Ladybug in Love

{naked as we came}

2012-01-27T16:13:00.001-05:00

In the months before Lucy was born, I spent a lot of time carefully selecting music that I wanted to play while I was in labor at home. I compiled CD's from my personal collection as well as from the library and set them neatly in a stack next to the CD player so they would be ready when the time came. I chose music that was calming, relaxing, and inspiring to help me bring my baby into to the world.

I ended up being in labor for about 34 hours after all was said and done. When things were easier and much less intense in the beginning, we opted to watch the Harry Potter movies. We've seen them all many, many times and it was something we could watch but not have to be too engaged in. We also love the music in the movies and thought it would make for some good background noise. We watched, we snacked, we snuggled, we talked...until the power went out the first night. No more Harry Potter for us. The power did come back on the next morning though...and back on the movies went. (Seriously...anytime we watch those movies now, I am immediately reminded of labor...)

But I digress...

The last 6 hours or so of my labor were the most intense. This is when it was time to turn off the movies and turn on the music. I was really needing to focus at this point as I quickly spiraled into the deep space that I like to refer to as "labor land". I sat on the couch with my dear friend and doula, Michelle on one side...and my husband on the other side. I felt myself melting into my own body and the music as the contractions came quickly one after the other. At one point, the song "Naked As We Came" by Iron and Wine came on and it felt so perfect right in that moment. Between contractions, I focused on quietly singing along. This has now become my song for Lucy.....the little girl who has changed my world.

{art is love}

2012-01-23T21:43:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows I love crafting and painting and just about anything of that nature. I certainly don't have the time these days to do nearly as much of it as I'd like to...so I thought why not just get Lucy in on the action and we can do it together...

So....out came the finger paints!

She absolutely loved getting messy with me on the floor. She loved squishing the ooey gooey paint between her fingers and spreading it all over the paper and herself and ummm...putting it in her mouth (which is why the pacifier stayed in most of the time) I'll say...she did need a little help getting the paint on the paper, but hey...she did it...and it was fun!

Her first project was making a beautiful painting for her cousin (my niece), Ella who is turning 10 this week. (Side note....10?!?! How did my little Ella get to double digits already??!?!) The package went into the mail and off to Colorado this afternoon. I think Ella will love it :)

I can't wait to do more art projects with my girl. Next time I will probably make some homemade finger paints using this recipe...

...and if you need some more inspiration...check out this sweet baby art...

{delicious}

2012-01-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

Lucy loves her new highchair (thanks mom mom!)..

She LOVES when you put her in and wheel her around the kitchen and dining room..and she loves being a part of the action in the kitchen and being able to feed herself. Puffs are a definite fave right now...and just this morning I gave her some frozen peas to munch on. She was put off by how cold they were at first...but after finally surrendering it to the mouth...she was a happy girl. Daddy and I made a giant batch of butternut squash last weekend, and so far she is not a fan. Avocado's are not a favorite either....even though this is mommy's favorite food!! oh well. She's a good eater either way...so I really can't complain. My girl has a healthy appetite...and I'm super grateful for that!

{fox in socks}

2012-01-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

Have you ever read the book "Fox in Socks"

by Dr. Seuss?

You should. It's absolutely hysterical.

It's a super wild giant tongue twister.

"What do you know about tweetle beetles?
Well…

When tweetle beetles fight, it’s called a tweetle beetle battle.

And when they battle in a puddle, it’s a tweetle beetle puddle battle.

And when tweetle beetles battle with paddles in a puddle, they call it a tweetle beetle puddle paddle battle.

And when beetles battle beetles in a puddle paddle battle and the beetle battle puddle is a puddle in a bottle…

…They call this a tweetle beetle bottle puddle paddle battle muddle."

Fun for the whole family :)

{click}

2012-01-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

Considering how obsessed I am with taking pictures...I'm pretty sure Lucy needs a little baby camera of her own (personalized with her name, of course)...

{found here}

{just give mommy a minute!}

2012-01-04T21:47:00.000-05:00

Today was one of those days. Lucy could not be put down for ONE second. I sure had a heck of a time getting ready for work. I swear I almost wore my pajamas today. I never got a chance to eat breakfast and was finally able to eat lunch when I got to work at 1pm....

So, yeah....after a full on screaming fit pretty much all morning, with a morning nap also being an epic fail...I put her in the crib for a minute so I could go wash out her cloth diaper. She screamed, of course, because I left the room. She was burying her head in the blanket and had her butt up in the air. Then all of the sudden....it stopped. Quiet. I rushed in to see what happened....and she had the blanket pulled tight over her head. When I moved it off of her face, I see that she is out cold.

Of course....she finally falls asleep 5 minutes before we needed to leave the house! Oh man...I did have to laugh, though.

It's these kind of days that I wish I really could just sit and hold her all day long. Obviously she is needing extra love for some reason and I want to be the one to give it to her! But unfortunately, today was one of the 3 days in the week that I actually go to work. I felt terrible handing her off to the babysitter...partly because I know Lucy was needing some mommy time, and partly because I knew it would probably make for a rough day for the babysitter. Zach said things weren't any better when he picked her up this evening...

It really must be frustrating to not be able to say exactly what you need at that moment. "mommy, my teeth hurt!", "mommy, I don't feel good!", "mommy, I just want you to hold me!", "mommy, I'm bored!" So all we can do is try our best to meet her needs from moment to moment. I think we're doing a pretty okay job around here most of the time :)

{7 months}

2012-01-01T23:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Lucy,

Wasn't I just writing the 6 month post yesterday?! Well, my baby girl...you are growing up so quickly. You have 2 teeth popping through on the bottom and you are handling it like a champ! I can't blame you for wanting to chew on absolutely anything and everything you can get your hands on! You love to lay on your belly and lift your head and chest up as high as they can go. You will see something in front of you that you want, but you usually end up pushing yourself backwards in circles. It's quite funny to watch! You are working hard at trying to figure out how to push back onto your knees. I having a feeling that crawling is going to happen much sooner than we think. We still haven't babyproofed!! We'd better get on that...soon.

You are so great at entertaining yourself and playing independently...but you aren't too happy when I leave the room for very long. If I am in the room with you...you will just play and play for such a long time, until you finally look at me and I can just imagine you thinking "umm....why haven't you picked me up yet?!" You love to snuggle. You love music. You usually love playing with the tags on your toys more than you love to toys themselves. You love your hands...and your toes. You love looking in the mirror at your beautiful self. You love to eat. You love splashing around in the bath tub. Your legs get going so quickly it makes me think you might be secretly training for a marathon!

It looks like we'll have to do your photoshoots with you sitting up from now on. You pretty much immediately roll over to your stomach if I try to put you on your back. It's okay. You're cute either way.

Happy 7 months, sweet pea!
I love you to the moon and back....
love, mama

{keeper of memories}

2011-12-29T17:06:00.001-05:00

I started a baby scrapbook for Lucy about 4 months ago. I got about 2 1/2 pages done before the project came to a halt. Ya know..I got busy...with baby stuff (I can use that as an excuse for everything for awhile, right??) Well...I finally had some time this week, so I busted through a lot more pages and I am really happy with how they've come out so far. (I apologize for the shoddy picture quality. I was lazy and didn't take the pages out of the plastic before photographing them...oh well)...

{click images for larger view}

Who knows how long it will take me to finish the rest...but I figure it will happen eventually. It did take me about 2 years to finish my engagement picture scrapbook. Maybe I have too many projects going at once...hmmm...

{you are my little bird}

2011-12-28T15:51:00.001-05:00

I was gifted a few CD's this Christmas...and I am in LOVE! They are all folk songs for children albums and they make my heart so happy every time I listen to them. I can see our family all listening to them as Lucy grows up and singing along together. Three of the albums are by Elizabeth Mitchell who has combined new songs with old and has put her own personal touch on each and every one. The songs are performed with banjo, guitar, clapping, and rhythm sticks. Her husband and daughter sing along on many of the tracks as well which is just the sweetest thing in the world. This is one of my absolute favorite songs off of her "you are my little bird" album...

Music is such a profoundly important part of a child's life. Even young babies listen attentively for the varying sounds and patterns in music and is such a beautiful learning tool for them. Lucy and I listen to music all day long together and I love the way she studies my mouth as I sing, and she will often start to "babble" or sing along with me.

Think of all of the music that gets passed down from generation to generation and all of the stories it carries with it. Think of how many children in the world a particular song has soothed, amused, or put to sleep. Think of how many families in the world have danced to these songs together. Music truly is a universal language. One that I certainly hope to pass on to my children....

If you need something to dance to...here's one for you from another album I received by the amazing Laura Veirs...

Enjoy!!

{joy}

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000-05:00

Lucy's first Christmas was a roaring success. My heart is absolutely bursting at the seams with gratitude for how lucky we are to have such amazing friends and family. It's so easy sometimes to feel like you don't have it all together, like your house is messier than anyone else in the world, like you can't keep up and get it all done...but this is the time of year that really forces you to take a step back and make you truly realize all of blessings you have in your life. This year was no exception....

We spent the 23rd and 24th with my family in Cincinnati. My brothers were both there from Cleveland and NYC. We were very much missing my sister and nieces who weren't able to make it home from Aspen this year. They are always with us in spirit, of course.

We woke up at my parents house on Christmas morning, finished opening gifts, and then made the trip back to Columbus to spend the rest of the day with Zach's side of the family...

There were 3 new babies at Christmas this year!

....and now another Christmas has come and gone. Zach and I are both off of work this week (!!) and we are spending these days together as a family and basking in the afterglow of the holidays.

My heart is full.

{anticipation}

2011-12-22T22:10:00.001-05:00

We sure are getting excited for Christmas around here...

I handmade a few of my gifts this year. Every year I say I'm going to do this...and time gets away from me and I never end up doing it. But this year I did...and I'm pretty excited about it. I'll have to wait until after the holiday to post pics since I don't want to give away any surprises here...!

All the gifts are wrapped and sitting so prettily under the tree...for one more night. Tomorrow we will be packing everything up and heading to Cincinnati to spend a couple of days with my family. I absolutely love how much my family genuinely enjoys spending time together. It makes my heart smile big time. It makes me feel so good to know that Lucy is surrounded by SO many people who love her to the moon and back...

Our bags are packed, and we're ready to go...

Zach and I both have all of next week off of work. Both of us....a whole week! We still plan on taking the baby to daycare for the 3 days she normally goes (5 hours in the middle of the day). This way we can get stuff done around the house, I can get in some much needed crafting time, and we also plan on going on a fun afternoon date one day. Yes...I'll take it!

Well, in case I don't make it back to this space before Sunday... I want to wish you all a beautiful and joyous holiday. May there be love in your lives and peace in your hearts now and always.

{peppermint cupcakes}

2011-12-19T12:40:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure I need to make these immediately....

{found here}

{Santa: take two}

2011-12-17T11:09:00.001-05:00

Well, I wanted an authentic looking, white bearded Santa this time...and that's what we got. Success!

...and then I got scolded for taking my own pictures! oops.

In our defense...we did buy the professional ones too:)

{Hi-lar-ious}

2011-12-16T15:31:00.000-05:00

Do you have a 2011 baby?

Then this article might affect you.

Must read.

You will laugh. I promise.

See....here she is playing when she should be sleeping.

Oh well!

We are going out to enjoy some holiday festivities downtown tonight. Lucy just might be meeting Santa....again. I'm hoping to snag a better picture this time. Is it wrong to say I just didn't love the way the other santa looked?!?! I've got my fingers crossed for a real white beard this time!

I know we've got over a week left until Christmas, but I'm already getting sad that the holiday season is almost over. I wish I could keep my tree up for at least another month or two. All of my students have been playing/singing Christmas music since Thanksgiving and I love the way it fills the halls of our studio. Everyone is just so cheery and spirited and happy. It is such an infectious time of year. I always say that there's no reason for that spirit to end after the holidays are over, but I'll be the first to admit that January and February get especially tough at times. It's just so cold, and dark, and dreary....but this year we have our little bug to focus on and I have a feeling that she will pull us through with a smile on our faces. I also think my waistline might be happy when the holidays have passed.....jeans.fitting.a.little.tighter.now.....

oh well!!

...and on that note...I am off to make some truffles. yum.

{repurpose}

2011-12-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

How cool is this??

Now I just need to figure out which one of my talented friends

I can hire to make this for us! :)

{tis the season...to be sick}

2011-12-11T13:23:00.000-05:00

Today we are laying low and enjoying the holiday decorations...

If I could have it my way...this is how my house would look all year round. It really is the most wonderful time of the year, although I could certainly do without the cold weather....

We've been passing the plague around our house ever since thanksgiving. I started out with horrible allergies, which turned into a cold, which turned into a cough and a sinus infection (which is when I finally got put on an antibiotic). In the meantime, Lucy developed her first official cold (she now rears her head back in a screaming fit at the mere sight of the white bulbed "snot sucker" as I like to call it). Then this led to massive amounts of goop coming out of her eyes to the point where they were glued shut after naps. We thought maybe it was pink eye, but the doc says it's just cold related. In any case, it's been no fun. The good news is that despite all of this, it hasn't seemed to bother her all that much. On top of it all, Zach hasn't been feeling too great this past week either...

All I can hope for is that we're all feeling better by next weekend because we have oodles of holiday festivities to attend. So for now, we'll just lay low and enjoy the festive surroundings of our own home!

{6 months}

2011-12-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

{I'm late on the monthly post (as usual)...but better late than never, right?!}

Dear Lucy,

My sweet little ladybug. I cannot believe we have already hit the 6 month mark. That means only another 6 months to go before you turn one! I don't know if I can really handle how quickly the time is going! I am just so in awe of you every minute of every day. You have such a beautiful and vivacious personality and it is absolutely infectious. Your smile melts my heart every single time and reminds me of how lucky and honored I am to be your mother. I have always wondered what my purpose on this earth truly was...and now I know.

