Rituals

Well, today is not only Easter. It is also Quinn's due date. It has seemed so far away for so long. March 31, 2013. But here we are! In some ways, I can't believe I am 40 weeks along with Quinn, even though it has seemed like forever. It is like a dream that within the next few days, I will see her with my eyes instead of feel her move inside. I almost can't fathom it. This is really happening!

Every two weeks throughout my pregnancy, it has been our weekly ritual to take a belly picture with pregnancy stickers. When I put on a new sticker, I felt so excited and grateful that things were progressing and going well. Each sticker was a step closer to meeting Quinn.

 

Here I am back at 20 weeks. I loved putting on that sticker. It meant that I was halfway to meeting my Quinn. And I was so excited that my belly was starting to protrude. I remember feeling so large and wondered why some people did not notice I was pregnant.

 

Now there is no mistaking it. I definitely feel and look 40 weeks along. I love being pregnant. I have genuinely enjoyed it. Although now I admit I am ready to be a mom with my baby on the outside. My body is ready. I am ready.

Along with our sticker ritual, Chad and I have another ritual during pregnancy that we have grown to love. Every Sunday morning, when our week number would change, we sit down with our morning coffee (mine is only a mini cup, a tiny indulgence), and I read to Chad the weekly pregnancy update in both What to Expect When You're Expecting and The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. We marvel over the changes that are occurring in Quinn and in my body. It has been so fun to imagine her growing and changing each week.

 

Sunday mornings soon became our favorite. As soon as we wake up each week, Chad and I wish each other a happy new week and get excited to go downstairs to read about and envision our Quinn starting a new stage. It has felt like Christmas each week! This morning, as I read aloud to Chad, we realized it was our last week to read from the books. It was a bittersweet feeling. We will miss our rituals. But we are so excited to create new rituals with Quinn on the outside and in our lives. It will mean so much to us. We love you Quinn!

Waiting Is Hard

Quinn, I can't believe you are not here yet! I thought for sure you were coming early. Nearly everyone in my entire family did, too. After our evening in Labor and Delivery during our 30th week, along with the fact that both Daddy and I were born a couple of weeks early, I assumed you would follow suit. Well, we were all wrong. I am now 39.5 weeks along. Your due date is Sunday. I hope this is a sign that you will be a more patient person that your mommy is. Maybe this means you will take your time and be more laid back than I am. Time will tell.

As I have been waiting for you, I have been nesting. I have been cleaning the house like crazy and have done some planting, both inside and out. It has felt good to plant flowers. It reminds me that it is spring and new life is everywhere.

 

I chose some bright yellow and orange marigolds for our patio. You are going to be such a bright spot in our lives, so I thought these colors were fitting.

 

I also planted some violas and marigolds by the fish pond. Klemmy decided that she wanted to stand in front of some of the flowers for the picture. It was hard work to plant! I put a variety of flowers in the ground all over the yard. I hoped that gardening would put me in to labor, but nope, it didn't work.

 

Since I plan on snuggling with you in our living room when we bring you home, I thought we needed some blooms indoors, too. Here are some flowers on the antique fireplace. They liven up the room, just as I know you will when you finally come. I am in suspense and wonder when it will finally happen! I can't wait to see your face and to hold you.

Your Latest Picture

We had an ultrasound at 36 weeks, 5 days to check your growth and position, sweet Quinn. Well, this ultrasound turned out to be my favorite one of all! We got to see you practice breathing. You opened and closed your eyes and even stuck out your cute little tongue. It was amazing. Daddy and I had tears in our eyes as we saw your face. Our hearts melted as we gazed at the screen. We are getting so close to meeting you now. I am now over 38 weeks. You could come any time. In the meantime, I keep looking at this sweet picture of your face. I can't wait to see this face as you are snuggled in my arms.

Southern Spring

 

The world is blooming here. It feels like it is coming to life just for you, little Quinn! There are beautiful, bright, white blossoms in the trees. I admire them as I walk slowly in our neighborhood, wondering when you will arrive.

