Pregnancy Humor

Last Day

Yesterday was my last official day as an Amnion CPC employee. Very strange. Not the day, just the concept. It obviously isn't fully hitting me-- but it is definitely a mysterious feeling to realize I'm not going back on Monday.

I began the day at a Health Expo... where I really ended up looking more like part of our display table than an employee. :) Here is a picture of why... I think it's hysterical how much larger I appear than Toni. I really don't FEEL that huge... though that seems to be the most frequent remark I get from people... "Wow, you're HUGE!!" ... Thanks....

People would walk by, look at me, look at the table, look at our display board, see the words "Crisis Pregnancy Center", look at me, and say something like, "Oh, how appropriate!"

My favorite comment of the morning was, "Wow, are you due tomorrow or are there 2 in there??" It's funny (kind of)... b/c when i look down, from my point of view, I only see the top of my stomach. We don't have any mirrors at home besides the bathroom medicine cabinet, so I don't really see how big I am until I walk by a window at work or happen upon a full length mirror in a store or something. My grandmother's convinced that there are 2 babies, and finds it necessary to tell me so every time she thinks it. Needless to say, I'm quickly becoming aware of all the things I don't ever want to say to someone who is pregnant... But I guess it is all to be expected.

Anyway, I ended the day interviewing some young ladies who are interested in speaking with the Rel. Ed. Team. One of them had heard me speak at her youth group, back when I first started at Amnion, and then heard us speak again a couple of years later at her school. She's now in college, and interested in sharing the impact that this choice has made in her own life. I found it so profound that again, God would give me a glimpse of the torch being passed-- that the generation I've had the privilege of sharing with would now be inspired to share with the next generation! It was truly quite a blessed way to end my day...and my career.

One of the best and most bittersweet moments of the day was when Toni surprised me with a card she'd made for me, detailing our times together "on the job", and how much meaningful fun we've had growing and working side by side. It has been such a gift to work with such a close friend and such an inspirational woman of God every day for the past few years... It amazes me the gifts I've been given just by being a part of what God is doing in this field.
I look forward to a month (hopefully) of rest and preparation-- but I will surely miss this familiar and powerful place in my life.

My Little Daddy

In a world that lacks fathers in general, and loving, committed, responsible fathers in particular, I am reminded today of how rare and special it is to a.) have a dad and b.) have a dad who loves me, who's always provided for me, and who is even my friend.
When I was little, my dad would go out of his way to make memories with us. He took us fishing at a little stream in malvern that became "our fishing spot". My favorite part was digging for worms and putting them in a bucket to take with us. He always did the dirty work of baiting the hook, and handling the fish! He took us on "mystery trips", where he was the only one who'd know where we were going--and whether it was a big surprise (like getting a pet), or a little one (like ice cream), the part that made it most memorable and exciting was the fact that it was a mystery! And every summer of my 29 years has been spent looking forward to August, when we spend 2 weeks at Indian Lake, where he spent his summers growing up too. The memories we share there are endless and sweet. He taught us how to water ski, took us on hiking expeditions, and taught us the value of tradition. I can't wait to pass this gift on to my own children! He has given me a love for nature, teaching me how to climb a tree, identify plants and birds, and take time to stop and smell the roses of life. And most of all, he modeled what it meant to trust in God through good and bad times. He prayed with us every night before bed, and often when we were sick. He made going to church a priority, and has always given God the credit for the blessings in our lives.
When VCR's first came on the scene in the 80's, we taped a Hallmark movie on TV called "Alex; the life of a child", about a little girl with Cystic Fibrosis. She called her father "My Daddy, My Little Daddy" at one point in the movie, and that has been his nickname ever since!
So many have not had the gift of an earthly father, or one that has molded their lives in a positive way-- what blessing can I offer my dad for choosing to be what so many are not? How do you thank someone for doing their job so well, when he probably considers it just as great a blessing to have been given such a role in life?
A simple "Thanks, Dad" and "Happy Birthday" will have to do for now-- I love you, my L.D. And I can't wait to relive my childhood as I watch you with my own children!

Here's to Lasts!

Tonight was our last childbirth class!
Tomorrow is my last day of work!
This will be my last month as a childless married woman!
So many lasts!
Last chance to be spontaneous, sleep in, enjoy independence, focus on me, be a couple.... at least for a while...
And then, at last, I will have a baby.
At last I will be a mom.
At last...my life will take on new meaning, and i will become more than ever who i am meant to be in this world...
My lifetime assignment will begin... and will last, God willing, until i die.