We have become so attached to each other since you came into the world. I truly believe we were made for each other. I love the way your eyes light up when I come into your room early in the morning. I love the way you laugh when I make funny faces and sing you silly songs. I love the way you talk and coo at me as if you are telling me a story. I love the way you listen so intently when I talk to you or read you a book. I love the way your wriggle around in excitement every time the dog brushes up against you. I love the way you flirt with yourself when you see yourself in the mirror. I love the way you look so concerned when I sneeze or cough or cry. I love the way you use your hands to explore every feature on my face when I lay down really close to you. I love the pure joy it brings you when I lay you down for "naked baby time" on the floor.

You love to explore, and you LOVE to eat! You love rice cereal, avocado, and bananas most of all so far. You also love when I give you Mum Mum's because then you can feed yourself. And not only food...BUT absolutely anything that you can get your hands onto goes directly into your mouth. We sure do have to start being more careful about what we keep laying around and where we put you down. You still have that beautiful toothless grin, but I know that a couple of teeth are on their way. This makes you quite cranky sometime, but I can certainly understand why! Thankfully, even with as much as you love food, you also still love to nurse. I love still having those moments in the day where we both have to stop what we're doing, and it is just you and me.

There are often moments that I find myself wishing I could live in forever. For example: we have both been feeling a bit under the weather for the past week. I have a sinus infection and you have your first little cold. You seemed to be feeling particularly yucky a couple of days ago. You simply wanted to be held all day long. I took you to the doctor with me so I could get an antibiotic and you were such a good girl. We came home and sat down on the couch together. You laid your head on my chest and stayed there for over an hour and a half. You were wide awake, but hardly moved or made a peep. You just laid there all snuggled in complete contentment as I read and sang to you. At one point, I literally had tears in my eyes. You are just so sweet and my love for you is overwhelming sometimes.

I will admit, some days are definitely harder than others, and I certainly don't claim to have this whole motherhood thing totally figured out (I imagine I never will), but I do know that I have never been happier and that every day with you is an incredible adventure. You have proven to be my greatest teacher and I am so grateful for every lesson of patience, love, and humility that you have passed to me thus far.

It is really hard to think about the fact that someday you will be a teenager, and sometimes you will think you hate me, and sometimes you will feel like you'll never be able to forgive me for not letting you stay out late with your friends. I keep thinking about how many times I've heard from my parents "you will understand someday when you are a mother", and it is SO TRUE. and then I think about how many times I am sure to say these same words to you as you grow up...but it really is just all part of the cycle....

Here I am getting way ahead of myself again (I do that a lot). For now, I will just enjoy these fleeting moments I have with you as my little baby girl. You are my heart and soul, sweet one...and I love you to the moon and back (and there and back again!)

All my love,
Mama

{ipads for babies}

2011-12-04T22:33:00.000-05:00

She has expensive taste....

I think we're in trouble!

{yum yum}

2011-11-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving was so wonderful. It really is one of my favorite holidays. I absolutely love that my family truly enjoys spending time together...which I am realizing more and more is such a special gift. My parents house was filled with family and friends...even Zach's parents came down to Cincinnati to spend it with us. One of my brothers was there from Cleveland...but unfortunately, my other brother, sister, and nieces were unable to make the trip home from New York and Colorado. Of course, they were there in spirit as always.

I really think I may have put back on most of the weight I've lost in the past few months, but I'm afraid to actually get on the scale to check! In any case..it was so worth it. My family sure knows how to put together an amazing feast!

We didn't want Lucy to totally miss out on the action...and being that she is turning 6 months this week, we decided it was as good a time as any to start on some solids. My baby girl is growing up!! We are starting with rice cereal for a couple of weeks before trying other things, although "pop-pop" did sneak some leftover sweet potatoes in there...and boy did she LOVE it! :)

Well, baby girl just went down for a nap and I've been up since 4:30 am....so I think I will go join her! Then there is a bare Christmas tree just begging to be decorated....

{uh oh}

2011-11-22T08:53:00.001-05:00

It looks like we're not going to be able to avoid baby proofing much longer...

Our house still kind of feels like a death trap right now.

I think about all of the ways I manage to hurt myself on an average day,

and I can't imagine the bumps are bruises miss Lucy is bound to endure.

But that's all part of growing up, isn't it?!

We certainly won't be able to avoid all injury, but we can do our

best to keep those injuries minor and minimal!

{those morning eyes}

2011-11-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

I am a terrible sleeper. I have struggled with insomnia for a long time (probably at least since high school), but it definitely seems to have gotten worse since giving birth. I hear this is pretty common...my guess is because of the erratic sleep schedules. In any case....I rarely feel well rested these days...even if I've been in bed for a good 8-9 hours.

Most mornings, I just pray and wish that the baby will go back to sleep for just one more hour...but it usually doesn't happen. So, I creep into her bedroom when I hear that she is awake and I peek into the crib and see those big blue morning eyes staring at me. They say "good morning, mommy...I am so happy to see you!" and a giant smile sweeps across her face....and I am rejuvenated. It brings me out of my funk and reminds me of why I even bother to get up in the morning. It's all for this little girl.

In any case, though...I definitely plan on seeing a doctor about my sleep issues very soon. I will be seeing my general practicioner next week, and then I am also planning on seeing a hypnotherapist and possibly an acupuncturist soon. I certainly want to go the more holistic route and not have someone prescribe a bunch of sleeping pills. Right now I rely on the help of the occassional tylenol pm, a nightly cup of sleepytime tea, and a prayer to god. If someone could give me the gift of falling asleep on my own in under 1-2 hours, I would be forever indebted to them! *fingers crossed*

{one thing leads to another....}

2011-11-14T21:59:00.000-05:00

I know all of you fellow bloggers (or just blog followers) understand how incredibly easy it is to get stuck in the black hole that is the blogging world. What I mean is....you read one blog, and then there is a link to another...and another...and another. and oh wait- there is a link to a fun diy tutorial! oh...and now another awesome blog link. and another!!

Let's just say tonight is one of those nights when I have gotten lost in the black hole. The baby went to bed extra early tonight (she was SO tired we couldn't keep her awake any longer if we tried!), and I finished up the chocolate ganache truffles that I had attempted for the first time ever. My mom is the best at making these (melt in your mouth deliciousness...and beautiful too). I'd post a picture of mine...but they're really not so pretty. I will say they tasted great, though...and I couldn't believe how easy the ganache was to make. who knew?

But I digress. Back to the black hole...good thing Pinterest is there to help me organize all of my creative findings!

Some fun places I found tonight:

Kelly Hicks Design

My Blessed Life

[the story of us]

hello friend

That certainly isn't where the trail ended...butI figured I'd better get to bed sooner than later. I'm sure I'll pick up where I left off tomorrow.....

I know I'm not alone.

{Dave + Kara and their little loves}

2011-11-13T13:37:00.001-05:00

I did my first official photo shoot yesterday with some very dear friends of mine. Kara is my amazingly talented friend who painted the birch tree mural in our nursery. So as a trade, I offered to do a family photo session for her. We went to Inniswood Gardens in Westerville, OH and were blessed with the most incredible fall weather. The leaves on the trees were all of the perfect shades of red and yellow, the temperature was wonderfully mild, and the sun was shining in full glory. They were so easy and fun to photograph...especially since Dave kept bribing the girls with Smarties leftover from Halloween :) Dave and Kara have such a strong and inspiring relationship, and their sweet girls Zora and Lyla (age 4 and almost 2) are so adorable and full of energy.

{5 months}

2011-11-10T08:26:00.000-05:00

So...I am late on posting this...but oh well! My baby girl turned 5 months old on Halloween weekend! Oh my lord. It's going so fast! I feel like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and I'll be taking her to Kindergarten, then to get her drivers license, and then to college, and then dancing at her wedding....woah! okay...I'm getting way ahead of myself, but seriously...that's how fast time feels like it's moving right now. I am reminding myself every day to treasure every single fleeting moment...

-She is rolling over like a machine these days. She can clear a room pretty quickly if we really let her have at it. She doesn't like to be stuck on her belly for too long though.

-We are definitely teething, but there are none visible at the moment. I see an amber teething necklace in our future very soon! Every little thing goes directly into her mouth...so we need to be extra careful about what is lying around now!

-She can sit up on her own, but for only a few seconds at a time. I think it's tough for her because she is still such a little peanut and doesn't have much to balance on :)

-She is still about 90% breastfed, but we did have to start supplementing with formula on the days that I go to work. It was just getting so hard for me to keep up with the pumping, and it was really starting to stress everyone out...so I had to let go of my pride and realize that it is okay to do what we need to do to make it work.

-She seems to be growing out of her dairy sensitivity, but I am definitely waiting to introduce it fully back into my diet. No ice cream for me yet..but soon!! Oh how I miss Jeni's....

-At her last doctors appointment about a month ago, she weighed in at 10lbs 12 oz! My little peanut! She had grown 2 inches though putting her at 24 1/2 inches long. We have another appointment this week. I think we'll definitely be over the 11lb mark this time. Clothes are definitely fitting tighter than before.

-She is getting super interested in food these days. We haven't officially given her solids yet, but I do let her suck on a banana in the morning. We'll move to solids officially at 6 months...at least that's the plan!

-She is SO playful and SO much fun these days. It is so amazing to watch her personality develop and observe her interactions with the world. Being able to watch a person grow from the very beginning is such a precious and amazing gift.

-It won't be long before she officially goes mobile, so I'm really just trying to enjoy these days before she can get away from me! We should probably go ahead and finish baby proofing now...hmm...

{swing}

2011-11-04T18:25:00.000-04:00

Lucy's first time on the swings...

and she absolutely loved it!

A big thanks to Michelle for these sweet pictures.

The other little darling with my Lucy is Michelle's

daughter, Sunny. Could these two be

any more adorable together?

Life is good.

{boo}

2011-10-31T14:15:00.000-04:00

Happy haunting from our home to yours :)

{yoga mama's + halloween babies}

2011-10-29T22:43:00.000-04:00

So, when I was pregnant, I took a prenatal yoga class at a place called Yoga on High. It was absolutely amazing, and just what I was needing at the time. I met an amazing group of ladies in the class. We started hanging out at a favorite restaurant down the street after class each week and when the class ended, we decided we wanted to keep it going. So we kept meeting once a week and we quickly became a support system for eachother as our impending birth experiences neared. We talked about labor, and babies, and strollers, and our weird pregnancy cravings and symptoms, and husbands, and hormones, and how much we all needed a glass of wine. We made eachother feel like we weren't totally crazy and it made us feel better to know that we were all in the same boat.

Of course, eventually all of the babies came to be born. One by one, each of the 6 women went into labor and we all would get excited and exclaim how we couldn't wait to meet the newest member of the group. One by one, we would bring our new bundle to the weekly gathering (after a short hiatus at home snuggling, of course). One by one we would share our birth stories with eachother. It was truly amazing to get to see so much new life in such a short amount of time (the babies were all born within a 3 month span..and they were all girls!)...

And now...the youngest (my Lucy) is 5 months old and we still meet every week (with a few night's out sans babies mixed in). We talk about breastfeeding, and poopie diapers, and husbands, and hormones, and all of the weird things that happen to your body after you have a baby, and sleep deprivation, and naps, and development, and stress, and marriage, and life in general. I really feel so blessed to have these ladies to lean on. Our almost daily email chains offer such a sense of sanity, peace and sisterhood. The constantly flowing words of advice and encouragement truly help me to get through the tough days and help me to see the beauty in the small moments. I am just so grateful that I have these women in my life.

So...we had a little halloween gathering yesterday afternoon and got all of the babies (except for one...we missed you Lindsay + June!) together in their costumes.

(Warning: major cuteness alert!!!)

{Lucy, Eve, Rose, Maggie, and Julie}

Seriously....can you even handle the cuteness?? because I can't!! and yes...Lucy is a banana. I'm slightly obsessed with this costume, and I find it quite amusing that she can't really move around in it. Poor girl. but it sure is adorable! It's like a banana baby snuggie :) And on that note...

...wishing you all a fabulous Halloween weekend!

I intend on eating A LOT of chocolate.

{cherry on top}

2011-10-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

Life is full of so much sweetness...

and she is my cherry on top.

She is my heart.

She is my dream come true.

She has reinvented me and changed the way I see the world.

"Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people

in love can commit." -Bill Cosby

{catching up}

2011-10-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

{Lucy loves to catch up on the daily news}

This picture absolutely cracks me up. I wonder if this poor girl wishes I would stop taking so many pictures. I feel like I'm keep Shutterfly in business these days. Of course, I have plans to scrapbook every picture and make every memory last....but we'll see how well I do at actually keeping up with that. I sure do miss crafting. Thankfully...Lucy does enjoy playing on her own for awhile each day..so I can bring her rainforest play mat (that she loves) upstairs and set it next to me on the floor so she can play while I craft. How often does this happen though? Not often. I tend to use every free minute I have doing something practical like showering, eating, laundry, dishes, pumping, etc. I am learning quickly, though, that I need to really make a point to make time somehow for the things I really love...because in the end, a happy and fulfilled mama makes a happy baby.

We are enjoying some absolutely amazing weather here in Ohio this week. A week ago it was in the low 50's everyday...and now we are back in the low 80's....and sunny! I'll take it. I'm seriously just happy to squeeze a few more wear's out Lucy's summer wardrobe. I just starting putting away clothes that she has outgrown (the girl seriously just grew out of newborn sized clothes!) and it is sad. I never imagined I'd grow so attached to so many of her outfits. It's just such a concrete sign that she is changing and growing so very quickly....and while I am so happy to see my girl budding and learning new things all the time...part of me wishes she could stay this way forever.

{4 months}

2011-10-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

Last friday, my baby girl turned 4 months old. I can't believe how quickly she is growing and changing. It seriously feels like someone taped down the fast forward button and then threw away the remote without any hope of me finding it again. Where is the time going?! I will probably say this each and every ~~month~~ day for the rest of my life...

I am certainly learning a huge lesson in how to be present in each and every moment. Each day is a gift and I never want to act as if I don't know how truly lucky I am. There is nothing more simple and pure than a baby to teach you about what is really important in life. Lucy isn't weighed down by worry and guilt and insecurity. She isn't concerned about work and schedules and expectations. She doesn't care if there are dishes in the sink or piles of dirty laundry scattered all over the floor. She doesn't mind one bit if there is dust on the mantel or dirt on the floor. She doesn't judge me if I haven't showered yet that day of if I haven't brushed my teeth yet.

