Chloe's "first" Christmas flew by just like we expected. We missed my favorite Christmas party on my dad's side because they had it the Sunday before Christmas. We went home for Paul's family party on a Sunday two weeks prior and it just gets to be exhausting and expensive traveling all that way for just the day. But Chloe did pick up a few very cute gifts from that party including the most adorable elephant stuffed animal I have ever seen from Great Grandma and some cheetah print boots from Great Aunt Paula and Uncle Jeff.
My Dad came to Grand Rapids on Christmas Eve so that we could do our annual Christmas Eve shopping trip. We have been going for at least eight years now because the stores are not crowded and everything has already been marked down for the big day after Christmas sale. We showed up 45 minutes early to church that night and every seat was already full. We were standing in the back when I realized that I might be able to play the "pregnancy card." I took off my coat and when the usher saw me he put two seats together at the front of the church. We had the best view for the first time ever! Go Chloe! We went to the Baker's Christmas party later that night and then spent the night at my parent's house and watched It's A Beautiful Life before bed.
We woke up very early on Christmas morning because Baby Andrew is an early riser. Our baby Griffin is also an early riser. Every morning is Christmas morning for Griffin at my parent's house. He can't wait to get up to see Dolli and my Dad. One of my best Christmas surprises is that my parents bought us a KitchenAid! I was so excited that I cried. I am so thrilled and will need it to do some baking with Chloe in the future. I think the best part about this Christmas was opening presents for Chloe. She got some cute outfits, a toy, and a cute book from Aunt Shantel and Uncle Drew, and she got her first ornament from my Mom along with an outfit. After breakfast we slept until about noon and then headed over to Paul's house. We had a delicious dinner and watched the kids open gifts. Chloe got a Care Bear from Grandma and Grandpa. Santa brought the Moore's a new chocolate lab puppy named Bear. He looks just like a teddy bear and is super sweet. I got to cuddle with him at night since the kids were preoccupied playing with their new toys.
We also heard some good news over the weekend. Both Becky Reiber and Michelle Henige announced they are pregnant! That makes for four new babies on the Reiber side in 2010 with one in February, May, July, and August. Right now Shantel is the only married female on the Reiber side not pregnant. She had better watch out because people are catching pregnant on the toilet seats!
We headed back to Grand Rapids on Saturday so that we could relax the rest of the weekend. Overall, Christmas wasn't too stressful this year. I'm sure that next year will be a different story with Chloe running around. On New Years Eve I will be turning 26. My 20's are flying by just like this pregnancy!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
33 Week Update
At my doctors appointment last Friday I weighed in at 162, which means that so far I have gained over 25 pounds. It might be too early to detect a trend, but it seems I am gaining about a pound a week, which is on track with the books I have been reading. At this pace I should be able to keep the weight gain to about 35 pounds. We are seeing the doctor every two weeks now and will be going every week as the pregnancy comes to a close. I had to see the one doctor in the practice that I don't like, and he was the only one with an open appointment next week (I wonder why?). He will, inevitably, be the turd on call when I go into labor. Here is a pic of my 33 week belly.
Even though I definitely have a baby belly, and even though it is pretty obvious that I am only a little chubby, but mostly pregnant, people are still terrified to ask me about the baby. I don't know if I just look bitchy or if people in Western Michigan just mind their manners. So far, I have only had two women ask when I was due and one waiter who told me "he ain't never heard of no pregnant woman ordering a steak medium rare." Thanks. I'll have my scotch on the rocks, too. When I meet with new people at work I will notice them staring uncomfortably at my belly for a good half hour, minds racing, "Is she pregnant? Yes, she is definitely pregnant. Shit, if I ask and she isn't pregnant I will just die." After making them sweat I will usually bring it up in casual conversation and the floodgates open "I was going to ask you when your baby was due! Oh my gosh that is so exciting! What are you having? Do you plan to breastfeed? Because you HAVE to breastfeed or your baby will die." And I am proud to say that so far I have only had one belly rubber. I didn't like it, but I let it happen. There was far too large an audience and she was far too old for me to body slam her.