A small piece of fruit...

I was given a sweet gift yesterday.
My last week of work is going quickly, and as often happens when I'm just putzing around the office, a "divine appointment" walked "randomly" through the door. We'll call her Rachel. She'd seen our program at her school about a year and a half ago. At that time she was a virgin and thought that everything we said made sense. Sex is powerful.... You're worth more than your culture wants you to know... Set your standards high... Love and sex aren't the same thing...
When we spoke of the after school group where people can come to talk about the issues of sex and relationships, she thought she didn't need to go to something like that-- she "didn't need to talk about anything."
Sitting across from her I could tell she was embarrassed to be sitting here now, but there was a realness about her that was refreshing and sweet. "I wish I'd listened. I wish I'd come. I didn't realize how much it would affect me. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. It's just what everyone does. Maybe if I'd had people to talk to, to strengthen my beliefs, I could have avoided all of this..."
As we talked her eyes kept welling up with tears. "I feel stupid-- I never cry like this-- but I have no one to talk to about this stuff. I really can't do this lifestyle anymore. I really want to deal with this baggage. I need help." I tried to reassure her that this was the best thing in the world she could be doing right now. Especially as a woman-- tears are important! I told her how mature it was of her to be sitting here, that most people don't have the courage to ask for help and really mean it. She wasn't just wallowing in self pity or playing the victim. She wanted real change. Her beauty radiated through her pain, and my heart was filled with hope for her.
I told her that God loves us too much to let us stay where we are sometimes. "I wish I could believe that," she replied with a trembling voice. We talked about how so many girls end up stripped of their identity and sense of worth through becoming sexually active. To believe that you are loved or lovable (esp. by God) is beyond comprehension after you've been used again and again. Esp. if you feel that you're the one who's allowed yourself to be used. "I want to be the woman I'm meant to be," she continued, "but I know I can't become that if I don't work through this junk."
Wise beyond her years! I couldn't explain to her how beautiful she was -- how stark of a contrast she is to the hardened, bitter women who often walk in the door of that office, wanting to be free from pain, but not willing to be vulnerable and open to change.
We talked for a long time, and she seemed eager to come back for the group, as well as for counseling. I pray that she does.
In the midst of relating to her I experienced a range of emotions myself. Overwhelming awe at the blessing it is to not only see someone so vulnerable and honest, but someone who our program impacted (and obviously went deep enough for her to remember it all and know where to come for help)! Here I am, about to leave this work I've loved so dearly and devoted my whole life to-- and God allows me to see a small glimpse of the results of the investment. If Rachel were the only person to ever be affected by our words, I can whole-heartedly, without a shadow of doubt say that it was all worth it. Every challenging, long, and frustrating day spent losing my voice or feeling like no one was listening (which was the exception , not the norm), was worth it just for this moment. For all the kids who walk away saying, "That's nice. But it doesn't affect me..." Rachel is a stark reminder of the Truth. It can and will set you free-- and sometimes it takes a year and a half (or a decade and a half) for it to really sink in.
So take heart, those of you who labor for the Kindom of God's Love-- you do not labor in vain. You will reap a harvest if you do not give up. Even if it's a harvest you never see!

A roof over our heads...