She smiles and giggles at me just the same...no matter what. That's unconditional love in it's truest form.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At her last doctor's appointment (about 3 weeks ago) she weighed 11lbs exactly. My little peanut. She is rolling over like crazy (mostly from back to front) but gets frustrated when she gets stuck on her belly for too long. She is sleeping like a rockstar these days (9-10 hour stretches regularly). She loves to coo and "talk" and I imagine she is telling me stories about what she did that day or what she dreamt about at night. Or maybe she's just telling me how much she loves me...or her dolly with the red hair that she loves to eat. Her feet are her new favorite thing to play with...and she will grab onto toys with them and shake them back and forth.

She is so much more aware of the world now. She will turn her head in my direction when I call her name from across the room. She recognizes certain people and shows how excited she is to see them. She loves to watch the dog do circles around her. She loves music and looking at herself in the mirror. She loves to eat her fingers and just about anything else she can get in her mouth. She loves raspberries on her belly and kisses on her nose. I live for that giant gummy smile she gives me when I do something she finds funny.

These have been the most magical months of my life.

We love you, Lucy.

{Back to reality}

2011-09-11T16:23:00.000-04:00

{these sweet little feet will take her far}

I've been living pretty much entirely in Lucy land for the past 3 1/2 months....staying home and taking care of her...playing with her...watching her grow and change ever so quickly and quietly. But last week, it was time to go back to work. I was both excited and nervous to return to my job. Excited because I love what I do and the people I work with...but nervous to leave my baby girl for fear that I will miss something. I really do have the best of both worlds though, because I am only working 3 days a week now from 1-8pm and the rest of the days (and mornings) I will get to spend with Lucy. I keep telling myself it will be good to have something that is mine....not to mention the fact that it's always nice to have some adult interaction during the day :) It is also good that Zach will have a few nights a week to himself with our girl...which hasn't happened too often in the past. So yes...all good things in the end.

My first day back last week was wonderful. I was so excited to get back to teaching and to reunite with some of my students as well as greeting new ones. The one thing that I have been nervous about, though, was having to pump milk there. I have been nervous about being able to keep up with it so that I can continue breastfeeding, and also nervous about having the loud pump making all that noise in my little music studio. So, the first time I go to pump on Tuesday, I shut the door to my teaching room and turn on some music. I stuffed the pump inside a bag...and then stuffed that inside another bag as to muffle the sound even more. Then I plugged it in and got to work as I prayed people couldn't hear it very well. I also prayed that no one would walk in considering I have no lock on my door. My co-workers were all aware of my situation and knew if the door was shut and music was on.....not to come in. This doesn't mean other students and parents might not just wander in, though. I'd really rather not have a "do not disturb sign"...but maybe it's a good idea?!

So anyhoo...yeah...I'm pumping and it's going fine. I finished up and went to pour the milk into a storage bag when BAM....I spill over half of the bottle all over my pants! Of couuuurse something like this has to happen on my first day back. I'm just glad I was wearing dark pants. So..I go out of the room and tell my boss and another co-worker what happened (the 2 other females in the building). We all had a good little giggle and they brought out a little fan for me to use to try and dry myself as much as possible. It worked a little bit...but I was still pretty soaked when it came time for my first lesson. Of course, I told the student I had spilled water. I think the more upsetting part of all of this is that I spilled the milk.....liquid gold!! Oh man....what a day :)

{right before my eyes}

2011-09-01T21:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Lucy....

Early in the morning when I hear that you've woken up to eat, I come quietly into your room and peek into your crib. You might have been crying, but as soon as you see me, you just go quiet and flash me a beaming smile. My heart melts every single time, and it brings me out that early morning funk....the one that wishes you would just sleep a little longer. But the truth is...I love that early morning time together so much. Daddy is still asleep next to us, the dog is at the foot of the bed, the house is still peaceful and quiet...and it's just you and I. When you are finished eating, I put you back into your crib and await the next time you'll wake so I can snuggle you again...after a couple more hours of sleep hopefully :)

Every day I look at you and I am amazed at how quickly you are growing and changing...right before our very eyes. And I wonder when it happens...the changing and growing. And then I realize that is it constant. At this stage of your life...you are truly learning about the world every minute of the day. You are soaking it all in like a little sponge and I am so proud of you as I witness the little moments where I can tell you have grown. All of those little moments in between feedings, and diaper changes, and fussy spells...the magical moments that let me know that your daddy and I are doing a good job of teaching and taking care of you.

A couple of days ago, you rolled over for the first time (without any help at all) from your belly to your back!! and the funny part is...I missed it! I laid you down on the floor on your favorite blanket for a bit of tummy time and ran into the kitchen for one minute (literally)...and when I came back in the room, you had rolled over onto your back. "Oh my God!!!"...I yelled. "You did it, Lucy!!! and I missed it! but you did it!!" I yelled down to your daddy in the basement and he probably thought something bad happened the way I was carrying on. But I told him what happened and we were both just the color of proud.

Sometimes (okay, often..) I wish I could slow down time.....that it's all going far too fast. But then I think of the fact that watching you grow has been the most amazing experience of my whole life...and I am thankful. It's all happening so quickly....and right before our eyes. But we wouldn't change a thing...

Love you to the moon and back...

your mama

{special}

2011-08-28T11:40:00.000-04:00

Everyone who delivers with our midwife gets one of these adorable baby t-shirts that say "I'm special- I was born at home".

I sure do think she's special :)

{12 weeks}

2011-08-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

My sweet baby girl turned 3 months old on Monday. 3 months already! Can anbody tell me how to slow this time down?! It's going far too fast!

Lucy loves:
*sucking her thumb and sticking as much of her hand in her mouth as possible
*a pacifier
*eating
*when we sing and talk to her while making funny faces
*laying on her changing table and staring at the bird mobile above it
*being outside
*being held
*bright colors
*her glow worm
*being naked
*bath time

Lucy does not love:
*being swaddled (although she is getting used to it at bedtime)
*being left alone
*tummy time (she actually has a love/hate relationship with this one)
*being stuck in the house for too long - she gets bored easily!
*getting her clothes changed

{sleep...or lack thereof}

2011-08-23T16:27:00.001-04:00

She sure does love her papa bear.

She is also very mesmerized by the camera :)

I absolutely love that I've gotten to spend all my days with miss Lucy since she was born. I've gotten to witness every little change...every little "first"....and while it's not always easy (today being one of those not-so-easy days), I cherish every moment. It will definitely be tough to go back to work in a couple of weeks...

We've been working hard on sleep training for the past couple of weeks. I've been using the book On Becoming Babywise as my guide (thanks to the recommendation of some friends), and we've been doing really well for the most part. The whole idea is to help babies synchronize their feeding/wake-time and nightime sleep cycles. The first thing we really needed to tackle was naps. She was napping before...but not very regularly and she would get incredibly overtired and would have a super hard time settling down to sleep. She was still only taking her naps either in my arms or on the couch right next to me. She was also still sleeping in a cradle just outside of our bedroom at night. We also hadn't swaddled her tightly since the week she was born because we were just convinced she hated it.

So I finally decided it was time for her to move to the crib...and we also started swaddling her up tight again in the Halo SleepSack. Her arms flail around and wake her up and so I thought swaddling would definitely help take care of that. She would fight it at first, but eventually would calm down. I also had to learn to fight the urge to just pick her up and nurse her every time she fussed in the middle of the night. Sure enough...all of these things alone led her to start sleeping about 7 hours straight pretty regularly when she was only doing about 5 hour stretches before. Hallelujah!

But the battle wasn't over yet.....naps were still an issue. She was a mess most days because she wasn't getting enough rest. So, I tried getting her most of the way asleep for naps and then would put her in her crib so she could fall the rest of the way asleep on her own. We really did well for about a week or two...but then we went to visit family in Cincinnati and our routine got all out of whack. The real battle is trying to keep somewhat of a routine going around things like travel, work...and life in general.

Last night, mama and baby didn't sleep very well at all....and today, she is fighting naps like it's the end of the world. This makes for a pretty grumpy mama and baby. She finally fell asleep around 2:15 and has now been sleeping for 2 hours...thank goodness.

Yes...even on days like today...I cherish every moment.

{weekend inspiration}

2011-08-12T16:35:00.001-04:00

I can't remember where I found this..(i apologize)..but I love it.

I'm in an inspired mood today. Maybe it's the beautiful (cooler) weather and bountiful sunshine. Maybe it's the decaf iced vanilla soy latte from Starbucks (first coffee since the baby was born). Maybe it's this beautiful baby girl that I've been getting to spend all of my days with (who is peacefully napping next to me). Maybe it's knowing that I will get to see old friends this weekend. Maybe it's the delicious cherry tomato's I just picked from the vine.

I'm sure it's a mix of all of these things...and more. But in any case...I'm feeling inspired, but not really able to find much time these days to act on that inspiration. My craft room has been very neglected lately...but it's okay. I may not have much time for art at the moment... but I feel like I'm living it instead. My heart is so full right now that I could burst.

Wishing you all a beautiful and joy filled weekend!

{brave girl}

2011-08-11T18:56:00.001-04:00

This girl had her first round of immunization shots at the pediatrician today...and she took it like a champ.

I'm a proud mama.

Our pediatrician spaces out the immunization shots more than others...which I like. The first one was oral, and the second one was a shot in the leg. She was laying on the table looking at her pretty self in the mirror and I was holding her hand as it was administered. It took a second, but I saw the look on her face and knew the cry was coming. She let a good quick one out...and was back to smiling at herself in the mirror in no time at all. What a brave girl.

Mom came up to spend the day with us and to help out at the appointment. We sure are grateful that grandma ("mom-mom") visits us so much. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the Short North eating lunch, ice cream (sorbet for me, of course), and shopping. The weather has been absolutely AMAZING this week.

{dairy free}

2011-08-09T13:28:00.000-04:00

Starting at about 3 weeks old...our baby girl started crying...almost nonstop. It hurt my heart so much to hear her in such distress and to not have any idea how to fix it. The absolute only thing that seemed to stop it was nursing...and then we'd have about 10 minutes of happy baby before it would start again. Sure..there were some extra happy times mixed in there...and some sleep...but really, she cried a lot. It definitely seemed to be gas related...so we tried a lot of different things: gripe water, gas drops, eliminating certain things from my diet (like spicy or gassy foods), baby massage...but these things only seemed to be a super temporary fix. I spent a ridiculous amount of time on reading up on colic and was just getting totally exhausted. Finally our pediatrician suggested we try probiotics and our midwife gave us some colic relief drops. So we combined those things with everything we'd already been doing...and suddenly, things seemed to be getting better. We had about one full week where she seemed to be a pretty happy baby most of the time. Sweet relief!! Unfortunately, this was short lived...because by the next week, the fussiness started up again. Finally I knew what I had to do: go dairy free.

It is super common for babies to have a milk protein allergy (much more common than it is to actually be lactose intolerant). I proceeded to do a lot more research on this, and went cold turkey. No cows milk, no regular butter, no cheese, no yogurt, no ice cream. Holy cow...it has been hard. But it has been almost a full 2 weeks...and we can see it's already made a huge difference. She is like a different baby...so it makes it all worth it. It could be a fluke....so I'm definitely giving it a couple more weeks to really see if it's making a difference or not. At that point I will try adding things back in little by little to see what happens. For now I am learning about all sorts of yummy substitutions for the dairy foods I love.

Some sites I referenced about going dairy free:

Bean Mom
Dr. Sears Elimination Diet
Go Dairy Free
Kelly Mom

I know it's only temporary, but I sure will miss eating things like this:

{bakerella}

...and this....

I just keep telling Zach....after all of this, her first word better be "Mama" :)

{beep beep}

2011-08-08T13:07:00.001-04:00

Who's got the keys?

Someday our baby girl will be 16 years old and begging for her drivers license (ahh!)

but for now...she's just happy to eat her keys.

and that's okay by me.

{a very merry birthday + a first date}

2011-08-06T16:54:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my sweet husbands 29th birthday. My mom came up and spent the day with Lucy and I and helped me bake a cake and get some stuff done around the house. I even went to the grocery store for the first time since Lucy was born. Success!

So anyhoo...I thought my hubby deserved a sweet little birthday treat, so I baked a delicious french vanilla cake with this super delicious homemade vegan frosting (I've recently gone dairy-free...another post on that later).

Since mom was already here, we asked if she'd stay the night and watch Lucy while Zach and I went on our first date since she was born. She was more than happy to do this :) So Zach and I went to dinner where we had the most lovely conversation. We talked about how important it is that we make time to spend just the two of us...as well as time for ourselves...and time as a family. It's all about balance and open lines of communication. I am so confident in our ability to navigate this journey of parenthood and feel so blessed for our relationship. A baby certainly changes things....and its not always easy...but I wouldnt change it for the world.

So after dinner, we went to see the new Harry Potter (finally!) in 3D. We loved it...and loved being able to snuggle up in the movie theater. It has been so long since we've gotten to do that. I'd say the evening was a success for sure...but we were definitely ready to get home to our baby girl :)

{little loves}

2011-08-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

So...I feel the need to do a post about my dear friend Lori. Our husband's went to high school together, and when Lori and I met, we became fast friends who loved hanging out, eating ice cream, and drinking wine. I was super happy Casey had met such an awesome girl. They got engaged 2 months after us, married 2 weeks after us, and then we found out we were pregnant within days of eachother. It was amazing to go on that journey together and have eachother to talk to about all of the stuff our husband's probably didn't really want to hear about. I swear we would text eachother for hours somedays. Well...we still do that :)

So, our due dates were 3 days apart, and Lucy ended up being born 5 days before her baby girl, Caitlyn. So here we are...momma's to two sweet girls...and still helping to keep eachother sane. We feel that Lucy and Caitlyn will grow up to be very good friends...

I am pretty sure my baby wants to eat her baby.

But it's still pretty cute :)

{happy place + cloth diapers}

2011-08-03T15:57:00.000-04:00

We call the changing table Lucy's "happy place". She really loves it there. She loves to wiggle around and look out of the window. Sometimes I consider strapping her in and just letting her sleep there :) Okay...not really. but I really do think she'd be happy with that arrangement.

