Dear Soybean,
Well, today was our first day of maternity leave together. We went grocery shopping and I went on some kind of cooking/baking binge. My way of nesting, perhaps?? Probably more like my way of trying to ingratiate myself with your daddy so that he will be willing to do anything to make it work where I don't have to go back to a full-time job at the end of my maternity leave. hehe. Sneaky, sneaky! I made a King Ranch Casserole (I knew they tasted good because your Grandma Barbara makes it from time to time) from scratch. I think it was the first time in my life that I boiled a full chicken, extracted the innards, took the skin off, deboned it, etc. It was a lot of work but it paid off. Your dad said it was wonderful, even better than his mom's. You know that has to be good! I also made a cheesecake. Your dad is anxiously awaiting for it to finish its 4-hour mandatory chilling in the fridge; in the meantime, we're watching Monday Night Football. Rather, your dad says he's watching the game but really he's sleeping off some muscle relaxers and pain killers he had to take for his back pain. Somehow the grocery store trip and the cooking took all day and I tired out. Your dad and I did some more walking today, but only from the house down the street to see your Grandma Barbara. I joked that you may be confused as to what direction you're supposed to be going because you always seem to try to push your way through the right side of my belly, haha.
It's just to the point where everyone is just eager to meet you. I thought I should take this opportunity to tell you again what an answer to prayer that you are. Your dad and I quit using any form of contraception in February 2008. We had just been to your Grandpa Nall's birthday party and seen his friend Troy's large family (they have like 8 or 9 kids). It made me think... and we decided, yes, we were ready. At the time, your daddy and I were going on 7 years of marriage and I was in the last year of respiratory school so even if we conceived right away ,by the time you would come around, I would have graduated. We thought we would have no trouble getting pregnant. Well, fast forward through three years of disappointingly negative home pregnancy tests and saying "it will happen when it's meant to" in answer to the well-intentioned questions from family and friends as to when we would have kids. I had even started on a quest with a fertility doctor to see where the problem was; I believe it was December of last year when this occured. The doctor suspected PCOS from some of the inital test results like the ultrasound and wanted to do some extra testing for a definitive diagnosis. They also wanted your daddy to come in to give a "manly sample." Thing was, the test they wanted me to do needed to be done on the third day of my cycle. With not knowing exactly when my cycle would start and their Woodlands office being only open one day a week, it was nearly impossible to be able to "schedule" anything and they wouldn't accept a walk-in. I got fed up and was intending on asking around about some fertility specialists close by whose offices were open M-F. Then, there comes along the chili cook-off and pinewood derby at church on January 29. Pastor John MacFarlane, being the awesome person he is, asked a very John MacFarlane-esque question as he was getting food in the potluck line. He looked me straight in the eye with his direct Jesus-like gaze and asked, "So, April, what is your focus in life right now?" Even though there was a line behind him, I knew he wasn't moving because he was genuinely looking for an answer. With that kind of direct question, I couldn't help but give a direct answer. "Family," I replied. He asked, "Your nephews and niece?" "Well, yes, but mostly a family of my own." He nodded in seriousness, reached out a hand, put a pointed finger on my belly, and said simply but with authority, "In Jesus name, move!" And the moment was over, he had to move on, the potluck line continued. But I claimed those words as healing for my body and awaited for God to reveal an answered prayer. Two days later at the doctor's office, as already detailed in a prior post, I was sick with sinus issues and realized, from the doctor's routine question regarding the first day of my last period, that I was two days late. Sure enough, I got a positive home pregnancy test. Now some would say that the pastor's strange words were just a coincidence, but I think maybe, perhaps just maybe, you, in fertilized egg form, did indeed move and implant in a favorable spot at last. Then again, maybe you were already set but God still wanted me to know that my inward heartache and feelings of loss had been noticed and that the good news I was about to receive about you was indeed a gift.
As before when we were trying to get pregnant, your daddy and I are still waiting, but this time we are waiting with the knowledge that it is now only a matter of days before our dream is realized before our eyes. Even as impatient as everyone is (including your dad), this kind of waiting is far better.
Whenever you're ready baby girl, we're ready for you.
Love you!!
Mama
P.S. Ha, and what do you know? Of course your daddy perks up as the cheesecake's allotted time in the fridge winds down and he slyly inquires about it. He says it's sooo good... better than Sara Lee's. If he's just trying to make me feel good, it's working :-)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"When the Switch Goes On"
Dear Soybean,
Tomorrow is your due date! :-) I thought labor might have been starting last night. Since I had a $3 for $25 Restaurant.com coupon for Crush Wine Lounge at The Woodlands Waterway, we decided to give it a try. The coupon excludes alcohol and since I'm obviously not drinking anyway, it was perfect. The walking there to the restaurant from where we had to park was probably the longest I've walked at any one single time in a good while so when we got there, I had some lower back ache and some tummy tightness. But it went away. The food was horrible (gag!) and way over-priced for the quality and quantity; however, the view from our table on the terrace of The Waterway was its redeeming feature. We could see families milling about, the lights in the fountains changed colors, the moon was shining, and the weather was absolutely perfect temperature. We then went and saw the movie Real Steel, which your father loved and I tolerated as half-way decent. Your dad treated me to some ice cream at the theater as we waited for our movie to start (since Crush didn't offer any tantalizing desserts); I was a bit perturbed that the vendor charged 50 cents for each condiment. So 50 cents for the sprinkles, 50 cents for the chocolate syrup, and 50 cents for the whipped cream. I would have told your father not to worry about it at those prices but I didn't know until it was too late. The walk back to the truck produced some more of the same interesting effects as before, but again they slowly subsided. We were peckish by the time we got close to home so we stopped by Whataburger for a midnight snack. Your daddy and I both talked about how this was probably our last outing for awhile with our focus being all on you and pinching pennies pretty soon. It had been awhile since we'd gone to dinner and a movie though--it used to be all we did.