For those who have been following our leaking roof/bedroom ceiling/chandelier saga-- I'm happy to report that our home is now high and dry with a sparkly new covering of solid slate colored shingle! Happy Easter (and Happy Tax Return) to us! The damage was rather extensive, and we're lucky, with all the rainstorms we've had this year, that our entire house is not a swimming pool, according to how much rotten wood was underneath the old roof. We are thankful, and yet dumbfounded at how something so "out of sight/out of mind" can be so incredibly draining to the bank account! You definitely take things like a good solid roof for granted in this country. A roof over our heads is something we should be daily thanking God for-- and yet we don't stop to think about its blessing until something goes drastically wrong. Even then we are so quick to do the opposite-- finding ourselves in a mode of complaining...as if it's our right to have a roof over our heads that is well-constructed and never gives us any trouble.
We take a lot of things for granted -- health, freedom, peace, transportation, a full wardrobe, running water... the list could go on for pages and pages... but the analogy of the roof over our heads really reminds me of the many ways God has "covered" us in this life-- We see a "leak" here and there and instead of thanking Him for the wonder of His loving protection, we complain about the annoyance of the trial. Sometimes He allows the branches of life to penetrate our comfortable little worlds, and the true contents of our hearts get revealed. It makes me want to evaluate my thankfulness meter-- and rearrange my perspective on how many blessings we have that we really don't deserve...
I read a story once about a woman whose husband was having a difficult time making ends meet financially. One day the electric company turned off their power. She knew he was already feeling badly about himself and the whole situation, so instead of greeting him that evening with disappointment, blame, and anxiety, she had a romantic candlelight dinner on the table. Can you imagine this man's reaction when, later that evening, he finally went to switch on a light and discovered the reality at hand? Though he probably felt the weight of it all, I would imagine the truth of his wife's love, faith, and humility transcended the truth of the situation. In the midst of such a stressful and potentially fearful time of their lives, she gave him some gifts he would remember forever. Respect, dignity, hope, and trust. What an inspiring portrayal of the kind of woman any of us would love to be!
So I end this Easter Sunday counting my many blessings... and refreshing my outlook on just how good we have it! And despite being a down a few $$, I possess the treasures of Heaven, the comforts of home, a healthy baby growing inside of me, and a sweet and strong husband to fall asleep next to... which really makes me the richest woman in the world...

Created to Create

Listening to a sermon on "Marriage", I heard a concept this morning that struck me...
Before time, God existed in unity with Himself-- in perfect, happy fellowship with one another, the Trinity lacked nothing. There was no need for God to create anything in order to complete anything. He was completely whole and satisfied.
If so, then why would He create a whole universe (or many), a human race capable of much imperfection and unhappiness, and people who would turn away from His goodness and glory and ultimately trash His name?
Very simply, out of His heart of Love, He had a desire to create. Not just to make beautiful mountain ranges, galaxies and intricate flowers, but to image forth Himself by creating men and women. It doesn't just say that He created man in His image-- Genesis makes a point of saying, "Male and Female, He created them." There is a sense in which He created adam and eve (marriage) to uniquely reflect not only the intimate fellowship He enjoys with the Trinity, but to image forth the glory of relationship He longs to have with US....
He has a longing to create. And as we image Him, whether single or married, we have a desire to create too. Not just a desire to create children who will image us, but a unique set of giftings that mark us as individual "co-creators" with God.
I have a desire to create writing; my husband is not fulfilled unless he is creating music. I have friends who are passionate about creating various kinds of art, photography, websites, and beautiful houses. I know women who have a distinct desire to create classrooms in their homes, memories for their kids, special romantic evenings for their husbands, and nutritious/delicious meals for their friends and families. I know men who love to create home projects, work with their hands, restore broken things to working order, solve problems, and have a genuine need to feel productive with their lives. And it always amazes me to watch children discover their own desires to create-- through mud pies, finger paint, make-believe, and empty cardboard boxes...
The talents and passions are unique and seemingly endless-- and all reflect God's creativity in a glorious kind of way.
One of the things I feel challenged by as a married woman (and soon-to-be mom), is this privilege and responsibility I have to display God to the world through my marriage. In essence, to create a picture of Christ and the church (His bride) that accurately portrays His Love. I know that this is impossible in my own strength-- and yet "to whom much is given , much is required." But I've also heard and experienced that the reverse is also true-- To whom much is required, much is given. I have been given all I need, through Christ, to, along with dave, create a marriage relationship that shows the world around us what it means to be loved by God. To lay down our lives for one another, to sacrifice behind the scenes, to pour time and energy first and foremost into our relationship, and work hard to maintain passion, romance, and joy, that others might see God's Love on display. A love that is so different from the world around us. A world that values self promotion, independence, and acheivement above humility, selflessness, and faithfulness. A marriage that points not to our own beauty and strength, but to God's. That others might see and know that it is not about our creativity, but His. It is not our own love that keeps us going, but His Love. His patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.... at work in our life. I want my marriage to be my primary creative outlet- that our children might know from a young age that healthy and happy marriages are possible to create and keep. That they might learn about God's character and heart through the way Daddy loves Mommy, and Mommy respects Daddy.
I realize that this goal is more difficult to acheive than just writing about it... but what more worthy goal is there in my life to run after? What more precious commodity have I been given than a foundation of trust and intimacy that reflects the very heart of God our Creator? I love that I get to spend this life creating, in the image of God. And I want to take advantage of this lifelong calling and opportunity to do what I was ultimately created to do-- Love and be loved by my Creator.

