Change Of Pace

April 18, 2012

I have learned a thing or two in the last six weeks. And I feel happier than I have in years, many many years.

About the Little One

Sept. 15, 2011

Hi! My name is…um…well…I don't really have a name yet.
But I'm the little girl who creeped up on these two crazies
and changed their life. Although I'm due in the first week
of March, I've already made quite some progress on who I am
and what I think I'll like.

For instance, did you know about coffee? Yeah, I know about coffee. I may be the size of a newborn forever because of how much coffee I know about. My mom drinks it everyday. I hear her say that it's decaf; but I don't really believe her. My mom also sings a lot and I like it, it makes me jiggle and jive. I also am pretty imaginative. Momma just finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia series to me and I loved it. I'd swoosh and sway along her belly while she read to me.

I also think that I'd like to be a musician of sorts. Lately, as my little ears start getting stronger I can hear more noises, beautiful sounds that all mix together that make my Momma emotional. I know, I can feel her tear up. It's my Daddy apparently playing the guitar. He writes music and sings too and he's been doing a lot of that lately. I love it. I want to be that way too.

What else? I'm 1/4 Cuban and I can't wait to meet you all to show you my latin moves!

About the Parents

Sept. 15, 2011

What to say about a 3-1/2 year married couple who were
surprised in June of 2011 when they found out there was
going to be a new addition to the family? You can say they
are two astounded, surprised and excited people!

Momma--that's Lys---is a Manager in Training at Starbucks. She got pregnant at the middle of the busiest season at work and had a bit of a rough first trimester. She is now at a 24 hour Starbucks where the work is much easier and people are very helpful over the little girl growing inside of her.

Daddy- That's Naph- is the Lead Graphic Designer at Blueprint Media, a company based out of the Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago. (He designed this beautiful site!) He was on tour with his band, Photoside Cafe, when he found out he was going to be a father. He's been so helpful and encouraging while he and his wife transition into their new roles.

We are so excited for this little girl that is going to make our lives so much richer (though we'll probably spend lots more on clothes) and we'd love for you to join us on this journey!

More Photos

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Change Of Pace

April 18, 2012

I tell ya, this being a mom thing isn’t “for the birds” as my Marshall family would say

My six weeks of vacation maternity leave ended on Sunday AAAAnnnd I didn’t go back to work I officially have until May 24 for a full 12 weeks but the last six just aren’t paid But I figured since I had to pay for my insurance all the way up to April 30th I might as well take my leave all the way until then

SO I”ve been enjoying being a house Momma and getting play dates and appointments and Mommy Group times in Like a normal life

People keep telling Naph and I how chill we are with this new addition to our family But I think that the reason I feel so relaxed, so happy and so content with this part of life is that it’s something new, unexpected (even though I had 9 months to prepare), and it’s just the change in pace that I needed I’ve spent every minute since my time in High School working I’ve always worked at least 36 hours a week even in college between my campus job and running a festival Every time I’ve taken time off I feel obligated to fill it with something; an appointment, a lunch date, a stroll or run but never plain old relaxation

The only time that I didn’t have anything planned on a day off was when I was sick So you can see that the reason there is such inconsistency in my postings is because I’ve just always been to exhausted when I get home from work to even sit down and recount my laborious day

To be completely honest, I haven’t felt this happy in life since college For the past 4 years I’ve been working my butt

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Lessons From A One Month Old Mother

April 7, 2012

I’ve been a Momma for officially one month and boy have I learned a thing or two

1 As a woman, and especially as someone who was pregnant for 9 months, I always knew that I wouldn’t be getting much sleep once Amelie was born But I never really understood it until I started not getting any sleep I keep thinking “why didn’t anyone tell me that I wasn’t going to have a continuous 8 hours of sleep for the next forever?!”

2 I’ve learned that the next place we live in better have a washer and dryer because all the blow outs are making me go broke!

