Christmas of firsts

Joe and I spent Christmas morning with our baby in our apartment.  It was such a great feeling to wake up when we wanted and open presents in our pajamas.

Being that I'm at home on maternity leave, it was a huge blessing to be able to prepare for Christmas: both physically and spiritually.  I felt like for the first time I was able to take it all in, not having finals or work or a wedding to plan.

Not only was it our first Christmas as a married couple, but also the first Christmas for Maureen.  Although I tried to explain it to her, I'm not all that convinced that she got it.

I spent Christmas Eve putting the final touches on the apartment and preparing breakfast for Christmas Day.  I'll admit, I was more than giddy.

It was funny to think that it was just the three of us here and that all the preparations were a little silly, but I stumbled upon a meditation that reminded me how important such work is:

Mary spend nearly every day of her life like millions of other women who look after their families, bring up their children and take care of the house.  Mary sacrifices the ordinary everyday things -- what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to fiends and relatives.  What a blessed ordinariness, that can be so full of love of God!
J. Escriva, Christ is Passing By, 148

With Joe at work I prepared the dough for the famous Christmas Day pecan rolls.  I reminded myself that I wasn't just cooking for my family, but to welcome the Christ Child into our home.

The alter of our "domestic church"--above the wine cabinet. Fitting.

Baby sleeps as the sun comes up.

Did I mention it was snowing?  So perfect.

Our tree, fully decorated (okay, no topper...I'll work on that) with ALL the presents wrapped.

I was particularly proud of the ribbons. 

Let's fast forward to Christmas morning.
We all loved our gifts.

Amen!

Joe was especially excited.

The table set and ready for dining.  I'd folded the napkins to look like stockings.  Adorable.

I hate to brag, but I was such a rockstar mom.

         

Merry Christmas!

New Developments and something sweet

In the past week Maureen has discovered her hands and works very hard at putting time into her mouth. She also, just within the last few hours, has started putting her hands together. I'm working with her to open her hands to hold a rattle and feel that this next step is quite close to working.

I feel a little silly writing about such tiny stages of development, but I know that any other parents reading will understand. I'm excited to see her hold onto things and be interested in toys, so even these small steps are actually huge accomplishments.


Along with that, enjoy this little story from the week:

Joe, Maureen, and I went to the CatholicVote Christmas party at their downtown office this week. I was quite proud of myself and limited my food intake, which so often goes nuts at a party. Let's be honest--I love to eat. I focused my attention on Maureen and socializing when she was asleep. It wasn't until probably 10pm that I finally made my way to the dessert table and was very selective in my cookie choices. I picked 2 of my favorites and one recommendation by the baker. All was right with the world as I ate my sugar cookie. And I had done so well limiting the food I ate.

As the party wound down I somehow unconsciously made my way back the that very same table and realized, a few cream puffs in, that I was the lady wearing the baby standing alone stuffing my face with sweets.

So awkward.

Aaaaand we're back!

Ok. Seriously. Maureen is nearly 2 months old now and this blog has so little to show for it.

I'm finally starting to get a feel for being a mom--not nearly as stressed (except for the crying spells and the thought of going to the grocery store). This week I've been busying cleaning the house and getting things in order for Christmas decorations, which will hopefully make their way upstairs later today. I'm enjoying the time at home, especially now that I'm not so freaked out about the contrast compared to working full time. In fact, I've hardly left the house at all this week, and I'm very okay with it. Our first real snowfall arrived this morning, which gives me even more reason to turn up the Christmas music and continue cleaning while Maureen sleeps.

More blogging from now on, I promise.

Here's a few goodies for you:

Here's a video in contrast to the one that we put up last time. Maureen is much older, and much more active. She is such a joy first thing in the morning--incredibly playful and talkative. This video is just the half of it.


Maureen is great at holding her head up and her legs are super strong. I know it is a bit early, but I was dying to see how she'd react to the Johnny Jump Up.

A family Christmas card

I was spending way too much money on Shutterfly anyhow, so I added on a few Christmas cards that were free from a previous order (thanks!).  I must admit, I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

Good Blessings Religious Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Movie Star

We took this video on day 2 or 3. I'm long overdue for an update, so I was hoping this would tide you over in the meantime.