7 7 7

I am 7 1/2 months pregnant, with about 7 weeks til my due date, which happens to be May 7th! The one thing that still hangs over us in terms of preparation for the birth of Bruno, is that we really don't want his name to end up being Bruno! The naming game has proved to be more of a challenge than one might think. Last evening we were attempting to narrow it down to a list of names we both actually somewhat like... so we'll at least have something to work with, and potentially bring to the hospital, so we can try to match the right name with the face we have yet to see. I was praying about it one morning this week, and the scripture came to mind, "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:16). I thought about how God already knows our son, and has been knitting his tiny body and soul together since conception. From the beginning of time He has known his name, and we pray that it is already written on His hands. That was a comforting thought-- that I could cease my anxiety and trust that God can reveal it to us however He wants, in His perfect timing.
So part way through our discussion of names last night, dave fell asleep. "Great, it's settled, then," I said outloud in between his snores, "His name will be _____" (insert the name I like, but he doesn't). :)
Eventually I fell asleep too, and dreamed that I was driving up a steep hill that had a torrent of water rushing across it. I was determined to make it to the top of this hill, and drove straight into the torrent. The car kept swerving to one side of the road and then the other, depending on which way the current was heaviest. All I remember was gripping the wheel and praying fervently that God would help us get through it. It was very scary and very treacherous. When we finally did get through it, I got out and lay face down, hugging the dry ground and thanking Him profusely. The dream from that point on is fuzzy to me now, but it involved some kind of war, and other turmoil. There was an anonymous hero in the dream who helped to rescue us out of the entire thing. Toward the end I asked him his name. It was a name we hadn't ever considered, but in the dream I told him that I would name our child after him. There was even a middle name to go with it.
I woke up and didn't think too deeply about it, other than how interesting it was to have a name suddenly "appear" like that, out of nowhere. I heard once that when you dream about being in a vehicle, the vehicle often represents your life/calling/occupation, etc... (often in my life this has made sense, like the time I dreamed that I had to get somewhere to speak at a conference and the plane kept going to the wrong place, getting delayed, etc...revealing my fears about job performance...)
As I think about my dream from last night, I am struck by how similar this season of faith has been to that torrent of water. I have been struggling the past few years with being tossed side to side with questions, doubts, fears, and other various struggles. It hasn't been my own doing that has gotten me through-- rather the faithfulness of God to meet me in the midst of it, and promise me that there will be an end, where I look back and realize that it has been His keeping me and carrying me all along. Dry ground is on its way.
So I get up and out the door this morning, and the first song we sang in church was "Arise, my soul, Arise"... which of course contains a line that says "my name is written on His hands" !!! (very cool)...
The second song, "Jesus, Thank You", had the line, "once your enemy, now seated at your table...." As we sang it, I had this picture of a beautiful banquet table, and me sitting at it refsuing to eat, pouting, and totally being ungrateful. How could someone so loved and provided for be so self-focussed and consumed with anything other than joy? Especially someone who's been adopted into the most loving and beautiful family of all-- the very family of God, who has not only pardoned me from every sinful thought and deed, but lavishes me with unconditional, gentle, perfect fatherly love! It was very convicting....
Then the sermon [click HERE to listen] was on God's incredible love for us as His children! (I have been longing to hear this kind of message for a LONG time...)
Then we closed with the song we sang at first-- and I found myself unable to sing, only sway. Swaying during worship is something that I find is often an unconscious act. I've always wondered what it is exactly that makes people sway when they focus on God. I find that even when I can't focus, enter in, or even find the desire to worship through singing, I still sway. Well, the last verse of "Arise.." says:
"My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh
With confidence I
now draw nigh
And Father, Abba Father, cry!"
Suddenly this picture popped into my mind of God the Father holding me, like a Daddy... and He was swaying. It was as if He was whispering in my ear (as I put my head on His big, loving shoulder), "You sway because I am swaying you...in my arms... no matter how you feel, no matter how you see me or don't see me, whether you 'enter in' or not, you sway because I am holding you close; just like you will hold your baby close, whether he is crying, sleeping, or cooing happily-- he will sway because you will be swaying him."
It was closer than I've felt, to God, in a long time. It was pure intimacy. It was like dry ground.