In other news, Paul and I attended his family's Christmas Party at Oakley Hall where we contracted some strain of the flu from one of the lovely guests. At least ten others came down with the same thing. Paul and I spent a few days plastered to the couch in the fetal position before recovering. Here is a picture of Oli and Tay at the party just before they got the flu. They must've known it was coming.
Just prior to our bout with the flu, Grand Rapids was blessed with its first snow storm of the year. It pretty much snowed only on Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo like usual. Paul took a picture before we left to get the flu. (Mom, don't look at the bows. I still need two more!)
Even though I definitely have a baby belly, and even though it is pretty obvious that I am only a little chubby, but mostly pregnant, people are still terrified to ask me about the baby. I don't know if I just look bitchy or if people in Western Michigan just mind their manners. So far, I have only had two women ask when I was due and one waiter who told me "he ain't never heard of no pregnant woman ordering a steak medium rare." Thanks. I'll have my scotch on the rocks, too. When I meet with new people at work I will notice them staring uncomfortably at my belly for a good half hour, minds racing, "Is she pregnant? Yes, she is definitely pregnant. Shit, if I ask and she isn't pregnant I will just die." After making them sweat I will usually bring it up in casual conversation and the floodgates open "I was going to ask you when your baby was due! Oh my gosh that is so exciting! What are you having? Do you plan to breastfeed? Because you HAVE to breastfeed or your baby will die." And I am proud to say that so far I have only had one belly rubber. I didn't like it, but I let it happen. There was far too large an audience and she was far too old for me to body slam her.
In other news, Paul and I attended his family's Christmas Party at Oakley Hall where we contracted some strain of the flu from one of the lovely guests. At least ten others came down with the same thing. Paul and I spent a few days plastered to the couch in the fetal position before recovering. Here is a picture of Oli and Tay at the party just before they got the flu. They must've known it was coming.
Just prior to our bout with the flu, Grand Rapids was blessed with its first snow storm of the year. It pretty much snowed only on Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo like usual. Paul took a picture before we left to get the flu. (Mom, don't look at the bows. I still need two more!)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Mother's Love
I would dare to bet that I have always been this way, but around my junior year of college I came to the realization that I have what I like to refer to as an obsessive, or addictive personality. It all started with Harry Potter. I read the first book in one day and then the next day I went out and bought the five remaining books. I read them over the course of two or three weeks all the while working a full time internship and taking a full course load. I can recall coming home from the bar one night at 2:00 am and anxiously cracking open my Harry Potter book. For weeks Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were the only people I talked about. I was having nightmares about Lord Voldemort and relating real life scenarios to scenes from Harry Potter. I was a total nutcase. I just couldn't stop! Shortly after my Harry Potter obsession I became hooked on Sex and the City. Eyes practically bleeding, I watched the series sometimes until 4:00 am. I have so many examples of these addictions. The minute I crack open the cover of a new book I feel inclined to finish it that day - even if it is horrible! It is just the way I am programmed.
All I know is that this particular personality trait transcends into my relationships with people. I have always preferred to have a small number of very close friends rather than a large group of acquaintances. I am a true believer in "best friends" and "soul mates." I prefer quality over quantity, and I prefer to give all my love to a small group of people rather than spread it out sparingly over many people. If I don't talk to Sara or Kelly for more than a week I start to feel like I haven't heard from them in over a year. I just need to know what they have been up to, and I truly care about what is happening in their lives. This lengthy explanation serves as the precursor to my next point. I am completely and madly in love with my dog, Griffin.
I love Griffin so much that I truly believe he has opened a part of my soul that I never knew existed. Sometimes I have dreams about Griff falling off a ledge or running into the street and I always, without thinking, risk my own life to save him. For the past two years, Griff has been our baby, our firstborn. We baby him and buy him gifts. We take him everywhere we go and I am often offended when people say he cannot come along. I am sure that Griffin is one of a kind. How many dogs do you know who can hold a hot, fresh piece of bacon in their jowls until you say "get it?" One. Griffin. I doubt most humans could do that! It is almost frightening how much I love my dog.