With your delivery story yet to be written, I thought you might be interested in finding out the story of how I was born so I asked your Grandma Joy to write it down. She did and this is what she wrote:
Tomorrow is your due date! :-) I thought labor might have been starting last night. Since I had a $3 for $25 Restaurant.com coupon for Crush Wine Lounge at The Woodlands Waterway, we decided to give it a try. The coupon excludes alcohol and since I'm obviously not drinking anyway, it was perfect. The walking there to the restaurant from where we had to park was probably the longest I've walked at any one single time in a good while so when we got there, I had some lower back ache and some tummy tightness. But it went away. The food was horrible (gag!) and way over-priced for the quality and quantity; however, the view from our table on the terrace of The Waterway was its redeeming feature. We could see families milling about, the lights in the fountains changed colors, the moon was shining, and the weather was absolutely perfect temperature. We then went and saw the movie Real Steel, which your father loved and I tolerated as half-way decent. Your dad treated me to some ice cream at the theater as we waited for our movie to start (since Crush didn't offer any tantalizing desserts); I was a bit perturbed that the vendor charged 50 cents for each condiment. So 50 cents for the sprinkles, 50 cents for the chocolate syrup, and 50 cents for the whipped cream. I would have told your father not to worry about it at those prices but I didn't know until it was too late. The walk back to the truck produced some more of the same interesting effects as before, but again they slowly subsided. We were peckish by the time we got close to home so we stopped by Whataburger for a midnight snack. Your daddy and I both talked about how this was probably our last outing for awhile with our focus being all on you and pinching pennies pretty soon. It had been awhile since we'd gone to dinner and a movie though--it used to be all we did.
With your delivery story yet to be written, I thought you might be interested in finding out the story of how I was born so I asked your Grandma Joy to write it down. She did and this is what she wrote:
"Your dad and I went to the theater to watch a Rocky movie, maybe Rocky 2. While we were standing in the long line outside waiting to get our tickets, it seemed that something heavy was weighing down on my pelvic floor.
I ate a lot while watching the movie. I had a soda, something chocolate like Milk Duds, some hot candy like Hot Tamales or Red Hots, and some nachos with cheese and jalapenos.
After we got home and went to bed, I was unable to fall asleep because of constant pain in my lower back. I had had back pain before during my pregnancy but it had never kept me from sleeping.
By daylight the following morning the pain had shifted from my back to my abdomen, and the pain was no longer constant but intermittent and was occurring at somewhat regular intervals. "
She told me that she had never indulged with junk that much before during the pregnancy. As far as the movie being a Rocky movie, it doesn't really check out date-wise, but I had hoped it did. I am such a Sylvester Stallone fan. I joked with your daddy today that he would know when I was in labor. He asked, "How?" In reply, I took off my ballcap and put in backwards. Your dad got the reference to "the switch" in the Stallone movie Over the Top right away and chuckled.
Today started out to be a great day. The rain which we badly needed came down steady. We grabbed a bite from Sonic and made it home in time for the Texans game and they had a good start. During halftime your daddy and I made some no-bake cookies. Ahh, but then, situations always change, don't they, baby girl? The Texans lost momentum in the second half (it's getting to be a pretty ingrained pattern for them by now) and gave up the game in dramatic fashion at the last moment. Your dad lost it (he apologized later). And the cookies absolutely refused to firm up (your daddy is trashing them as I type). Your Grandpa Nall was harassing your dad on the phone looking for Mike. Your Grandpa had already called your dad earlier today wanting him to do some errands for him when it's not even your dad's week to help (it's your Uncle Bobby's week to help but your Grandpa would rather just inconvenience your dad instead since Bobby was just there a day or two ago). And we find out that your 15-year old cousin is home alone with his 16-yr old girlfriend. I was thinking wryly to myself that my teenage nephew and I could both be having kids pretty close in age here pretty soon. Breaks my heart. But what can one say without coming off as appearing judgmental and interfering when the parent is okay with it and everyone knows that you yourself are far from perfect? Family. You gotta love them, and I do with all my heart. I wouldn't care nearly so much if I didn't. So, a little of bit of everything started weighing my heart down when I thought to myself, "At least the weather's still nice--still raining." I caught myself. I should have said, "At least God is still in charge." I know my attitude should never depend on circumstances, much less the ever-changing weather. I'm still trying to learn, pumpkin.
Friday was my last day of work. It was a powering feeling knowing as I left work that evening that the next time I returned, my world will have been changed forever--for the better. I will be different. I will be a mama. A new person will have made her appearance in the world. It was a little emotional so I made my good-byes to everyone really quick. I met up with your "Aunt" Kristi at Starbucks for my favorite white mocha cappuccino (decaf of course). I got teary-eyed a little telling her about the baby bundle (which I have yet to do here) and telling her I will miss her a lot. She may be moving to Seattle since her hubby has a job opportunity there. When I had told Chris about the possibility of her moving away, he smiled compassionately and gave me a big hug as he exclaimed, "Our baby won't have her Aunt Kristi; what are you going to do?" I'm happy for her if it works out though, and I've always wanted to visit Seattle, so seeing her would be my perfect reason to go.