3 To that end, who knew a 15 day old human being could poop SO much?!

4 During Amelie’s first month of life it has been my job to simply to feed and soothe, and family and friend’s job is to marvel and cuddle

5 Babies can be tricky little buggers They are so calm and cute with strangers, in public, at parties, but angry and terrified with full on tears when their alone with Momma in the car

6 I knew how to change her diaper, pat her back, give her a bath, put on her onesies and soothe her cries by breastfeeding from day one Daddy has known how to be gentle, sensitive, tender and protective from day one Both very important things, both very different

7 Taking a baby out on St Patrick’s day will get you lots of “oh’s” and “ah’s” It will get

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Instagraming Our Lives

March 26, 2012

As we now have a new thing…rather a new person…to photograph every second of the day, Instagram and our iPhones are becoming better than our professional camera

So in honor of Amelie’s third week of life tomorrow, I figured I’d show you some pics of her via Instagram and some editing work by my hubs

Right So you’re saying, “Where is Amelie in this?” Um She’s in my belly 7 weeks old An amazing friend, Phil, took this picture and my hubs edited it

All time favorite Thumbs up I had been thinking about this shot all through out pregnancy When my parents were here last week they helped prop her up on the guitar and I got to shooting Naph did the editing on this sucker which was nice because I’m just dead on my feet most days I’ll try my hand at them in a bit and give you a different look perhaps There is another one that has to do with a fedora…it’s adorable Will be posting soon

When she was 13 days old I had enough of being inside We had only been out for her 4 day appointment and I was feeling cramped up, especially because it was a gorgeous 80 degrees outside We were going to go for a stroll to the nearest Starbucks, about 4 blocks away But by the time all was said and done, we had agreed on going to Navy Pier So we all dressed in green and headed over to the water She did so well! Slept most of the time and wasn’t

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Presenting Amelie Gladys Marshall

March 15, 2012

She’s finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today marks her 10th day of life this side of the womb I was going to write something on her 1 week birthday but things got too hectic

I wanted to show you the beautiful announcement my hubby made and tell you the story of how Amelie came to be part of the greater Chicago population

Her first name means “industrious, striving; work; rival; laborious; eager”

Her middle name is after her sweet grandmother who passed away last summer She was a vivacious and passionate Cuban who lived the last 35 years in Birmingham, Alabama One day I will tell you the little bit about her story that I know She was an amazing woman

Her last name…is ours No need to explain

SO the story of how Amelie came on her time, not ours:

Amelie was due on March 6th I had a feeling that day would come and go and we wouldn’t be seeing her until sometime this week How wrong I was, how wrong I was

Sunday, March 5th, Naphtali and I got up to go to church I had an incredibly rough night the night before and was really wondering if we should but I decided, as our little girl was due any time now and I wouldn’t be in church for a couple weeks, we should make the effort So we went to church, and decided to go out to lunch with our normal group of friends afterwards We hung out until about 3pm when I was completely tuckered We wrenched ourselves away and head home I was super ready to just curl up with the TV and some hot chocolate Then we realized we still had a couple things that needed to get done so

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3 Days To Go

March 4, 2012

Until our Due date that is

Right now she is pushing so hard up against my belly and pelvis that I feel like she could get here any second I’m waiting on pins and needles for that big “gush” to come and signal the beginning of a journey that lands us into a new world It’s such a weird feeling Excited to meet her, see what she looks like, hear her first cry, have a new change in life with a new direction Yet on the opposite end I think, “My mommy isn’ there yet She can’t come until my mommy get’s here!” I’m reminded of the car seat…that is still in our trunk, and the bag that still needs to be finalized, and the fact that I’m just plum not ready to stop feeling these little kicks and jabs from the inside though I know it’ll be so much more precious on the outside

So in honor of this time of mystery and anticipation I shall show you some pictures of her little room She is going to be sleeping in our for a while until we figure out a different system with noise control and all that being in a one bedroom and all

Anyways Enjoy

A basic overview

From the other side…No name for you to see yet

Her changing table area We are also putting a great verse on the white ones, but we haven’t been able to stencil it on yet

My glider

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Oh To Be Loved – T. Cockrell

February 10, 2012

My little one’s lullaby

Oh To Be Loved

Oh to be loved by Jesus

Oh to be loved by Him

Oh to have joy and peace within

Oh to be loved by Him

He knows the names of my sorrows

He knows the names of my fears

Why should I let them bother me?

