Week 35

In the last two weeks I have fulfilled my need to over prepare for this baby's arrival. The sleepers and blankets are washed, the diapers bought, and the sewing finished. The house is clean and organized, and the freezer full of "emergency" casseroles. I have 3 more Christmas presents to buy and we need more toilet paper, but otherwise we are ready. I understand that no matter how much I prepare now, my house will still spiral out of control eventually, but at least this gives me a fighting chance to keep my sanity. 5 more weeks to due date! I am so excited. Oh, and I think we have decided on some baby names.

Trev has been busy with youth and fundraising for the missions trip on spring break. Things are starting to come together and he has been encouraged by the involvement of a lot of parents and youth. He is also looking forward to Christmas and taking a little time off when the baby arrives. He has been extra helpful around the house lately and I am so thankful for a husband that see's my needs and does something about it. (Hopefully he can deal with my emotional instability over the next few weeks:)

The baby is health and happy (as far as we can tell) At my last apointment Dr Nell figured he or she was not going to be a big baby, but everything seemed to be normal. I am getting lots of kicks and wiggles that keep me company during the day and awake at night. It's all good. I remember after Brook was born feeling alone at times, no longer having the company of a baby kicking me. I would rather hold my baby in my arms than be pregnant forever.

Brook is growing up so much.
A story to illustrate my point: Trev is making me a headboard for our bed for christmas. We were standing at the foot of our bed looking at a piece of wood proped up against the wall and Trev said "I think I need to cut it". Without a word Brook took off and returned a moment later with her plastic toy sissors. She walked over to the board with her sissors and said "cut", went to the other end and did the same. Smart girl. Her understanding and communication are blossoming right now and I find it amazing how much she absorbs in a day.

These are some random pictures from the last few weeks. Brook has been doing puzzles lately. She is getting the idea, but she still has a bit to learn yet:)

Trev and Brook playing in the tent. Sunday afternoons are so much fun around here.

I was quite proud of my playdough creations so I thought I would share them with you all. Shadow (the horse) Sam (the dog) and Milo (the cat). The all died a terrible death when Brook squished them all together, then said "where's the cat?"

Every time I pull out the camera Brook tries to smile for me, and she always ends up with this funny face. It is cute, but her real smile is so much better. I almost have to sneek up on her to get a decent picture. Argh.

Week 33 of 40

Ya, we got a bit of snow this week.

November 1st. I have been waiting for November 1st for a long time. Back in September when I was feeling the "nesting" urge to fill my freezer with casseroles and baking I decided to wait until today. I didn't think there was any point in eating freezer-burnt food in February because I couldn't control myself, so I made November 1st my "start organizing and planning for baby to come" start date.

I have to admit that I have been cheating the last few weeks. OK, I have been cheating since September. I have done more sewing, cleaning and list making than ever before. When I was expecting Brook there were so many other things to fill my time. There was summer camp, Trevor was candidating here in Boisssevain, we were house shopping, and getting our first mortgage. Sure, I was preparing for Brooklyn, but I knew there was another big change coming several weeks after her arrival, so preparing for her did not become all consuming like it has this time. Some days I feel like I am gonna lose my mind. I spend a lot of time praying for God to keep my mind directed, otherwise it feels like it is going off in 10 different thoughts at once.

So now it is time to cook, bake, clean and shop. Oh, and pick a baby name. Why are we having so much trouble this time?


Brook has learned to ride her stick horse "Charlie". It's the first toy she looks for in the morning.

Reflecting on Today

Today has been a strange day. I have not felt like myself. I woke up with a spring in my step, and by the time Brook and I had gotten ourselves fed and ready for the day I was exhausted. We curled up on the couch together with a blanket and some cartoons and I fell asleep. I was planning on spending 15 minutes watching TV and woke up an hour later! Yikes. That was not how I wanted to spend the morning. Brook didn't seem to mind.

Trev showed up and noon for lunch. I had forgotten about lunch. While whipping up some french toast I burned my hand on the frying pan. My co-ordination has been lacking lately.

After lunch we cleaned out the Dog house (my annual fall cleaning) by shaking out all the blankets and sweeping out all the gravel. After shoving them all back in with the rake handle I noticed the worlds biggest wasp nest attached to the inside wall of the dog house. After thanking God that it was a vacant wasp nest it became very clear why the dog layed out in the rain this summer when she had a "perfectly good" dog house. I just thought she was being overly dramatic, laying on the step whimpering. Then came a wave of guilt, and a few tears. Goodness my hormones are a mess.

I put Brook down for a nap and went back outside to trim Sam's nails. I got them all done and then on the last nail I clipped it too short. She yelped, started to bleed, and I cried a little bit more. Oh goodness....

I went back inside feeling really tired. Then all of the sudden I felt like cleaning. I cleaned the bathroom, dusted, windexed and vacumed the afternoon away.

Trev came home for supper. I had forgotten about supper. After I whipped up some taco's Trev decided to take Brook to her first Broncos Hockey game this evening. It is a good thing I have some time alone this evening, because I am not really feeling like myself.

Thank you God for Brooklyn Dawn

Happy Birthday Brook! 2 years old. I can't believe Brook is 2 years old already. She is growing up so quickly. I love watching her change and learn. It is so much fun to see her little personality develop. She must learn 10 new words a day right now. What a busy little girl!

Brook has brought Trevor and I so much joy. I can't imagine our lives without her. What a crazy ride parenthood is. There are so many different emotions and experiences that I would never have imagined I would feel. I would never have guessed how protective and worried I would feel when she is sick or hurt, or how excited I would be to see her learn something new. The joy, doubt, excitement, exhaustion, and fulfillment of parenthood. The desire to give her everything she wants, yet learning how to give her what she needs.

The blessing of being Brook's parents is a privilege and an honor. What a wonderful little Girl God has given us. We are so blessed.

a year ago

Week 28

Only 12 more weeks to go! According to what I have read this baby should be about 2.25 lbs and about 15 inches long. By week 34 (in 6 weeks) he or she should double in weight and be about 4.75 lbs and 18 inches long. I guess if there are things I want to get done I better do them now while I can still bend over. So, with that in mind.....

Today I pulled some boxes out of the basement and started sorting through some baby clothes. It was really exciting to start preparing for this baby to arrive. I have been holding myself back from organizing for the last few weeks and it has been killing me!! I made a list as long as my arm of food I want to put in the freezer and random things I want to do. Just looking at all those little clothes reminded me of how wonderful it is to hold a newborn. I am getting so excited.

At my last Dr appointment I measured a little bit small again, so I have another ultrasound scheduled for Oct 12th (Brook's Birthday). The Dr figured it is just the way I carry the baby, but he want's to make sure all is well. With how active this baby is I am sure things are fine.

In the Laundry Basket Again

I don't know why we have toys at all....