1 Month: Love

So sweet girl, you've been here with us for a whole month now! Although you are no longer in my womb, but are in my arms instead, I still feel like writing to you. So, guess what? I will.

Your first month has been a busy one for us. So much has happened. . .I'm not quite sure how or if I should put it all in words. But here is what I am sure of: there is one thing that prevails each and every day, and that is love. So much love, and Mommy is grateful. God has poured His love out on our family in ways that Mommy didn't see coming. I see it in your Daddy and your siblings, in your grandparents, aunts & uncles, our cousins, in friends, even in people I don't really know. . .Love. So, you are blessed to be in the middle of it all.

. . .God is love. -1 John 4:8

A quilt made just for you by a lady we hardly know...
An act of love.

39 Weeks and You Came!

Baby K,
You're finally here!!!!!!
My sweet girl, you were born on 5/19/14 at 9:49 pm, right at 39 weeks exactly. After a long 10-11 hours of labor, and literally 3 pushes, you plopped out into the world, making beautiful noise! Daddy gave you kisses, Mommy snuggled you close, and you nursed right away!  Your brothers and sisters were EXTREMELY excited to see you. You are loved, sweet girl; welcome home!

Hello World!

At 6lbs 9.8oz, you're my smallest baby.




True Love



Mommy and Baby K



Sweet Little Princess

We are happy, sleepy, blessed and thankful.
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name."
-Luke 1:49

38 weeks

So, my sweet girl, we are still hanging in there. I went to the doctor today and we are holding steady at 2cm. But, I got to hear your heart beating and that always brings a smile to my face.

Mommy is trying to stay busy while I wait for you. I'm cleaning and straightening, throwing things away and planning. I'm getting in some "last minute" shopping, trying to think of anything else I may have forgotten. I'm going to your oldest brother's baseball practices and games. His season just started last week and so I know I'll miss much of it when you come. I'm trying to tend to this season.

People are starting to wonder when you'll come. Daddy's cousin and his wife just had a baby boy; our eye doctor went into labor so our upcoming appointment was rescheduled. A friend of mine from high-school is scheduled to deliver her baby girl tomorrow. There are babies all around!

Guess what!? Your Abuela is here now!! She'll be here with us for the next 4 weeks! Everyone is glad because she really helps us a lot. Good moms do great things and I am blessed that she is here with us. Daddy scheduled his paternity leave to coordinate with Abuela's visit. And, how generous your Grand Pa is for sharing Abuela with us for so long. They love you already, sweet girl, and they love me, too.

We are blessed.

Mommy's sleepy; it's time for bed.

37 Weeks




photo credit

Hey, sweet girl,

Mama is starting to feel slightly "antsy," wondering when you will come. I've got all these thoughts running through my mind, and I go back and forth between feeling prepared and unprepared. Then I came across the quote above and it gave me a bit of perspective. . .

Take a breath, and enjoy "right now." I've got to enjoy and embrace: the beautiful feeling of a baby moving inside, getting some sleep at night, your siblings, your Daddy, one or two more trips to the library, grocery shopping, crossing off a few more "to-do's", crocheting. . . just life right now.

Lord willing, the next season will come: your time to be a part of the family on the outside will come, as soon as God allows. In the meantime, I am trying to be patient on purpose. You'd think I'd know this by now, but the truth is, I'm bad about patiently waiting at the end of the pregnancy. But, it's never too late to turn over a new leaf!

I love you and I'll see you soon. Smooches!

36 Weeks

"Unsure of what the balance held,

I touched my belly, overwhelmed

by what I had been chosen to perform.

But, then an angel came one day,

told me to kneel down and pray. . . ."

-Lauryn Hill



Dear baby K,
The lyrics in the song above reflect how I feel some days. . . .there are times when I can't believe that God has chosen me to be a mommy to all of you, times when I wonder how it will all fall into place. . . and then I remember Peter's words and I begin to pray:

 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you in due time, 

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

-1 Peter 5:6-7

 

 

So, it's not about me and what I think I can do and what I think I can handle. . .it's about mommy trusting God, humbling myself before Him, and telling Him all about my concerns. Our God cares for us, sweet girl, and He wants us to tell Him all about it. And so I do.

