We are so blessed!

I know every parent probably says this, but Ethan is so perfect! I cannot get over how even-tempered, calm, and serious -aced he is all the time. He is rarely fussy, and if he is, it's because a nap or food is needed. I absolutely love holding and cuddling with him. He nuzzles his precious face next to mine , and it is pure bliss! He is at the stage where he is showing so much personality. He laughs and talks to us in his own baby language. His legs are so strong; he loves his jumperoo and bouncing on our laps. We are waiting on him to roll over...he seems so close. I know that once he becomes more mobile, life will really change!

I find myself just gazing at him in amazement. It is still hard to believe that he is mine. He has brought so much more joy to our lives. Even though he cannot talk, I can tell that he loves us, and that makes me smile!

Matt is now able to work from home. An opportunity was placed before him that would allow him to work at home, more money, time with me and Ethan, and a career growth for him. We could not ask for anything better right now. With Matt's other job, he was getting home after 9pm and working weekends. We both knew that it would make for a very interesting time starting a family. This new job came at the perfect time, and is yet another blessing from above! He is with Ethan all day, which I am so thankful for....it also makes me a little jealous! I keep telling Matt that Ethan will always know who mommy is! So far, that has been oh so true!

I am back at work, and everything is going well. I never dread going in to work; I love my job and my students. I do dread leaving Ethan, but I know he is in good hands. I am one of the first ones out of the school building each day, and I cannot wait to get home to my lil man! Oh, and of course Matt too! I feel like Matt and I have waited so long for this point in our lives. We have only the Lord to thank for all of this!

Things that have surprised me

I have been a mom for 6 weeks now, and I have enjoyed every second of it. There has been lots to learn, and even more to come! Here are some of the things that have surprised me so far:

*the amount of laundry 1 lil guy can produce! From onesies, to bibs, blankets, and burpcloths, he sure can fill up his hamper!

*the noises he makes while sleeping--grunts, sighs, laughs, wimpers, and just deep breathing

*the noise that he can sleep through--2 huge dogs in the house barking and running around, TV, me talking

*how I can sit and stare at him and then wonder where the time has gone

*how much I love him; I knew I would love him, but it is really indescribable.

*how much he can eat!

*bodily noises--he already sounds like a grown man!

*how fast he will change right before us. He is showing personality and growing more each day.

*how he has us figured out--he knows when I walk in a room, who is holding him, and what cry to do to get our attention

Some of this I knew, but seeing it all firsthand in my own house has been quite the experience.

The joys of motherhood

I knew that we would be excited to meet Ethan, but no words can express the love and joy that Matt and I have for him. Even though he keeps me up at all hours of the night and will whimper and cry and I have no clue what he wants, I would not have it any other way. Here are some of the things that I absolutely love about Ethan and being his mommy:

1. the noises he makes as I feed him

2. watching him make faces as he sleeps; the smile is my favorite!

3. the way he kicks and punches

4. the way he will whimper and then when I hold him he is suddenly at ease

5. watching him fall asleep in my arms

6. taking naps with him; we cuddle together

7. his monkey toes; he got them from me!

8. watching Matt console, feed, burp, and entertain his baby boy

9. the way he will gaze into my eyes as if he is telling me he loves me

10. the way he sleeps...either on his side or on his back with both hands up over his head

11. his awesome hair that I hope he does not lose!!

12. the way he clamps on to my fingers with his hand

13. his cries...it lets me know I am needed

I know this list will continue to grow as he does!

Ethan's journey into this world

It all started Saturday June 7 around 1o pm. I was having contractions, but nothing too close together. They were making me wince in pain, and I knew that the time was near. We went to bed around midnight, and around 1:00 am I was woken up with some steady contractions (about 7-8 minutes apart). I did not wake Matt up yet; I just wrote down and kept track of the contractions. Around 2:30 Matt stirred, and I called the midwife. Needless to say, she told me to wait until they were 5 minutes apart and unbearable. I was frustrated because I could not sleep and just wanted my baby. We went back to bed, but I did not sleep at all. Contractions continued all morning long on Sunday, but still nothing was consistent enough. I told Matt that I could not take this much longer! This baby better come soon! By 3:00 pm, the contractions were more intense, but anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes apart. I called the midwife again and she told me to either wait it out or come to the hospital for them to check me. No brainer there...we were headed to the hospital!!

On the way to the hospital, I was having contractions consistently at 7 minutes apart. By the time I was checked, I was 3 cm and 100% effaced. My last doc appointment was on Friday, so I had made a lot of progress over the weekend. I was admitted, and now we were ready for baby!

It was about 6:00 pm that we got to our labor and delivery room. The nurses did all their stuff, and then Matt and I went on a walk to get things going even more. My family showed up during this time, and I was so glad to see their love and support!