For I know He is near

And if no other will love me

In this life I roam

There’d be no love I would long for

I know I am His own

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To Baby. Part 7

February 10, 2012

Four Weeks

Oh Baby Girl, we are meeting you in about 4 weeks!

Our world is about to change vastly Little darling, do you know the change you bring? Your Mommy and Daddy will go from a team of two, to a strong cord of three With time, we’ll build our home to four, then five, maybe all the way to eight!

You bring the appreciation of sleep! I already feel my body storing up for the exhaustion it’s going to weather next month Knowing that per our choice of delivering you naturally, I will go through an average of 15-28 hours of labor – hard work, determination, relaxation of my muscles, persistence of one goal, to birth you into this world clear minded and aware Thinking of this huge fete is exhausting, but rewarding I am excited, nervous, intimidated, anxious to see it all happen Then my sweet darling, when you are here, I will sleep for milliseconds I’ll want to see you every second, hold you, feed you, cuddle you just to know you’re mine all mine…and your daddy’s too This is a tide that will not soon change After you will come another and sleep will be a rare commodity

You bring the depths of faith We weren’t prepared to start a family now We weren’t prepared to think of how we would even buy you a crib But our sweet, caring, loving Father knew what was going on long before us and He has provided! I expect Him to provide so much more because my heart is weak and finds fear an easier ally than faith I know you bring worry to me

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Blessing Upon Blessing

January 27, 2012

What a whirl wind!!!!!!!!!!!!

We hit 34 weeks on Tuesday

Which mean we are T minus 6 weeks away and counting Though I am honestly rooting for somewhere in the 6-1/2 to 7 week mark because then my parents will be here This is so crazy to me I can’t even believe it I feel like it was just yesterday we were realizing our lives were going to change Then during 2nd trimester I felt so drawn out physically that I felt like I was going to be pregnant FOREVER!

But now things are winding down I can tell my body is getting ready I wish it would get my mind ready!

Our apartment is not ready

We have a small one bedroom apartment with an office that we will be making into her room and having her sleep with us in our room for the first couple months Our lease is pretty much up and we are planning on moving this summer anyway so we weren’t too worried about setting up a baby room completely, but now my nesting instincts are hitting and I’m getting antsy

Still we are much more prepared than we were God has been SO good Can I tell you?! If you look at our baby website (which you should because it’s great) you’ll see that we have our registries up but we also have a wish list And we already have most of the things on our list! And we either didn’t pay for them or got them super cheap or in great condition on Craigslist THANK YOU CHICAGO!

My favorite so far is the glider we got It’s a super expensive one that we got for a fraction of the cost from a

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Baby Shower!
Put A Bird On It!

January 11, 2012

I had my first ever Baby Shower this past weekend, organized by my gorgeous sister She did all the decorations and made the most delicious food Over 40 women showed up, all from my parents’ church It was such a great time of seeing old friends and make new ones Many of the women who came have known me since I was 4 months old What perspective! All these women were also at my bridal shower almost 4 years ago and have become real team players and women of influence in our marriage

My sister’s decorations were exquisite We are seriously trying to get her into opening an Etsy business She made me this mobile from scratch!

These were all attached to a spray painted branch Gorgeous

She looked up what other people had done and improvised I have to say that I love it so much more than any I’ve seen online She really knows my taste And she had the color scheme down to a tee I may have mentioned it here…and as you’ll read it’s completely opposite of what I actually wanted She knew that and she made such gorgeous decorations Let me send you on a picture tour of the gorgeous house and my sister’s talent in crafts and food:

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3rd Trimester Symptoms

January 2, 2012

Well I figured I’d share what I’ve experienced as this wonderful last leg of my first pregnancy journey gets under way

1 Many, much discomfort in the “Sleep” genre I knew that sleep was going to be getting tricky and so I forced myself to start sleeping on my sides I’ve talked about this before Let me tell you, it’s even harder as I get bigger You think gravity would help me out a bit and scootch me on to the side that I want to be on Instead it seems to pull me back from either side so that halfway through the night I find myself on my back, short of breath, and with two sleeping legs, or at least one getting all crampy

