Growing and Growing

On one of those rare sunny evenings in May, Alex and I found ourselves at home with a completed to do list and nothing on the calendar. Alex and Sarah have started a vegetable garden in a couple of raised beds in our backyard, Alex saying that since I am growing this baby, at least he and Sarah can grow some plants. As Alex marveled at the little sprouts that were coming up just days after planting, I looked up ideas for plant markers, which led to the most wonderful evening together crafting as we watched the sunset across the ridge.

Alex cut apart cans for me while I practiced backwards writing, etching each of the plant names onto the backs of the pieces of aluminum before he affixed them to some bamboo stakes he had gleaned from our Uncle Bob. The sunshine, the calm of creating something from garbage for a garden that would provide us with fresh produce in just a few months, and a few hours with no agenda other than just time together was a gift that I don't take for granted.

As my belly continues to expand with the growth of our Little Man, our garden continues to sprout up new life as well.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tips and Quips

As I look at the calendar for June, filled with baby classes at Swedish Hospital and showers with many wonderful friends and family, the reality of what is to come in 8 weeks is starting to sink in. I am beginning the slow transition from feeling so healthy and energized that I could say I could be pregnant for another year to feeling quite large. As an employment consultant for adults with disabilities, my clients remind me constantly of how I look and what I should be doing to take care of myself. These jewels of humor and unfiltered sincerity have kept me smiling these last few months.

One client, sitting on a couch as I stood in front of her, reached out and poked me in the stomach, saying in an accusatory tone  "are you getting fat, or are you having a kid?" to which I replied, "probably a little bit of both." she went on to tell me that every time I went to see her husband, (another client of mine) he would come home and tell her how fat I was getting. Of course, this is exactly what a pregnant lady wants to hear :)

Another client pulled me aside at his job site with the question "can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure," I replied, "although I might not answer it." He looked at me, and asked, "are you blooming?" What a unique way to allude to the fact that I was pregnant. I couldn't help but smile, being compared to a spring flower. 

Visiting another gentleman at his office cubicle, he pointed to my stomach and says "are you having a human?" "I hope so," I responded.

One sweet woman gently rubbed my back as a I worked alongside her at Starbucks and told me how happy she was that I was having a baby. She told me that I was getting fatter, and wished me "good luck," with having the baby. 

After our weekly 'professional phone meetings,' one woman says to me "you and that baby take it easy now!"

As much as I am looking forward to our little one's arrival, I will miss some of the unique and personal interactions that have come with carrying this little guy. 

Ten Weeks - Ten Gifts

Ten Weeks and Ten Gifts 

I can't believe that the chalkboard will be in single digits next week! I keep telling people that I am enjoying this stage so much that I could be pregnant for another 30 weeks, despite the heartburn. The little guy is quite active, and it is fun to see arms and legs move across my belly. It has been fun to plan how to spend Mother's Day weekend with my mom and sister, but surreal to think that this time next year, I will be a momma! We are feeling physically ready, but emotionally uncertain about what to expect. Alex attended our first parenting class at Swedish Hospital called Conscious Fathering and says that now he is going to be a "Swaddle Master". With ten weeks to go, I am feeling so blessed and overwhelmed with all of the gifts we have already received for our little one.

1. Bulldog from "Baby Daddy" Alex

How can I put into words how wonderful this man is? Every day he tells me how beautiful I am and how amazing it is that I am growing "our human." He also can't help but inappropriately beam with pride that "he did that" when people comment on my growing belly.  Just days after discovering we were pregnant, he couldn't resist buying this bulldog for the baby. I think it is fitting that baby's first gift was from someone who is going to be there for so many of his other firsts.

2. Camo boots from Tia Elle and Tio Jacob

Our favorite Friday night people (think sweatpants, wine and board games), the most beautiful redheads you will ever meet, and future godparents and Spanish teachers to their nephew gave these to us long before we knew we were having a boy. Jacob and Elle are adventurers, and we couldn't be happier that they are already outfitting the little man to join us all on life's journey!

3. Books

From my favorite book as a child, Let's Talk About Shopping to the Bible stories where I first heard from my parents about my Creator, my parents have so thoughtfully invested in Alex and I as we prepare for July. Their prayers, listening ears and advice has been both invaluable and appreciated. Offering their physical space to us in their lives when we need to retreat from the city to drive a tractor (Alex) or watch TLC (me) will continue to be a blessing to us in the coming years, as they are already outfitted with a Pack n' Play and toys for their grandchild. I recall as a child thinking about what it would be like to bring my own children to the farm. I cannot express the joy Alex and I feel as we round the corner on Dodge Valley Road and see the home of future Mormor and Poppa, where our kids will get to marvel at Poppa's croquet skills, go on tractor rides and camp out in the woods just like I did as a kid.