The rain has slacked off and your dad's NASCAR race is over, so we're going to go to the college grounds and do some walking to see if we can't jump start this labor thing :-)
Friday was my last day of work. It was a powering feeling knowing as I left work that evening that the next time I returned, my world will have been changed forever--for the better. I will be different. I will be a mama. A new person will have made her appearance in the world. It was a little emotional so I made my good-byes to everyone really quick. I met up with your "Aunt" Kristi at Starbucks for my favorite white mocha cappuccino (decaf of course). I got teary-eyed a little telling her about the baby bundle (which I have yet to do here) and telling her I will miss her a lot. She may be moving to Seattle since her hubby has a job opportunity there. When I had told Chris about the possibility of her moving away, he smiled compassionately and gave me a big hug as he exclaimed, "Our baby won't have her Aunt Kristi; what are you going to do?" I'm happy for her if it works out though, and I've always wanted to visit Seattle, so seeing her would be my perfect reason to go.
The rain has slacked off and your dad's NASCAR race is over, so we're going to go to the college grounds and do some walking to see if we can't jump start this labor thing :-)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Countdown Begins
Dear Natalie Ann or Aaryn Dawn...
Your due date is less than a week away! I had been feeling some sharp pains in a new place yesterday and the day before so I was sure that this time doctor would be able to report some dilation at our appointment this morning, but all he could say was that "it was softening." He said that he would only let you go a week past the due date; I mentioned that I had heard that it was okay to go two weeks past. He said that was an old wives' tale and that the chances of something going wrong after a week dramatically increase. I told him that I felt you'd come when you are ready and he replied that you will be ready. I'm not so keen on induction but neither do I want to butt heads with the doctor (but I will if I have to!), so I'm hopeful it won't even come to a decision like that. I see some walking in my future! :-) Your daddy says if you're anything like me, you'll be right on time and will come exactly on October 10th. We both had a laugh when I said you could be just like him. We agreed that in that case, you would be so very late that you might decide not to come at all... You might decide you rather like where you are right now. Your Uncle Stephen said that his friend Chelsea was born three weeks past her due date, and she's one of the smartest people I know. If I was more bent on traditional/westernized medicine, I would love my doctor. But he seems to sniff at anything I have remotely inquired about such as water birth or waiting two weeks--he hasn't even bothered to go over the birth plan I brought in and hasn't mentioned the Prozac since first prescribing it. I told your Uncle Stephen today that he should get into women's medicine. He's enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the subject and, being the "people person" he is, gets engaged with whomever he's talking. And I told him that "engaged" is what women want in an OB or midwife. They want to feel special--all I have felt from my doctor is like I'm simply another number, another patient, another 2 minutes carved into his schedule.
I've been experiencing some blues here lately, but again maybe it's because I've been so tired here lately. I'm not quite sure. Anyway, I told my boss today that Friday will be my last day before maternity leave. Monday's the due date and I just don't have the "want-to" to keep climbing in and out of my truck all day long for work and waddling from patient's house to patient's house. Maybe my blues will be allayed by getting to spend some quiet time thinking about the hour we get to meet at last. Speaking of which, I'm a bit scared about labor. I know your daddy and I "graduated" from childbirth class Monday, but it's one of those things that I just don't know what my personal experience will be. It's hard to feel prepared for something that you've never experienced before, regardless of how many stories other women tell you about what it was like for them. Because I'm not them and just as some women don't like chocolate, their experience may be completely foreign to me.
Uncle Bill, or my "beautiful Uncle" as I call him, calls every day now to see if there's any news. He has been "bullying" your Daddy and I over not having any children for years now :-) I told him I want pan-crust Pizza Hut veggie lovers pizza as soon as labor is over. I told him I'll be starving since they only allow you to have ice chips during labor in the hospital. He said that he was pretty sure Pizza Hut would deliver to the hospital. I had to grin just thinking about it. Your Grandpa Scheffler calls every day or nearly every day now too. I don't think there's EVER been a more excited grandpa and I mean it. Your great-grandma Hazel must write my appointments on her calendar because if it's past noon and she hasn't heard any news from my appointment that morning, she'll call and leave voice messages ever so often until she hears back from me. You have so many family and friends that already love you and can't wait to hold you. It's a bit surprising to me, in a way, that they can all love you without even knowing you--but a baby is a special thing and I know they love your daddy and me so maybe they just assume you'll be a combination of our "awesomeness." ha! but then again, some people are just "kid people" regardless. As for me, I still have some some quiet fears--what if you don't like me? what if you wish you were born to someone else? It's not like meeting another stranger in that I can't hold you at arm's length until we can get to "know" each other. You will need me from moment #1. I can't stand idly by and observe you. I will need to be involved, extroverted.... I guess that means that while you are still impressionable I can brainwash you into believing that I am a great person to know. :-) You know, perhaps that "maternity instinct" they talk about with wash in and overwhelm me the moment I see you and I will no longer have any of those questions lurking in the back of my mind. Perhaps at that moment I will simply be metamorphed into "your mama" and there will not be the slightest question of whether you and I are the perfect fit. I guess I've just seen too many tv shows where these out-of-touch mamas just assume their babies will be a mini-me of themselves. I am much too independent myself to have any such misconceptions of you. You will be your own person, and rightly so. I can't wait to see the person you become.