2 Her schedule, is definitely not my schedule I was hoping that my being up on my feet at work all day would get her jiggling and moving I’m on my feet 6-7 hours out of each 8-9 hour workday at Starbucks and its generally running around, or moving things, or lifting (not heavy stuff mom, I promise) I figured this gives us a good amount of activity time right? I believe she things opposite I do get a few kicks here and there but nothing super strong until I get home Right when I sit down and get comfy with some food or my nice evening snack she kicks in…and I mean really, really kicks in She is all over the place VISIBLY My hubs just took a little video of it actually because she’s just so active Then she keeps it up for pretty much the whole night Like while I’m trying to go to bed See #1

3 The Hiccups Oh the Hiccups It hasn’t happened a

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29 Weeks….WHAT!

December 22, 2011

When did this happen? How did it already come to this where we are 11 weeks away from meeting our little girl? Do you realize how quickly this is going to go by? We have Christmas with Hubs family in the south, new years with my family in the north east and then we’re back mid January starting in on our classes and major preperations I’m suppose to be getting my final interview for a managerial position in late January and then having another baby shower with ladies from my church at the end of the month

Then February will hit and it’ll just be the waiting game But we’ll have valentines and hopefully enough other distractions going on that I won’t even notice the time fly by

SO Yesterday was 29 weeks Our little girl is the size of a butternut squash and getting chubbier and chubbier The stuff I’ve been reading has been telling me she is about 25 pounds by now but I’m sure she’s bigger because she measured that at 27 weeks when we did the 3d ultrasound

I was also told at that appointment that I’ve reached the max weight that I wanted to be at for this pregnancy…so I’ve really been forcing myself to make better decisions with food and not eating so impulsively I was also craving Mocha’s in the second trimester and working at Starbucks really doesn’t allow me to cut down on that But luckily this trimester I haven’t really been craving them as much Now I’m totally content with my Fage yogurt, eggs, and cheese I even made a spinach quiche the other day which is my major weakness

It was going to last me until Friday

It’s already gone

Anywhoo 29 weeks is flying right on by and soon I’ll be writing about being

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My Little Princess

December 14, 2011

My little girl still has a couple months to go until we get to meet face to face, but I already know so much about her I can’t wait to know more but here is what I’m certain of so far:

My little princess is 28 weeks old today! In my belly Not in the real world yet

My little princess kicks and prods her mommy from day until night

My little princess does crazy flips that make her mommy feel like there must be two babies in there

My little princess is the size of an eggplant this week Or a Chinese Cabbage Whichever source you read

My little princess is measuring about 5 days ahead which is fantastic because then perhaps we’ll have her closer to her actual due date!

My little princess can see light if it’s bright enough for her But considering her mommy wears black at work all day and then by the time she gets home it’s incredibly dark…she probably hasn’t had the opportunity yet

My little princess is getting so big that her mommy has already had to get rid of one pair of maternity pants

My little princess is blinking, swallowing and starting to exercise her lungs so that she’ be ready to take her first ever breath in just a couple months

My little princess has been creeping up in my dreams lately making me think she’s already here Then I feel my belly and realize that she isn’t, which makes me sad

I just can’t wait to meet my little girl

Do you see her smiling?

Lovies

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I’m an Elephant

December 11, 2011

I realize that I still have a little over two months to go and feeling like an elephant now can only mean that I will feel like a Rhino mixed with some other large creature that would probably be seen in the Lord of the Rings I looked in the mirror today, like a big ol’ full body with out my top on, and I felt HUGE! What in the world! I felt like I just looked like this:

Look

No double chin

No immense belly

No major exhaustion

Then here, a little over a month ago, when I was really starting to show

When I bough this dress my belly didn’t look so protruding It wouldn’t work so well right now with my elephant-ness

I actually don’t have a most recent picture of my belly, because I didn’t realize my largeness

Look at this big ol girl! And she’s already so much bigger since then!

Look at this!

I was going to put another one up here to show you my fantastic double chin…but I just don’t have the confidence for that tonight

I’m about to fall asleep while I type so it’s time for bed

lovies

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New Baby Site!