With love from these new parents,
J&K

10-10-10

Sunday has come yet again.  This one the most significant to us emotionally since we started this blog.  Today is Baby's official due date.  Although the date is only a guideline, I am sure many women could agree that there is something difficult about letting a date you'd been hold onto so tightly for the past none months come and go.  I didn't actually expect Baby to be delivered today, but it is hard to let the sun set on this date and still not feel any closer to an impending labor than I did two weeks ago.

Such is life.  And I very much realize that.  In the meantime I'm busy staying at peace with all of this, despite the physical challenges of being nine months pregnant.

This week Joe and I are ever-more grateful we switched doctors about 3 months into the pregnancy.  The first doctor, who came highly recommended, provided us with far too many red flags--one of which was determining the due date by ultrasound and then insisting that if I was a week overdue we'd likely induce labor to avoid "a dead baby." (a direct quote...Bedside manners anyone?).  Without consulting the fertility charts we'd meticulously kept, the ultrasound showed the due date as October 3rd.  Which means we would have induced by now.  Scary stuff, and obviously unnecessary. 

I will be working from home the next few days, likely until I run out of things to do.  I contemplated stopping altogether, but realized that if the birth is still more than a week away I would be twiddling my thumbs and doing far too much online shopping for my own good.  On the upside, cutting out a two-hour commute from my day from now until sometime in February is quite appealing. 

And looking back on it, I'm glad I pushed through working up until this point.  It certainly had its challenges, but it is reassuring knowing that I will have another week at home WITH a baby at the end of all of this.  Plus, this past week was a darn important one.  We opened an exhibit that had been in the works for a number of months.  Thursday evening was the opening reception and it was such a huge deal for me to be a part of something I'd put so much effort into.

The exhibit features letters from our archives and worked to show how significant correspondence is in both mundane and highly significant events.  I had used a number of letters from a collection I'd finished processing a few months ago and invited the donor of the collection.  The letters we featured were from her great-grandfather, from her father to her mother, and one she had written to her mother some 50 years ago.  It sounds strange to say, but I was so honored to meet a member of the family in flesh and blood.  I'd spent nearly a year reading, sorting, cleaning, and making sense of her family history and it was so exciting to talk to someone about the individuals I'd gotten to know so closely through their writings. 

Or maybe this just makes me sound a bit too attached to my job.  What can I say?

Welcome, fall!

Sunday was successful yet again. We spent a lot of time last week cleaning up and alleviating my amounting levels of stress. The best part of all of this is that the apartment is now clean and de-cluttered (thanks to Joe and my mom) and we were able to spend this weekend much more leisurely. In fact, after our usual Saturday doctor's visit it felt very strange to just go home afterward. We didn't need to buy anything or accomplish any tasks (I take that back, a nap was accomplished.)  Saturdays had previously been our prime shopping time.

With more free time, I spent Sunday I trudging through our basil forest.

 
Our four plants were extremely healthy all summer but, alas, they severely needed a trim and fall might take its cold-weather tole on them.

So we made something worthwhile.  I'll give you a hint:

 

So now we're just waiting.  Staying quite busy, but also prepared for our lives to, within a matter of a few hours, change completely.  Just not sure when that change will come...

How far along? 40 weeks

How big is baby? Who knows.  I hear he or she has gotta come out eventually.

Total weight gain: 50.5 pounds.  

 

Maternity Clothes? Oh, you mean Joe's t-shirts?

Stretch marks? More this week.  That is what I get for giving up on caring.  But again, I can't see them right now anyway.

Sleep:  I can't wait until there are more positions to sleep in than 2: right side or left side.  Better get cozy because I'll be in one of those for most of the night.

Movement: Often most active around 9 at night.  Braxton-hicks continue to increase in number and intensity. 

Food cravings: Lemonade has been another one throughout the pregnancy.  I don't feel too badly buying the expensive stuff because I'm not spending money on other adult beverages for myself.