 

Even the azaleas in our driveway are blooming in reds, pinks, and whites. It reminds me of all the pink flowers that decided to bloom in our back yard last summer when I first learned I was pregnant with you. I was so nervous at the time, and I took comfort in those blooms. I told myself that the pink flowers meant that you were growing strong. I am looking at the flowers blooming now and am hoping it means that you will be ready to be safely born very soon.

 

Even the doves have returned for the season and are starting to nest! Daddy and I watched this pair of doves all through last summer and it looks like they are getting started again. I am excited for you to see the beauty in this world, Quinn. I want to share it with you. I can't wait to see it all through your eyes.

My New Favorite Room in the House

This is Quinn's Nursery. It is my new favorite room in the house. It has such a good energy about it when I walk in to it. It is bright and cheerful, yet comforting and peaceful. I can feel all the love and thought that Chad and I put in to the room. This room was barren for months after we moved in to our home. It was empty, just like my broken heart at the time. From the first time we walked through the home and decided to put an offer in on the house, this was the room I wanted to be my daughter's room. I was so worried it might never happen back then. Now it is full and ready for Quinn, just like my healing heart.

 

This is the view of the room from the doorway. This was taken on a cloudy morning, so it shows how much nice natural light comes in during the day time.

 

 

This is the room in the evening, cozy and waiting for Quinn to arrive.

 

 

I love having her name above her crib. I cannot wait to meet this little being named Quinn.

 

 

Here is a view of her crib area from the windows looking back. You can see her name on the wall, as well as a painting that I painted when I was in preschool. I love being able to incorporate some of the artwork I did as a young child in to her room.

 

 

I sit in her glider often and try to imagine what it will be like to hold her and rock her. You can see another one of my early childhood paintings in the background. There are a few toys and special items on her book shelf. And I have already started to stock up on children's books on the bottom shelf. I cannot wait for Chad and me to read her bedtime stories.

 

 

This picture that I stumbled across became an inspiration for her nursery. It reminded me of our little family. We are adding our own little baby bird to our nest, making it three!

 

 

I ended up finding two other paintings that had three birds in them. So they are hanging above her dresser, which will also serve as a diaper changing area for now. Yes, Roswell just had to get in on the picture taking action.

 

 

If you look closely, Quinn's swing even has three birds on its mobile. When we bought this swing, the nursery was not decorated, so this was unplanned.

 

 

When I sit in Quinn's glider, I can either look out her bedroom windows or else I can gaze through her doorway and look through all of these windows in our hallway. I love the light that comes in. Her room is such a special spot. We plan on having Quinn sleep in our room at first, but I know that we will still spend many hours of her first few months together in her room.  

36 Weeks and Growing

I took this picture a few weeks ago. This is the view I have of my feet. This view is proof that Quinn has definitely grown. She feels big when she moves. I remember when I felt light flutters a few months ago. Now she feels so much stronger and larger! She warps my stomach while she is moving and feels so strong. It is amazing to imagine her in there, so close to being ready to enter the world.

This is my belly at 36 weeks. It looks like I have a basketball shoved up my shirt. I can't believe that our daughter is snuggled up in there and that in just a few weeks, we get to hold her in our arms! Quinn, you are so loved and wanted! We are anticipating your arrival and are doing little things to get ready: attending infant care classes, laundering your clothes and bedding, packing hospital bags, etc. We want everything to be just right when it is time to bring you home for the first time. Daddy and I love you so much already. It is hard to imagine what it will be like to see you and hold you.

This week I reached another milestone: I can no longer zip my jackets up! I am glad that a few of my jackets can zip from both the top and the bottom. Quinn, I never thought I would reach a point in my life when I would be happy to gain weight and get bigger each week. You have changed that for me! I am happy to give you a healthy, safe place to grow. Although I admit that I am not excited about having to burn these extra pounds off once you arrive, you are definitely worth it!