It's time for bed, but I will write to you about the baby bundle I took to Monday's class and the daycare your daddy checked out today.
Sleep tight little Soybean,
Mama
Your due date is less than a week away! I had been feeling some sharp pains in a new place yesterday and the day before so I was sure that this time doctor would be able to report some dilation at our appointment this morning, but all he could say was that "it was softening." He said that he would only let you go a week past the due date; I mentioned that I had heard that it was okay to go two weeks past. He said that was an old wives' tale and that the chances of something going wrong after a week dramatically increase. I told him that I felt you'd come when you are ready and he replied that you will be ready. I'm not so keen on induction but neither do I want to butt heads with the doctor (but I will if I have to!), so I'm hopeful it won't even come to a decision like that. I see some walking in my future! :-) Your daddy says if you're anything like me, you'll be right on time and will come exactly on October 10th. We both had a laugh when I said you could be just like him. We agreed that in that case, you would be so very late that you might decide not to come at all... You might decide you rather like where you are right now. Your Uncle Stephen said that his friend Chelsea was born three weeks past her due date, and she's one of the smartest people I know. If I was more bent on traditional/westernized medicine, I would love my doctor. But he seems to sniff at anything I have remotely inquired about such as water birth or waiting two weeks--he hasn't even bothered to go over the birth plan I brought in and hasn't mentioned the Prozac since first prescribing it. I told your Uncle Stephen today that he should get into women's medicine. He's enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the subject and, being the "people person" he is, gets engaged with whomever he's talking. And I told him that "engaged" is what women want in an OB or midwife. They want to feel special--all I have felt from my doctor is like I'm simply another number, another patient, another 2 minutes carved into his schedule.
I've been experiencing some blues here lately, but again maybe it's because I've been so tired here lately. I'm not quite sure. Anyway, I told my boss today that Friday will be my last day before maternity leave. Monday's the due date and I just don't have the "want-to" to keep climbing in and out of my truck all day long for work and waddling from patient's house to patient's house. Maybe my blues will be allayed by getting to spend some quiet time thinking about the hour we get to meet at last. Speaking of which, I'm a bit scared about labor. I know your daddy and I "graduated" from childbirth class Monday, but it's one of those things that I just don't know what my personal experience will be. It's hard to feel prepared for something that you've never experienced before, regardless of how many stories other women tell you about what it was like for them. Because I'm not them and just as some women don't like chocolate, their experience may be completely foreign to me.
Uncle Bill, or my "beautiful Uncle" as I call him, calls every day now to see if there's any news. He has been "bullying" your Daddy and I over not having any children for years now :-) I told him I want pan-crust Pizza Hut veggie lovers pizza as soon as labor is over. I told him I'll be starving since they only allow you to have ice chips during labor in the hospital. He said that he was pretty sure Pizza Hut would deliver to the hospital. I had to grin just thinking about it. Your Grandpa Scheffler calls every day or nearly every day now too. I don't think there's EVER been a more excited grandpa and I mean it. Your great-grandma Hazel must write my appointments on her calendar because if it's past noon and she hasn't heard any news from my appointment that morning, she'll call and leave voice messages ever so often until she hears back from me. You have so many family and friends that already love you and can't wait to hold you. It's a bit surprising to me, in a way, that they can all love you without even knowing you--but a baby is a special thing and I know they love your daddy and me so maybe they just assume you'll be a combination of our "awesomeness." ha! but then again, some people are just "kid people" regardless. As for me, I still have some some quiet fears--what if you don't like me? what if you wish you were born to someone else? It's not like meeting another stranger in that I can't hold you at arm's length until we can get to "know" each other. You will need me from moment #1. I can't stand idly by and observe you. I will need to be involved, extroverted.... I guess that means that while you are still impressionable I can brainwash you into believing that I am a great person to know. :-) You know, perhaps that "maternity instinct" they talk about with wash in and overwhelm me the moment I see you and I will no longer have any of those questions lurking in the back of my mind. Perhaps at that moment I will simply be metamorphed into "your mama" and there will not be the slightest question of whether you and I are the perfect fit. I guess I've just seen too many tv shows where these out-of-touch mamas just assume their babies will be a mini-me of themselves. I am much too independent myself to have any such misconceptions of you. You will be your own person, and rightly so. I can't wait to see the person you become.
It's time for bed, but I will write to you about the baby bundle I took to Monday's class and the daycare your daddy checked out today.
Sleep tight little Soybean,
Mama
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Home Stretch
Dear Soybean,
Monday will be the last prepared childbirth class. We were encouraged to bring a "birth bundle" to the next class... so I'll see what we can find. Never heard of a birth bundle before, eh? Well neither had I. Found this website though about it: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/birth_bundle
At yesterday's appointment, the doctor said there was still "nothin' happenin'." I guess that means we'll probably make it to the due date or beyond. I am more convinced now than ever that next time around I want to go with a midwife or birthing center. I know the doctors deal with babies all the time, but this is special for ME and I want a little time. The doctor didn't even take the time to look over the birth plan I brought in and when I asked if he would consider my having a water birth he said, "You wouldn't want to do that anyway; there's been shown to be increased risk of infection in tubs like that." Bologna! and that he'd have the audacity to guess what I'd want was a bit much. Well regardless of whether the doctor cares to honor the document with his eyes or not, I was able to go to a neat website and create this handy little document. I had heard several people recommend having a birth plan but no one would actually tell you exactly WHAT that meant/included. This website made it easy: http://www.childbirth.org/interactive/ibirthplan.html
Today's been a bit rough and I'm not even quite sure why. I think the money situation of how to keep things afloat once you're here are weighing on me a little. Or maybe I'm just tired. All I know is that I've been moody--oh yes, moody. In fact, I found myself getting a little irked at YOU, all because you wouldn't quit having hiccups last night. I was a bit horrified at myself for feeling that way. :-O
Won't be much longer and you'll be seeing this little ol' world. I hope you won't be too disappointed. It's home, or at least will be until we all make it those mansions in the sky.
