Sailing through Week 28

I know that many couples spend the weeks and months leading up to birth wondering what their baby will look like or be like. I know that i hope he doesn't have my nose and does have Alex's long eyelashes, but either way he will be the most beautiful baby we have ever seen. Alex and I are thrilled that all we know at this point is that he is healthy and active and already very much loved. On this Sunday afternoon at South Lake Union Park, I got the rare and beautiful chance to see a glimpse of my future child in my husband. An idyllic Seattle Sunday spent on Lake Union in a 115 year old sailboat  and perusing Pike Place Market didn't hold a candle to the joy I experienced watching Alex play with a model sailboat alongside 4-year olds. The blessing in my belly and the gift of this moment is one that I imagine won't be matched until I get to see my husband and son enjoying this activity together. The wonder, joy and delight that I see in Alex will be the same I see in my son, wether he has beautiful eyelashes or not.

The video below of Alex the 27-year-old will never fail to make me smile...

Joyously Busy

Today marks the beginning of the final stretch of this pregnancy, and despite the fact that I am still about a week smaller than I should be at (according to my midwife), I am feeling stretched. Bets are being placed as to when my belly button will become an “outie,” and little Erik seems to be having a little harder time moving around in his cramped digs. Judging from the protrusions that make their way slowly across my belly several times an hour, he is very active.

These last few weeks have been joyously busy. I was able to take a few days with my mom and sister and do a road trip through Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks from Phoenix to Las Vegas. What a relaxing, enjoyable time together. With memories of so many road trips in our Ford Windstar in mind, it was so neat to once again embark on new territory as a family (the females, that is), although this time in a rented Chevy Malibu. It is amazing what a few days of music, NPR, outstretched highway, cavernous chasms, towering cliff faces and lots of Vegas sunshine can do to revive and motivate my busy spirit.
 

Alex and I were able to meet with all of the midwives in the Swedish Ballard Birthing Center last week, and left feeling so confident about what is to come in just 13 short weeks. Ever the planners, we are faithfully going through our to-do list to complete whatever we are charged with in plenty of time for our new arrival. We have a “go bag” packed and ready to go, have interviewed pediatricians and are slowly but surely preparing the nursery. We may fall into the category of crazy first-time parents, but are so excited when we can do something active to prepare for this life-changing event, even if that includes playing YouTube videos loudly over our stereo of babies crying so that Kaj and Khloe get used to the sound.

We are so thankful for an easy pregnancy thus far, and are especially grateful when we get a rare evening or weekend together. Between choir, search committee and Alex’s courses for work, we are already struggling to find date nights and time to just sit and process and marvel at what’s to come. We are looking forward to a trip over Memorial Day to enjoy our last vacation as just the two of us. 

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.

Carrying on the Legacy

Being the fourth in a line of Sigfrid Carlsons, shortly after hearing that we were having a baby boy, I excitedly shared with Marie that for the first time there would be four "Sigs" alive at the same time. My dad, who was travelling to Chicago that day to be with my grandfather in the ICU was going to share the news that another Sigfrid would be entering the world this year.

Sadly, after two weeks in the ICU, my Farfar Rolland Sigfrid Carlson passed away. My grandfather was a man whom I admired, loved deeply, and had great gratitude.  I am excited to see and encourage the growth of the following qualities that my grandfather possessed in our own son, Erik Sigfrid:

Supporting family in all the seasons of life.
Caring for the less fortunate.
Leading with your head, Loving with your heart.
Understanding and appreciating the difference between a "good job" and a "Rollie job".
An affinity for clean cars and loud mufflers.
Using your abilities and assets to serve the Lord.
Staying connected to your Swedish heritage.
Driving FAST.

While we mourn the loss of my grandfather, we feel that he will never really be gone from our lives. On a daily basis all of the members of the Carlson clan have moments where we recall "Farfar-isms" of years past ("It's not how much you earn, it's how much you don't spend!"), or ask ourselves, "What would Rollie do?".  We are grateful for our memories of him and his larger-than-life personality. As we travel out to Chicago this week to be with family and celebrate my grandfather's life,  I remember what my dad said on the day Farfar passed away, "Well...., we'll be back up to three Sigfrids in just a few months." 

He's a Boy!

Early last Wednesday, Alex and I headed to Swedish Hospital to see our baby for the first time. Nurse and Aunt-to-be Gretchen (Alex's little sister) met us there for the appointment. What a joy to have her join us. Laying on the table with two of my favorite people in the room, I was introduced face to face (literally!) to one of my new favorite people, who I will not get to meet for another 20 weeks or so.

Seeing the baby's movements as it scratched its' head, touched its toes and sucked in amniotic fluid was a wonder that no one can prepare you for. Our ultrasound technician had difficulty getting a picture of the baby's spine, exclaiming that our baby is "a little obstinate and very active." Alex and I stole a glance at one another, knowing full well that any child of ours would possess these attributes. Alex and I had shared with the Tech that we preferred to not know the gender during the appointment when I had a full bladder and covered in gel with my belly exposed. Gretchen, however, having to leave for class, got a sneak peek before the rest of the world at her niece or nephew. Like a wonderful nurse-to-be educated in HIPAA and confidentiality, she left the appointment with the news to herself :)

Alex and I left the appointment already elated that we had an active, healthy baby. Grabbing breakfast and some hot drinks, we ventured our way to a dock on Lake Washington where we have had several dates in the past. Setting up a picnic blanket, we could not contain our excitement any longer, and opened up the envelope in which the Tech had creatively written:

 Thinking, along with 99% of our family and friends, that it was a girl, Alex and I were especially surprised and excited. I had a country song cued up on my iPhone that Alex had listened to many, many times over the last few years as he though about what it would be like to have a little guy in Carhartt's to teach about being a chicken farmer, the importance of regular oil changes and loving and protecting all the women in our lives. It is a sweet song, which can be found here.We called Dave, our baby boy's Farfar (Swedish for father's father). Dave, in his wonderful wisdom, shared with Alex the great responsibility he was undertaking.

This week has been one full of joys, sorrows, hope and loss. Through it all, our Baby Boy has made his presence known with lots of little kicks and movement. In times of stress and sadness, the little flurries in my stomach are a gentle kick of a reminder of God's continuous work and promise to be faithful to all generations. We praise God for our Baby Boy and the many wonderful people out there who have already bestowed so much love on him!