Spring Cleaning

We are starting to get things in order, finally, for the arrival of our son. We have about 7 1/2 weeks, give or take-- till he arrives! We spent last night and this morning clearing out the nursery (which has been a library, recording studio, and storage facility since July). Apparently it's going to remain a recording studio for a few more weeks, as dave's goal is to complete this album he's working on-- B.B. -- Before Bruno.
The birds are singing and the windows are open-- even though it's only about 49 degrees :) ... it's supposed to reach 60, so I'm hopeful that the air will soon not feel as arctic as it blows through the house...
Our first little sign of spring is blooming out front -- a little bundle of lavender Crocuses, nestled among the dead leaves from fall. It always amazes me how they suddenly appear. Dave is outside hedge trimming and raking-- and it's so refreshing to feel the winter subsiding. The promise of new life around the corner-- and yet still so much to do to prepare for it all!
Speaking of which, I believe it's time for lunch.... lovin the eating for two!

dueling dodos

Well, I saw my first Robin this morning... Normally that would be a lovely, refreshing reminder of Spring!! The problem is he, along with Mr. Psycho Cardinal, was flying full-force into the bathroom window. And because robins are a little bigger and heftier than cardinals, he makes a bigger bang! It would've been somewhat amusing if it weren't for the fact that the cardinal was simultaneously banging into the livingroom/bedroom windows.... creating a percussive chorus of cacophony. Not exactly the melodic tones you hope to lull your little one to sleep by. Will it end by May? Will it EVER end? Sometimes it helps if we leave lights on in the room where they're knocking, sometimes not. They're persistent little critters! Now I'm waiting for the day where we have a different type of bird bashing into each window, kind of like a horror film-- wouldn't that be fun...

Family Foto Shoot

Our first family pictures :) :)
Amy came all the way over from Harrisburg yesterday to take some more belly shots. My favorite part was the little "family picture" time-- I can't wait to frame one or two or three of them :)-- it will be such a fun memory-- and someday Bruno will be able to see how much we enjoyed him -- even before we could see him. He's a beautiful baby -- don't ya think? I feel big-- but alas, I am growing a human inside of me, who is rumored to be about 18 inches long by now... I really don't feel huge like everyone keeps saying (well, until I see the pictures...) . I'm just thankful to not be experiencing a lot of swelling and discomfort (yet). My ankles and fingers remain water-free. I feel better than I did even a few weeks ago... more energy...less tired...less achy. go figure!

A place to lay his head...

Yesterday we got our crib and dresser/changing table -- I am so relieved, as this was getting to be a last minute thing (it takes 8-10 weeks to ship stuff like that if you order it online new). We got this set off of Craigslist for half of what it originally cost-- AND it was in Malvern-- which was so convenient to go see in person, and then to pick up. My dad and dave loaded up my dad's truck and brought them home. They're beautiful pieces, the exact color we wanted, and so much nicer quality than stuff I'd been looking at online. The only thing is they're a little larger than I thought they'd be. We're going to have to do some maneuvering in our tiny little nursery. But still, he has a place to lay his cute little head! It's getting more and more real every day. :)

(The picture of the crib is off of a baby furniture website, and the picture of the dresser is the one the seller put on Craigslist)