What I am getting at, what I have been thinking a lot about lately, is how insanely in love I will be with Chloe when she is born - how insanely in love I am with her already. There must be few things more powerful than a mother's love. I remember realizing one day, randomly, that my mother is the most amazing person in the world. I had spent a good 5-7 years being totally embarrassed of her when one day it hit me that only God Himself could love me more than my mom. And instantly it broke my heart. I thought of how she stayed home with us until we were in school. When we were old enough she got a job and went to school part time. I remember jumping on her bed while she studied for her CPA exam. Have you ever taken beginning accounting? She is amazing. She dragged us around to softball, dance, wrestling, and birthday parties. She never took a day off from loving us. Then I thought of how utterly terrible I was to her for so many years. I had even screamed the words "I HATE YOU" and slammed the door in her face. And yet she STILL loves me. I think she loves me more and more each day. That kind of love and devotion is truly remarkable. It is difficult to even put into words. I just know that I am in for something huge, something unquantifiable. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to experience the power of a mother's love!
All I know is that this particular personality trait transcends into my relationships with people. I have always preferred to have a small number of very close friends rather than a large group of acquaintances. I am a true believer in "best friends" and "soul mates." I prefer quality over quantity, and I prefer to give all my love to a small group of people rather than spread it out sparingly over many people. If I don't talk to Sara or Kelly for more than a week I start to feel like I haven't heard from them in over a year. I just need to know what they have been up to, and I truly care about what is happening in their lives. This lengthy explanation serves as the precursor to my next point. I am completely and madly in love with my dog, Griffin.
I love Griffin so much that I truly believe he has opened a part of my soul that I never knew existed. Sometimes I have dreams about Griff falling off a ledge or running into the street and I always, without thinking, risk my own life to save him. For the past two years, Griff has been our baby, our firstborn. We baby him and buy him gifts. We take him everywhere we go and I am often offended when people say he cannot come along. I am sure that Griffin is one of a kind. How many dogs do you know who can hold a hot, fresh piece of bacon in their jowls until you say "get it?" One. Griffin. I doubt most humans could do that! It is almost frightening how much I love my dog.
What I am getting at, what I have been thinking a lot about lately, is how insanely in love I will be with Chloe when she is born - how insanely in love I am with her already. There must be few things more powerful than a mother's love. I remember realizing one day, randomly, that my mother is the most amazing person in the world. I had spent a good 5-7 years being totally embarrassed of her when one day it hit me that only God Himself could love me more than my mom. And instantly it broke my heart. I thought of how she stayed home with us until we were in school. When we were old enough she got a job and went to school part time. I remember jumping on her bed while she studied for her CPA exam. Have you ever taken beginning accounting? She is amazing. She dragged us around to softball, dance, wrestling, and birthday parties. She never took a day off from loving us. Then I thought of how utterly terrible I was to her for so many years. I had even screamed the words "I HATE YOU" and slammed the door in her face. And yet she STILL loves me. I think she loves me more and more each day. That kind of love and devotion is truly remarkable. It is difficult to even put into words. I just know that I am in for something huge, something unquantifiable. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to experience the power of a mother's love!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Your Life Will Never Be The Same
These words, or some variation of these words, echo in my mind. Could this be because I hear them every single day? Your life will never be the same again. Your life is about to change forever. Children are the best and worst thing that will ever happen to you. And the charming advice goes on. While I realize that we are about to have an atomic bomb dropped directly on our perfect lives, I can't help but to hope and pray that some things never change.