What I miss: Coats that fit.  No use buying one because it hasn't been chilly all that long, but I do feel silly with a button-up sweater buttoned at the top and my belly hanging out.  Luckily my belly stays warm on its own.

One thing I never anticipated was the exhaustion.  Everyone said I'd be tired, but I often feel as if I'd run 8-10 miles each morning and the tiredness, achyness, and general slowness take over the rest of the day.  Not just tired, but weak and sore. 

I miss shoes that fit.

What I am looking forward to:  Actually starting this next point in my life.  My mind is there...my baby is not yet here.

Milestones: Joe and I still made it a point to dance at a wedding this past weekend.  I'd like to consider that a win.

The feeling has come back in my left hand for the most part,and my right tingles more than usual.  I think it is on its way to regaining feeling too.

Say What?:

A neighbor told me I didn't look like I'd dropped at all.  I restrained myself from slapping her (at least in real life).  It was meant as a compliment of course, but this far along I don't want to feel like I'm regressing.

I sent a text to my mom on my way to work asking if she was also working that day.  I was curious to know if she had time to talk while I was driving.  She responded right away, and then called, "are you in labor?!?"  Um, no?  Calm down, mom!

Pancakes save the day

After a fabulous Oktoberfest celebration with all the Chicagoland (and some Wisconsin) Whites, Joe and I fell asleep at 8:30 pm, and then woke up this morning at 8.  I was a much-need sleep, and the fall weather made it all the more fabulous.  Upon my waking, however, I remembered the sink full of dishes.  It made my stomach hurt as I thought about it being just one more thing on my long list of stuff to get done today.  Normally, a long list wouldn't frighten me, but I have such little energy these days that it is so hard to let myself nap when I know there are still so many things to accomplish.  The nap usually wins, but the outstanding items on the to-do list weigh down my week.

As I said in last week's post, I guess I should just get used to it. 

But to counteract the anxiety I was experiencing, I remembered that the Knights of Columbus were having a pancake breakfast after church.  Score!  Less dishes AND it supports a good cause.  We were all over that.  I even got seconds.

How far along? 39 weeks

How big is baby? About 4 of the doctor's hand widths.  He or she is still growing, but has given me a lot more breathing room.  Whew.

Total weight gain: 49 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes? Why didn't anyone tell me that I'd need another round of clothing near the end of the second trimester?  All the labels say to "buy your pre-pregnant size."  Hi, I'm a size 4.  Sometimes a size 2 depending on the store.  I'm currently wearing a size 8 and these are uncomfortably small.  I had assumed that the pants I bought half-way through the pregnancy would last, but was a big fat NO.  This is not true.  In case you or your significant other have not yet been pregnancy, I'm warning you now--the clothes-buying never stops.

Stretch marks? Still there.  I've given up on trying to put anything on them--it just doesn't seem worth the effort anymore.

Sleep: Interrupted 2-3 times a night.  This past week I couldn't get back to sleep for a number of hours.  Again, I suppose I just need to get used to this.

Movement: A few times I've had a braxton-hick while baby was awkwardly to one side.  This made a large protrusion come out of my side.  It kind of looked like half a softball was coming out of my right side.   It was kind of amusing, but also still so strange to see.

Food cravings: This week the food difficulties of first trimester have returned.  Nothing sounds good and I'm incredibly fickle.  Because nothing sounds appetizing I find myself forgoing to eat, which just makes me ill.  Plus, I know I'm not supposed to let myself get too hungry during these final weeks because it can often trigger labor (or a false feeling of labor).  It is such a catch-22.

What I miss: The corner of the dining room being baby-item free.  Having enough energy to grocery shop AND clean in the same day.  Not constantly wondering when labor will begin and my life will drastically change.

What I am looking forward to:  Getting over the initial shock of a new baby and enjoying our time together--going shopping and out to lunch with my mom.  Baking and making dinner.  Afternoon naps.

Milestones: Remembering to trust.  Does that count?  I've grown attached to the image of the Divine Mercy in the past few weeks.  I keep reminding myself that the timing of all of this doesn't depend on me.  No matter how mentally ready I am I really don't matter in the situation.  As a planner, it is so difficult to just "let it be" and know that it could be tonight, or it could be in another 4 weeks.