So, we just recently started our cloth diapering adventure. So far so good! After much research while I was pregnant, we decided to go with the Bum Genius Elemental One Size All In Ones. We chose to go with snaps instead of velcro. They are super easy to use, and come in all sorts of great colors. Sure, they're a bit bulkier than disposable diapers, but they are so stinking cute and we don't even have to mess with those little bloomers that come with baby outfits. People are always so surprised to see that what she has on is actually a diaper. I think a lot of people have this old school way of thinking about cloth diapering...but these days, it isn't all clothes pins and big messes. Speaking of messes...we also decided to get the Bum Genius Diaper Sprayer. It is super easy to hook up to the toilet, and giving the dirty diapers a quick spray before throwing them into the wet bag really helps them to come out extra clean. If there are ever any little stains leftover, all you need to do is leave them out in the sun for a bit, and they get bleached out pretty quick. When we are on the go, we just throw the dirty ones into a plastic bag or wet bag, stash them in the diaper bag, and give em a rinse when we get home. Easy as pie.

Why did we chose to go with cloth diapers? Well, first of all....they are way cheaper in the long run than buying disposables (we figure we'll save a good $1,500 or so per kid), which brings me to my next point....they should last us through multiple children, which will save us even more moola. Another reason, of course, is that they are FAR better for the environment than disposables, which is always a plus in my book.

An added bonus as that diaper rash has not been a problem at all since we switched..and I'm sure Lucy's cute little bum is happier about that :)

We also just invested in a brand new front loading washer, which will be WAY more efficient than our old 1,000 year old one (at least it seemed that old). Then we just hang those puppies to dry and we're good to go.

We started with 12 diapers, but it didn't seem like quite enough...so we ended up ordering 6 more for a grand total of 18. They just came in the mail today....wee!

Aren't they cute?! So...anybody else out there go the cloth diapering route? If you feel that you will be embarking on this journey someday as well..this post from Young House Love has a lot of great tips and information as well.

Speaking of diapers...looks like there's one here that needs a changing :)

{8 weeks}

2011-07-30T19:18:00.001-04:00

Lucy will be 9 weeks old on Monday. How quickly the time is flying by! I have so much to say about my experience with motherhood so far....but alas, my arms are rarely free these days (she is one high maintenance babe!). I am hoping to post on thoughts and feelings soon...

But for now, I will leave it at this: Motherhood is the hardest job I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing...but also the most rewarding, as I knew in my heart it would be. I am filled with so much gratitude every single day for being blessed with such a healthy and beautiful baby girl. I think about those who try for so long to have a family and are sometimes never blessed to know this joy. My heart truly goes out to them, and I thank god every day that it was so easy for us this time around.

We are keeping very busy with this little one...but I wouldn't have it any other way.

{friends, sunshine, and good eats}

2011-07-22T15:46:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, we had some very dear friends come to visit. Philip and Rebecca moved to NY last October, and we have been missing them oh so dearly ever since! I did a three part post on their wedding last May...(check it out here, here, and here) No seriously...go check it out. Their wedding even made it into NY Bride Magazine (a 2 page spread..how cool is that?!)

Anyhoo...we had a blast during their visit...and Lucy was a rockstar the whole time. We did a lot of hanging outside, a lot of eating, and even more catching up. We sure do love these guys.

{Jeni's ice cream}

{walking around the short north}

{at our favorite sushi joint}

{listening to music in the park}

Phil and Becky....please move back to Ohio. Lucy misses you already :)

{i scream for ice cream}

2011-07-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

If you know me...you know I am a total ice cream addict! And you also know that Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is my favorite place in the world. I even did part of my maternity photo shoot there!

Well...Jeni Britton Bauer, the creator of Jeni's ice creams, has just released a cookbook filled with recipes for many of her incredibly delightful creations. I have yet to try any of them yet, but my wonderfully talented mother made some of the maccaroon cookies that they use for their ice cream sandwiches (which are my favorite there!). So I went and picked up a pint of my favorite flavor (strawberry buttermilk) and made ice cream sandwiches right in my own kithchen.

My first thought when I bit into it was "Oh my god!! yum!!!" and my second thought was "Go Mom!!" :)

{what I did the other day}

2011-07-11T16:38:00.000-04:00

First off...I know we all do stupid things sometimes...but man...this one sure took the cake for me. Okay...I'll just go ahead and say it....

I locked my baby in the CAR! Oh yes....I did. and it was terrible! I went to Panera the other day to meet my boss for lunch, and I got there a few minutes before she did. I got out of the car and opened Lucy's door and unbuckled her. She had been crying pretty hardcore in the last few minutes of our drive there, and was still going strong. I left her in the carseat for a moment and opened up the front passenger door and dropped my car keys in the diaper bag (forgetting that I had already hit the button to lock the doors!). I grabbed the Moby wrap and started to put in on. There were a couple of men standing and talking at the car next to me, so I closed all of the car doors so they could hear over Lucy. So, I finally got the Moby on and went to open Lucy's door. LOCKED! I froze in panic!! I JUST LOCKED MY BABY IN THE CAR AND IT'S FREAKIN' HOT OUTSIDE!! I did not know what to do! I had no cell phone or anything..it was in the car! So I ran over to the 2 guys from earlier (holding back my tears as long as I could) and told them what happened (feeling insanely embarrased) and asked if I could borrow a cell phone. They both acted very quickly...one let me borrow his phone to call Zach while the other called the local police to come help me get into my car.

Meanwhile...Lucy is still screaming her poor little head off and I'm freaking out...and it's been at least 5 minutes already, and I know it's going to get really hot in the car! I threw my Moby wrap over her window to try and keep out the sun. So the one guy is yelling at the police to get here fast...and I keep thinking he is my guardian angel. My boss finally gets there and I am freaking out and crying on her shoulder but trying very hard to keep it together and I keep saying "I can't believe I did this!" Everyone is being SO nice and SO helpful. The police are taking longer than I'd like to arrive, and Zach was on his way home to get the spare key, but wouldn't be able to get there for another 20 minutes. The guy helping me sees a Critical Care Unit driving down the road, and he runs across the busy street to the median and flags them down. They turn on their lights and come to the parking lot...but have no way to get into the car. I'm ready to throw a rock through the window at this point. Then an ambulance finally comes and they help jimmy open the window enough to unlock the door. Sweet RELIEF!! I pulled my poor baby girl out of the car (after at least 25 minutes) and her clothes were just soaked with sweat. I stripped her down to cool her off and showered her bright red cheeks in kisses. She immediately stopped crying and was just so exhausted...but she was totally okay.

So in summary....locking your baby in the car = bad! Sure ..it could have been worse. but ummm...I can't believe I did that!! I am just so grateful to the 2 men that helped me that day....good karma will come to them for sure!

{4 weeks}

2011-07-05T16:42:00.001-04:00

Well, baby girl is actually 5 weeks now....but I was home in Cincinnati all last week and didn't get a chance to post her one month picture. She has grown SO much in such a short time...and it almost brings me to tears. Of course I am elated that she is growing so big and strong, but it tugs at my little mommy heartstrings to see her growing so quickly already. One day she didn't even fit into her newborn sized clothing, and the next day she did. She even flipped over from her front to her back all on her own this past weekend! I wanted to cry! And she seems to be genuinely smiling at us now. Be still my heart...

{sugar and spice}

2011-06-23T17:23:00.000-04:00

Ya know what I keep thinking? I keep asking myself...do I really have a daughter?! Am I really a momma to this sweet little baby girl? Oh man...it still doesn't feel real sometimes.

Maybe that is just the sleep deprivation talking :)

She's only 3 1/2 weeks old, but it seems like she is changing so much everday already.
She has such a big personality..and strong lungs..

...and long fingers...

(btw..I am totally amazed at how quickly baby nails grow!)

...and long feet...

..and legs that never stop moving!

...and blue eyes that light up my heart every time she looks at me...

{A few other thoughts on Lucy:}

-She often only has one eye open which has earned her the nickname "one eyed monster".

-She is constantly flailing her arms and legs around all over the place....changing her diaper is like trying to change a tire on a moving car!

-She smiles a lot....I don't care if it's just gas. She also laughs sometimes when she nurses, which makes my heart melt a little....okay, a lot!

-She has gained almost 2 pounds since birth already! This doesn't surprise me, though, considering she eats pretty much all the time.

-She loves to try and eat just about anything that comes anywhere near her mouth.

-When she is crazy hungry and I can't feed her right away and she starts screaming bloody murder...those little tears just break my heart! It's too much to bear!

{the home birth of Lucy}

2011-06-16T20:15:00.000-04:00

::This is the story of the home birth of Lucy Ann..born May 30, 2011 at 4:36 AM. The birth was a long process which makes the story a bit lengthy. I definitely wanted to be able to put down as many details as possible so that Lucy would be able to look back on this later and know how she came into this world::

Saturday, May 28th

I woke up feeling totally fine and normal like any other day. The next day I was going to be hitting my 40 week mark. Zach had left early that morning with the dog to spend the better part of the day at our land an hour away.

At about 10:50 AM, I noticed some liquid running down my leg. It was such a small amount that I didn't really think too much about it. I went to the bathroom, and right away after I came out, there was more liquid. Then I decided to get into the shower...and it just kept happening in little spurts. I finally decided about an hour later that maybe I should call my doula (my good friend, Michelle) and see what she thought. Without hesitating, she told me I should definitely call the midwife (Kathy). So I did...and she pretty much knew from what I was explaining to her that it was my water leaking but that she would come over to my house soon and test the fluid to confirm it. I guess I had always expected that if my water broke, it would just come out in one big gush...the way it happens in the movies. Plus...only about 15% of women have their water break before labor begins. In any case...I called Zach and told him he should probably head home because I thought something was definitely happening. Kathy came over soon after and tested the fluid and confirmed that it was indeed my amniotic fluid leaking...slowly but surely. She then informed me that this was the beginning and that contractions should kick in anytime in the next 2-10 hours. All I could think was..."Is this really happening??!! Am I seriously about to have this baby??!! What am I supposed to do while I wait around for contractions to start??!!" I got completely overwhelmed and excited and nervous..and a million other emotions.

Kathy and Zach proceeded to setup the birth tub in the dining room so that would have it all ready to go. We really expected my labor to go quickly once everything started. So they got it setup, and we started filling it with water. Kathy told us on her way out to call her once contractions started and that she would come over when they were about 5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute. I had called my parents to let them know something would be happening soon, and they immediately drove to Columbus and stopped by our house before checking into a hotel. Michelle, our doula, also stopped by to drop off some herbs and tinctures that the midwife wanted me to start taking as an extra precaution to prevent infection from the water breaking. She also brought food and other little things for the birth. I eventually noticed some mild cramping, and Michelle told me they were just little contractions. I couldn't even time them at this point because I wasn't really sure when they were starting or stopping.

Everyone left, and Zach and I decided to go on a walk around the neighborhood. I was really feeling the baby very low down in my pelvis and I said a silent prayer that God would take care of us on this journey ahead. I still couldn't believe this was going to be happening. Zach and I walked hand in hand in excitement before eventually making our way back home.

By about 6:30pm, I started having stronger contractions, but still about 15 minutes apart. We pulled up the online contraction timer on thebump.com to help us keep track of things, and then decided to put in a Harry Potter movie and snuggle up on the couch. I kept trying to snack as much as possible because I knew I'd really be needed my energy later. Michelle came over around 7:30 and we continued watching Harry Potter (we ended up watching all 6 movies..and a couple of them twice throughout the labor) and chatting. Things were still very lighthearted at this point. Contractions were about 10 minutes apart now and lasting anywhere from 20-45 seconds. I was able to breathe through them pretty easily. At about 9:30pm, I went up to bed for about an hour to sleep. It was hard to get real sleep between contractions, but I knew I needed it.
After my nap, I came back downstairs and labored on the birth ball for awhile longer. We continued our Harry Potter marathon while chatting in between contractions.

Sunday, May 29th

Then at about 1:30AM, the power went out (we found out later someone had driven into a utility pole). So we lit candles all around the house and used what was left of both laptop batteries to play music and continue with the contraction timer. Zach and Michelle also periodically boiled water on our gas stove to add to the birth pool to keep it warm since we still had no idea when it would be time for me to get in (I had to wait until close to the end because of increased risk of infection due to my water breaking so early). Eventually, both laptops ran out of battery power and Michelle kept track of my contractions old school style by timing them with her watch and writing them down on paper. It was very calm and serene not having any music or background noise and candles lit all around...but at the same time, it was an environmental change that I wasn't planning on and it threw me off a bit.

Around 3am or so...contractions had gotten much closer together and were lasting at least a minute, so we finally decided to call Kathy (midwife) and Mandy (the apprentice). Contractions were tough, but I was excited that things were getting more intense. I was really hoping to meet this baby soon. After everyone else got here, they took turns sleeping in the 2 beds upstairs while I continued laboring. Things were moving along for awhile, but eventually my progress started to slow down. The power came back on around 6:30am, and contractions were about 7-8 minutes apart and lasting a little less than a minute. By about 8am, things had really slowed down a lot and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get very discouraged. Meeting our sweet little baby had seemed so close before, but now felt so far away all of the sudden. Kathy suggested that Michelle and I take a walk (Zach was getting some much needed rest at this point).

So Michelle and I headed out of the house around 8:15 after a quick bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. I figured we wouldn't really run into anybody in the neighborhood because it was so early, but I was wrong. We made it to the next street over and a girl (probably around 12 or 13 years old) came out of a driveway across the street from us. She said "good morning" and we said "good morning" back to her. She seemed pretty harmless at this point. But then she crossed the street towards us and we immediately could tell something was off with her. She smelled terrible and had extremely dirty clothes on. She got very close to us and was very much invading our personal space as she went on and on about how there were people doing drugs in her house and how she was going to go into another mans house and stab him and how she had kissed a married man and he gave her presents. She obviously had some sort of a severe mental disorder and had an extremely disturbing and frightening presence. Michelle went into an extremely protective mode and put her hand on my back and pushed me along as fast as I could go. Meanwhile, I am just praying hard to myself to not have a contraction because I did not want to stop for even a second while this girl was around (and I didn't...it was as if my body went into total flight or fight mode). We finally came to a point where we could make a turn towards my house and eventually the girl went the other direction. By the time we made it back inside, we were extremely shook up and couldn't believe what had just happened. This encounter had pretty much stopped my labor altogether. Contractions had spaced out to about 30-45 minutes apart and only lasting about 20 seconds or so.

