blogger neglects blog for weeks {and other headlines}

PREGNANT MOMMA PASSES GLUCOSE SCREEN
(and there was much rejoicing in the land)

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NEWEST NASCAR FAN BUILDS RACE TRACK

 (construction paper, cardboard, and yards of scotch tape)

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SPRING ARRIVES

(and laundry suddenly increases...)

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KITTEN MANIA STRIKES AGAIN

(he then went home and built a dozen kittens out of LEGOS...)

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In other news, Kiddo moved to his "big brother" bedroom this weekend and, while the move went well, we are all a little sleep-deprived as a result.  While he really likes his room, he's not yet comfortable enough there to sleep very well.

I am having a hard time with the move, which is unexpected (my emotions, not the move).  Our master bedroom and the nursery are downstairs, while Kiddo's new room is upstairs.  I don't like it that he is so far away and up there all by himself.  I almost cried when I walked by his dark and empty old room last night on my way to bed.  I miss peeking in on him whenever I walk by, watching him sleep and stealing kisses in the middle of the night ("but at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed...")

Lots of moms cry when their babies go off to kindergarten.  I didn't - he was excited to go, and I knew he was more than ready (and on some days, so was I).  For me, this is a far more momentous milestone than the first day of school.  He's growing up and becoming more independent every day.  As someone reminded me this morning, he's halfway to his driver's license already.  But tonight, he still wanted to curl up in my (shrinking) lap and settle in for a snuggle.  I'm going to soak up those snuggles for as long as they last ("...and she sang:  I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be.")

bump {22 weeks}

10 (+1) on 10

Jess talked me into it.  Ten pictures on the 10th of the month.  Except I couldn't help but add one more.

8:37 a.m.  Making a list.

9:16 a.m.  On the move.

9:47 a.m.  Plinking Christmas carols.

11:10 a.m.  Christmas musical rehearsal at church.

12:19 p.m.  Oops.

2:00 p.m.  Schmaltzy movie.  Advent calendar.  Rubber ducky nativity.  Fisher-Price nativity.

2:39 p.m.  Mommy-and-me craft that ended up being a just-Mommy craft.

3:00 p.m.  Making videos, trying to be quiet while a sick Daddy snoozes.

5:49 p.m.  Convinced feeling-slightly-better Daddy to play the game he invented earlier in the afternoon.

8:36 p.m.  Bedtime story.

And the extra pic that I couldn't stop looking at all day - our little GIRL's foot and profile.

thankful

Making Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

With a bump in the way.

(and raptor-claw hands)

We have sooo, so much to be thankful for this year.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

un(expected)

Almost exactly two years ago, our pastor at church was preaching about the story of Hannah.  As part of the service, Hubby and I shared about our own journey through infertility and our experience as we "waited on the Lord."  We shared about the tough stuff, the anger and disappointment and tears.  We shared about the lessons we were learning and the unexpected blessings that had come out of our experience.  And we shared about the peace that was slowly growing in our hearts as we continued to wait.

It is a fascinating thing, the effect this journey has had on me.  From depression, anger and grief to resignation, peace, and eventually contentment and even joy.  I was telling someone recently (finally) that I have slowly come to appreciate the time I have spent wrestling with infertility.  It has been incredibly difficult, this waiting and hoping and longing, the roller coaster of emotions and the disappointment of each seemingly closed door.  But I feel richer and deeper for having gone through the past six and a half years.  Life is hard.  Tough things happen to good people.  God won't always do what you ask him to, but that doesn't mean that he isn't good, that he isn't present, that he loves you any less.

                               He won't say the words you wish that he would
                               Oh, he don't do the deeds you know that He could
                               He won't think the thoughts you think He should
                               But He is good, He is good

                                                                       Kendall Payne - "Aslan"

It has taken me a long time to understand and truly believe that.  And even longer to accept it and find joy in circumstances I wouldn't have chosen for myself.  To be content, trusting that God is at work even though he seems silent.

Two years ago, as we stood up in front of our church family, we were just figuring these things out.  We didn't know what God was doing, and occasionally often wondered if he was doing anything at all.  We didn't know how or when our story would end.  And we still don't.  But, after six long years of waiting and wondering, we now know a little more about what to expect in the (totally UNexpected) next chapter...

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Meet our little peanut.  Due to arrive 5/22/12.  We are incredibly, unbelievably, undeservedly blessed.  Morning any-time-of-day sickness has never felt so good.