Love you baby girl,
Mama
Your room is ready! I think your dad and I did at least three takes for this video tour of your room and we STILL ended up looking like complete goof-balls. Well, at least that means it's true to form and you know what you're getting yourself into :-)
The last baby shower went great. Your Aunt Charlene even had special embossed ribbon that said, "Chris & April" and "Shower 9-18-11" on all the brooches/pins. Who does that??! It was all over the top :-) So many people showed up I even got a bit claustrophobic. We were there for 5-1/2 hours--I'd call that a party! It was a great success--not to mention it was the first EVER that your grandfathers met.
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| "Green Eggs and Ham" Deviled Eggs |
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| Cat in the Hat finger puppets |
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| Your Grandpas Meet for the First Time EVER |
Monday will be the last prepared childbirth class. We were encouraged to bring a "birth bundle" to the next class... so I'll see what we can find. Never heard of a birth bundle before, eh? Well neither had I. Found this website though about it: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/birth_bundle
At yesterday's appointment, the doctor said there was still "nothin' happenin'." I guess that means we'll probably make it to the due date or beyond. I am more convinced now than ever that next time around I want to go with a midwife or birthing center. I know the doctors deal with babies all the time, but this is special for ME and I want a little time. The doctor didn't even take the time to look over the birth plan I brought in and when I asked if he would consider my having a water birth he said, "You wouldn't want to do that anyway; there's been shown to be increased risk of infection in tubs like that." Bologna! and that he'd have the audacity to guess what I'd want was a bit much. Well regardless of whether the doctor cares to honor the document with his eyes or not, I was able to go to a neat website and create this handy little document. I had heard several people recommend having a birth plan but no one would actually tell you exactly WHAT that meant/included. This website made it easy: http://www.childbirth.org/interactive/ibirthplan.html
Today's been a bit rough and I'm not even quite sure why. I think the money situation of how to keep things afloat once you're here are weighing on me a little. Or maybe I'm just tired. All I know is that I've been moody--oh yes, moody. In fact, I found myself getting a little irked at YOU, all because you wouldn't quit having hiccups last night. I was a bit horrified at myself for feeling that way. :-O
Won't be much longer and you'll be seeing this little ol' world. I hope you won't be too disappointed. It's home, or at least will be until we all make it those mansions in the sky.
Love you baby girl,
Mama
Friday, September 16, 2011
Chewing One's Way Out
Dear baby girl,
I am so uncomfortable... I swear you are trying to chew your way out underneath my ribs on the right side. As you can't possibly have teeth yet, maybe your doing your best to gum your way out. I had always thought pregnant women rested a hand on top of their bellies because it was a "cutesy" thing to do and it kinda got on my nerves but now I'm more of the opinion that they do that to put a little extra weight on the belly to push, or rather "encourage" the baby to sit lower.
HEY!... your room is done! okay, not done done, but painted!! All the furniture you Grandpa Scheffler bought for you has arrived and is sitting in boxes ready to be put together. The changing table parts have already made their way to the floor of your room. Your daddy says he'll start putting it all together tomorrow. :-) With the paint done, it already looks so much better than it did before. It had been bland, boring--not at all you. It's going to look great.
Monday we had our first night of prepared childbirth education. I think your daddy really liked it, which was really good because it seems like most of the material is for the support person since the preggo's job is pretty obvious. I was a bit tired as I didn't have a chance to eat before I went. Believe me, I helped myself to the offered snacks at halftime. I think I had four graham crackers packets and an apple juice cup. Next week's session may prove to be the most helpful as it gets down to the mechanics of pain management, including positioning, "mindful" techniques, and pressure points. The instructor had the couples in the group introduce themselves, tell what the gender of their unborn baby is, why they came, and their due date. She started with us, stating we "looked friendly." We had a good chuckle at that. Come to find out, the vast majority of the couples are expecting girls. There was only one couple that are expecting a boy and one couple that will be leaving it for a surprise due to their culture (Indian). We were the couple with the soonest due date. We had everyone else beat by at least two weeks. Yes, I guess that proves we are procrastinators. If you come on your due date (which only 5% of babies do), the information will only be a week old--so pretty fresh :-) I was surprised that I had the uncontestably smallest belly of the women, especially since I was the farthest along. I guess I should feel pretty good about it (people say I should bounce right back to my pre-baby weight), but I found myself having the urge to poof out my belly a bit as if to assert "I'm pregnant too!" haha.
Wednesday my coworker Becca hosted one heck of a shower for you--coworkers, some current and some former, showed up. I was really touched with how much time, effort, and money she put into it. I wasn't expecting anything nearly so like a real shower. I had thought it'd be more like a a simple social hour where we got together to eat and opened some gifts as an afterthought of sorts. She had a huge cake, balloon bouquet, little pacifier necklaces for the "don't say the word baby" game, paper and pencil for a baby word scramble game (in which I was the proud winner of a Subway gift card), etc. Our friends Liz and Dezryn showed up too. It was amusing to find out that Dezryn prefers Liz's left side whereas you prefer my right.