Kathy, Mandy, and Michelle went out to breakfast around 8:45am to give Zach and I some time alone to regroup. After they were finished, they suggested they all leave for awhile and give Zach and I the afternoon together. I didn't want to admit it, but having them all around was slowing me down because I couldn't seem to get out of "hostess" mode. It's just the way I am. When people are in my house, I want to take care of them and make sure they have everything they need even thought I knew at this point that what I needed was to think solely of myself and my task at hand. So, I agreed that it might help if they left until things picked up again. Before leaving, Kathy asked if I wanted some help getting things going again...but also let me know that it would absolutely fine if we left things alone and let them go on their own. I was already so tired that I definitely felt as if I could use some help. So every hour for the next 4 hours I drank a mixture of castor oil and blue cohosh root. This was as much intervention as my midwife ever normally does. I had already been taking an echinacea tincture, a garlic capsule, and a bioflavonoid vitamin ever 4 hours to help fend off any infection from my water breaking so early.

I decided to head back upstairs and try and get a bit more rest while things were slow. I was definitely feeling a bit sad and discouraged at this point. After my nap, I knew a shower would really help. As I let the warm water wash over me, I literally said out lout to myself that "this is a fresh start". I really needed to shake off everything that had happened in the last 24 hours and give myself permission to start anew. I came downstairs feeling re energized and ready to take on the day. Zach was definitely happy to see me looking more refreshed.

So around 11:30am Zach and I took a quick car trip to the grocery store to pick up a few things and just get out of the house for a little bit. I decided I did not want to have a contraction in the middle of the grocery store, so I waited in the car with the dog. When we got back home around 12:30pm, we continued our Harry Potter marathon while eating lunch and snuggling more.

Finally, around 2pm, contractions started more regularly and intensely again (about 7-10 minutes apart and lasting 50-60 seconds). I got back on the birth ball for awhile and Zach and I were really enjoying spending the afternoon together. We were getting really excited again that we'd be meeting our baby soon.

Around 6:30pm, things started to get even more intense, but it was still fairly easy to stay on top of the contractions. They also weren't quite close enough together to call the midwife back over yet. But then around 10pm, I was starting to have a harder time handling the intensity of things. I had Zach call Michelle and ask her to head over so I could get some extra support. Soon after, contractions were finally 5 minutes apart and lasting at least a minute or longer...so I had him go ahead and call Kathy and Mandy to come back over. When Kathy walked in the door around 11pm, she took one look at me and said "okay, now we're in business". The contractions were getting very intense and I was having to moan the entire way through them because breathing alone just wasn't working anymore. I was sure I was in transition. I couldn't imagine things getting any more intense. Kathy and I went upstairs to the bedroom so she could check my progress (she only did this a couple of times because my water had already broken and she didn't not want to cause any infection). She told me I was only 3cm dilated and I felt my heart sink back into the ground. I knew we still had a ways to go. Kathy assured me that getting from 4-6cm is the hardest part and things really tend to pick up after that, and she knew we were well on our way. So, I did my best to not let the news discourage me and to stay focused on the fact that we were going to meet our baby soon.

Monday, May 30th

People took turns sleeping upstairs again, but Zach and Michelle stayed with me pretty much the entire time and helped me to labor. I was surprised to find that I did not want anybody massaging me or touching me very much at this point. They were both so great about reading what I needed and would simply place one hand on my leg or arm with each contraction and it was comfort enough to just know they were there with me. We finally had to turn off the Harry Potter movie (yes, we were still watching them) and turn on some light music. I moved around from the ball to the couch to standing as I sang along with Iron and Wine between contractions. Each time one would start, I would find myself going into this incredibly deep part of myself and letting out the most primal sounds my body could make. It was the only way I could stay on top of the contractions. I kept thinking about how hard it was to inhale during them and tried to make the moans last as long as possible. I tried to visualize flowers and doors opening and kept reminding myself to let go and surrender to the incredible power of my own body. I was feeling so incredibly tired and delusional. I simply didn't know how I'd ever have the energy to push when the time came. At one point, I just looked over at Michelle who was so lovingly sitting with me through it all, and told her I didn't think I could "do anymore of these". She told me it was going to be really hard, but that it was all going to be worth it and that it wasn't going to last forever. I really needed to hear that, because I simply couldn't see any end to it all, as foolish as I knew that thought was. Michelle was such a blessing to have with me and such an incredible source of strength. She had both of her babies at home and I knew if she could do it...so could I. At one point, she told me that something that really helped her get through the hard parts was imagining she was walking hand in hand with Jesus and that he helped her to get to the end of each contraction. So that is what I did. Zach was also an incredible partner through everything, and I simply could not have gotten through it all without both of them there. I felt so lucky to have them.

I was feeling incredible pain in my back with each contraction and nothing I did would give me any relief at all. So finally (somewhere around 3am probably...I definitely had lost track of time at this point), Michelle suggested that I get into the shower and let the warm water run over my back. I waited until the end of the next contraction and then rushed upstairs and into the shower. It really did feel good in there...but the contractions started coming faster and harder all of the sudden. I grabbed on the walls with each one and moaned like a lioness in the wild. I would briefly leave my body with each contraction and fly into labor land. I didn't know how I was ever going to get myself out of the shower...but I finally did and as I came out of the door, Michelle told me Kathy wanted to check me again. Michelle had been standing outside of the bathroom timing my contractions and had let Kathy know that they were suddenly less than 2 minutes apart and lasting something like 90 seconds long. As Kathy checked me, I started to have a really intense rush, and in the middle of it she let me know that I was 7cm dilated and that I could finally get into the birth tub. All I could think was "HALLELUJAH!!" The contractions were on top of each other now, and I had little time to get it together in between.

I rushed downstairs and hopped into the tub as fast as I could and it felt so good to finally be able to sit in the warm water. I felt so weightless and thankful for the little relief that I felt. A couple of incredibly intense contractions later, I could feel the baby move through my pelvis and the birth canal. I blurted out "I feel something coming out! Can I push??" Kathy quickly said "go for it!" I had gone from 7 to 10 cm in just a few minutes and I couldn't believe it was finally happening. Transition was super hard, but probably the best part for me because I could finally see an end to it all. So with my next contraction, I bared down as hard as I could. I was on my knees at this point with my arms and head hanging over the side of the tub. I still did not want anybody touching me but I remember looking into Zach's eyes and seeing the joy in them. I didn't know how I was possibly going to get this baby out of me...but I knew that it was going to happen somehow and soon we would have our family all together.

After a couple of pushes in that position, my body was telling me that I should flip over onto to my back. So I did and I grabbed onto the sides of the tub as I continued to push with all my might. I felt like I had a lot more control this way. I was surprised at how confusing this stage was for me. I knew when each contraction was starting, but I wasn't always feeling a huge urge to push. By the time I would start, the contraction was almost over and I didn't feel like I was getting very far. But sure enough...the head was coming out. Everyone was standing around the tub assuring me that I was doing a great job. Kathy kept checking the baby's heart rate which hadn't changed at all. That made me feel really good. I was still making extremely loud and primal noises, and I did let out a couple of screams in this stage. I started feeling like I wasn't going to be able to do this, but I knew I had no choice. I felt completely oblivious to the outside world and felt so connected the baby making it's journey out of me and into the world. I could feel the head with my hand and I could hear the excitement building in Zach's voice. I tried to move slowly so that I could avoid tearing and I was so thankful for the direction that everyone was giving me. I felt giant waves of electricity pulsing through me, and after about 30-45 minutes of pushing, the head was finally out. Mandy unwrapped the umbilical cord from the baby's neck and then Zach was able to deliver the rest of the body and place the baby on my chest. He was filled with tears of joy and I felt so relieved that the baby was here and so proud of what I had just accomplished. As the weight of her body was placed on mine, I felt this overwhelming rush of love come over me. It was the most pure feeling I have experienced in my entire life. I looked down and saw that we had a baby girl...and I said "Is this Lucy?" Zach exclaimed "Yes. this is Lucy!" This sweet little angel was already looking deep into my eyes...deep into my soul.

The umbilical cord was really short and I was having a hard time keeping her head above the water. So they had me stand up in the tub to deliver the placenta. After it finally came out, I lost a lot of blood very quickly. Things got really hectic there for a few minutes, but they were able to get things under control and got me and the baby over to the couch. It was scary for a minute there, but I knew everything was going to be okay and knew I was in good hands. Never was there talk of the need to send me to the hospital. So, I got to lay there on the couch with my new baby girl on my chest and my husband next to me, and I just felt like life was so utterly complete all of the sudden. I felt as if I had known Lucy for a very long time and this was a reunion. How did we ever live without her before?

It had been an extremely long weekend, but I learned so much about my own strength and power throughout the whole birth experience. I discovered a part of myself that I didn't know existed. I am so grateful that I was surrounded with such a wonderful and loving birth team and that I was able to have the home birth that I had always dreamed of. It was the hardest, most spiritual and most magical thing I have ever done.

Our hearts our full...our lives are complete..and we are just so happy our sweet little Lucy is here.

{moby}

2011-06-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

We got the Moby Wrap as a gift yesterday from a friend. I still haven't entirely figured it out yet...but I'd say Lucy is a fan so far :) It's so comfortable and is a great way to keep baby close while still having your hands free.

I love keeping her so close :)

We also finally made it out of the house for the first time as a family today. Lucy and I have been at home for the past 12 days and it definitely felt good to finally get out and about a bit now that I am feeling so much better. She also enjoyed riding in her car seat for the first time.

I think the trick is just making sure she is sufficiently fed before putting her in. Actually...I think that is the trick to most things these days :)

{so tiny}

2011-06-08T16:10:00.000-04:00

Ever since the world found out our little sprout was a girl....people (especially grandparents) simply could not wait to shower her with all sorts of adorable and very girly clothing. We have already officially run out of room for all of her many outfits!

Looks like we'll need some extra storage soon :)

The only problem is that she doesn't even fit into the newborn sized clothing! She is only about 5lbs 6 oz at this point and she's even wearing preemie diapers. Oh my...so very tiny! But don't let her size fool you...she may be small, but she sure is mighty. And...she eats like a champ. Constantly. I guess she has some catching up to do.

Recovery has been a slow process for me...but I am feeling so much more human today than I have since she was born and I am so excited about that. We still have not ventured out of the house yet...but I think we may go to a friends birthday party on Saturday. This mama is certainly looking forward to getting out and doing something...but I will say it's been so lovely having this time at home with our wee little family before papa bear has to head back to the working world on monday. We sure wish he could stay home with us awhile longer...but I guess someone has to bring home the bacon!

{1 week}

2011-06-06T16:37:00.000-04:00

How is it even possible that my baby

girl is already 1 week old?!

My life is no longer for myself. Everything I am is now for her. The love you feel when the weight of your child is placed onto your body for the first time is completely consuming. I live for her sweet little smile (even if it is just gas), the way she wraps her fingers so tightly around mine, the way she yearns for my milk that nurtures her sweet little growing body, the way she looks at her daddy and I as if we've known each other for all our lives, the way her body drapes over itself as she sleeps, the way her life is so simple, and the way she reminds us that life truly is so precious and that these moments are forever fleeting. I'm almost afraid to blink for fear of missing something.

We love you, sweet Lucy.

Our lives are forever changed.

{Little sprout has arrived}

2011-06-02T10:33:00.000-04:00

....and it's a girl!

Lucy Ann Reat

Born at home on Monday, May 30th, 2011 at 4:36am

5 lbs 3 oz and 18 1/2 inches long

We are in love.

{birth story to come soon...but for now

we are enjoying these precious first

moments as a new family}

{39 weeks}

2011-05-27T11:43:00.000-04:00

Oh me, oh my...look at that belly!

And...I am obviously too pregnant to do anything with my hair these days!

I am rounding out 39 weeks and feeling ever so pregnant these days. It sure does feel good to be on maternity leave...I really can't say that enough. But I am definitely feeling anxious as I wait and wonder when little sprout is going to make his/her debut. I keep thinking..."Am I In Labor?!?!" and then I realize I am not..and wonder what it will be like when I actually am. Lord knows I really have no idea what to expect. Whatever happens...I know that my body is preparing to experience the universe. I have no doubt about that. Baby definitely feels like it's makings it's final preparations in there and doesn't have much farther to come but out!

After Zach got home from work yesterday, we took the dog on a walk around the neighborhood together. Then we spent the evening out a the grand opening of the Columbus Commons in downtown Columbus complete with games, vendors, and live music. They took 1.2 million square feet of dead urban space and turned it into 9 live acres of inviting green space with trees, flowers, grass, and walking paths. It is a place where the community of Columbus can come together and play sports, picnic in the grass, and simply have a place to enjoy nature in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It's our own little version of Central Park. Zach even got to play wiffle ball with the mayor last night :) Major points to my city for this awesome new community space!

{weekend inspiration}

2011-05-27T11:30:00.000-04:00

I sure do love a good old fashioned ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles!

Mmm...

I really think I have a problem.

{homemade laundry detergent}

2011-05-25T14:19:00.000-04:00

After thinking about the insane amount of laundry that I'll be doing once little sprout arrives..I thought I'd try my hand at this homemade laundry detergent recipe I found online. It's super easy and super cheap...2 things that I can definitely appreciate at the moment. and it also doesn't include any extra harsh bleaches or anything and will better for baby's skin. One batch of this stuff is also sure to last awhile. I'm sold.