Belated Blessings

Yesterday marked the birthdays of 2 of the most influential women in my life-- My mom and Lauren. There's really no way to describe the impact of two such giving, caring people without sounding totally trite. How do you put into words the countless hours of pouring love, wisdom, sympathy, direction, and fun into another's world? There really is no way. But the best part about people who do this kind of thing is that they don't do it for the accolades. They wouldn't hold it against me if I never said "thank you" or "wow, you're awesome!" But I think that everyone who lays down her life for another needs genuine encouragement that her investment has had an impact. And it's so easy to just take people like this for granted.
My mom has spent her life as a mother being wholly devoted. She has always made us feel loved, special and wanted. She knows how to make me laugh when I'm cranky, and always has. Every birthday I've had for the past 29 years, she's gone out of her way to make a beautiful cake, table, and display of presents! She was always baking cookies after school, and making sure we had sufficient time outdoors. She never let me have a barbie doll because she didn't want me to think that that's what a woman is supposed to look like. She modeled what it means to be yourself and be ok with not looking like other people (she never got her ears pierced or painted her nails). I remember sitting in a child development class in college where we were having a discussion on gender, and someone said that girls were more "high maintenance". I raised my hand and said, "not if you don't raise them to be high maintenance."
She gave me confidence, was always proud of me, encouraged me in my gifts... and even let me play the violin when I obviously wasn't excelling in the area of music. I didn't know it, but she made me practice in the basement with the door shut so as to drown out the squawking. She knows all those little things about me that other people don't. There are too many inside jokes to count. And she still tells me to call her when I'm driving home late at night, which really doesn't bother me-- it makes me feel loved. I always feel appreciated by her, as if I did something good for HER by being born. That's a gift not every girl has.
When Lauren entered my life the summer before 9th grade, I thought she was a little too much. Of what I'm not sure, but she seemed so interested in getting to know me, and I think it was hard to imagine that someone could be that genuinely interested in my likes, my dislikes, and my spirituality. I guess I thought it was something she was "hired" to do as a youth leader. But then she started remembering those little things (which really says a lot to a person's heart), showing up at my games, and just wanting to hang out. We seemed to connect in the way we thought, talked, and processed life. She modeled what it meant to listen empathetically, and was always offering to pray for me. Her prayers were (and still are) so full of genuineness. She led our small group, and helped to foster deeper relationships among my friends and me... which, in retrospect really helped keep my focus on God and girls... rather than feeling the need to find a boy to fill that "lonely void". To this day, she is a constant in my life, and I know I could tell her anything and she'd understand. The fact that she would consider me her friend and equal is a gift beyond comprehension.
So hats off to you, my excellent role models-- my women of strength and humility-- my heroes. You deserve so much more than this! I wish I could say it all -- but it would take 2 separate books!
Happy Birthdays-- I love that you share this important date in history.... and I celebrate you both more than words will allow!

a trifle too big...

I made a chocolate peanut butter trifle to take to a dinner party tonight.
I've been wanting to make it since Christmas when I bought the ingredients,
and haven't had the opportunity until now. The problem is there will only be 4 of us (well 5 if you count Bruno) to eat it. .... and it serves about 12! So if you'd like to take part in the leftovers, please let me know, and I'll email them to you :)
Here are some pictures of it-- it is so easy to make.... I just baked a devil's food cake with some peanut butter chips tossed in it, and layered pieces of it with cool whip, more pb chips, and choc./pb pudding mixture (1 3-oz box choc. pudding, 1 3-oz box vanilla pudding, 3 c milk, 1 c cool whip, 3/4 c pb). There are a million variations you could come up with (last 4th of july i did one with vanilla pudding, pound cake, cool whip, & strawberries and blueberries). The original recipe idea comes from the Funk Family Cookbook, courtesy of Paula Schwabenland... and includes heath bar, kahlua soaked choc. cake, and choc. pudding made with part milk, part kahlua ... YUM.
Ideally, you wanna make it for a larger party than just 4.... it's a total crowd pleaser-- relatively easy...and fun to make!
Sometime I'd like to try making a chocolate-mint version, maybe next Christmas-- with crushed candy canes in the choc. pudding, or something.
I'm not posting the nutritional facts-- no one should ever know how many grams of ANYTHING they're consuming when it tastes soooo good. It would totally ruin it!

the B word

Last night was our first class of 4 at Paoli Hospital, where we'll be hopefully delivering our baby boy in 2 months or so. It was a Breastfeeding Class, and I was a little nervous for my husband, who doesn't even like to mention the word breast, let alone watch videos of how to properly latch a baby onto one! I had this vision beforehand of the instructor being like, "Ok Ladies, everyone whip out your boobs...." and my poor modest husband jumping under the table. Fortunately it wasn't that bad. He did a great job for the most part, paying attention and reading the material handed out to us. We had to bring a baby doll with us (to practice different holding positions), and it was cute to watch dave interact with the doll, making it talk and move it's arms as if to hit me and stuff. He got a little uncomfortable with the video, which definitely was a lot of large breasts being shoved into babies' mouths, one after the other. Understandable for Mr. Pure-in-Heart. I think it helped that there were about 25 or 30 other people there, 1/2 of whom were husbands. . . who all had to sit through the same thing. He used some of the video time to formulate and write down on the back of a handout, arguments against evolution... some of the amazing stuff we were learning about how babies and moms are designed was inspiring him... and provided a good distraction from the giant nipples up on the screen.
The best part really was learning about all the cool ways God's made babies and His design for feeding them. Since they can only see about 6-12 inches away from their faces at birth, it helps that the nipple is like a dark bull's eye/target. They can aim for it, and then, they're about 6-12 inches from the mother's face for bonding-- how perfect a design! They're also born with this instinct to bond from skin-to-skin contact, and primarily learn by taste and smell-- how convenient when it comes to feeding from your own body! The other fascinating part (to me) was that Colostrum is actually said to taste similar to Amniotic Fluid, which is all the baby's been tasting/swallowing for months! So those first drops of breastmilk are not only an immune-boosting/antibody-forming/healthy dose of nutrients, but it's tasty too! Such a miracle-- and the benefits to both mother and baby are endless-- from lowering mother's (and even baby girl's) risk of breast and ovarian cancer to helping prevent illness and future allergies in baby, to losing pregnancy weight faster-- and far outweigh the potentially painful first couple of weeks of learning how to get the hang of it... What an amazing Creator we have! I marvel at the beauty and intricacy of His intentions...
PLEASE remind me of these wonderful things when i'm in agony a couple months from now!! I know millions of women have gotten through it, but I am sure it will be tempting to give up at some points... I've heard the horror stories :)
Tonight is our "Childbirth 101" class-- yikes! I can't believe this is all happening!