I never want to have to forget how much we laugh. Every single day. There has never been a time that we have gone out to eat when Paul hasn't made me laugh hysterically. Usually it is just from him making a funny face or speaking in a funny voice over and over again. Oh the things he does to make me laugh. Like we will be sitting next to an old lady at a stop light who is creeping up on the red light and Paul will randomly peel out of the intersection like it's a race. That makes me almost pee myself. Or he will stand Griffin up on his hind legs and perform a song and dance just for me. It's not witty or sarcastic humor; it's just plain goofy humor. We are on the same wavelength. Have you ever heard the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds? It's a really serious love song about one of his many wives, but we tend get a kick out of the song by imagining Griffin at the piano singing the lyrics about us. And for one reason or another, Paul finds me to be particularly amusing at times. Chloe, maybe someday I'll perform my dance to Taylor Swift's "Love Story." Daddy finds this to be quite comical. I think that all of the goofy, insane things we do to make each other laugh are what ultimately keep us grounded, and I look forward to hearing even more laughter in our home as the years pass.
Most of all I pray that my love for Paul only goes stronger. I am confident that he is going to be a wonderful daddy. I can see him outside raking leaves into big piles for Chloe and giving her piggy back rides. She'll have him wrapped around her finger in no time. I love Paul more for loving Griffin the way I do, and his love for Chloe already melts my heart!
I never want to have to forget how much we laugh. Every single day. There has never been a time that we have gone out to eat when Paul hasn't made me laugh hysterically. Usually it is just from him making a funny face or speaking in a funny voice over and over again. Oh the things he does to make me laugh. Like we will be sitting next to an old lady at a stop light who is creeping up on the red light and Paul will randomly peel out of the intersection like it's a race. That makes me almost pee myself. Or he will stand Griffin up on his hind legs and perform a song and dance just for me. It's not witty or sarcastic humor; it's just plain goofy humor. We are on the same wavelength. Have you ever heard the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds? It's a really serious love song about one of his many wives, but we tend get a kick out of the song by imagining Griffin at the piano singing the lyrics about us. And for one reason or another, Paul finds me to be particularly amusing at times. Chloe, maybe someday I'll perform my dance to Taylor Swift's "Love Story." Daddy finds this to be quite comical. I think that all of the goofy, insane things we do to make each other laugh are what ultimately keep us grounded, and I look forward to hearing even more laughter in our home as the years pass.
Most of all I pray that my love for Paul only goes stronger. I am confident that he is going to be a wonderful daddy. I can see him outside raking leaves into big piles for Chloe and giving her piggy back rides. She'll have him wrapped around her finger in no time. I love Paul more for loving Griffin the way I do, and his love for Chloe already melts my heart!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Giving Thanks
For all of the mental haziness pregnancy has presented in my daily life, it has created boundless clarity of God's mighty blessings on our family. God has given me the opportunity to help create a human life, and I feel closer to Him than ever. How many times in life are we given the opportunity to do something so awesome? Besides Chloe, this family has so much to be thankful for this holiday season. After spending his first few weeks of life in the hospital, our newest nephew Henry (Hank) Arthur McIvor returned home a happy, healthy baby just in time for Thanksgiving. As you can see, he is the perfect blend of Sophia and Emma.
We cannot wait to meet this little guy!
God has also blessed us with the most amazing family and group of friends. This past weekend we had two baby showers where we received nearly every single item on our registry and more. My mom's shower was first at 11:00 am at The Junction of Hope Restaurant. We had salad bar, sandwiches, and cake. We also passed out adorable, delicious pink and white elephant cookies. My mom made an amazing diaper cake (which Oli thought would probably taste a little poopy). I had so much fun opening the presents. If we weren't sure of her name before our showers she is definitely Chloe now, because Drew and Shantel bought Chloe a cute little green and white, polka-dot chair embroidered with her name. Mom made us an endless supply of burp cloths and bibs in addition to a couple of receiving blankets and warm blankets with silkies on the edge at Paul's request. She even bought the digital monitor that Paul so desperately wanted. My aunts all went in on our travel system. Here are a few photos from the shower.
