Mommies!

We all go through phases where we realize that we have the best parents in the world...1)when we are really little and grab for our safety-daddy and mommy's finger! 2) After about our first week of college living in a dorm 3) when college is over and we get the real world 4) when we get married and walk down the aisle gripping our safety again 5) when we are pregnant and know what our parents went through.  

This past weekend, my mommy was able to come up--the last weekend that she could come before Baby Noelke is born!  We had so much fun!  It started with Madi eating half a pan of brownies right before we need to leave for dinner at the Weaver's silly her!  We had a great time visiting, and little Elijah is getting so big!  They gave us a bassinet and infant swing--they are so neat.  Then we got home to Madi so wound up from a sugar/caffine high that she couldn't sleep-lovely! Saturday we were off to a jam packed day.  We bought all the cloth diapers--thank you to my work! On Thursday, they threw PJ and I a baby shower that we will never forget.  We played a game with a crying baby and they helped us to determine the correct ways to soothe the baby.  The last cry, they told be to get me and tell me that baby was stinky--so I go over change the baby, and there was a HUGE mess in the diaper--it shocked me to say the least.  Then we played another cute game--of keep or throw--and there were a bunch of diapers that either had something good in them, or something like I had seen in the previous game!  As a gift, they gave us a gift card to Happy Bambino to cover the cost of the diapers-PJ and I are still in shock by their generosity. 

Then got a dresser to finish off the nursery, and a bin for the diapers.  Then we came home and washed all the furniture and clothes and put all the clothes, sheets, blankies, etc away--oh it feels so great!  My mom also brought the 120 yr. old rocker that was used to rock her and her brothers, and me and Em!  My mom has so much energy-she wore me right out!  It is so funny because my mom has a hard time looking at my belly!  Though she has been pregnant before-it is just hard for her to look at her daughter prego with her grandbaby!  It is hard to fathom that soon it will go from PJ and I to three--and I have this baby kicking, moving and growing inside--I wonder what it must feel like for PJ preparing to be a daddy(he will be such an incredible daddy)!

Sunday, he got a huge kick to move his office down stairs, and turn his office into the guest bedroom.  So now we have a place for guests again!  He is really excited about the upstairs being about sleep and baby-no work!

Last night was our Newborn Care class, and PJ was out of town so my friend Holly was able to go with me!  We learned what happens the first few hours after birth--skin to skin, breastfeeding, sleep, and then learned how to clean the umbilical cord, and about shots, and about circumcision for the boys--and care, learned about the first bath and sponge bathing, learned the 5 s's, and were taught the correct way to swaddle, learned what an oz. of pee feels like on a diaper, how often to feed, how often they go potty and to change diapers, ways to minimize risk of SIDS, signs of illness, and car seat safety.  It made me so excited to meet our little one--those first few moments--I am sure there is NO better feeling than that here on earth--witnessing a MIRACLE!   

Cloth Diapering

Well, I just got home from this class, and I knew I was going to do cloth diapering before, but now I am SO excited about it.  I had no idea the "culture" that there is around cloth diapering, and how much people get into it.  The women that I met were amazing, and I am so greatful to live in Madison, with Happy Bambino as a resource.  We learned about how to use(there are so many terms--pre-folds, covers, Bummies, pockets...and different fabrics--cotton, fleece, wool, hemp!), rinse, wash, store, make your own deotorizers with baking soda, use real wash clothes--and the list goes on and on.  Just had to write because I was so excited about my knowledge!  I also learned some fascinating facts about Lotus Births--what you learn from others is remarkable!

Before and After

We had our third class this week, and it was about the medication that is availible during labor and then at the end we got to take a tour of the birthing center.  It is really nice up there.  They told us where to check in, and then showed us a room--they are quite large, and that is where you are during labor, delivery and recovery-and there is a pull out for PJ, so that is nice!  I am still wanting to do an all natural birth--but was glad to be informed of the options so I can make a decision if I desperately need them.  PJ was still out of town-so I got to go with a friend--Brit!  I have the cloth diapering class this afternoon, and am really looking forward to that.  

This week we had our 33 week check up--very routine still, weight, blood pressure, measure the fondus and we are right at 33 weeks--so all is well!  Next appt. will have a bit more "checking" so I will update you at the end of January!

I had a girls night on Friday, and am so blessed by these friendships.  They are so dear to my heart and have been a great source of support.  

Have I mentioned ever that kids sure do say the cutest things?  At Sunday school this morning, some of the kids finally realized that I am pregnant (i'm only 8.5 months in now!!)  One boy asked as he touched my belly " What is wrong with you Miss Amy?  Is there something in there?". ahah. I replied, "well, the

re is nothing wrong with me, but yes, there is a baby in there, do you know what that is called when there is a baby inside a mommy's tummy?"  And his reply--"Yes, baby Jesus!"(recall Christmas just passed!)  Kids sure do say the most innocent things.

Though the nursery is not complete, we have most of the major furniture in there now, so I have included a before (all of our guests who have stayed in there will recall these pictures), and now an after picture.  We have nothing on the walls, so it may appear a bit plain, but my mom is coming down next weekend and will help with all the final details--washing all the tiny clothing, sheets, towels, etc.