Sunday will be the last of the showers and it promises to be perhaps the biggest. It's going to be fun. Some of your daddy's family from Henderson are coming down. You are quite the star!
I've found the perfect photographer! Yep, Subrina will be coming out a week from Sunday to take the maternity pictures and she'll be coming out on/around Oct 14th for your newborn pics as well. I don't know her personally but she was recommended by Jessica Matthews and after checking out Subrina's portfolio, I couldn't be more excited.
Love ya baby doll,
Mama
I am so uncomfortable... I swear you are trying to chew your way out underneath my ribs on the right side. As you can't possibly have teeth yet, maybe your doing your best to gum your way out. I had always thought pregnant women rested a hand on top of their bellies because it was a "cutesy" thing to do and it kinda got on my nerves but now I'm more of the opinion that they do that to put a little extra weight on the belly to push, or rather "encourage" the baby to sit lower.
HEY!... your room is done! okay, not done done, but painted!! All the furniture you Grandpa Scheffler bought for you has arrived and is sitting in boxes ready to be put together. The changing table parts have already made their way to the floor of your room. Your daddy says he'll start putting it all together tomorrow. :-) With the paint done, it already looks so much better than it did before. It had been bland, boring--not at all you. It's going to look great.
Monday we had our first night of prepared childbirth education. I think your daddy really liked it, which was really good because it seems like most of the material is for the support person since the preggo's job is pretty obvious. I was a bit tired as I didn't have a chance to eat before I went. Believe me, I helped myself to the offered snacks at halftime. I think I had four graham crackers packets and an apple juice cup. Next week's session may prove to be the most helpful as it gets down to the mechanics of pain management, including positioning, "mindful" techniques, and pressure points. The instructor had the couples in the group introduce themselves, tell what the gender of their unborn baby is, why they came, and their due date. She started with us, stating we "looked friendly." We had a good chuckle at that. Come to find out, the vast majority of the couples are expecting girls. There was only one couple that are expecting a boy and one couple that will be leaving it for a surprise due to their culture (Indian). We were the couple with the soonest due date. We had everyone else beat by at least two weeks. Yes, I guess that proves we are procrastinators. If you come on your due date (which only 5% of babies do), the information will only be a week old--so pretty fresh :-) I was surprised that I had the uncontestably smallest belly of the women, especially since I was the farthest along. I guess I should feel pretty good about it (people say I should bounce right back to my pre-baby weight), but I found myself having the urge to poof out my belly a bit as if to assert "I'm pregnant too!" haha.
Wednesday my coworker Becca hosted one heck of a shower for you--coworkers, some current and some former, showed up. I was really touched with how much time, effort, and money she put into it. I wasn't expecting anything nearly so like a real shower. I had thought it'd be more like a a simple social hour where we got together to eat and opened some gifts as an afterthought of sorts. She had a huge cake, balloon bouquet, little pacifier necklaces for the "don't say the word baby" game, paper and pencil for a baby word scramble game (in which I was the proud winner of a Subway gift card), etc. Our friends Liz and Dezryn showed up too. It was amusing to find out that Dezryn prefers Liz's left side whereas you prefer my right.
Sunday will be the last of the showers and it promises to be perhaps the biggest. It's going to be fun. Some of your daddy's family from Henderson are coming down. You are quite the star!
I've found the perfect photographer! Yep, Subrina will be coming out a week from Sunday to take the maternity pictures and she'll be coming out on/around Oct 14th for your newborn pics as well. I don't know her personally but she was recommended by Jessica Matthews and after checking out Subrina's portfolio, I couldn't be more excited.
Love ya baby doll,
Mama
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Psych!
Dear Soybean,
Did I tell you that we had pretty much decided on naming you Erin? Well.. Psych!!!!! The new forerunner in this name game is Natalie. Dad had mildly asked at the Scheffler family baby shower on Saturday if we had considered the name Natalie. I love my Daddy so much that I think I may have taken any suggestion of his to heart, except for the name Brunessa :-) I said it was pretty and then asked Chris about it later that night as we drove to New Braunfels to surprise your Aunt Kadi for her 31st birthday party. I was almost certain Chris had suggested the name himself somewhere along the way. He said he liked it too and of course I had to ask a few more times just to make sure; he finally said that I should know by now that if he didn't like a name he'd say so. And, yes, he was right. I asked him what his feelings were about the name Erin now--he said he still liked it but that Natalie was great too... as long as the middle name was Ann. And that's was the only middle name I had even thought about to go with Natalie. Everyone seems to think the name is pretty--everyone except my mother of course. She said the name seemed old and not in a cute way. I somehow knew she'd feel that way, but she quickly added that she would/could grow to like anything we named you.
As I write this, wildfires are still burning in Magnolia north of here. Yesterday was pretty scary not knowing if we'd have to start evacuating or not, but so far the crews have managed to keep the blazes north of 1488. The picture below is one I took this evening on my way home. To me, it looks like huge smoke clouds that are drifting downwind from the flames.
Your dad did a lot of work on the house yesterday and today to get it ready for you. All of the junk has been moved out of your room and either thrown away or put into storage. Almost all of the painting has been done except a second coat is needed on one wall and he wants to touch up the trim with some white paint. It's starting to all come together!