Kendra, Bobby Kay, and Bob's sisters threw a fancy shower at Kendra's house at 3:00. It was a french country theme and everything from the invitations to the food was absolutely perfect. We had cheese soup, brisket, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and a host of fancy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. At this shower we received quite a few thoughtful gifts including the changing table I mentioned in a previous post, a handmade quilt, and homemade cards from Oli, Ave, and Tay. Additionally, we received a package full of odds and ends Tay found around the house (including a Leapster cartridge) and hand wrapped herself (It turns out that we had to give it all back, but hey, it's the thought!). Here are a few photos from the shower.
We cannot wait to meet this little guy!
God has also blessed us with the most amazing family and group of friends. This past weekend we had two baby showers where we received nearly every single item on our registry and more. My mom's shower was first at 11:00 am at The Junction of Hope Restaurant. We had salad bar, sandwiches, and cake. We also passed out adorable, delicious pink and white elephant cookies. My mom made an amazing diaper cake (which Oli thought would probably taste a little poopy). I had so much fun opening the presents. If we weren't sure of her name before our showers she is definitely Chloe now, because Drew and Shantel bought Chloe a cute little green and white, polka-dot chair embroidered with her name. Mom made us an endless supply of burp cloths and bibs in addition to a couple of receiving blankets and warm blankets with silkies on the edge at Paul's request. She even bought the digital monitor that Paul so desperately wanted. My aunts all went in on our travel system. Here are a few photos from the shower.
Kendra, Bobby Kay, and Bob's sisters threw a fancy shower at Kendra's house at 3:00. It was a french country theme and everything from the invitations to the food was absolutely perfect. We had cheese soup, brisket, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and a host of fancy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. At this shower we received quite a few thoughtful gifts including the changing table I mentioned in a previous post, a handmade quilt, and homemade cards from Oli, Ave, and Tay. Additionally, we received a package full of odds and ends Tay found around the house (including a Leapster cartridge) and hand wrapped herself (It turns out that we had to give it all back, but hey, it's the thought!). Here are a few photos from the shower.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
First Baby Shower
On November 14, Kelly and Julie threw a perfect, pink and green, elephant themed baby shower for me and Chloe. It was the most beautiful shower ever and we felt so spoiled! The menu included homemade salads, soup, and fresh fruit. For dessert we had an elephant cake and cake suckers. Here are a few pictures.
The dessert table. I held the cake up just like you taught me, mom.
This is the clothesline full of goodies from our registry (plus some!)
Kelly had these blocks made just for Chloe!
A few more decorations including a pink elephant Kelly found on her vacation and a picture frame with Chloe's ultrasound picture.
We ate, opened gifts, and talked about the upcoming labor and delivery. Thankfully, only Kylee had a war story to tell, although I have to say that 3.5 hours of pushing a 10+ pound baby after her epidural wore off is quite the frightening war story. We received a lot of nice presents including our Pack and Play, Diaper Genie, bottles, receiving blankets, thermometer, and more. Sara's dog Lola bought Chloe a pair of Nike's, a tutu dress, Mary Jane socks, and a onesie that reads "Cute, petite female seeks intelligent male with full piggybank. Must enjoy finger painting and stuffed animals." I was also really excited to receive our baby wipe warmer. I know what you are thinking. I realize that a wipe warmer is probably a bit over the top in terms of a spoiled baby, but you have to realize that our home was built in 1926 and the wipes would be served up just shy of freezing if we didn't use a wipe warmer!
Paul and I had a lot of fun this weekend sorting through and organizing all of our great presents. I think next weekend will be pretty overwhelming with two showers in a row, but we are really excited to see all of our friends and family!
The dessert table. I held the cake up just like you taught me, mom.
This is the clothesline full of goodies from our registry (plus some!)
Kelly had these blocks made just for Chloe!
A few more decorations including a pink elephant Kelly found on her vacation and a picture frame with Chloe's ultrasound picture.