Ingredients:
-Borax
-1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
-Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Directions:
1. Grate entire bar of Fels Naptha Soap into a bowl with a cheese grater
(obviously you will not want to use the grater for food again after this process)
2. Add 1 cup Borax
3. Add 1 cup Super Washing Soda
4. Mix together

*One regular load of laundry only needs about 1 tbsp. of mix

It's that easy folks! :)

{2 years}

2011-05-24T16:53:00.000-04:00

Almost 8 years ago I met my husband at a campus party in the summer before our Junior year of college. We have been together ever since. and yesterday we celebrated 2 years of marriage. Woo! That's longer than a great deal of celebrity marriages (as our server so kindly reminded us at dinner last night). Okay...we'll take it :) These truly have been the happiest years of my life...but I won't lie and say it's all sunshine and rainbows all the time. Marriage (well...relationships in general) are hard work...but so very worth it. I love being married and I love that I get to wake up next to this sweet man each and every day. And now...here we are preparing for our first child. I can't believe how lucky I am.

Last year for our first anniversary, I gave Zach an anniversary book that I started working on. Each year I will add to it focusing on the highlights of the year and how we celebrated that anniversary. He absolutely loved it then...and loved the additions I made to it this year. I feel like it will be such a neat thing to have in 50 years to look back on...and for our children to keep even after we are long gone.

Here are some shots from last years pages....

And some from this year...

I should also mention that the hubs won major points for bringing me a giant bouquet of all of my favorite flowers mixed together. They smell really good. Yeah...he rocks.

{preparation}

2011-05-22T12:33:00.000-04:00

Dear anyone-who-knows-me,

I apologize if I have a hard time thinking or talking about anything other than the imminent birth of this baby in my belly. I really do try to think of other things and carry on other conversations...but boy is it hard sometimes.

Lots of love,

Sara :)

Okay...so that being said...I hit the 39 week mark today! All I can ever think is...holy cow...we are getting so close!

I can't shake the feeling that this is going to be a May baby even though my due date isn't until June 5th.

But really, what do I know?

Well, I am now officially on maternity leave and it feels SO good to be able to just be at home now and finishing up all of these final preparations (although, I'm sure the to-do list will never have everything crossed off because I am constantly adding the silliest little things to it). More importantly...I am happy to have time to properly rest my body and mind in preparation for the marathon that is sure to come one of these days.

We are ultimately prepared for our home birth. The birth tub (we are using the Aqua Doula with heated walls) is all ready to go, and we will probably just go ahead and set it up in the dining room at some point this week so that all we have to do is fill it up on the day.

I can definitely see myself spending as much time in there as possible...so long as it's not slowing things down. Heat is a a natural (and very effective) pain reliever, and water gives buoyancy to move around and helps take weight off of the mother's muscles and joints. It also improves the skin's elasticity and provides a familiar environment for the baby to make it's entrance into the world. Yes please to all of the above :)

We also have all of the birthing supplies the midwife will need all ready to go as well.

The supplies include things like the midwife's birth kit, lots of towels and wash cloths, receiving blankets, a crock pot to keep warm wash cloths, a basket filled with extra little things (gum, chapstick, flashlight, pens), a laundry basket for dirty towels and such, a heating pack, extra trash bags, a couple of plastic shower liners and an herb bath. The shopping bag has things like hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, olive oil, arnica, and a few other things.

And last, but not least....the yoga ball. I've already been using this a lot. It feels so good to roll around on it, and I have no doubt it will be a great help during labor.

We also have a little area in the kitchen filled with food and snacks for myself and the labor attendants, along with a list of where other things in the kitchen are that might be needed.

Let me just say again that this our plan, but we have vowed to stay flexible. Of course, if complications arise, we will not think twice about heading straight to the hospital (which is only a couple of minutes away). I have been blessed with such a wonderful and low-risk pregnancy so far, and I cannot imagine any better way to bring this child into the world.

Could be any day now! :)

{orgasmic birth}

2011-05-19T12:51:00.002-04:00

If you are pregnant, or ever thinking about getting pregnant, or even if you're just a woman....you should definitely see a documentary called "Orgasmic Birth". It's really incredible and empowering and informative. It is all about the natural process of birth and and how women can get back to experiencing it as an intensely joyful event instead of a marathon of excruciating pain and agony.

There is also another incredible documentary you should check out if you haven't already called "The Business of Being Born"...

This one is more about the health care system, and maternity care in particular, and how birth is simply a business in the hospital and not a time of actually figuring out what is best for mother and baby's overall well being. It takes a serious look at the unnecessary stream of medical interventions being forced upon otherwise healthy pregnant women, and offers surprising historical, political, and scientific insights as well as shocking statistics.

My view on the whole situation is "to each their own". Every woman should be able to make whatever decision she is comfortable with regarding the way she will birth her child, but I also think that whatever decision one makes...it is important to be as informed as possible.

Happy birthing to all you mama's out there :)

{it's the final countdown}

2011-05-15T21:48:00.000-04:00

{photo from 35 week photo shoot with the amazing Colleen of WeLoveYourLovePhotography}

I am now entering week 38, and feel as if I have definitely begun the final countdown. I was going to try and work through the end of the month, but then finally came to the decision that this is going to be my last week of work coming up. I am really feeling that I just need some extra time for rest and mental/physical preparation. I also just have this strong feeling that this baby is going to come sometime this month, rather than in June. But what do I know? This is all new to me! I'm just trying to listen to my intuition at this point...and it is telling me to slow down and REST. So by-golly...that's what I'm going to do (after 5 more days of work...whew).

Anyhoo...just for fun...here a few pregnancy stats as of late:

How far along: 38 weeks (holy cow)

Gender: No idea!

Total weight gain: 18 lbs last time I checked

Cravings: All I really seem to want to eat these days is fruit, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, chipotle soft tacos, and ice cream. yum yum yum

Sleep: It's pretty uncomfortable at this point. I get up at least 4-5 times a night (this baby is nestled right on my bladder) and turning over from one side to the other is a bit of a chore due to stiff hips and muscles. I certainly could not live with out my body pillow right now.

Movement: Little sprout loves to shake its butt in there. It's pretty hilarious actually. Movement is strong and it's so weird to really be able to feel what body part is where! It's hanging out low low low in there..and getting lower still I think.

In general...my brain has turned to mush...and I have a hard time remembering little things. and I'm even more clumsy that I already was. I really need to watch my step these days. It's not uncommon to find me walking into walls or other people lately :) Pregnancy brain is real, people!!!

{home visit}

2011-05-12T11:15:00.000-04:00

On Monday, we had our 37 week home visit with our midwife Kathy, her apprentice, and our doula (my friend Michelle). They brought the birthing tub, and took a little tour around our house so they would know where everything is for the big day. Then we had our regular appointment and talked, took measurements, blood pressure, checked hemoglobin, and listened to the baby's heartbeat. Everything is looking great...and it's always such a relief to hear that. My bilirubin was slightly high....but I am just going to up my protein intake and that should do the trick.

{mandy, our midwife's apprentice, taking my blood pressure}

So then Kathy started feeling around my belly trying to make sure the baby was still head down. She was pretty much positive that this was this case, but she was having some trouble determining exactly where this baby's head was. So she said she wanted to check me to see if she could feel it, which she doesn't normally like to do...but she just wanted to be absolutely sure it wasn't breech. So we went upstairs and she informed that indeed the baby was head down, and it was "right there!" So basically this baby has already dropped about as far as it's going to go, and not only that...but I am already 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced! We were all absolutely floored.

{our midwife}

I'm just really feeling like my body was absolutely made to do this and I am so looking forward to a beautiful and natural birthing experience in the comfort of my own home. It will no doubt be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...but it will also be the most rewarding. and the good news is...Kathy is pretty convinced that I'll have a fairly fast labor due to the already prime positioning of the baby and the way my mom birthed her babies in 6 hours or under. I don't want to get my hopes up too much...because it could certainly go the other way...but I am feeling so prepared for it all.

Zach has been running around lately like a little kid on Christmas morning. He is just so excited to be a daddy and to know that he'll soon be able to hold his little sprout in his arms. We are also just trying to relish in this little bit of time that we have left where it will be just the two of us. And not only that...but I am trying to enjoy this little bit of time I have left that I will have this baby all to myself.

Life just seems to be moving a mile a minute all of the sudden....and our little love will be here before we know it. And then we'll blink...and they'll be headed off to college. So here's to always remembering to live in the moment <3

{blessingway ceremony}

2011-05-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

On Sunday (Mother's Day...which was incredibly appropriate and special), my dear friend Michelle held a beautiful Blessingway Ceremony for me. It took place at my house in the dining room which is where our birth tub will be setup when the big day arrives. She completely transformed the room into a beautiful, colorful, and inspiring space in which close women friends could gather together in harmony.

You may be wondering what a Blessingway Ceremony is if you've never heard of it before. Well, it is a ceremony that originates from the Najavo people, and is a very positive ritual affirming that a woman will have a natural and beautiful birth experience. It marks a woman's right of passage and is a ceremony of empowerment near the time of birthing. It is a time to gather within a circle of close friends and celebrate sisterhood while honoring the birth mother and preparing to welcome a new baby to earth.

We ate delicious and hearty food...

I was given a crown of flowers,

and my belly was painted with beautiful bright colors...

My feet were washed in warm lavender water...

The ladies worked on a collaborative art piece for the birthing space,

as well as birthing affirmations for me to hang....

We read beautiful stories and poems...

...and at the very end we all sat in a circle and passed around a ball of yarn. Each

person wrapped it around their ankle 3 times while saying their names and

those of their mothers, grandmothers and children. We will each

wear the yarn around our ankles until this baby is born.

It truly was such an incredible and special evening filled with so much love and

amazing friends. I feel so incredibly empowered by these amazing women

and their faith in me and our friendships during this time in my life.

I am feeling so very ready.

{mother's day love}

2011-05-05T12:13:00.000-04:00

Mother's day is right around the corner..and I am struggling just as I do every year to figure out how to truly thank my mother for everything she does. And I eventually come to the same realization each time that the best way to thank her is with with words from the heart. So, I made this very special card (using the Silhouette machine, of course) and plan to fill the inside with as many words of love and thanks as possible.

As I come closer and closer to becoming a mother myself...I can only pray that I can be half as amazing as my mother has been throughout my entire life. I don't remember a time when she wasn't there for a school play, or a sporting event, or a girl scout party, or a graduation...or any other small/big event in my life. She truly has always been so incredibly present and that has been such an amazing gift that I can only hope to pass on to my little one. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know and is truly the most selfless person. I am so blessed...and I don't know what I would do without her.

{letter to sprout}

2011-05-04T11:33:00.000-04:00

Dear little sprout...

This is my first letter to you....although I do talk to you every single day. Your movements inside my belly are getting quite intense these days, but I don't mind one bit because they are simple reminders that you are growing big and healthy and strong. Your daily hiccups tell me you are practicing getting ready to breathe after your grand entrance into the world. Not long now...only about 4 weeks or so until we get to meet you.

I have so loved carrying you with me for these past nine months. We have already had so many adventures together...but it is nothing compared to the adventures we are sure to share once you are here in our arms. I cannot wait to hold you and kiss you and snuggle you and promise you the world. I dream about you all the time and imagine what color hair you will have...and who you will look like...and what your talents and interests will be someday. The world is yours, little one.

Your daddy keeps asking me if I forget sometimes that I'm 9 months pregnant, because I push it a little too far some days and then my body aches and I pay for it later. But it's really only because I feel so good most days, and I am so thankful for the blessing of such an easy pregnancy. And even on the harder days...I still can't complain, because I already know you are worth every moment of it.

We can't wait to meet you, little sprout.

Love,

your momma

{baby shower # 2}

2011-05-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

My fabulous mother-in-law hosted a "friends" baby shower for us over the weekend. We had a good 30-35 people there and it was just completely amazing and overwhelming. The love and support is awe-inspiring and I think we just might be the luckiest people in the world!

We got so many amazing gifts at the shower, and aside from a few returns/exchanges and other things we still need....we are just about ready! I spent all day yesterday sorting through gifts and putting the nursery together as much as possible....let the nesting begin :)

{35 weeks}

2011-04-28T11:49:00.000-04:00

{35 weeks}

Let's just talk for a minute about how happy I am that I can now officially live in skirts and dresses for the remainder of this pregnancy....even though it is pretty much windy and rainy every single day here. I don't care about that...because even when the weather is a bit cooler...this baby is giving me hot flashes pretty much constantly :)

Let's also talk for a minute about how all I seem to want to eat for lunch lately is Chipotle. Hmmm...it could be worse, right? At least there's a good amount of veggies and protein packed in there :)

{nursery update}

2011-04-27T10:45:00.000-04:00

My amazing and talented friend Kara finished the birch tree mural in little sprout's nursery over the weekend. I am SO in love with it! It really makes the room feel so special and unique...like you're taking a walk in nature :) Baby is going to love it!

It sure pays to have such talented friends! :)

{easter love}

2011-04-26T12:45:00.000-04:00

We had a beautiful Easter at home with my family in Cincinnati. The weather in Ohio has been nothing but rainy for at least the past week and a half, which caused the Cirque Du Soleil tent to get flooded. So we did not end up getting to see the show on Saturday, but it has been rescheduled for early May. So we took the day to just hang out at home instead. My brother who lives in NYC surprised my parents by showing up at the front door unannounced late last week. I was the only that knew he was coming, and boy were they surprised :) So he and his best friend Matt (who is like part of our family) came and we dyed Easter eggs and played some games.

{lil' sprout's first easter egg}

{my handsome red headed brother and his friend Matt}

Saturday evening, Zach and I were able to visit with some friends who just moved to Cincinnati. and then on Sunday we went to church in the morning before heading to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner and some extended family time.

As were sitting in church that morning, there was the most beautiful little baby girl sitting with her mother in the front row. Zach and I both just couldn't take our eyes off of the beautiful picture of mother and child looking so happy and in love with each other. Eventually the grandpa came and sat with them and took the now squirmy child into his arms. He laid her head on his broad shoulder, and the sweet little girl was out light like a light within minutes.

At one point while the choir was singing a beautiful hymn...I looked at Zach as he was looking over at them, and saw tears in his eyes. I took his hand and squeezed it tight...and was immediately overcome myself with emotion. So there we both sat crying. I didn't even know what he was thinking about at the time, but all I could think about was how excited I was to be on this journey with him. I thought about how lucky we were to be so incredibly blessed with this child on the way, and with amazing family and friends that provide us with endless love and support. I thought about how excited I am to meet this baby and to officially become a mother, although I already feel that I am one. I thought about how lucky I am to have such a sensitive man in my life who lets himself become overcome by emotion when he feels it.