Oh, your Uncle Mike got engaged over the weekend! Saturday evening he proposed to Marianna. We found out on Facebook which wasn't exactly the way we would have preferred to learn about it but we're happy for them all the same. :-)
Saturday's baby shower was great. Family is such a wonderful thing, when it works. Definitely a blessing and I hope your experiences will reinforce the same message.
Oh, and sometime during this holiday weekend I went from being a preggo to a preg-OH!! Yep, Sunday Sarah exclaimed that my hands were swollen; I then decided my ankles were swollen too and that's why they had looked unexplainably strange/foreign to me. Everyone promptly put my feet up and Sarah arranged pillows behind me. Everyone is so sweet, except that Sarah would have denied us the bit of whipped cream I put on my decaf coffee that night if she had had her way, haha.I've had to take off my wedding ring and put it on a necklace, and today my ankles are still swollen--you can't really see the anklebone clearly defined. At least, the swelling hasn't gone to my face... yet! Pregnancy is so hard on one's one body-image. But it's all worth it.. YOU're worth it!
Well, your daddy has turned off the light so I guess that's my cue :-)
Goodnight little one.
Love ya,
Mama
Did I tell you that we had pretty much decided on naming you Erin? Well.. Psych!!!!! The new forerunner in this name game is Natalie. Dad had mildly asked at the Scheffler family baby shower on Saturday if we had considered the name Natalie. I love my Daddy so much that I think I may have taken any suggestion of his to heart, except for the name Brunessa :-) I said it was pretty and then asked Chris about it later that night as we drove to New Braunfels to surprise your Aunt Kadi for her 31st birthday party. I was almost certain Chris had suggested the name himself somewhere along the way. He said he liked it too and of course I had to ask a few more times just to make sure; he finally said that I should know by now that if he didn't like a name he'd say so. And, yes, he was right. I asked him what his feelings were about the name Erin now--he said he still liked it but that Natalie was great too... as long as the middle name was Ann. And that's was the only middle name I had even thought about to go with Natalie. Everyone seems to think the name is pretty--everyone except my mother of course. She said the name seemed old and not in a cute way. I somehow knew she'd feel that way, but she quickly added that she would/could grow to like anything we named you.
As I write this, wildfires are still burning in Magnolia north of here. Yesterday was pretty scary not knowing if we'd have to start evacuating or not, but so far the crews have managed to keep the blazes north of 1488. The picture below is one I took this evening on my way home. To me, it looks like huge smoke clouds that are drifting downwind from the flames.
Your dad did a lot of work on the house yesterday and today to get it ready for you. All of the junk has been moved out of your room and either thrown away or put into storage. Almost all of the painting has been done except a second coat is needed on one wall and he wants to touch up the trim with some white paint. It's starting to all come together!
Oh, your Uncle Mike got engaged over the weekend! Saturday evening he proposed to Marianna. We found out on Facebook which wasn't exactly the way we would have preferred to learn about it but we're happy for them all the same. :-)
Saturday's baby shower was great. Family is such a wonderful thing, when it works. Definitely a blessing and I hope your experiences will reinforce the same message.
Oh, and sometime during this holiday weekend I went from being a preggo to a preg-OH!! Yep, Sunday Sarah exclaimed that my hands were swollen; I then decided my ankles were swollen too and that's why they had looked unexplainably strange/foreign to me. Everyone promptly put my feet up and Sarah arranged pillows behind me. Everyone is so sweet, except that Sarah would have denied us the bit of whipped cream I put on my decaf coffee that night if she had had her way, haha.I've had to take off my wedding ring and put it on a necklace, and today my ankles are still swollen--you can't really see the anklebone clearly defined. At least, the swelling hasn't gone to my face... yet! Pregnancy is so hard on one's one body-image. But it's all worth it.. YOU're worth it!
Well, your daddy has turned off the light so I guess that's my cue :-)
Goodnight little one.
Love ya,
Mama
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Dearest baby,
So maybe I haven't been the best letter-writer here lately but you and I have been busy!! 1) We had another ultrasound done last OB visit...
2) We had your first shower with the church ladies (which was a huge success!),
So, yes, again, we have been busy. And there's so much more to do! I still don't have your daycare arrangements scheduled and we have more showers to go! Your room has made SOME progress. There's paint on 3 of the 4 walls but it will all need a second coat.
There's been a lot of drama we could do without and maybe I will tell you about that later, but as usually happens, I'll probably forget because it probably wasn't that important to begin with. Funny how time puts everything in perspective.
We had another OB visit today and "we" weigh a cumulative of 150.0 lbs. I'm sure at least a good 30 of that is all you! haha, yeah right! That means almost 7 lbs gained in two weeks (yikes!). Good thing I finished off the last of the Oreos this evening... no more temptation! ;-)
The main point I wanted to write about today though was your name. I was driving to work last Thursday morning when I came to the conclusion that I should leave your naming to your daddy. The names I like are a bit too odd/exotic for most tastes and I knew that the fact your daddy named you might be pretty special to you. The daddy/daughter relationship is one-of-a-kind. Well, not 30 minutes later, I get a call from your dad and he says with conviction in his words, "I have the name for our daughter." I said, "That's great because I just decided you could name her." "Erin Dawn." He went on to explain that he loves his middle name of Aaron and had kinda wished he had been called by Aaron instead of Christopher. So he'd give you his middle name with the feminine spelling and combine it with my middle name of Dawn. I just asked that we not set it in stone until we see you... just to make sure it "fits." He reluctantly agreed, still very leery that I am going to try to name you October in the "glow" of the moment. He then stated that even if you come out with a birthmark in the perfect shape of the word "October" that you will not be named that. I had to laugh. "Fine, fine" I said. Everyone seems to like it and think it's cute. I knew of two Erins when I was in middle school... and neither acquantance was warm. Chris says I have to let it go. :-) And yes, he's right. Maybe he'll agree to change the spelling up a bit more agreeable to me. Plus, I know I will love you whatever your name... Why? Because you are my baby!!! I can't wait to hold you in my arms and kiss your nose and caress your hair (yes, we saw your fuzzy hair on the ultrasound!). I asked for the sake of the baby book record when this name "came" to Chris. He said the night before. He had been on his way home from helping Grandpa Nall and was sitting at the red light on 2978, waiting to turn onto Carraway Lane when he said it just came to him. In fact, he got a bit religious about it and said he felt it's what God wants you to be named. How can I argue with that?