Project Nursery!

The furniture arrived on Friday!  Well, the crib was delivered in the morning, and the delivery guys brought the boxes up into the nursery.  This changing table/ dresser, however, was left in a 84 lb box on our door step in the snow, and PJ is out of town.  I was able to shimmy it inside, and then got all the wood pieces out and carried them upstairs, and that was my project today, put 20+ pieces of wood and screws together to make this.  Madi was such a good girl, playing and keeping me company.  It took a while, but I got it all done and here is a picture(yes that is Madi's tail in the corner-ha)!  I took the crib parts out of the box, but will need PJ's help with that one--definately a two person job, but seems way easier!  So when we have that complete, I will put a before and after picture of the nursery.

Happy New Year to everyone!  PJ and I made it to midnight, but not much after--it is hard to stay up that late(I'm so old!)!  Then had a relaxing day on New Year's Day--we took Madi to the dog park, watched the Rose Parade, and the football games, too bad the Rose Bowl was not more exciting.  We had a wedding on Sunday the 4th--did I ever mention how much I love weddings!  They are so powerful, and when we got home, we looked through our weddings pictures--reminiscing about our wedding day-what beloved memories.  

We have had two classes now, and we have learned some valuable information.  We do relaxation exercises and visualization techniques.  She the women hold ice in their hand for 15, 30, and 60 seconds and had us direct our focus onto something else.  This was to help us feel how long contractions are--now I DOUBT contractions will feel like holding ice, but I liked the concept.  We also had  different labor stations of positions, tools, etc for labor.  It was neat.  We watched an all natural labor video that was very empowering.  It made me so excited for the second we get to meet bebe!

PJ is in sunny Florida enjoying some golf before his National Sales Meetings start.  It is pretty quiet around here with just Madi and I but it certainly forces me to relax and live in this moment. Hope all is well with all of you. 

Merry Christmas!

We sure had a White Christmas!  Thank goodness we left on Tuesday night the 23rd, for it snowed another 3 inches Christmas Eve.  I am not sure what the totals are, but

 the snow banks are taller than me!  We had a wonderful time in Racine with the family!  Ellen sure is growing  quickly, and is a beautiful baby!  It was a real treat to have a baby around for Christmas.  They are so peaceful, and it is hard to imagine that Christ came as a humble, helpless babe.  His Father, full well knowing that he loved Him much more, gave him into the arms of humans to take care of Him.  God loves us that much that he gave us that kind of gift--it is truly hard for me to fathom.

While at the Noelke's, it was nice to relax, eat too much, have great conversations, watch ND beat Hawaii, and play games!  Madi got a special gift, which you can see here, right after she opened it!  It didn't take long for her to unform the candy cane and chew through the ends.  

We saw the Benjamin Button movie and Marely and Me over the break.  I don't know if I have ever cried as hard as I did watching Marley and Me.  If you are a dog lover, you HAVE to see the movie!  

Now, PJ and I are setting up the nursery!  Once it is completed I will post some pictures!  We also start our classes on Tuesday.  A 6 week class through the Hospital, and then I will take a cloth diapering 101 class.  Hope you are all refreshed from the break, overfed, and wishing you a very Happy New Year!  

Baby Butts

How could I forget about Friday!  OOps!  Well, from Thurday night to Friday morning we got about 7 inches on snow in Madison.  I was supposed to have a doctor's appt in the am., but they rescheduled it to the afternoon.  I went to the appt., and this was my glucose test.  You drink a really sweet orange glucose drink, and then get your blood drawn 1 hr. from the completion of the drink-fun!  Baby kicked as soon as the needle went it--baby really cares about me and doesn't like it when I get pricked!  

Then I finally got into the doctor about an hour and a half after my appt. time!  Baby's heartbeat is about 140 and she could feel baby now, and the head is toward my pelvis, and I told her that baby gets into these positions where a protrusion comes out of my belly and she says that is where the baby's butt is and envisons that it is stretching out!  Oh how cute--baby's butts are so adorable! eheh.  So we are 30 weeks today, and the books say that baby is 17 inches and about 3 lbs!

Advent

This was a pretty big weekend in baby's world--we bought the crib mattress, a wool mattress pad and a cotton mattress pad, and crib sheets.  We bought all organic products for the crib from Satara--and are really excited about them!  I also sewed the bed skirt this weekend--I love weekend projects.  

We are 30 weeks tomorrow, which means 10 to go--I honestly can't believe it is almost here.  PJ asked me last night what color eyes and hair I think baby will have--my obvious guess??  Blue and Blonde!  We shall see though.  

This time of year makes me so giddy.  At Sunday school the first day of Advent, we made a chain link to count down the days of Advent.  I loved it so much that I took one home to make too.  I have been reading them to baby and Madi each morning, and each day has either a new bible  verse, a Christmas song, or an activity to do.  It has really gotten me into the Christmas spirit in such a new refreshing way.  Last year I got an Advent Calendar for Madi and behind each door was a bone, but this was no where to be found at Target this year:(  We get to spend  Christmas in Racine this year, and it will be so fun with baby Ellen there making the Christmas magic alive.  Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones!  And stay warm, it is -30 today here in Madison, happy 1st day of winter!heheh