Maternity Pictures (with you in my belly!)

"On Becoming Baby Wise:" Why I Love Your Daddy

Because this blog is dedicated to my son, Blake, I just want to make it known that even though this post is about daddy, It is indeed, for my son.  So, with that, I will be speaking to you Blake.

I recently received this book as a gift from my registry (because I heard so many great things about it)  and decided to dive into it very quickly since I had so many testimonies on the truthfulness and miracle of this book providing an amazing sleeping schedule for your baby.  Besides that, I knew you were coming soon and I didn't have much time left!  As I began to read this book, I was a bit surprised.  I was expecting the print to dive right into learning about sleep and things pertaining to "giving your infant the gift of nighttime sleep."  Instead, I was surprised to find page after page about emphasis on your marriage and the long lasting effect it has on establishing a loving home environment for your infant.  While this was a fact I was already aware of, it came across in a different light because I wasn't expecting this type of information to be discussed in this type of book.  "Men are not born good husbands, nor women good wives.  They become that way only through self-sacrifice, patience, and as devotional commitment to the happiness and welfare of the other.  It, therefore, serves a husband-wife union is not just a good first step towards successful child rearing, but it is in fact a necessary one-one on which your children will come to depend."
This hit me with so much truth.  I knew it to be true.  In just the year and a half your father and I have been married, we have learned a lot.  I also know that there is still MUCH to learn but I do know that it is my decision whether or not I have a good marriage.  It is also your father's decision.  It takes work.  Aside from all this "good marriage" talk, I decided that if there was one thing I needed to take away from this, it's that you need to know that I LOVE your daddy.  You need to know why I love your daddy and the commitments I'm making to him and therefore to you since marriage and parenting go hand in hand.

I love your daddy for so many reasons; so many, in fact, that I could spend forever writing them all down.  Because I don't want to make this too long, I'll tell you about the important ones.
I love your daddy because he is a man of God.  He isn't just a man of God because he holds the Priesthood, serves his fellow men, prays with me each night, reads the holy scriptures to me or sits by me in church each week.  He is a man of God because he chooses to be.  He genuinely strives to be his best and I observe each attempt he makes at it.  The best part of all of this is that the Savior is the center of our relationship.  Heavenly Father reminds me through the Holy Ghost that your daddy loves me even when your daddy isn't here to remind me himself.  That's how I know your father is a man of God and that is one of the biggest reasons I love him so deeply.
I love your daddy because he receives genuine pleasure from making me happy.  He jumps at any chance to do something for me.  So much, in fact, that a common question for him to ask me (basically daily) is "Is there anything I can do for you sweetheart?" Little things he likes to do might be setting up a candlelight bath, bringing home flowers or sugary requests, massaging my feet after a long day at work, giving me his "back scratch nights" when we read the scriptures, doing the chores, leaving me cute love notes, opening my every door, making sure I don't lift a finger when he can go get whatever I need himself (especially after being pregnant with you), and accompanying me to chick flicks (even though I know he secretly likes them)!  But it's the things he doesn't realize he routinely does for me that leave the biggest impact--working 5 days a week for 10-12 hour shifts sometimes then going to school right after to receive an education to provide a future for his family, listening to me rant, cry, rave, or just talk about how my day went, a genuine look of love followed by "you're beautiful", the warm embraces he greets me with when I haven't seen him all day (I could stay in his arms forever!), the way he makes me feel completely comfortable and at home, and the example he sets for me each day.

 Because marriage can be difficult at times (even living with your best friend can be hard), I'm going to make commitments to myself, daddy and you right now to vow never to let unnecessary annoyances that come from the adversary ruin the holy marriage your father and I share.

 I commit to let every bad thought that enters my head turn into an "I love you."  I vow to always encounter and address any issues we come across with love, healthy communication and the Spirit.  I commit to do my best every day to make my family happy by never complaining of endless lists that come with being a wife, homemaker and mother.  I commit to enjoy the journey no matter how grumpy we all may be.

Most of all, I commit myself to Christ, daddy and you one hundred percent in ALL things.  I'm not promising to be good at any of these commitments, but I'm promising to try.  

These are all of the reasons I love your daddy and therefore all of the reasons, I hope you turn out EXACTLY like him.  I hope that our marriage will represent unconditional love to you and your future brothers and sisters.  I love your daddy!

"Spooktacular" Baby Shower!

Let me start off by telling my precious son, Blake that you are loved!! Some may say spoiled...we say loved!  The baby shower turned out amazing.  So many loved ones brought so many gifts that mommy and daddy had no idea where to put everything (although mom always finds a way)!