4. Baby's First Crane and Tool Belt

It would be hard to fit all of the Grandma Gifts in one picture, but I chose these because we had so much fun picking them out together. Rarely in the last 30 weeks has she arrived from or we have left Portland without a little present from Grandma Joan. Her thoughtfulness, constant care and concern for how both Alex and I are doing, her love for her grandchild and her generosity are manifest in toy dogs, a stuffed elk, teddy bear hoodies and countless pieces of clothing.

5. Starbucks

For those of you who are not 'gold card holders,' this may not mean anything to you, but to an addict like myself, this postcard truly is gold! To have a sister who so generously handed this to me is so indicative of who she has been to me since we found out - caring and understanding. I wish that everyone had a sister like mine, who never has to ask how I am feeling or what she can do, because she already knows. From the countless nutritious meals she taught Alex to prepare to simply running stupid errands with me, I cannot imagine these last few months without her. I thank God for her return from Micronesia, and will never, ever take for granted having my best friend ten minutes away in the same city.

6. Frog Hat

Auntie Katie. The hours she has put in knitting for her adoptive nephew are ones I will never be able to make up for. To have a friend who knows me so closely and loves me in such tangible ways is a gift from God. This frog hat was one I had seen on pinterest, and charged her with. Surprisingly, she joyfully accepted, and it will be the outfit that little man comes home in. She is the friend every pregnant lady needs, for the following reasons:
-she will blow off a workout to bake lemon loaf with her baking-challenged friend when her pregnant friend is craving it
-she tells me every time she sees me how cute my bump is, even when I feel like a blimp
-she doesn't laugh when I can no longer do floor-slapping moves in Zumba each week
-she runs with me to baby consignment stores with a backpack to fill it up with clothes she thoughtfully helps pick out
-she makes me my favorite lunches and brings them to work for me
-she sweetly listens without judgement when I complain about Alex eating the last of the pizza (and withholds telling me how I am just being a crazy pregnant lady)

7. Camo Gear

Even though I still can't get over the fact that I am inevitably carrying a mini-Alex, camo and Carhartt's and all, Katherine has been so celebratory of our coming little boy, joining in Alex's excitement to make sure he has appropriate gear for father-son projects. She is so supportive of our relationship and journey, and is one of those fast friends that you thank your lucky stars for. She is one of those people you can be yourself around (including accidentally having a glass of wine in a hot tub in Hawaii with before I knew I was pregnant.)

8. Wood

What you see in this picture is a weekend of work. Dave's procurement of lumber and particular-ness in installment is evident in each panel that was thoughtfully put together by Alex and him. It is not just the fact that he gave up a whole weekend to help see my nursery vision come true, including the bookshelf molding you see here, but the dedication that he puts into everything he does that is such a gift. Alex tells me all the time how much he wants to be like his dad when our little man comes. There is little that brings Alex as much joy as doing a project with his dad, and I can't help but think that he is planning for the day when he is teaching his own son to "measure twice and cut once."

9. Afghan from Mormor

I will never forget the day that Mormor Janis gave us this amazing gift of love. It was the day before we found out we were pregnant, and Alex and I sat in the living room of Farfar and Mormor's house in Libertyville, IL discussing life and the importance of our decisions. I cried when she placed this in my lap as I listened to Farfar share with us how much work had gone into this gift.  In the car shortly after, Alex and I decided that we would save the blanket for our first child, not knowing until the next day that the little guy was already preparing for his entrance into the world in July. The afghan still smells like Alex's grandparent's house, and ended up keeping me very cozy through those first morning-sickness ridden months.

10. Phone Calls to Katie

She had looked at me with knowing eyes when she saw my reaction to her own news. She had celebrated and secretly shared our first few weeks of pregnancy together before telling the world. She had helped me lie to friends when my wine glass was full of flat ginger ale. She has joined me in the misery of heartburn and birthing decisions. She has shared with me tips and tricks and what to look forward to. She will give birth three weeks before me and will continue to help pave the way for me, making it a little easier for me knowing that she had already gone through what I am experiencing. She has done this throughout our friendship, when I was a lonely freshman in college awkwardly trying to make friends, and will continue to do this as she becomes a mom I know I will be sure to look up to!

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.