A Splash of Color

Another New England fall has arrived, and I confess myself unabashedly charmed. There is a wild and glorious beauty to the Midwest where I grew up that I will always love, but the vivid reds, yellows, browns, and fading greens surprise and delight me every day here. I love the crispness of fallen leaves underfoot, the chill in morning and evening air, the warm comfort of the middle of the day, and the sturdy colorful mums that adorn nearly every doorstep.

 

Yesterday I took me and my very pregnant self (due any day now!!) over to a nearby trail surrounding a pond and cranberry bog.

My ipod does no justice to the colors, but it was a delightful walk.

Dappled sunlight encouraged the remaining green leaves to proudly show forth their summer hues, but here and there the light gleamed golden through the fall foliage.

It was a wonderful distraction from my current wait for our son's arrival!

 

What do you love about fall?

Watch that bump grow!

Who shares pictures of their belly and draws attention to its growth? No one, unless they're crazy or pregnant (or both!), and then it's all the rage. I've been astounded by the expansion of my middle as our son continues to grow -he, by the way is due in ONE MONTH - so I thought I'd let you all be amazed too. Please excuse the occasional bathroom selfie: I normally turn up my nose at such things, but I can't help walking by the mirror and think, "Wow! I'm growing another human being!" and capturing that photographically. 

14 weeks

15 weeks  (by now I was feeling little popcorn flutters-so exciting!)

 

16 weeks

17 weeks

20 weeks : different pieces of clothing were starting to fit funny...

23 weeks: a very fun photo shoot with my mom. I love the pictures she took!

25 weeks: at a wedding with a friend who's just 2 weeks behind me with her first, a girl!



27 weeks: eww, another bathroom selfie. But look! I'm getting round.

28 weeks: I have literally lived in this workout shirt. It's now the only thing that really fits for my workouts. Thanks mom!

 

30 weeks: and this week...was when I went KA-POW! At least that's what it felt and looked like! But kindly notice, I still have ankles, not cankles, for which I am very thankful.

 

33 weeks: on the way to my baby shower. So many kind people who love our little man already!

34 weeks: I'm really only wearing maternity shirts, for fear that I'll stretch my other shirts

 

Last but not least: 35 weeks this past Saturday

 

I may be huge and getting huger...but it's all worth it! I can't wait to meet our little son.

The Shot Heard Round the World

As I mentioned in my last post, my twin came out for a business trip and a quick visit with us in July. It was such a treat! My family lives 23 hours (driving) or 2+ very expensive plane rides away, so it is a joy and rare treat when I get to see them. I should mention that this is not for lack of my sweet husband trying to scheme ways for us to get out there-but it's just a lot in a weekend.

 

 

Anyhow, it was, as always, a fantastic time with him. He and Eric get me laughing so hard it must leave the poor baby dizzy inside me! We played games, talked at length on serious subjects, quoted our favorite comedians, went for walks, church, and even a friend's surprise party.

 

 

On Saturday we decided to make the trip up to Lexington and Concord, the famous "beginning" of the Revolutionary war, at least in terms of fighting. John, Eric, and I all love history, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

 

We were surprised at how much there was to do and see. We could easily have spent more time there. Between 2 visitor centers, numerous houses open to tours, and 5+ miles of walking trails, it's easily a day trip.

 

In the background is one of the visitor centers: behind me as I was taking the picture was the famous North Bridge where the fighting began.

 

Oh-so-in-love!

 

American author Ralph Waldo Emerson lived here for a time.

 

Isn't he handsome? One of my best friends-and certainly my first!

 

I'm quick to feel warm these days, well into the 3rd trimester, but I'm pretty sure it was just a wonderful warm summer day, with deep blue skies punctuated by puffy clouds.

We spent a little time walking around downtown Concord as well. It was very picturesque!

 

When do I get to see family again, you may ask? Hopefully soon after the arrival of our Little Man, in just about 8 weeks! I can't wait!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

...from this July:

1) A special 4th of July weekend that included Eric's time off (yay!), walks, games, time with his family, a dinner guest, and an amazing fireworks show.

2) A visit from my wonderful twin John: how awesome that his business trip brought him right to this area!

3) The celebration of sister-in-law Julia's graduation with a cookout and time with friends: she's a beautiful and accomplished young lady who loves Jesus and serves others!

The lovely graduate with her mom and brother at the Boston marathon this spring.

4) A birthing class! Although some aspects were definitely "too much information," it was good to get the lowdown on late pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. It was nice to tour the maternity ward so both Eric and I could see where our son will (hopefully) be born, and just plain exciting to think it's not that long from now!

Can't wait until I can see this precious little face without an ultrasound!