Dropsies

They say you reach a point in pregnancy where you suddenly turn clumsy. I think i reached that point early on, and just continue to progress in it. It started months ago when I dropped a (plastic) half gallon of apple juice in the grocery store, and it managed to land on the edge of the LID, which cracked (didn't even pop off) and there was juice all over the aisle. Fortunately it was like 9pm, so there were only a couple of other people in the same aisle. The girl came and cleaned it up and was like, "don't worry about it... it happens all the time..."
I wondered if she meant, "pregnant women are always dropping and exploding juice bottles..." or "people tend to drop things when they're pregnant..." or if she was just being nice cuz they pay her to be nice to clumsy customers.
A couple of weeks ago I somehow managed to prepare a bowl of cereal, pour the milk on it, and THEN spill the entire thing (upside down on the kitchen floor). I had just woken up, so excited to eat!! it was early morning, and i just stood there dazed and confused, and stared at it--trying to comprehend how in the world it happened.... similarly to how I had stared at the carton of upside down/burst open blueberries a few weeks before that. Being the cheapskate that i am, i picked up every blueberry i could find (some were 10 feet away!) and washed them thoroughly so as not to waste the good money i dished out for fresh fruit in the middle of winter! not quite as easy with the bowl of cereal... OR the cup of yogurt that fell OUT OF THE BAG and exploded on the kitchen floor as i was trying to pack for my lunch yesterday, while i was hurrying out the door (something you probably shouldn't do anyway when you're 7 months pregnant).
And you may recall the shattered glass of water incident, bedside, when we were sick about a month ago... but i can blame that on sheer weakness of the flu, right???
Other than that I'm feeling rather stable these days-- except for the daily dropping of my cell phone-- c'mon, it's a slippery little thing!
I'm putting my hope in the fact that the clumsiness is a symptom (however strange and mysterious) of pregnancy, and not a permanent condition... that'd be bad to drop a newborn.

Merry Christmas, Honey

Last evening, Dave and I went to see Christopher O'Riley at the Kimmel Center in Philly... I gave him tickets for Christmas. This guy is a classical pianist who is known for taking the music of rock bands like Radiohead (one of Dave's all-time favorites) and transcribing them into classical pieces. Of course sitting there listening to him play, all I hear is beautiful classical piano. I can only imagine how fabulous it was for my musical genius husband, who not only hears every complex chord, note and whatnot, but recognizes every song as one of his cherished rock tunes. Not only that, but because O'Riley is classically trained (since age 4), he tends to weave in the "sound" of different composers that have influenced him over the years, all of whom my husband knows and recognizes. None of whose names I'd ever even heard.
The most enjoyable part of the evening for me was bonding with Bruno, who seemed to enjoy the music just as much as he did at the U23D concert -- hmm... I'm sensing a pattern here. I better find some new hobbies if this kid is going to be as musically inclined as his father. They'll probably disappear for hours at a time, composing and stuff!
We got a pretty good night's sleep until 6:30 this morning, when the pscyho OCD cardinal started flying into every window in the house! It's now 9:30am and he's still going! I'm not kidding-- Every window. We'd start to drift back to sleep and BANG! right next to our bed. Not quite the Saturday morning relaxation you look forward to all week-- but hey, I guess we better get used to sleep disturbance :)
Mom finally comes home from Knee Rehab today-- While still in a lot of pain, I'm amazed at how much she's able to walk and bend the knee, even with the 6 inch incision! Maybe we'll go mooch off of their free dinner from friends.... :)