And when I do, I feel so much better because He reassures, He reaffirms, He comforts, He sustains, He provides, He cares. . .

My excitement to see you grows with each day but I'm trying to remain calm and take it one day at a time. The doctor told me that I am 1-2cm dilated; before we count that as "progress" it's actually the "norm" for me since it's my 7th pregnancy. So we just wait patiently on the Lord and I know you'll come at an appointed time.

I love you sweet girl. Time is ticking. . .

35 Weeks

Hey sweetie-peetie!

This past weekend was the celebration of our Savior's death, burial, and resurrection. Oh, how I pray that you will come to know Him for yourself, that you will learn to depend on Him, that you would never be swayed by the things of this world, but that you put your faith wholeheartedly in Him and Him alone. Dear girl, what a blessing it is to know a Savior, to know that He loves you, to know that you are on His mind, to know that He gave His life for you, and that no matter what, you can ask Him for forgiveness and He'll give it to you. . . what a sweet blessing, the ultimate blessing. Jesus loves you, sweetie, and it is Mommy's prayer that you love Him back.

The past few days have me reflecting--35 weeks! Eeek! It seems this pregnancy has been full, from day one, there's always been something going on in our home life: the surprise news that you were coming, the government shut-down (where Daddy works), home improvements, morning sickness, homeschooling, Thanksgiving and Christmas, bunches of doctor's appointments, the passing of family members, your siblings in swimming, soccer, football and baseball, lots of birthdays, an unexpected family trip . . . on and on.

Yours has been an "active" pregnancy, sweet girl and God has shown me His hand through it all. He has shown me that each part is just a part of His plan, His will--even when Mommy doesn't understand. I rest in the Truth of what He's always known from the beginning of time. . .He knew this season of life would be a part of our story and that He'd never let go of my hand. Keeping my hand in His is where true peace and joy are found. So even though the pregnancy has been full, it has been rich from having the Presence of God with us every step of the way.

Some days, I feel like I just found out that you were on your way. Other days, I think that I can't possibly wait any longer to see you. Back and forth in my mind it goes. I love you, precious baby, and because God gave you to us, I am blessed.

34 Weeks

Baby, baby, baby,

We are 34 weeks along now and physically, it's getting a bit harder. But in my heart, I am cherishing each day that you're in my womb because believe it or not, once you're born, there's a part of me that will miss you moving inside. Your movements are bigger and more defined. We can feel bones and see sharp points protruding. Sometimes, depending on how you're lying, my tummy looks lopsided. LOL The doctor said that you are head-down now, which explains all the pressure I've been feeling. This is exciting because it lets me know that you are preparing yourself to meet me on the outside!!!

Nesting is in full swing. . .at least in my head! LOL I have a mental to-do list that I will write down in the coming days, because Mommy is ready to gets things "just-so" for you!! Your sister (TM) and I did a little shopping over the weekend and that was fun. She picked 2 of the cutest bows for your hair!

I have pulled all of the white onesies and yellow outfits from your older brother's stash that he no longer wears and have put them aside for you. I also did a bit of thrifting online and got a couple of things for you to wear. I think you're good for about the first 4 months or so. Your Auntie gave me a baby swing, and since it's been stored in the garage, I'll need to wash and wipe that down (thanks, sis--I'm sure it'll come in handy!!).

Even Daddy is "nesting" too (LOL), but in his own way. There are things that he's taking care of and doing because when you come, he'll devote much of his time to getting to know you at night and helping Mommy get some rest (thanks in advance, Husband). He's a super Daddy. Your siblings continue to echo the same words, "Mommy, I can't wait for K-- to come!!" TM even has a guess on what day you'll be born. . .we'll see if she's right.

Well, sweet girl, I love you, love you, love you. I pray for you and I'll be glad to see you soon.
Love,
Mommy