December 11, 2011

Well my husband has been up to quite a bit of mischief lately!

In fact, he’s been designing a website dedicated specifically to our sweet little girl! SO from now on when I write to her or about her, it’ll show up there You can see how we plan on decorating her room, what names we’re thinking about and our registry with all it’s information too

So please

Check it out

wwwlittlemarshallcom

Lovies

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Third Trimester Already?!?!?!

December 6, 2011

Today we get to the final stretch of this surprise ride we’ve been on since July 2nd Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday when I found out I was pregnant and now here I sit, little feet kicking at my belly button, pace growing slower and slower, sporting a little extra winter weight, and I’m overjoyed at this change of life Much different than my tone here

I just went through my posts and realized I never told you our story – how we found out we were pregnant So in the spirit of celebration I shall share with you the chronicle of our latest adventure

I had just had a really rough couple weeks at work Hubs was on the road with his band for their scheduled 3 month tour Work was getting more and more hectic as the summer set in On top of that we lost about 4 employees within one week I had been trying to take some time off, even just the weekend, to meet up with Hubs at our favorite festival called Cornerstone Festival and the loss of these employees meant my chances were slim to none

I was at the point of simply quitting In fact, Naph dealt with a teary and angry wife plenty of times on the phone before it finally, miraculously, worked out for me to take three or four days off in a row to meet up with him at Cornerstone I was so thankful, so relieved and I was so excited for a mini-vacation at a place that has always been dear to my heart I was also extremely excited because this year our favorite family would be along for the ride! ...

The Theme

December 2, 2011

So my sister had mentioned that she was still unclear on what the theme I was wanting looked like I think I’ve still be figuring that out as I fill our registry, but now I find a clear vision I’m still working on a sort of splash page that puts all the colors together and all that, but until then, use this as a prototype:

So as you can see:

1 I like birdies

2 I like owls

3 I like color

4 I like flowers and nature

5 I like these as specific female decorations but I don’t want too much of an oversaturation

For instance, with the stuff I’ve picked out for the registry I tried to keep things as gender neutral as possible because…well…we want a big family I don’t want to have to get a new playard for each kid So, I really like brown, pink, green, blue, and all those fun popular colors right now

Tomorrow I’ll post things I don’t like Just to help contrast

Lovies

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Of Glucose and Coffee Tables

November 17, 2011

I had my glucose test yesterday I thought it was last week but was so thankful when I realized that I had a whole week to wait Then yesterday came

Tuesday night I had to fast, which wasn’t the biggest deal because my appointment was pretty early in the morning But that was just it I had early mornings all week and then was looking forward to sleeping in Plus these days the little girl doesn’t let me get much comfy sleep anymore Rather a new feeling I have never felt so gross in my life Wait, no I have But still, it was not fun to have to starve myself until 11:30am! I was famished Anywho, My appointment was scheduled for 8:15am and I had to stick around for 3 hours while they drew blood and made me drink gross orange shakes I talked to my sweet friend Suzy who has a fantastic blog You’ll read it, I’m sure Though I wasn’t much of an interesting conversationist I kept yawning, trailing off into low tones where I forgot what I was sayingit was a long morning

I got home, crashed on the couch and slept for two hours I had an apointment at 2 that I almost skipped, but since I was going to have to pay either way I figured I’d be a good girl and goI got back home after doing a little shopping downtown and chilled out again for a few hours I made a delicious chicken pot pie for my hubs and I and Dan, our neighbor allowed us to fill his tummy too

Dan let us use his car…for the second time, to go pick up this really sweet coffee table and head to bible study On our way to pick up the table we

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Oh, That Belly!