Little Blake's Baby Shower started Saturday, October 25th at 5 pm.  We mingled, ate some yummy Halloween themed treats and opened presents among loved ones.  Here is a little look at how awesome Grandma Chip made everything look!

Baby Blake:
We now feel more prepared for you to arrive...but please wait until you're supposed to be here! Daddy set up your stroller and car seat and many blankets were handmade to wrap you with love when you arrive.  Although I love having you so close to me in my tummy, constantly making it known that you are there, I'm so excited to meet you!  Mommy and Daddy love you Blake!

Doctor Visit #6

Today was my 6th doctor visit and things are still going great! My belly measures right at 27 weeks and I seem to be in perfect health! I listened to my sweet baby's heartbeat and it sounds absolutely perfect. They did my glucose screening today to check for diabetes and apparently my veins aren't too great so it blew! Big bruise! I just love needles... Anyway, love my doctors and all their staff. I'm getting more and more excited for Blake to get here...it's getting real! I have been sewing like crazy to make things for my lil' man and his Grandma Bird has been doing the same. He is very loved already! This is the Christmas stocking I made to add to the Bird family collection.

A little note to my future son: My dearest Blake, Right now, you are physically a part of me. The second you are born and no longer in my tummy, I know that you will still remain a part of me. You have my heart. I already love you so much that there are no words to describe these feelings. All I can think about is how I can make your life wonderful and amazing in every possible way. I can't even imagine how I will feel when I first hold you in my arms but I know it will be another indescribable feeling. Your mommy loves you. If there is one thing you should always remember, it is that.

Coming Soon...3rd Trimester! Update!

Well...I only have 13 weeks to go! Which means that I'm starting to get things ready like a crazy mom. It also means I'm panicking a little bit more and more every day. My sweet mother-in-law and Grammy bought us a crib so I have been working on getting his nursery coming along. It's as far as a nursery can go because Mr. Blake is sharing a room with mommy and daddy (so it's more of a nursery corner)! That's right. One bedroom apartment folks but we are going to make it work! It just means that we get to snuggle more. ;) I don't know about you new moms, but I want my baby sleeping right by me anyway! I've been crafting and sewing like crazy to make it look as cute as possible. I've gone with a yellow and grey theme with a hint of blue for the changing table area. I'm in the process of making the crib skirt and comforter so the crib area isn't finished yet. I crafted fabric circles to hang above on foam circles so it's nothing hazardous above my baby! Take a look!

Anyway, we are getting more and more excited. Here is a little update on how my pregnancy is going: What has been your favorite part of being pregnant so far? I love feeling like Blake is always with me. We are basically the same person! I am very loved and taken care of by my husband, family and even coworkers so it's made me feel like my pregnancy is just a huge blessing! How often does he kick? I swear Blake is a karate master! It started out in the beginning, I could barely feel him when he moved. I really had to concentrate. Now, he likes to scare me. It feels like a twitch in my stomach sometimes but I love it because I feel like he's saying "Hey mom! I'm here!" What does daddy think? Daddy loves to feel Blake move. It's starting to blow his mind whenever he puts his hand on my tummy. The other day Derek came home from work late and Blake hadn't heard him all day. So as soon as he started talking to me, Blake started kicking all over! He must have been very excited to hear daddy. How big is your belly? I'm feeling more and more like a whale! I never realized the ability to bend down before was a luxury. It's not my strong suite anymore. What are your symptoms? My back pretty much always hurts, just used to it now. I have to pee every 5 minutes. I can't eat as much as I would like anymore because it gets uncomfortable. It's almost as if the pressure from the baby makes me not want added pressure from a food baby as well. I get itchy because pregnancy has given me very bad allergies. I will wake up with plugged ears and it drives me nuts! I have lovely stretch marks on my side. I have this problem where I hate wearing clothes. I get urges to strip more than I should. How do you sleep? It's becoming more of a task to find a comfortable and safe sleeping position. Once I do, my dreams weird me out. So...ya! Sleep hasn't been the best! Are you working? I'm a server at a Diner twice a week. It's not much but believe me, it's enough! Being on my feet for more than 3 hours really takes a toll on me! Good thing my coworkers are so awesome to me! And my boss lets me sit down whenever I need to. That's usually my cue that it's time to send me home though so it's a wonderful place to work! What are your birth plans? I plan on NOT feeling as much pain as possible so drug me up! I only want my husband in the room with me. I plan on having the lights dimmed to relax me as much as possible with a touch of Michael Buble in the background? Yes! I cannot wait for December 15th!