a superbowl sunday tradition.

Four years ago, right before kick-off on Superbowl Sunday my water broke with Jackson. Dan and I spent my first hours of labor in the hospital watching Drew Brees and the Saints win Superbowl 2010. We joked about Jonah interrupting the Superbowl once again... which he did, just in a less significant way. All day I had noticed that Jonah was moving around very little which is very unlike him. No matter what I ate or drank or did he still wasn't being active, so late this afternoon I called my doctor and she asked me to come into the hospital to check on Jonah's heartbeat and to monitor his movement. Our little guy turned out to be perfectly healthy, but I found it amusing that they put me in the exact same room in triage where I was with Jackson that day 4 years ago at almost the exactly same time of day... right at kick-off.

{waiting on jonah daniel}

I'm so thankful my good friend Jessie was so sweet and came by yesterday to capture some maternity shots before Jonah arrives later this week. I know I'll treasure these in the years to come as I look back on carrying my first three babies and missing how they were once tucked safely inside where I could feel them moving around and dreaming of all that life would hold for them. I am so blessed. 

the much anticipated bliss of maternity leave.

Today was day #2 on maternity leave. Beautiful, glorious maternity leave. I can't explain the physical and mental relief that happened when I walked out my office door for the last time until next summer. I love my career, I am very blessed to have it, but I also know the strain it puts on me and more importantly my family and so these next 6 months are dedicated to them. To my (almost THREE!) babies and my husband and all things simple and pure and good. 

{Jonah Daniel} 36 weeks!

It's been an eventful past week with Jonah...

long story short, last Tuesday my back decided it was over carrying the weight of this pregnancy, paralyzing my body in pain and resulting in an ambulence ride from my office to the hospital, the day in the hospital and then a few days of bed rest at home. Thankfully, although I'm still living on a heating pad, I'm at least back to my normal routine and am able to walk somewhat normally. In other news, I had my weekly DR's appointment on Monday and learned that I'm already 2cm dilated and because of my back issues I will be induced on February 7th (a week early) if Jonah hasn't arrived by then. Which also means that my last day working is next Thursday... oh, sweet, sweet maternity leave, I can't wait to see you. 

{jonah daniel} 33 weeks!

{jonah daniel} 31 weeks

Things I'm most looking forward to:

(in no particular order)

-Wearing my real clothes

-Not being huge

-Meeting Jonah

-Being able to sleep on my stomach

-Being able to sleep at all

{baby #3} 19 weeks.

I can very clearly remember being pregnant with Jackson and feeling like he would never get here, like the pregnancy was lasting forever. My time carrying Audrey went a little faster, but not much, so it's hard to believe with baby #3 that I'm almost half-way through! While this time around has been harder physically and mentally due to the intense exhaustion, it has actually passed refreshingly quickly. This photo was from our time in Saugatuck when I was 18 weeks, so a little outdated, but next week we'll have the really fun updates to share- photos, the gender and a name! Jackson is still adamantly voting for a girl and Audrey stubbornly tells us that baby is a boy. My instincts have me siding with Audrey... but we will find out for sure on the 27th. 

{15 weeks}

We are now in week #15 of our pregnancy with baby #3. I am just starting to feel somewhat less tired and nauseous. It seemed to take longer to get to this more comfortable phase than it did with Jackson or Audrey, probably because I have Jackson and Audrey to chase around. Little monsters. At this point I am more convinced than ever that this baby is a boy, but we'll find out for sure at the end of September. Come on out, baby, Mama can't wait for maternity leave... I mean, to hold you! Okay, maybe a little of both. Only (half) kidding... 

{13 weeks}

This weeks marks #13 with baby #3 on the way. That's 13 too many weeks to wait if you ask Jackson who is insistent that the baby is big enough to come out any minute. His excitement and love for the baby is already clear, much like it was for Audrey before she was born. And speaking of the peanut, she loves giving mommy's baby belly lots of kisses each day, sometimes even peeking under my shirt, wondering where that baby everyone keeps talking about really is... Rest peacefully for the next little while, baby, because you've got two crazy little fans just waiting for you to join them in creating all things chaotic and beautiful.