We ate, opened gifts, and talked about the upcoming labor and delivery. Thankfully, only Kylee had a war story to tell, although I have to say that 3.5 hours of pushing a 10+ pound baby after her epidural wore off is quite the frightening war story. We received a lot of nice presents including our Pack and Play, Diaper Genie, bottles, receiving blankets, thermometer, and more. Sara's dog Lola bought Chloe a pair of Nike's, a tutu dress, Mary Jane socks, and a onesie that reads "Cute, petite female seeks intelligent male with full piggybank. Must enjoy finger painting and stuffed animals." I was also really excited to receive our baby wipe warmer. I know what you are thinking. I realize that a wipe warmer is probably a bit over the top in terms of a spoiled baby, but you have to realize that our home was built in 1926 and the wipes would be served up just shy of freezing if we didn't use a wipe warmer!
Paul and I had a lot of fun this weekend sorting through and organizing all of our great presents. I think next weekend will be pretty overwhelming with two showers in a row, but we are really excited to see all of our friends and family!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
27 Week Update
Back by popular demand (okay back by Kellie's demand) I have a new baby bump picture. I have decided that now that my belly is getting big I can no longer afford to take the photo before bed in my sweats. While I don't have any stretch marks yet (please pray that continues to be the case), I do feel that the belly is much cuter while clothed! I have to say that over the past week my belly really "popped" again. I came back from Indianapolis and was shocked to see that I could finally fit into most of the maternity shirts I bought. So here is my 27 week shot.
Chloe is doing well and is getting enough exercise flipping and flopping around. Some days I can feel her kicks deeper in my tummy and then other days you can see her bouncing around very clearly through my shirt. I'm not sure that I am in tune enough to figure out her schedule, though I do know always notice her right when I wake up, right after I eat, and right before bed. She kicks randomly throughout the day, but I usually don't notice anymore.
Paul worked on the nursery while I was gone and it is really looking beautiful. I think I'll wait until after I get the rug and changing table in there to post a picture. I love it so much and I love to just go sit in there. I catch Paul brushing his teeth in there and peeking in every now and then, too.
I took the gestational diabetes test on Monday morning. The drink was pretty disgusting like everyone said it would be. The worst part about the test was sitting in the waiting room for an hour. The people were coming out of the woodwork. I have never seen such a collection of people. The guy who sat next to me smelled like he hadn't showered for weeks, and you could see the swine flu just running around high fiving people. Ick. I'm glad it's over! I am supposed to receive a phone call sometime this week or next week if there are bad results. Otherwise, we go over the test results on my next appointment.
Kelly and Julie's "friends" shower is this Saturday and I am super excited! I have a feeling that Kel has been working Jules to the bone. I know it will be the most beautiful shower I have ever seen. Is it Saturday, yet?
Chloe is doing well and is getting enough exercise flipping and flopping around. Some days I can feel her kicks deeper in my tummy and then other days you can see her bouncing around very clearly through my shirt. I'm not sure that I am in tune enough to figure out her schedule, though I do know always notice her right when I wake up, right after I eat, and right before bed. She kicks randomly throughout the day, but I usually don't notice anymore.
Paul worked on the nursery while I was gone and it is really looking beautiful. I think I'll wait until after I get the rug and changing table in there to post a picture. I love it so much and I love to just go sit in there. I catch Paul brushing his teeth in there and peeking in every now and then, too.
I took the gestational diabetes test on Monday morning. The drink was pretty disgusting like everyone said it would be. The worst part about the test was sitting in the waiting room for an hour. The people were coming out of the woodwork. I have never seen such a collection of people. The guy who sat next to me smelled like he hadn't showered for weeks, and you could see the swine flu just running around high fiving people. Ick. I'm glad it's over! I am supposed to receive a phone call sometime this week or next week if there are bad results. Otherwise, we go over the test results on my next appointment.
Kelly and Julie's "friends" shower is this Saturday and I am super excited! I have a feeling that Kel has been working Jules to the bone. I know it will be the most beautiful shower I have ever seen. Is it Saturday, yet?
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