{weekend inspiration}

2011-04-22T11:52:00.000-04:00

{weheartit}

Easter plans include:

-driving to cincinnati

-seeing the new Cirque Du Soleil, "Ovo"

-lots of family time

-visiting with old friends

-Church

-Easter lunch at my aunt's house

Happy Easter, loves!

{34 weeks}

2011-04-21T12:25:00.000-04:00

Only 6 or so weeks until little sprout makes a grand entrance into this world!

I've been feeling totally overwhelmed lately by this little life inside of me and the events that are to come. Yes, some of it is simply fear of the unknown...but I have to say it is mostly excitement. I'm scared of what labor will feel like...but I am more excited for the experience and so looking forward to meeting our child. I am constantly in awe of my body's ability to sustain this life inside of me...and so grateful that I have had a healthy pregnancy so far. I am excited to give birth in my home surrounded by people that I love. I am beyond excited to have Zach make that sweet announcement of "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!. I am excited to hold that sweet baby in my arms and shower it in hugs and kisses and promises of endless love and support. "Excited" doesn't even feel like nearly a strong enough word for how I truly feel. There simply might not be a word big enough....but you get the idea :)

{a day in the woods}

2011-04-19T13:14:00.000-04:00

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Rootdown (the 43 acres of land that we share with friends). We are so blessed to have this amazing place to go and enjoy the beauty of nature in all it's glory. Aurora (our sweet doggy girl) comes alive in the most amazing way here....running as fast a gazelle, diving through bushes and over ravines. We hiked around for awhile and had a beautiful lunch by the campfire before finally heading home for the evening. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Unfortunately, the next day (yesterday) brought some of the most severe hip pain I have experienced to date in this pregnancy. Oh boy...it was a bit rough. I had a horrible night's sleep the night before..and woke up with sharp pains that did not seem to want to let up no matter the amount of stretching I did. Thank goodness that hubby was still awake when I got home from work to give me a MUCH needed massage.

Sleep is definitely getting much more difficult to come by these days. I am carrying our little sprout so low down in there that the bathroom breaks are relentless, and the hip pain is fairly persistent. I just keep doing my yoga... and try to remember that my body is preparing me for the sleepless night's to come :)

Today I had a little brunch reunion with the momma's that were in my prenatal yoga class. A couple of the girls have recently had their babies and it was so lovely to meet their beautiful girls. It's absolutely wonderful having this group of girls to get together with and share stories and advice with. I will be the last of the group to give birth :)

{Birch Trees}

2011-04-16T18:59:00.000-04:00

My very dear and very talented friend Kara came over today to work on a beautiful birch tree mural in the nursery for us! I am so grateful that she is sharing her talents with us...and I just know that the baby is going to love staring at this gorgeous art. It will be like our little sprout has it's own personal forest :) So here is what it looks like so far....

I am in love already! I also plan on making some yellow bird vinyl decals using the Silhouette machine which I think will look awesome with the bright white trees. And in case you were wondering...here is the pic from OhDeeDoh that we used as inspiration...

I think we're pretty close :)

Go Kara...you rock!

{weekend inspiration}

2011-04-15T10:55:00.000-04:00

{weheartit}

I hope your weekend is filled with all the love and sweets your heart desires :)

{32 week photo shoot}

2011-04-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, I had a fabulous maternity photo shoot with Colleen of We Love Your Love Photography. Colleen and I worked together years ago...and when I first met her she was pregnant with her sweet little boy. She has since started her own photography business, and her artistic eye and super sweet zest for life sure do make for beautiful pictures.

The weather could NOT have been better for our shoot...and the whole afternoon was such a blast! She has posted some favorites on her blog, and then I will see the rest in a few weeks. Go check em out here :)

{weekend inspiration}

2011-04-08T11:50:00.000-04:00

{weheartit}

My weekend plans include:

*Singing with the jazz band tonight

*A baby shower tomorrow for my sweet friend, Lori

(due 3 days before me)

*Dinner with friends tomorrow night

*Maternity photo shoot on Sunday afternoon

(It's supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny!)

*Dinner with more friends on Sunday evening

It will be busy...but full of love and joy.

Happy weekend to you!

{funny things my students say}

2011-04-06T12:52:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't already know....I am currently a full time private music teacher (piano, voice, and guitar). I teach all ages (3 to adult) and all levels. It's such a fun and rewarding job and I sure feel like a lucky duck for being able to do what I love everyday.

One great thing about being around kids every day is that they often say some pretty funny things....

Boy (age 7): Mrs. Reat...your belly sure is getting bigger now
Me: Thanks a lot.. I just had a really big lunch today. (you should have seen the look on his face)
Boy: Nuh uhhh! You're having a baby, remember???
Me: Ohhh yeah...you're right :)

Girl (age 5): Why is your belly so big?
Me: Well, I am going to have a baby soon.
Girl: Oh....
{5 minutes later while sitting in lesson....she just stares at my belly randomly and says...}
Girl: I like your baby.

{As we're looking at a page of music that has pictures of fruit on it...}
Me: What is your favorite kind of fruit?
Boy (age 4 1/2): Oh I love berries. All kinds of berries. and bananas.
Me: I love bananas! They're my favorite.
Boy: Me too. But too many bananas make you constipated.
Me: laughing hysterically

{This little girl had just had minor knee surgery the day before and was still feeling a little loopy from the anesthesia...}
Girl (age 8): You know what...(as she points to a random place in her piano music)...that looks like a sweater.
Me: Excuse me? What looks like a sweater?
Girl: That measure of music right there. It looks like a sweater (and she just giggles and giggles).
Me: (giggling with her) Okay, Elaina...whatever you say! :)

Oh I can't wait to see what silly things my little sprout comes up with someday :)

{family baby shower}

2011-04-03T21:31:00.000-04:00

My beautiful and talented mother threw us the most wonderful baby shower yesterday in Cincinnati. I really don't think we could feel any more blessed to have such amazing people in our lives and to be showered with so much love (and advice). It was a truly special day that we will treasure always. And we sure did get a lot of good stuff for little sprout :)

Mom did such an incredible job with the green & yellow/bird theme. She made all of the food and desserts herself (except for the cake, which she got at our favorite local bakery). Mom would never admit it herself, but I think she could really give Martha Stewart a run for her money :) My sister was in town from Aspen, and my brother also came in from Cleveland....not to mention all of the other family (and some family friends) that came to share the day. So much love!

{31 weeks}

2011-03-31T23:36:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow my sweet sister will be visiting me in Columbus so she can see me sing with my jazz band. She sure has been going through HELL lately...and couldn't be more deserving of a little break from life. Please keep her and my nieces in your prayers.

Then on Saturday, we will all be heading to Cincinnati together for my family baby shower! My mom and sister have been working hard at the planning for awhile...and I just know it is going to be so wonderful and special.

Part of me feels like I've been pregnant forever, but time seems to be going a mile a minute all of the sudden. Only around 60 more days until we meet our little sprout!

Back soon with pictures from the shower. I can't wait!

{I could walk in my garden forever...}

2011-03-30T22:38:00.000-04:00

{28 years + 30 weeks}

2011-03-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I turn 28 years old....

and here I am at 30 weeks pregnant.

I am so full of love, and joy, and excitement, and anxiety, and emotion lately. I have been spending a lot of time reminiscing and looking forward...all at once. I am thinking a lot about family. There has been a lot going on. A lot of heartache and worry and stress. But at the same time...life is good and beautiful. I just pray a lot. and give thanks...a lot.

So yes...like I said...tomorrow I turn 28 years old. I couldn't be more thankful and happier about where I am at this point in my life. In my moments of stress or worry about all of the changes coming up...I just remind myself of all my blessings: I am married to my best friend, my family and friends are a warm cocoon of love and support, I have a job I love (and so does my husband), we have (free) health insurance, we've got money in savings, we have a roof over our heads, we have our health, we have a sweet little baby on the way...and we are happy. I am happy.

Today, my parents came to visit and spend the day. We had a lovely birthday lunch with Zach's parents at one of my favorite restaurants, and shared a GIANT piece of cake. and still went out for ice cream at my favorite ice cream shop (Jeni's...of course), and then came home and had some of the amazingly delicious pear tart that my incredibly talented mother made...

Let's just say I gave this baby a serious sugar high today :) It was a beautiful day.

I think 28 just might be the best year yet...I can feel it.

{weekend inspiration + and an update}

2011-03-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

Apparently winter has decided to rear it's ugly head again...after I had already been wearing beautiful flowing skirts for a couple of days in a row.....*sigh*. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.....Ohio weather sure does have a way of not being able to make up it's mind this time of year. That said... I thought it would be nice to remind myself that spring will be here to stay soon enough...and I'll be able to walk through beautiful fields of flowers (with a sweet little babe in tow)....

{wehearit}

In other news.....

I had an appointment with the midwife yesterday. They are starting to get closer together now. The next one is in 3 weeks...then 2 weeks...then weekly. Things are looking great with little sprout. He/she is measuring right on track and after a good amount of feeling around....she is almost positive that baby is in head down position. This means that all of the jabs I've been feeling around my left hip (for months now) are actually from the arms and hands...and not the feet. Who knew?! So hopefully baby stays in this position. That would be great news for my home birth plans :)

I am up 3 pounds since the last appointment...which puts me at +10 from my pre-pregnancy weight. She said she'd like to see it a little higher at this point, but she's not concerned. I just need to make sure I keep packing on the protein.

When the apprentice went to listen to the heartbeat with the stethoscope, little sprout gave it a swift kick the very moment it hit my belly. That really gave us all a good laugh :)

{I can cry if I want to}

2011-03-22T11:53:00.000-04:00

Another shot from the end of 29 weeks...

I will say again and again that I have been blessed with a wonderful and easy pregnancy. I mean seriously...minor annoyances aside...I really can't complain.

But I will also say....hormones can have a mind of their own sometimes....especially pregnancy hormones.

I came home last night from work (where I had been feeling especially grumpy for no good reason at all), and Zach had dinner ready for me. Love. I sat down on the couch to eat and looked around the house...and this huge wave of anxiety hit me....hard. The house is a wreck and I've had little time or energy to clean it and it just started to really bother me. and this turned into anxiety over feeling overwhelmed and unprepared (which isn't even true) and I just started to sob. Zach came over and wrapped me in his arms and listened to my feelings of being scared of having to get this baby out of me...and my fear of not being "good at this". I got it out of my system and had a good cry....and felt much better after. He kept telling me how proud of me he was...and how he has fears too...but that he knows we can get through any of it...together.

In reality...I know that we are just about as prepared as we could really be at this point. If the baby came today (please don't.....mommy wants you to bake while longer!) we'd have everything we really needed. I just have to keep reminding myself that these emotions are perfectly normal....and that we are going to be great parents. It will be a learning process each and every day...but I feel very connected to my intuition these days, and I know it will serve me well in my journey of motherhood.

What an exciting journey it will be.

{29 weeks}

2011-03-17T11:44:00.000-04:00

Thoughts on 29 weeks:

I'm hungry....all the time.

I mostly crave bananas, ice cream, and cereal.

I absolutely love feeling little sprout roll and tumble around in there (even when I'm trying to sleep at night).

I really wish I could have a personal hair stylist...I'm getting super lazy.

So happy this is going to be a spring baby.

My muscles are sore and achy a lot of the time...but yoga has really been a lifesaver.

I'm loving reading all of the beautiful birth stories in the book Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin.

I feel like my belly grows larger each and every day <3

My sense of smell is extremely heightened.

Right now...I think it's a boy in there. But tomorrow...I might think it's a girl.

I'm proud of my body for doing so well in this pregnancy.

I am finally gaining weight...slow and steadily.

I love that I already feel like a momma.

{love bug}

2011-03-16T12:45:00.000-04:00

I keep telling hubby that it's a good thing we don't know the sex of our little babe yet...because if we knew it was a girl....we would have ladybug everything!!

{gilt}

{creations}

2011-03-14T11:51:00.000-04:00

Some recent crafty goodness...

I just love making cards.

{soul journey reflection}

2011-03-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

Today was the last phone meeting with my incredible Journey group. Our first meeting was one year ago, almost exactly to the day...and we have met (on the phone) just about every 2 weeks since then. I am simply at a loss for words. This experience has left me changed in the most amazing ways. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to dive so deeply into a new relationship with myself, and with 6 other amazing people from all across the US..and across all different walks of life.

I feel so much lighter and softer around the edges. I have dug deep into the depths of my soul's memories and let go of all of the junk that has been weighing me down for so long. Things came up that I had buried so far down inside that I had completely forgotten they existed. It was scary...but the freedom I feel now from letting those things come up and out was worth every second.

I have regained so much of the confidence that I had lost in the past. I have delved into each and every chakra and allowed myself to focus my energy in the places that needed the most work. I have learned to trust my heart's infinite wisdom and embraced forgiveness in a completely new way.

I have learned to be empowered by my obstacles and vulnerabilities instead of becoming victim to them. I have learned that my ego will work hard to bring confusion into my life and derail me..but it is my heart that will show me the truth path I need to take. I've learned to trust that simplicity will bring me the opportunities I need, while complexity will hide them.

I've learned that I need to get out of my head and into my heart! I need to always ask of my heart as much (or more) as I ask of my mind.

I've come to understand what it means to shift from seeing with my physical eyes to a place of intuition. I've learned that it is important to find a way to make yourself as connected as possible to what you believe...to forget about the outcome and be engaged in the process. I've learned to let go of old shadows, and allow new conclusions and insights to enter into my being.

I could go on and on....and on......

It has been so amazing to have been able to take part in this journey at such a transitional time in my life. What better gift can I give my child than a mother who has entered into a fresh, new and profound relationship with herself? I feel such a renewed sense of purpose in my life...and I cannot wait to pass on a life of living from the heart to my child.

Now...please understand, while I am feeling incredibly enlightened after this experience...I still have a long way to go. I am and will always be a work in progress. All I know is that I feel completely empowered by all of the tools that I have received as a result of this Journey...and I feel confident that I can go forward and do good in the world (for myself...and those around me).

