Preparing our Nursery(s)...

When I was pregnant with Noah, I wanted so badly to have the "perfect" nursery. I was blessed enough to have that opportunity, and I worked really hard to create the ultimate peaceful place for the two of us. With our little girl, I don't have that luxury. And really...that's okay. I'm too practical to be devastated. However, since we don't want to rush Noah into a toddler bed, we did need a second crib. We have always intended that the original baby furniture would stay with whatever baby is in the family, so we purchased a crib (for a steal!) that would convert all the way out to a full size bed for Noah to grow up with.

EVERYTHING I read indicated that I needed to make sure Noah would have plenty of time to adjust to his new bed before the new baby needed his crib. It is supposed to be hard, especially for the oldest child, to let go of familiar spaces. Well...I don't think Noah could have cared less. He watched us put together the new crib (left), take out the old one, and then he went to sleep just like every other night. PRAISE the LORD!!!! I really didn't need the potential drama. In addition, we also moved his dresser out, leaving a much bigger play area in his room. In the meantime, our reading corner is still firmly established so that the daily readings of Dr. Seuss' ABC book and Goodnight Moon will not be disturbed. It is amazing how truly effective having a bed/naptime routine is.

With Noah taken care of we were then able to set up the new nursery. We have moved our guest room to the basement (unlike the Roanoke basement this one is finished), and that opened up the room next to ours. I LOVE the pattern that I found for our daughter! I'm really not all that into pink. It's obviously unavoidable when having a girl, but my color of choice is now, and always has been any shade of purple. On redheads it just looks better.

In addition to setting up the crib, we've moved the dresser into the new nursery because it just makes more sense for us to have it in there. I've also set up a little nursing/rocking corner for myself. As I have time I'll set up the book shelf with nursing supplies, a small lamp, my Bible and journal, and a few special toys for Noah that we reserve just for nursing time. We may not be here long, and I may be totally exhausted most of the time, but just having the space organized gives me a real sense of peace as we move into these final weeks. I seriously can not wait to meet her!

Moments like this...

This is really a beautiful morning! Nick let me sleep in this morning and woke me up with a lovely breakfast. He is really becoming quite the cook! Now my two men are off to the gym, and I have set up my menu planning station, because I've put it off too long. The house is quiet, the sun is shining (though not warm...snow tomorrow), and as soon as iTunes finishes upgrading I will have the wonderful sounds of Sting and Jack Johnson as background music. I love moments like this; Moments to reclaim my own sense of peace and purpose in our home.

Pregnancy Thoughts...

The "experts" really are not kidding when they say that every pregnancy is different. Most notable besides generally having less morning sickness has been the lack of the "first time parent" hype. In the first half of the pregnancy I had a hard time connecting to the baby; Keeping up with Noah and settling into a new community were enough to keep me preoccupied. As soon as I really started showing and our little girl started kicking (about 24 weeks) I finally began to really enjoy the pregnancy. Her kicks became delightful little reminders that we are having another child. Now, as we are headed into the homestretch I am throwing myself into preparations and trying not to get overwhelmed by the physical limitations/discomforts that are showing up so much earlier.

I met a woman at the OB's office who I learned was the parent of two kids under 3 and about to have her third. Her husband travels 4 days out of the week and she can't afford help. She shared that one day she cried so much her kids got scared. I felt so helpless to encourage her. I did leave there abundantly aware of the gift I have in my husband's servant attitude as well as his current presence at home. Nick may not be providing an income at the moment, but he provides so much love and support for Noah and I every day!! When he goes back to work I know it will be an adjustment for all three of us.

In the meantime, we are currently looking forward to a much needed break from our temporary home in Wisconsin. My parents have invited us to join them in Hilton Head and it just so happens we have two tickets that need to be used. It will be challenging to avoid the shops, but the beach is even more tempting after being landlocked for so long. Though I made a trip with Noah last summer, Nick hasn't seen the ocean in 2 years!

Regarding our "temporary home in Wisconsin"....we learned this week that Nick was not accepted into the program at the University of Wisconsin. There are not currently any jobs in Nick's field in the area, so unless the Lord shows us a new opportunity we will be moving again at some point. There are some options, one in particualar that we really like. The waiting is the hardest part right now, so please keep praying!

A Really Good Day and A Really Big Decision

It seems like there are not a lot of really good days in our house recently. Don't get me wrong, life isn't horrible. In fact, the extra family time we are getting is invaluable. Over dinner tonight Nick and I were celebrating how much stronger this season of life is making our family and our marriage. However, the constant waiting brought on by job searching, seems to bring with it the feeling that life is on hold. It is all too easy for the days to just pass by without any significance.

Today, however, WAS a fantastic day. I had my 29 week OB appointment today, during which I had to receive a RHOGam shot and undergo the Glucose Tolerance test (which involves drawing blood). These are not things to make a person happy, and I can not think of any reason I went into that appointment, and through those procedures as joyfully as I did, except for the grace of God. However, I had good reason to be practically dancing as I left the building.

I made the switch from the OB Group to the Certified Nurse Midwife Group at my clinic. This was a huge decision for me. For the last two weeks I have been trying to get my head around the reality that going through one birth does not guarentee me an easier second birth. And, that given that reality, I have to know what is important to me going into this birth. I passionately wanted an unmedicated birth with Noah, and I gave his induction 12 hours before giving into the epidural. Making that choice saved the experience for both of us. However, the truth of the matter is that though I'm not afraid of asking for drugs, I still value having an unmedicated birth experience. Both of my doctor's in Virginia and Madison have expressed an understanding of that, been respectful, and are very good at their jobs. However, in the end, my birth plan was tossed aside and essentially dismissed with Noah. Generally doctors seem to treat me like my opinions regarding my care aren't really that important. I'm pretty tired of fighting that battle. Given the way this system works and the way I am wired, it is essentially the best of both worlds. I'll give birth in a hospital designed as a birthing center with doctors and medical supplies available as needed, but be under the care of a midwife who can devote her time and attention to helping me have the birth experience I so long for. For the first time since I found out I was pregnant, I'm not wishing I could go back to Roanoke to give birth.

Please be praying for me as I continue striving for this goal. My greatest weakness is lacking confidence to endure the pain. Also pray for the timing of Nick's job search and any potential moves that we would be able to be together for the birth of our daughter. We are simply bursting at the seams to meet our little Abigail!