Something Completely Not Baby Related

It’s been just a year over living in Austin. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how Zachary and I were in such a state of transition, of turmoil, of pure confusion of what the next steps of our lives looked like. I was swarmed with graduate school and we eventually found jobs to where we were able to survive pay-check to pay-check. We sacrificed potential friendships and haven’t really had a chance to find a true community due to these circumstances, but we are hopeful that this will change in 2013.

We will hopefully be moving to Leander here within the next month or so and hopefully will become tied into a strong church there where we can feel as though we can serve. So much of myself is expressed through loving on others and serving others, and not having that outlet this past year has done great damage on my soul. I have had opportunities to serve in 2012, but let’s be honest; I’ve just allowed myself to be too busy to even find time. Additionally, I haven’t felt called to serve any particular person or situation thus far in the year. Everything and everyone has just felt, distant.

One of my goals next year is to have 1-2 very close-knit friends. I’m not interested in knowing lots of people and being a social butterfly and having shallow friendships at the core. I have one dear friend, Mrs. Ashley Stewart (HA! I said it right) who teaches me every time we talk about what true friendship looks like. We’ve been friends for over 12 years and I cherish her more than she knows. Perhaps this is part of growing up and realizing the differences in what friendships really are and what they can look like. This past year has really shown me who true friend really are, since they have been there for us through this weird transition period of our lives, and are still around today. We are incredibly blessed and thankful for you.

Anyway, I say this to ask for your forgiveness over Zachary and I as we have somehow found a few solid things to hang onto during 2012. We are excited about the many things that 2013 holds and we want to love with you and celebrate with you every step of the way. We are incredibly excited to have our first child and want to share memories and moments with you! Yes! You! 

2013 goals

- Buy a house
- Graduate with a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Non-Profit Fund Development
- Have a beautiful and lovely baby boy or girl
- Serve someone monthly
- Learn more on how to be a Godly wife for our marriage
- Love on people more. 

Now enough with this - let's have a baby already! 19 weeks. Will post on Wednesday after our 2nd centering class.

First DIY Baby Craft

There is something about rain clouds that I find extremely peaceful. Perhaps I remember when my grandmother and I used to sit on her patio and watch the storms roll by while either snapping peas or eating cookies. I also remember many rainy drives through the Ozarks and watching the beauty of the trees in the background. Perhaps also this mobile is my longing for rain that we have missed so much by living here in Austin.

Rain clouds soothe the soul, rejuvenate your spirit, and provide you with a breath of fresh air in our crazy, chaotic lives.

If you've been following my baby board on Pinterest, you'd have noticed that I pinned a variety of rain cloud mobiles to create. There wasn't a specific one that I was naturally drawn to, so instead I made a plethora of them put together into one.

I have a goal to have a majority of baby things made by the time spring semester starts. Between finishing up my last year of grad school with a capstone project and moving into a new house and then being greeted by the 3rd trimester shortly after, now seems the best time to get a lot of things done.

Hence - DIY baby project number one! Teals, yellows, greys, creams, whites. Perfection. Of course it will hang straight once positioned correctly.

 

:: yawns ::

Must. Keep. Eyes. Open.

Dearest friends, you will have to forgive  me for not calling lately, or chatting, or making social appointments and dates. It's not due to school or work, ironically enough, it's just pure exhaustion while growing this baby.

Over 1/2 of the weekend was devoted to sleeping and sadly enough I fell asleep during Everybody loves Raymond last night around 9:15 until this morning.

Apparently growing a baby is hard work and my body is t-i-r-e-d, more tired than the first trimester!

So, looks like you'll have to be the one to take some initiative in our friendships for a bit since 1-I can't remember crap and 2-I'm usually home from work and asleep on the couch. But remember that I love you and am so thankful for your friendship!

Got the fabric for the crib in the nursery ordered and all ready to make a bed skirt and a fitted sheet. Here are some inspiration pictures for our nursery, thanks to pinterest.

(17 weeks)

Happy Holidays to you all :)

Centering Groups: First Meeting

Today Zachary and I attended our first centering group at the birthing center. Centering groups is where you are placed with 5 other couples or so who are all due the same month that you are. The idea behind centering is not only to empower the mother to take more charge of her pregnancy, but to also connect moms and dads with other couples and build community throughout your pregnancy. It was incredibly exciting to meet first time moms and a lot of people our age. I can't wait for next month!

Every time you meet you are responsible for taking your own blood pressure and weight. After that you meet with the midwife to see how you are feeling, measure the uterus, and then listen to the baby's heartbeat. After that you join back with the other couples and the topic for that specific class starts. This class was focused on nutrition and exercise. At the end of every centering group there is either a birthing video or birthing story read to not leave the dad or mom blinded by the labor process. Future classes include emotional support, practicing labor, relationship roles, newborn care, etc.

I absolutely love coming here. I love hearing women talk about their positive birthing stories, how empowered they felt by the birthing center. I'm so thankful to have a place like this for my pregnancy! I firmly believe that labor is a positive experience. If you don't have a positive birthing story to share from your experience, please be respectful of my future experience.

Anyway, above you will find an audio recording of the baby's heartbeat. It's around 150 and pumping strong! Ignore the video, I was just focusing on audio. The baby is a wiggler though, took her a bit of time to get baby to keep from moving around so much to hear the heartbeat.

Zachary and I will begin reading The Birth Partner hopefully this weekend, which I am really looking forward to. 

Nothing sounds as sweet as this does. 15 weeks 1 day! :)