First Bath

Bea LOVES the bath. And who wouldn't if mommy and daddy make a room a steamy 80-some-odd degrees? But it's worth it for us to hear the coos and see the grins of our baby. And don't worry, we didn't wait 5 weeks to bathe sweet Bea, I'm just behind in my blog posts!

She's Here!

Although our baby girl arrived over a month ago, (August 13th to be exact, at 6:00 in the evening, a full 12 days later than estimated), I've had more pressing things to tend to rather than blogging.

So, without further ado, here is our daughter, Beatrice Elise York!

She was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 21 inches long.

We are so in love. And in awe. And terrified. And humbled. And exhausted. We're parents. God help us. No. Seriously.

The Waiting Game

Well, the due date came and went. And I'm still pregnant. I know a few days is really not a big deal, and yes, some women do gestate for 42+ weeks, even though modern American medicine doesn't usually let you go that long.

But still. I admit to my impatience. And though Nate and I are ready; ready as we'll ever be, there are times where I think, (and this is usually in the dark watches of the night), "I'm not ready...I can't do this...give birth?? Parent??? Oh no no no. What was I thinking?" And then I first try and make some deal with God; going back to working full time as a kindergarten teacher, planning vacations to far away places with my beloved husband. Just us two. But then I eventually end up surrendering to God and where I am at right now with this little soul inside me.
Ha, like I had a choice. :/
Anyway, it's a mental surrender, which in truth is more powerful.

And then there are the logical thoughts. Impatience is still hovering, but at least I can acknowledge that it is time. A life change is upon us and we need not be fearful. We've been married for 8.5 years. We've had each other to ourselves for that long. EVERY night was date night and we'll always get to reminisce fondly about our time together. And we do. But, now we get to share it with a new little life. And that is exciting. It will be hard, but so is marriage to a degree.
Not only are we welcoming a new baby with open arms and minds, but a new phase in life. And that's worth waiting for.

Maternity Pictures

I'm just glad we did this. It almost didn't happen! These were taken in my 38th week by the talented Julie Cahill. Thanks Julie! Here are the ones we liked. Sorry there are a lot. Hope you like them too!

Out of the mouths of babes

As a (former) kindergarten teacher, I've come across some pretty funny quotes from students of mine. I even have a document where I'm saving them all in hopes of writing a short book one day. This little conversation, though not from one of my kindergarten classes, is rather humorous.

On our way up to a wedding this weekend, Nathan and I stopped at an In N Out Burger for lunch. At the end of our meal I went to the restroom. All the stalls were being used so I waited my turn. As one of the doors unlocked a mother and her young son, perhaps 3 or 4 stepped out. The little boy looked me up and down over and over again, and as I went into the stall and locked the door I heard this conversation:

Boy: Mommy, why is that lady's tummy so big?
Mom: She has a baby in her tummy.
Boy: But, where is the baby?
Mom: It's inside her tummy growing, just like you were. You were in mommy's tummy when you were real little too.
Boy: But how did the baby get there?
Mom: (in a hurried voice) Let's wash your hands honey.

Ah. Children. How I love their innocent wonder of the world. Too funny. Nathan says I should have shouted "I'm not pregnant!" but it's just a little too obvious at this point.

A Day at the DMV and other such pregnancy adventures

I recently had to renew my driver's license at the DMV. Actually go to the government building, pay the fee, take an eye exam and a new picture. Although I think this is unfair while pregnant, there's no controlling that and it seemed easy enough.

Wrong.

As most of us Californians know, our state government is in a sad sad state as of late. The DMV (along with almost all government offices) is now closed certain days of the month for furlough days. This limits the amount of time one can conduct business with them. Ugh. So, even though I had made an appointment and arrived on time, I still had to wait in a long line just to tell them I was there. Then I, like everyone else, took a number (yes, after waiting in line), and waited for my number to be called.

The visit did not go as well as I would have hoped.

First of all, it was raining that day. And the line was out the door in the rain. Fabulous. Then some man is smoking directly behind me. Um, hello, pregnant woman in the very near vicinity! So I went Mama Bear on him and he stepped further away and exhaled in another direction.

Then when I finally reached the lady at the reception desk, she complimented my hair. Which sounds great, right? Except that her hair resembled Farrah Fawcett circa 1975. Oh no.

Then I realized that I had forgotten the document which had all my info on it that I was bring. Shoot. As I'm finishing up filling out a brand new document to replace the old one, my number gets called.

I pay my fee. The man asks me to read the letters on a chart against the wall. All I see are fuzzy b's, p's, q's, e's and other letters I'm not entirely sure about. My vision is shot. Pregnancy doesn't help. My driver's license now says I need corrective lenses. When did THAT happen??

I take my picture, forgetting to remove my bright yellow purse on my shoulder. After the click, the man says, "Great picture. Even got those dimples in there." Um, what? I have dimples?? Since when??? Apparently my face is fatter now too. And I have dimples.

I then go to New Leaf market to get a few groceries. Granted, these were groceries that I was craving, not necessarily healthy things, namely: Coconut bliss ice cream, Green and Black's chocolate bar and 2 for 1 Odwalla protein drinks. Hey, gotta get that protein in there from other sources than just meat!!
The guy at the checkout stand then comments as he's beeping through my purchases, "Well, someone's trying to gain weight!"

Sheesh. What a day.

Belly Pics from Mother's Day

Here I am at 28 weeks. Well, actually BABY is 28 weeks, not me, I'm considerably older than that......

Sometimes from the front, you can't really tell (unless I'm holding my stomach, as shown). I just look a little bigger. But from the side, it looks like I swallowed a basketball.

Dresses and cardigans are my new bestest friends as they camouflage well the poundage placed on my upper arms, thighs and fanny. Well, at least I tell myself that they do.