I got the epidural (lifesaver!!!) and was now just laying there waiting for actual labor to begin. I was progressing...I went to 4 1/2 centimeters in about 1 hour. My contractions were still not coming as hard and steady as they needed to be. The midwife started me on pitocin to make things go even faster. During all this, the midwife discovered that the baby was turned a little, so they had me changing positions every 30 minutes to get him to move. Also, when I was having contractions, the baby's heart rate was doing weird things that they did not like, so they gave me an oxygen mask. I am not gonna lie...that really scared me. Within another 1 1/2 hours, I was at 8 cm. The pushing began about 1:30 am. Matt, my mom, and my sis were there for the whole thing. It was quite a miracle! Little Ethan came into the world at 2:50 am June 8.

2 cm and waiting...

I will be the first to admit that I truly thought I would have a baby boy in my arms by now. The pregnancy has been wonderful, so surely he would grace us with his presence before my actual due date. Apparently my baby boy already loves being with his mommy and is not wanting to let go!

I can really feel the end of this pregnancy. I am cramping, having intense pains at random moments, feeling the need to always sit down, and getting immune to the lower back pain. Everyone keeps telling me to relax and take it easy, but when I do that too much, I find myself thinking about nothing else but this baby coming. I do not want to become too anxious, so I am doing things to take my mind off of just sitting and waiting. I am constantly cleaning (not a bad thing at all!), running errands, going to the mall with Matt or family, reading a book, etc to stay active.

I think we are both a little skeptical of the whole labor ordeal. We both want to see him so bad and bring him to our home that we often forget about the process of him getting here. Matt laughs at me because I am such a planner and want to know how everything will happen...like the exact route to the hospital, where we will park, what our house will look like when we leave it, leaving Mags and Kay (the dogs) for who knows how long...the list could go on and on!!

I have been thinking about some things that I will truly miss about being pregnant:

1. Having an excuse to sleep and eat when I want without a reason

2. Feeling my baby move inside of me

3. Experiencing first-hand one of God's miracles at work

4. Nesting...I have really gotten some things accomplished...maybe it will keep up!

5. Late night runs for ice cream and other sweet treats! Thanks Matty! :)

6. the natural glow I feel like I have at times...being pregnant does make you excited and happy!

7. reading and learning all about my growing and changing baby inside of me...now I will read about the actual baby!!

8. Seeing an even softer side of Matt--he has really been a trooper and sweetheart through the pregnancy...I can't wait to see him as a father.

Here are the things that I am ready to give up or go back to with my pre-pregnancy life:

1. Running and working out!!

2. drinking Coke

3. not having to pee 2+ times during the night

4. not having random people comment on my belly...well, now it will be the baby

5. being able to wear normal clothes

6. being able to walk without my back aching

7. explaining to everyone how I am doing and what is going on with the pregnancy...I do not lke all attention on me...again, this will now be on the baby

8. being able to see my feet

9. eating feta cheese...I LOVE Greek salads!

10. SHOPPING!! I have not bought myself any clothes (besides to necessities for the growing belly) in what feels like forever! I go to the mall and just look...

Kids say the darnest things!

This might be the funniest thing that has happened to me since I have been pregnant...


Matt and I went to the mall last night to hang out and see a movie. The walking around was good for me, even though it was not the easiest task in the world. We were in Journeys (a shoe store) just looking around. There was a boy of about 4 years old (at the most) in there with his parents. I hardly even noticed the boy until he came up to me. Here is how the conversation went:

Boy: What you got in there?

Matt and I were confused at first, and then we realized that he was referring to my belly.

Boy: What's in there? Let me see.

He obviously thought I was hiding something under my shirt.

Boy: Lift up your shirt! I wanna see!

Me: (laughing) It's a baby...you looked like this once too.

Boy: No!!! I wanna see...what is it?

He was laughing and jumping up and down anticipating the magic show of me showing him what I was hiding under my shirt. I suppose he has not seen many pregnant ladies before, and my belly to him just looked like a big ball or something else really exciting. Needless to say, Matt and I were laughing about it the rest of the night!!

Just waiting...

I am a few days over 37 weeks, and I just sit and wonder when Ethan will begin to make his journey into this world. I am fairly confident that we have everything ready. I am such a planner, so not knowing when he will come just about drives me crazy! I am trying to take it easy this weekend. I have been rather busy at school with packing up my classroom, finishing the school year, and just being busy getting ready for Ethan. I have really worn myself out.

I went to the doc on Thursday, and they think he is about 6 1/2 pounds. Only time will tell! Matt and I talk all the time on how we want to see his little face! It's so hard to believe that he is almost here.

I can really tell that the pregnancy is coming to an end. Everything just feels different. He has moved down a good bit, which makes me go to the bathroom all the time! My back aches, and I have had trouble sleeping. He moves all the time, and these movements poke and pry at my body! I cannot wait for him to be here!!