Say What?:

I was doing some returns of repeat baby items at Target.  The woman behind the counter asked me how old my baby was.  It caught me so off-guard.  "Um, 3 weeks away?"  "Oh, I didn't realize!  You're still so small!"  Thanks...I guess?  Also, I have a hard time believing her.

Baby kicks

At 38 weeks Baby was dancing to his or her own beat, and we were able to catch some of it on video.

To give you some perspective, this is me laying on my side--eventually you'll see my hip to the left of the screen and torso to the right. Those are Baby's feet trying to escape.

We filmed for about 4 minutes, but I've cut out some of the less exciting footage of me breathing....

Antsy yet content

We're three weeks out from Baby's supposed due date.  I write on a sunny Sunday morning.  In case there is any question in a year, weekend mornings are usually spent sleeping in--me until 8 or so, and Joe until...I bug him enough to get up and get moving.  I clean and straighten and cut coupons from Sunday's paper.   I make breakfast while Joe places the big weekend work order over the phone.  There is usually an afternoon nap before whatever evening plans commence.

I can tell I've hit the exhaustion of late pregnancy because the apartment is so...untidy. I keep telling myself that seeing piles of junk mail and dirty dishes is just building my mental stamina for once the baby is born.  In the meantime, despite how much it wears on me, I just have to let it go.  I'm too tired to right all the wrongs.

I'm stealing the following Q&A from another blog I read and adore.  I feel a little silly starting it this far in, but I suppose late is better than never.

How far along? 38 weeks

How big is baby? About 4 of the doctor's hand widths.  This is how we measure.

Total weight gain: 44.5 pounds.  Ack.  That number, although not all that important, makes me shutter. 

Maternity Clothes? I've outgrown almost all of them.  Every morning is a challenge.  "What can I wear today that won't make me freak out by lunch time?"  I'm starting to resort to the black yoga pants at work.  No one has said anything yet...

Stretch marks? I was doing so well and then they just appeared one day.  Bam!  All on the underside of my belly, so of course I can't see them myself unless I look in a mirror.

Sleep: Interrupted 2-3 times a night.

Movement: Less constant the past few days, but still present and quite aggressive.  The dance parties have been replaced more with braxton-hicks.  In the past week, though, since the baby has moved down a bit, I'm able to feel hand movements.   

Food cravings: More ice water, please!  This has probably been the only consistent craving (constant desire?) throughout the pregnancy.  When we talked about craving ice being a sign of Pica in our birthing classes I got really nervous.  But then realized that I liked it for comfort reasons.  It had nothing to do with my nutrition!

What I miss: Being able to roll over in bed without it being a big ordeal.  Pants that button & zip.  Having feeling in my right hand.

What I am looking forward to: Being done with the birth.  That moment when Baby is on my chest for the first time taking in the world before he/she nurses.  

Also, I'm looking forward to dressing Baby.  I feel so cheesy saying that, like I'm having a doll rather than a human being, but I can't wait to put together outfits for the cool fall weather.  And then sit on the front porch and wait for Dad to come home from work.

Milestones: Baby has defiantly dropped in the last week.  There is more room at the top of my stomach and my pants are fitting differently at my hips yet again.

Say What?:

Last weekend at a wedding reception a server refilling my water told me I was beautiful.  "I just love pregnant women," she said.  Such a compliment when I'm feeling so big and awkward.

A few months ago, as I was walking to a conference in a downtown Chicago building a construction worker stopped, tipped his hard hat, and said, "Congratulations."

When people ask, "are you having a boy or a girl?" Joe responds: "One of those.  Yes."

              

Alright Baby.  We'll see you soon.  Could me tonight.  Could be another month.  We're getting antsy.

Here comes everybody

Family Reunion 2010, 116 people strong and still missing a good portion of us.

Not everyone can look this good in a SweatyBand

http://www.sweatybands.com/Blogs/Blog/archives/2010/08/July-Photo-of-the-Month-WINNER.asp