November 8, 2011

Welp

I’m gettin’ bigger and bigger I went to The Gap the other day and found this awesome dress It was $70 Then it was on sale for $22 And then because it was an Internet purchase returned in a store, it was final sale for $11 Yup I was quite happy In the end I got $200 worth of clothes for under $50 And their maternity stuff isn’t all that bad

You’ll see the dress more in a photo shoot we are going to be doing with the growing baby We just agreed with a guy from church to do a little shoot and I’m SO excited It’s actually been something I’ve worried about Normally people can just go look for a photographer, pay them and get the deal they offer…but unfortunately…I’m a photographer So I’m extra analytical…and I’m cheap Unfortunately, I think that the deals photographer’s offer are great for people who don’t care to edit the pictures themselves, but I do I like to see all the raw pictures, decide if I can edit them differently, add my own touches All that sort of thing

So our buddy said that he would just take those pictures for us and then give us the raw files Wohoo! I’m rather excited He is totally willing and rather excited himself to add to his portfolio

I also wanted to show you the little theme I think is going to take over the Dr Seuss business Owls, prints, fabrics, the list goes on Here is an example:

I love these owls…and the cloth look I realize that it’s rather different from what I was talking about

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Wish List

October 30, 2011

So my sister made a great suggestion of putting pictures up here of things that sort of reflect my style and what I’m starting to think of for our little girl…hmm… I love to say that Our little girl It’s so nice knowing

Anyways I was looking at baby clothes at Gap…bad idea because the clothes are so cute and sooo very expensive But it does help me see what I absolutely like, and what I don’t think I’d ever even consider

For instance, this is a like:

And, this, with it’s cute little pattern which also happens to be similar to my phone’s background, just makes me melt

And two things about this picture:

1 It’s perfect I love the little kiddo and her skirt and her headband and the barn and the yellow crib and it’s just so beautiful

2 I love this mobile so so so much It totally fits with colorful theme that I have in mind for her room But I am now also thinking a lot more about incorporating pink and brown, or pink and grey More on that later

I’m also coveting this baby bag

I only wish that it had a zipper instead of just a button to close it, what with all the crazy Chicago weather we have here But I love the grey, and also the colorful inside fabric Favorite Rather a splurge though

On another note

Here is something that I

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Not What We Were Expecting

October 26, 2011

You know those times when you are just sure of something You would probably stake some money on it, or at least speak about it with such high opinion that it sounds like fact?

Yeah, that was my Hubby and I before Thursday We were sure, me verbally, and hubby not-so-verbally, that we were having a boy Some of ideas we had for a baby room, colors and names were all revolving around a precious little baby boy

I think perhaps part of it was also that I realized we’d come of out this whole start of babydom pretty cheaply since my sister had a little boy a little over a year ago and had lots of things to give to me

But alas

God played another funny on us

We were in the doctor’s office, and my belly was getting all lubed up, and we were both just so sure that Patty, or sweet, European, Ultrasound tech, was going to confirm our male suspicions

So when she said, “Are you ready? Ok You’re having a baby girl!”…well…we were floored

I can’t say we weren’t disappointed for a second, but then I thought about all the pink, all the baby rooms that I loved the best, all the cuddle time and future tender moments we will have, and I laughed I giggled and laughed for quite a bit We both just kept looking at each other dumbfounded and smiling

My favorite moment of the whole ultrasound was towards the end (We have a video up that you can see Just let me know and I’ll send you the info) Patty got a great shot of our little girl sitting So we see her little bum and her chubby legs and their all shaking around You can see all her toes and her bones and her outline and

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To Baby Part 6. The Unplanned Plan

September 30, 2011

Oh heaven’s little one The things we have been through this week!

You’ll soon come to find out that you don’t know everything You’ll see that you have an idea, a plan, for how things should go: your food should go in your mouth but it lands on the floor, your toys should walk to you but you have to make the effort to get to them, (or even more pressing) you want to stay in a warm comfy place but you have to grow in a place not normally fitting of your size and then leave that place to be welcomed by a chili damp hospital room

As you get bigger your plans will be more elaborate, so the disappointment of them not working out will be much great That is, if you are like me If you’re like your Daddy (Both fraternal and spiritual) you’ll think your mommy is silly

All this to say, your Mommy had a few things (read: her whole entire world for the next 365 days, at least when it comes to her career) planned out And this week, they were all dashed to the wind

I was up for my promotion this week, baby I have been working over a year at this job…which was only suppose to be 8 months, in hopes that I would get promoted to be my own head honcho But I didn’t pass I know it’s not the first time someone hasn’t passed, and it won’t be the last time But I am having a hard time feeling like I didn’t just waste a whole year

