which reassures Mom and Dad that you’re staying healthy!

We know it’s way too early to predict your personality, but you were being stubborn.  To get good measurement photos Mom had to roll from her laying on her back to her side.  Then, back to her back and the other side.  We did this a few times.  At one point we positioned the bed so Mom’s feet were higher than her head.  This caused you to move, but then you hid your face.  Our appointment was early in the morning.  Were you were still waking up or just a little camera shy?

This is the appointment we could have determined your gender, but we didn’t want to find out.  At one point, Dad asked the ultrasound technician if she knew your gender.  She did.  Still, we didn’t want to know.  We’re enjoying the guesses that family and friends are making.  Mom and Dad don’t really have a feeling one way or another.  Boy or girl we love you just the same!

Mom enrolled in a prenatal yoga course.  Classes began this week.  Such a good feeling to get back into a yoga studio!  I’ve missed my hot yoga practice since learning I was pregnant.  I’m really looking forward to stretching my body and connecting with other moms-to-be!

Baby's foot

Baby's 4-chamber heart 

Baby's spine

Baby's profile (laying on back looking up)