17 Weeks and Counting...

Yesterday marked 23 weeks into the pregnancy. My book states that little Erik has lots of room in the uterus right now, even if it feels to me like there is no way that I can get any larger. Friends and family warn me that I am heading into a season of feeling large and uncomfortable 24/7, and I am taking advantage of the energy and mobility I have now by continuing to run and do Zumba. Meanwhile, little Erik feels like he is constantly doing Zumba moves (Alex insists it is karate moves) throughout the day.

I had my first "stranger touch" in line at the grocery store by a woman who insisted on telling me I was carrying too high for it to be a boy while placing both of her hands squarely on my midsection. Fortunately, my sister was with me so that we could laugh at the hilarity of it while I assured the woman that if she had seen the ultrasound pictures, she would be certain it's not a girl. This experience made true in my mind what is written on my new favorite blog introduced to me by my friend Anna, about what not to say to a pregnant woman (warning-there is some vulgarity here). Strangers aside, some have been hesitant to reach out and touch the belly. I'll put it out there-if you would normally hug me, feel free to extend that love to baby Erik. Most who know me know that I don't have personal space issues, and it's great to connect physically with people who have invested emotionally in our baby's life already. Keep in mind that not every expectant mom shares this attitude, so it is always okay to ask. As for the stranger touches and advice I will surely get throughout this pregnancy and motherhood, here's hoping I always have my sister with me to interfere for me and/or laugh with me about it later.

Alex and I completed something that has been hovering over us-working on our list of things to get for the baby. Going from a squeaky toy and leash to decisions about diapers, strollers, carseats and cribs is a HUGE transition. Whoever says being a pet owner is like being a parent, I am curious where the whole part where we get to leave our dogs contentedly locked up in their kennel for 12 hours plays into parenthood. Mr. Safety, I mean Alex, put on his research hat and read up in Consumer Reports and we are feeling one step closer to being ready for baby. People keep saying we have lots of time, although 17 weeks seems pretty short to me, especially given the fact that all we own are two stuffed animals and a lot of camoflouge clothing. However, after one day of sewing with my talented mom, she was able to complete two crib sheets, a dust ruffle and a quilt!

We are so thankful for everyone's wisdom, understanding and willingness to share their own life experiences' with us (like the cashier who told us that she pushed out her 12 pound, 5 ounce baby in 4 pushes in less than 20 minutes). We are so thankful to have been in Portland for the weekend to spend it with FarFar and Grandma Joan celebrating the 30 years they have shared together while we gleaned all the advice we could get from them about what makes good parents and have a lifelong romance.

The Blessing of Grandparents

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hanging with my mom to buy fabrics and dream up the guest room. She is a wonderful person to share this part of my life with, as she tends to be on the more rational, low-stress, "people have been having babies for centuries" spectrum that many do not necessarily adhere to (tip: avoid reading too much when you're pregnant-everything is harmful!). A couple weeks ago, my sister called my mom on my behalf asking about stretch marks, as my literature had indicated that it was purely genetics that contributed to this. My mom had said that hers weren't too bad, but that she wasn't sure. Sarah and I were relieved that we may not be plagued with this condition that so many experience. While up at my parent's farm this past weekend, my mom approached me in the kitchen, "Marie, you had asked me about stretch marks, and I just noticed these this morning that I guess I didn't know I had." She proceeded to point out to Alex and I purplish-blue lines along her waistline. I thought they didn't look too bad compared to what I had seen online (again, I stress, do not go online while pregnant!). It only took a couple of minutes before she started laughing "I drew these on with my eyeliner this morning to freak you out!" I love my mom's silliness and how well she knows me.

She will be called MorMor, which is Norwegian for mother's mother. Given that I called both my grandparents Branka and Branga until I was 5, hopefully MorMor will be a little easier to say for the little one J. I'd like to thank my mom for the following numbers she pulled last weekend:



Fabrics purchased for the nursery

                -4 free-throws to get a percentage off at Ace Hardware

                -2.5 hours of fabric shopping

                -7 stores for various errands

                -5 pattern books for crib bedding

                -30 + bolts of fabric

A tractor print purchased from Etsy

                -1 bag of Reese's peanut butter cups

                -2 free quarts of paint to sample in the nursery



My mom not only gave up an entire Saturday to follow my whims and vision for the nursery, but she is custom-making all of the bedding this weekend with me. Finally, a good reason for all this Seattle rain!

 

Baby Erik Sigfrid is not only blessed with Alex's and my parent's as grandparents, but already has adoptive grandparents. Bob and Marilee Erickson, or Grandpa Bob and Grandma Marilee have agreed to help us in our endeavor to raise a healthy, wise and balanced son. I am confident that with their wisdom and guidance, Erik will grow to know all about various types of birds and wildlife, as well as auto maintenance and how to be a loving, responsible man. Alex and I are so grateful for Bob and Marilee's role in our lives since our marriage and for their support as we transition to this next stage. They are not just a blessing to us, but are already to their unborn grandson.

Baby Bumps and Birthing Decisions



Copyright: Britta Marie Photography

We are officially halfway through our pregnancy, which is hard to believe, since both Alex and I feel as though we are still getting over the initial surprise of when the stick showed a positive sign. 

Erik Sigfrid is truly an active baby, moving and making sure that I know that he is in there. It is hard these days to forget about him as he kicks me, as I transition to (gasp!) maternity clothes and when I glance at my reflection in the mirror and am continually surprised at my changing body. On a recent trip to Chicago, Alex's talented cousin Britta Marie took some shots, which upon viewing, definately proves that this baby is getting bigger!

Last week was a big one for us, as we made the transition from our doctor at Swedish Medical to be under the care of Swedish Midwives in Ballard. Alex and I met with one of the five midwives in the Birthing Center there, and could not be more convinced of our decision to go this route over a traditional hospital birth. She met with us for over an hour, twenty minutes of it as she consoled a four-week-old baby of another patient who was having some tests done. She said that she stopped counting how many babies she had delivered five years ago, as the number was over 2,000. Like many couples, the documentary “The Business of Being Born” was especially informative to us, although I don’t think that I will ever get over the fact that Ricki Lake helped us decide how we wanted to have our baby! Getting to hear the baby’s heartbeat in the appointment will always go down in my books as one of the most beautiful sounds.