I know I didn’t I know, as my bitterness subsides, I’ll see the positives to this situation, see how I’ve grown as a leader, how I’ve grown up a bit But for right now, I’m just sad that

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To Baby Part 5. The Way You Make Me Feel

September 25, 2011

To add a little silliness to my experiences with you kiddo, I’ve decided to tell you abut something of the things going on with my body since you have taken residence As I’ve said before you are a bit of a surprise, and I’m still trying to believe you’re real But I do have some major symptoms that at least prove that I’m different

I’ve had almost all of these before…but never all at once

And I was telling your Grammy (Grammie? Mom…what do you prefer) about them the other day and asking her why in the world no one told me about all this She said that if everyone knew they wouldn’t keep doing it…having babies, that is

But to rally with my new best friend, Jenny McCarthy-the author of “Belly Laughs”, it’s time the truth be told

First thing I noticed was I was having a hard time pooping Yup It’s true It hasn’t gotten any easier either and I’m sorry for that I’m sure you are rather uncomfy in there having to share space with my bowls but darling…if you would just move a smidgen so it could not be such a bother, I’d appreciate it I realize this is a lot to ask and will never happen until…well…at least until 5 months from now when you aren’t in there anymore But I’m sure there will be other parts of that process that dissuade me from using the loo

Second I noticed that all I wanted to do was sleep Normally this would be mildly inconvenient but easy to accommodate But because my job requires me to be up at 3 am several times a week…well I went from mildly exhausted to 100% exhausted 100% of the time Thanks to your ever growing self and us moving in

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To Baby. 4.

September 20, 2011

(8/26/11)

Kiddo!

It’s been a bit of time

I got you some nice things recently I think we’re going with a Dr Seuss theme I figure we can educate you early on and teach you all your colors too! I promise not to make it corny and typical I also don’t plan on making gender specific, because even though I’m going to find out what you are, I don’t want all pink, or all blue, or…you know That drama

Anyways

I’ve had a hard time with you little peanut

First, physically…let’s just say…if you’re your mother’s kid you’ll have lots of gas Just like my dad But I didn’t grow up in his belly…so not sure how that one worked out

I’ve got two more weeks ’til this trimester is over and then everyone tells me that I’ll snap right out of it and we’ll have some renewed energy But you are really sapping me buddy Today I was rather vomity at work, and constipated Now I’m just sitting at home watching movies and feeling gross

I’ve also been dealing with some heart issues kiddo I’ve been thinking of not sharing them vocally with anyone, even your sweet Daddy because I don’t want you to feel hurt, or less loved, or unwanted You’re simply unexpected So when unexpected things happen it throws my plans all for a mess

I do pray that you have your Daddy’s flexibility and faith He’s much better at that than I am and can adjust quickly It takes me a little time I have to figure out how to reconcile the thoughts and ideas I had and fit you in God knows what he’s doing, and I totally believe that once you’re here, once I meet you and hold you and snuggle you and smell you, I’ll know that you were always meant

...

To Baby 3.

September 18, 2011

(8/2/11)

Hey kid

Today was our first appointment

Today WE MET YOU!

Oh my word

I don’t have many words I can’t really explain my feelings But you’re amazing

I saw your heart It was going so very fast I saw your head, your hands, your little feetsies I saw your umbilical cord I saw you move I saw you look all cuddled I saw your Daddy laugh so hard, take video of the screen, giggle and grow in responsibility in a split second

I like your doctor She was very funny and very sweet She reminded me of our good friend Suzy who knew about you from the day I found out (She has a blog too so you eavesdroppers should read it, cuz she’s a hoot)

She gave us a ton of information Lots to process, think about, call our insurance to verify etc etc Nothing you need to worry your little developing self about

So Kiddo You’re about the size of a Kumquat Your heart has divided into it’s four chambers and your little organs are doing their thing, all on their own Your hands are bending in front of you which is wonderful You’re going to triple in size by week 12! My body is still crazy and nauseated and all that but I saw you Little kid I saw you You’re real You are worth it You are a new meaning for me You are a change we’ve needed You are good news, you are amazing You are scaring me to death

I love you

Momma

...