I love you. I hope I can get some sleep tonight while you do your nightly acrobats :-) It's crazy how time is going by so quickly; before you know it, you will be here crying and messing in diapers!
I still miss your Uncle Adam so much that I can't bring myself to write about it a lot but I just remind myself that there are many others here who love you too who will be ready with open arms to hold you tight. I may hold you extra tight just for him. I guess I bring him up because the day after tomorrow is the Scheffler family baby shower. You are 1/2 Scheffler which means you are 100% "tainted"... LOL. They are a great group and I can't wait for you to meet them all.
Yours truly,
Mama
So maybe I haven't been the best letter-writer here lately but you and I have been busy!! 1) We had another ultrasound done last OB visit...
 |
| In this 3D pic you look so much like your daddy did as a baby; however, you know who you really look like? Your Uncle Stephen! |
 |
| I call this pic "Sleeping Beauty". The sonographer says you will be a small baby at at big 6lb'er if that. But your daddy was a 6-lb'er too. I was the 8lb 12oz one! |
 |
| Even though you are a small baby in the 32 percentile in weight for your age, the sonographer says you have a wide foot :-) |
 |
| can you see the fuzzy hair? :-) |
2) We had your first shower with the church ladies (which was a huge success!),
 |
| Deanna outdid herself again! |
 |
| See how the traditional item was replaced with a Sobyean? Haha, the perfect touch! |
3) You went with me and Daddy on our 10th wedding anniversary trip (as much as I love you baby this will be the last anniversary trip you join us...haha)
 |
| This is us at Krause Springs |
 |
| This your Daddy and I all cleaned up for a nice dinner |
 |
| This is the 3 of us at the Longhorn Caverns. Your daddy can't wait to bring you back. |
So, yes, again, we have been busy. And there's so much more to do! I still don't have your daycare arrangements scheduled and we have more showers to go! Your room has made SOME progress. There's paint on 3 of the 4 walls but it will all need a second coat.
There's been a lot of drama we could do without and maybe I will tell you about that later, but as usually happens, I'll probably forget because it probably wasn't that important to begin with. Funny how time puts everything in perspective.
We had another OB visit today and "we" weigh a cumulative of 150.0 lbs. I'm sure at least a good 30 of that is all you! haha, yeah right! That means almost 7 lbs gained in two weeks (yikes!). Good thing I finished off the last of the Oreos this evening... no more temptation! ;-)
The main point I wanted to write about today though was your name. I was driving to work last Thursday morning when I came to the conclusion that I should leave your naming to your daddy. The names I like are a bit too odd/exotic for most tastes and I knew that the fact your daddy named you might be pretty special to you. The daddy/daughter relationship is one-of-a-kind. Well, not 30 minutes later, I get a call from your dad and he says with conviction in his words, "I have the name for our daughter." I said, "That's great because I just decided you could name her." "Erin Dawn." He went on to explain that he loves his middle name of Aaron and had kinda wished he had been called by Aaron instead of Christopher. So he'd give you his middle name with the feminine spelling and combine it with my middle name of Dawn. I just asked that we not set it in stone until we see you... just to make sure it "fits." He reluctantly agreed, still very leery that I am going to try to name you October in the "glow" of the moment. He then stated that even if you come out with a birthmark in the perfect shape of the word "October" that you will not be named that. I had to laugh. "Fine, fine" I said. Everyone seems to like it and think it's cute. I knew of two Erins when I was in middle school... and neither acquantance was warm. Chris says I have to let it go. :-) And yes, he's right. Maybe he'll agree to change the spelling up a bit more agreeable to me. Plus, I know I will love you whatever your name... Why? Because you are my baby!!! I can't wait to hold you in my arms and kiss your nose and caress your hair (yes, we saw your fuzzy hair on the ultrasound!). I asked for the sake of the baby book record when this name "came" to Chris. He said the night before. He had been on his way home from helping Grandpa Nall and was sitting at the red light on 2978, waiting to turn onto Carraway Lane when he said it just came to him. In fact, he got a bit religious about it and said he felt it's what God wants you to be named. How can I argue with that?
I love you. I hope I can get some sleep tonight while you do your nightly acrobats :-) It's crazy how time is going by so quickly; before you know it, you will be here crying and messing in diapers!
I still miss your Uncle Adam so much that I can't bring myself to write about it a lot but I just remind myself that there are many others here who love you too who will be ready with open arms to hold you tight. I may hold you extra tight just for him. I guess I bring him up because the day after tomorrow is the Scheffler family baby shower. You are 1/2 Scheffler which means you are 100% "tainted"... LOL. They are a great group and I can't wait for you to meet them all.
Yours truly,
Mama
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