5) A special overnight trip Providence RI, just the two of us. We decided to take the get away as a sort of "babymoon," since such an opportunity won't be so easy in the future. Also, our son is due right around our first anniversary, so we decided to celebrate now! It was very special. In fact, when the staff of the hotel heard why we'd come, they upgraded our room to a 1,200 sq. ft room on the 24th floor, and brought us sparkling wine (which neither of us could have!) and chocolate covered strawberries. We were blown away by their kindness, and thoroughly enjoyed the amazing view of the capitol building!

 What was special about your July?

25 Weeks

Picture courtesy of my sister-in-law Julia: Me @ 25 weeks and friend Beka @ 23 weeks.

 

How big is baby? Around 13-1/2 inches from head to toe, and starting to chunk up at a little more than 1.5 lbs. I'm pretty sure some days I can feel him growing!

 

How I'm feeling: Much, much better than most of last week. I caught the stomach bug that's been going around and boy did it knock me down! I was pretty sore and it took me a while to recover my energy. However, I feel quite well now!

 

Weight Gain: About 16 lbs as of my last appointment. Trying to keep it slow and steady!

 

Symptoms: My feet...ouch. A little scary since I have a ways to go, but my feet get so sore! Apparently it's from my center of gravity shifting, but they feel so bruised and sore. Eric is such a sweetheart and gives the best massages, and I often soak them in cold water. I can also definitely tell on the days I don't drink enough water or get too tired, because Braxton Hicks contractions arrive. However, I'm really feeling great in general and I'm so thankful!

 

Maternity Clothes: More and more so- I find myself often prying off a piece of clothing that just doesn't fit over or under the bump anymore. I'm packing those pieces away, and look forward to "shopping" in my closet when the time comes that I can wear them again. I still enjoy some non-maternity shirts, skirts, and a few dresses. I especially love some maxi skirts my mom got me, and some maternity shorts from my mother-in-law. Many thanks to them both!

 

Sleep: Not bad, for which I am very thankful! No need for nightly bathroom trips yet, and I usually sleep quite well. The one downside is the pinched nerve that bugs me in my ribs when I lay on my left side. Could be so much worse!

 

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Eggs (cooked just about any way), smoothies, and lemonade are my favorites right now.

 

Movement: Yes (smile). I just love reminders of my little man's presence and the reassurance that he's doing well. I enjoy learning his sleep/wake patterns, playing "poke and seek" with him, and watching my belly ripple as he wiggles. Eric gets to feel him pretty often, but somehow he's managed to elude everyone else but my mom!

 

Best moment of the week: Well, I guess I'm on the front end of 25 weeks, but it would have to be giving Eric some surprise maternity pictures for Father's Day. He's going to make such an amazing dad!



 



5 Things I've Been Enjoying

 

1. The flowers and beauty all over our lovely neighborhood

 

2. The lingering of spring. At 24 weeks pregnant, I'll take every mild day I can get!

 

 

3. Dinner on the deck with my handsome husband. We love our little apartment!

 

 

4. 3D ultrasound pictures of our Little Man. Doesn't he have a cute little nose?

 

 

 

5. A gorgeous bouquet the amazing Eric surprised me with when I came home from visiting my family!

 

What are you enjoying today?

8 Months: a learning!

 

Today Eric and I celebrate 8 months of marriage! Just a blip in time, should God see fit to give us decades, yet every day seems like a reason to celebrate since we know it is His grace that prospers our union. We know it's not of us that we can say the last 8 months have been beautiful, glorious, delightful, exciting, wonderful, etc. Sure there have been hard days, and moments when we miscommunicate, sin against each other, or just plain wonder how to do this "marriage thing." But the general pattern has been one of "happily ever after," and we're so thankful for the ways our Savior has taught us and covered over our sinfulness!

 

As I was pondering lessons learned over the last months, I confess I thought, "Why share anything? We're so inexperienced, and there are so many who know so much more!" But in the end,  I realized that we who are in Christ are here to encourage each other, so even if the following thought was one you learned decades ago, perhaps we can inspire you once again!

 

I decided to pick one key learning from amongst many: one I need to live out every single day!

 

• Speak encouraging words to your spouse, no matter what you "feel."

Now I'm not saying you should lie to them, or avoid addressing issues or struggles, but it seems key and so Biblical to encourage them in the Word and also to choose to see good in them to build up.

 

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." ~Ephesians 4:29

 

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God"

 ~ Colossians 3:17

 

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

~1 Thessalonians 5:11

A couple of fabulous results I've noticed when Eric and I seek to encourage each other and speak words that build up and don't tear down?

 

1. We both become more excited and motivated to run our race as Christians better.
2. It encourages humility as we focus on each other's good traits rather than our own.
3. We feel safe with each other as we know we will both seek to use words that give life to the other and don't mock or destroy.
4. We feel closer together and more eager to spend time together.
5. The more we look for ways to encourage each other, the more we see to encourage.

I'm so thankful God has given me these months with Eric, and I hope and pray our marriage becomes more and more every day a reflection of Christ and His church!