To Baby 2.

September 16, 2011

(8/1/11)

It’s 8:40am on my day off I wish I was still sleeping, my little one, but you won’t let me I am starting to feel you more and more Not like you’re kicking me or huge and invasive or anything, but I can tell that there is something new to my body, that it doesn’t lean the same way when I’m sleeping I have to prop up my belly with a pillow at night because it starts aching I think that’s all you kiddo

I would be more frustrated that I am not sleeping right now if you also didn’t let me have a good BM (I know that’s a lot of information for you, but darling, I hear that’s part of this whole pregnancy thing and right now it’s my reality)

We have our first appointment tomorrow! I get to meet you for real for the first time I get to hear your heart beat, see you move even if you are just a little Kumquat right now I am exciting, waiting in anticipation for your confirmation of existence

Sometimes, baby, I think “maybe I”m just making this all up Maybe you don’t really exist and my body has something wrong with it and that’s why I’m feeling this way; not because there is a life changing human inside me”

It causes me to despair a little bit I really want you I know you are two years early by our books, but you know what? If something happened, if Jesus decided you were a better resident up there than down here, I think we would try real hard to fill up our home with your brothers and sisters We wouldnt’ go back to our original time frame Because God is using this time to show us

...

To Baby 1.

September 15, 2011

(7/26/11)

Readers, my darlings

I am writing a little journal to process all these things going on in my body, in my mind, in my heart and making them letters to my little one Life has just changed so incredibly that I don’t even feel pregnant, just sick So I wanted to document things to remember them so when my little one grows up and has a surprise baby on the way, we can sympathize

Baby

Today I am extremely sick

Today I scheduled our first appointment

Today I watch and episode of Grey’s Anatomy, which is one of Mommy’s favorite shows of all time even though there are some raunchy parts that I’ll never let you watch Anyways, on that episode they showed a woman hearing her baby’s heart beat for the first time I cried That’s going to be your daddy and I on Tuesday We’re going to hear your heart beat, and we’re going to know that you are real, and that you are our little bean, our little responsibility, our little life changer, our little hope, our little gift of Grace And most of all, our little reminder that we aren’t in control; you seem like you’re in control of my body (even though we all know that is temporary…right?) but God is in control, no one else Just Him

We needed a change, Baby Mommy and Daddy needed a change We didn’t have the guts, or the time, or maybe the patience to do it But God always knew, always had a plan, always was laughing at us when we told people about our detailed and followable “5 year plan”

Anyways baby Lots to talk about Lots to digest Literally and figuratively, haha

Your mom thinks she’s funny

Lovies

...

Gift Registry

If you would like to help us with getting this little family started, please take a moment to browse through our registry items. You can order a gift directly from either of our registries or donate via paypal. Also, below you’ll find a wishlist that came to fruition via our greedy selves. But we wouldn’t be opposed if you’d like to feed the greed... just this once.

Our Wishlist … The list of things we can't afford.

Crib

Though we are using the playard for the first bit of our little girl's life, we are going to need to upgrade to a real crib before we know it. We love the espresso finish on all our furniture and think this style is just graceful!

$250

Uppa Baby Stroller

We do need to start saving up for a real stroller that will last us for quite a bit once the little girl grows past 6 months. We'd love this city friendly stroller, but it is a bit steep!

$377

Graco Car Seat

We've been told this is the best way to get around with our little girl for the first couple months and then worry about a more long term investment piece for a stroller a bit later.

$170

Playard

We have decided to start off our little one in just a playard as we live in a small one bedroom apartment. This one is the tops, and It will fit nicely right next to Lys's side of the bed and space won't be a problem.

$160

Medela Pump

While we are looking to see if anyone else selling one used or new, we figured we would register for one just in case. But these gadgets are not cheap!

$270

The Rockabye Glider

Some have said to not worry so much about the decorations of the baby's room but worry more about the rocking chair you'll be using at 2am. Because we are planning on a big ol' family, we found that this would be a good investment peace for this new stage in our lives.

$614