If anyone would like to read more and possibly enter into your own Journey someday...please visit Elaine (our facilitator's) website. She is one of the most incredible women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

(the littlest birds sing the prettiest songs}

2011-03-12T17:40:00.000-05:00

I think I have mentioned that we are doing a tree/bird theme for little sprout's nursery. Greens, yellows, grays...very earthy and gender neutral. So I got to thinking it would be fun to cut out some fun birdcages with the Silhouette machine and frame them to hang in clusters around the room. I also want to incorporate some handmade canvas art as well, so I started with this the other day...(I'm not really sure yet if it's finished or not)..

I also made this teeny tiny little bird house using the Silhouette machine....

I guess I'm just a mama bird working on feathering the little one's nest :)

"The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs...."

-The Be Good Tanyas-

{camera love}

2011-03-11T13:09:00.001-05:00

After months (and months...and months....) of studying reviews and getting recommendations from friends... I finally took the plunge over the weekend and ordered the Canon Rebel T1i camera! It arrived all shiny and new on Wednesday and I am only now finding the time to play around with it. I have a lot to learn...but boy am I in love already. It sure is nice to have a camera who's screen doesn't shake and make all of the pictures blurry. That gets a super enthusiastic HOORAY from me!!

Now I'll be able to get all sort of beautiful pictures of little sprout when he/she makes their arrival in June. Love.

{end of 28 weeks}

Hubby got our crib all setup last weekend...and it sure does feel good to cross that one off the list. Isn't it a beauty?! Nursery progress is slow...but it's coming together little by little.

We're getting very excited around here.

{3rd trimester...holy smokes!}

2011-03-06T21:06:00.000-05:00

Could I really be entering the 3rd trimester already?!

Only 3 more months until we get to meet this sweet little baby!

I'll admit I've been having a lot of overwhelmed and stressed out moments lately. It comes in waves. Sometimes I feel like I've definitely got it all under control..and other times I feel like I have no idea what the heck to do next! My hormones seem to be surging first trimester style all of the sudden. I have crazy crying spells.....to music, commercials, trees...it really doesn't matter. I can cry at the drop of a hat. Okay...maybe I'm making it sound worse than it is....

But really...hormones. They're nuts.

Let's see....what else....

I swear I drink an insane amount of water everyday, and I eat anywhere from 1-3 bananas a day (I seriously can't get enough fruit these days...especially delicious bananas). So it's a mystery to me why I am getting these terrible leg cramps. Just one of those things I get. I have had a constant charlie horse in both legs for about a week now...and if I move my leg in just the wrong way when I'm in bed...it's all over. God bless the hubby for rubbing those puppies like it's nobody's business. Yoga sure does help a lot too.

..and let's talk about how the baby has been trying to make an escape out of the left side of my abdomen. I really thought it might actually come through the skin it was kicking so hard yesterday! It gives me the giggle's like nothing else :)

Minor annoyance's aside....I really can't complain too much. I have been blessed (so far) with an easy and wonderful pregnancy. I'm going to just keep trying to take care of my body the best I can for these last few months and keep up the training for the marathon of labor that will someday inevitably come....

{two little love birds}

2011-03-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

I finished a couple more pages of the engagement picture scrapbook. Yes...these pictures are from November 2008. Ha. But I am bound and determined to get this book finished before baby comes :)

{mini photo shoot}

2011-02-28T11:35:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely double date on Saturday night with our friends Casey and Lori. Lori and I are due 3 days apart in the first week of June...so we decided it would be fun to have a mini bump photo shoot...although you can barely see the bumps in most of the pics :) It is so much fun sharing this journey with such a dear friend!

{Lori and I at the end of 26 weeks}

{our babies are already friends}

{Casey and Lori}

{They're having a little girl!}

{The boys trying to get some pregnant sympathy}

{catch!}

{papa bear is giving the baby lectures already...

probably about dating}

{progress}

2011-02-25T13:06:00.001-05:00

We ordered a crib a couple of days ago. Sure feels good to cross something (anything!) off of the giant to-do list. JCPenney was having a massive sale on baby stuff...and our parents said they wanted to buy the crib as a gift to us. We are so grateful! (I tried to upload a picture of it here...but it keeps coming out blurry. boo.) Anyhoo...it's really pretty and we got a great deal...so check that one off the list!

I spent yesterday afternoon with 2 of my very best girlfriends. Girl time is so therapeutic, isn't it?! Well, one of them gave me a ton of maternity clothes (she has 2 sweet little girls and is a beautiful momma)...so I had a little fashion show today trying everything on.

I pretty much got an entire new-to-me wardrobe! So excited to have (cute) things that will actually fit my ever-growing belly when the weather finally warms up.

Oh wait, in addition to all of these fabulous clothes...they also gave us tons of other baby related goodies...including infant car seats, breast feeding pillows, a bumbo chair, and bouncer...and a few other things. Oh, and she also made us a delicious lunch :) Thank you, Michelle!!

We are so truly blessed to have so many great friends who are already parents and can impart so much wisdom...and throw all of those hand-me-downs our way!

The baby showers (one in Cincinnati with family and one in Columbus with family and friends) are officially schedule (both in April)...and it just really makes it feel like it is all really happening now. I am so excited! I also have a maternity photo shoot scheduled in April with the lovely and talented Colleen of We Love Your Love Photography!

Now if it would just stop snowing in Ohio...I'd be a happy girl!

{sock monkey says hello}

2011-02-21T12:57:00.000-05:00

I've been having a little fun with my Silhouette craft machine before work today......

{sock monkey...isn't she cute?!}

{3D flowers...perfect to adorn some spring cards}

I love my Silhouette. You should probably get one if you don't already have one :)

{25 weeks}

2011-02-19T17:39:00.000-05:00

Rounding out week 25.......

Little sprout is moving and shaking like crazy in there.

And we continue to wonder....are you a boy or a girl?!

Only time will tell!

This is the dress I found at the maternity resale shop last week.

I heart it big time and plan on living in it once spring officially hits.

Speaking of spring...it has been so nice and cozy in the 50's and 60's this week....such a tease! But alas..it will be back to winter this coming week. The snow just might make me cry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In other news.....

We saw our all time favorite bluegrass band a couple of nights ago....the Yonder Mountain String Band. Oh how I love them. Their music just makes my heart happy. and I love that we always have such a large group of friends there. Seeing everyone dancing like crazy people.. getting lost in the music..makes my soul sing. Too bad my poor little pregnant hips started to hurt like crazy after awhile. When I woke up the next morning, I felt like I had run a marathon. Better start doing more yoga :)

I can tell this baby is hanging out super low in there. Mom said that's how she carried all of her babies too. And unfortunately, my sciatic nerve issues have made a triumphant return (after a glorious break for most of the 2nd trimester)...so I plan on seeing a chiropractor very soon. Hoping I don't have to deal with this for the rest of the pregnancy...but we shall see.

Oh...and I have yet to gain any weight. I swear I eat...a lot. But the midwife doesn't seem concerned at all..and baby is growing. So I guess that's all that really matters! I imagine those pounds will come..eventually.

{be mine}

2011-02-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

I am not one of those people who thinks Valentines Day is just another Hallmark holiday. I certainly think we should tell those we love how much we adore them each and every day.....but I love that there is a day on the calendar made to celebrate love in all its ooey gooey gushy glory.

{my homemade card to hubby}

We kept our celebration simple but sweet this year. My gift to him was tickets to see our favorite bluegrass band on Thursday night. His gift to me was an amazing homemade dinner of venison lasagna...which I have been craving big time. When I came home from work, he had dinner ready to go, and the table was set with gerber daisies (my favorite). He also had brownies from one of my favorite local bakeries ready for dessert.

He tricked me and said he didn't get me a card...to which I said "who cares! look at this beautiful dinner!".....but when we went up to bed, there was a beautiful folded love letter waiting on the pillow. It brought me to tears as soon as I started reading it. and tucked inside was also a tiny little card for little sprout telling the baby how much mommy and daddy already loved it. Oh how I adore this sweet sweet man :)

{24 weeks}

2011-02-12T16:51:00.000-05:00

Hello there. How are you?

I am officially rounding out 24 weeks....and "rounding out" sure seems like an appropriate term!

It's starting to hit me. I'M HAVING A BABY SOON! Seriously...you would have thought that would sink in a little sooner...but it truly hasn't been until recently that I've realized how soon this all happening and how much life is really going to change. In a mere 3 1/2 months or so ...little sprout is going to be in my arms. Oh my goodness....we have SO MUCH TO DO! But I just have to keep reminding myself that baby will have everything it needs...and that it will all be okay! and not to mention the fact that I am SO incredibly excited for this little person to enter the world and turn our lives upside down in the best way....

I had a prenatal yoga class this morning...and then I treated myself to a little shopping. I bought few things at Old Navy after convincing myself it was okay to buy non-maternity clothes...and then to make up for it, I went to a maternity resale shop and bought a super duper cute and comfy dress that I fully intend on practically living in once spring finally arrives. Can you say major spring fever?!?!

{an incredible journey}

2011-02-10T13:07:00.003-05:00

An Incredible Journey Begins from David Stanfield on Vimeo.

Okay......I absolutely adore this stop animation video from Lorean. What a sweet and creative way to document her journey of pregnancy. And let me say I am also in love with her new daughter's name....Micah Lyric. Ah..so sweet.

I am currently sitting at Starbucks (mom got me a gift card for V-day)...sipping on a decaf vanilla latte with one pump of mocha (yum yum). I have to been at work in 1 hour and I thought I would come here today and work on my Journey wrap-up homework. Alas...I am distracted. Mostly by other blogs (you all know how easy this is!)...but also by the gymnastics show that is happening in my belly at the moment. In fact...it has been going on all morning and afternoon.

As I was eating breakfast this morning...and the gymnastics were starting for the day, I thought I would actually try and watch my belly. Why didn't I think of this before? It was utterly amusing! It's already so strange to feel all of that stretching and twisting going on in there...but watching it really takes things up a notch. I am pretty excited to show hubby tonight. It's the little things in life...right? :)

In other news....

It is about 5 degrees outside today in Ohio...and I could not be any more over it!!!! OVER IT! Ready for spring, and sunshine, and flip flops, and skirts, and dresses, and general outdoor merriment. Please spring...come soon!!

{waaaah}

2011-02-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling very whiny and sorry for myself right now. I about threw a temper tantrum this morning. This darned cough is killing me and I haven't been able to sleep for more than a couple of hours for about 3 nights now. Every time I try to lay my head down on the pillow...I have a full on choking attack. So then I try to sleep all propped up in bed...and that just plain stinks...and I choke anyway. So then I keep falling asleep with cough drops in my mouth and then they get all gross and stuck to the side of my mouth. Good thing hubby is a heavy sleeper. But then again...every time I looked at him I wanted to scream because I was so jealous that he was sleeping and I wasn't. and my medication options are extremely limited due to this whole pregnancy thing. I feel like I'm shaking this poor baby around every time I cough. And I keep thinking about how one time I was sick like this in college...and I actually broke a rib from coughing so hard for so long. Who knew that was even possible?!! Waaah!!

Okay...I think I got that out of my system....for now....

Someone give my husband an award for dealing with me so gracefully this week.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In other news......

I have been keeping an eye out for a cheap sewing machine on Craigslist and whatnot because I thought it would be a good thing to have around once baby comes. Then it turned out that a friends mom had one she wasn't using and wanted to give it to me...for free. Score! So I went and picked up this bad boy yesterday...

I have absolutely no idea how to use it...and will be enlisting the help of one of my fabulously skilled friends to show me the ropes. I can't wait!

{23 weeks}

2011-02-05T21:31:00.001-05:00

{23 weeks}

It's Saturday night....and here I am curled up on the couch with the pup, and a bowl of pasta with melted cheese and broccoli. Doesn't that sound like a party?! Well...I'll have you know it's the only place I'd like to be right now :) Seriously...I have just been feeling like such a mess this week and this horrible cough (I'm officially calling it bronchitis now...although I haven't actually seen a doctor to be diagnosed) just won't let up....and I just can't seem to get out of this funk. So I am more than happy to just have a couple of days this weekend to continue my slow recovery process. yuck. I worry because I haven't had much of an appetite for days, and I've got this little bean in my belly to think about...

I keep thinking about what it must be like to be sick like this and actually have to take care of kids at the same time. Life sure doesn't give you a time out then...but I guess you just figure it out as it comes (just like anything else with kids, right?)

I have had a couple of dreams about a baby girl. I was taking care of her...and when I wasn't with her, I was talking about how much I missed her. She seems like ours. It seems so real. So naturally..it makes me wonder...are my dreams telling us the future? Are we going to have a little girl?!

Some days I feel little sprout doing some pretty heavy duty acrobatics in there, and some days I don't feel much at all. Zach actually got to feel it through my belly for the first time earlier this week. It was a magical moment...and made daddy feel very happy :)

{i need a maid}

2011-02-04T11:45:00.000-05:00

Well, this is what your house starts to look like after four days of two sick people having absolutely no energy to clean up after themselves. I stayed home Tuesday and Wednesday from work with the plague...and then, despite my best efforts to sanitize...Zach was struck by the plague early yesterday morning. So then he took the day off, while I tromped off to work still feeling like a complete mess. And now today...we are both going to work...still feeling like complete messes. Sounds like fun, huh?! I could definitely use a maid right about now.

I went ahead and canceled my jazz band gig for tonight because the plague has caused my voice to not work so well. So I am looking forward to taking another couple days this weekend to recover and get this house cleaned up a bit.

I did make it to the midwife's house yesterday for my monthly checkup. Baby is doing well and good and swimming around in there like a champ. Little sprout is hanging out way down low near my pelvis which is a strange feeling...but I'm loving it! This was the first time she measured my belly/uterus and everything seems to be right on track, which is always good to hear. I still haven't been gaining too much weight, and I even lost a couple this week thanks to the plague. But I imagine the pounds will be packing on any day now as I get closer to the 3rd trimester. Only 4 months until we get to see if our little sprout is a boy or a girl!