37 Weeks, second go round

Well girl, I tried, I really did. We took photos outside and inside, days apart even and no matter which way you slice it or dice it I still end up looking very pregnant and I'm afraid, very tired. No use denying it I guess but the exhausted and uncomfortable look is not my favorite.
Please come soon-ish.

We chose a name for you, in honor of it being March (the month of your due date) and all, we decided it best time and I love it! I hope you love it too. We have family and friends lined up to help when you arrive and you have a sister who is anxiously awaiting your arrival. I'm glad you'll be arriving in the spring. We didn't really plan it that way but there is so much joy in the arrival of spring. New life, colors and warmth. How fun to have a birthday during this season of new growth. 

At least that's what March looks like in Alabama. Plenty of states still have snow, but we won't go into that. Instead we are relishing in the days of trees blooming, light jackets and plenty of afternoons in the backyard. 

Happy spring and happy birth month (hint, hint). 

Second Birthday

Happy Birthday Baby!

29 weeks, second go round

Happy 29 weeks little girl. I'm a little late in writing this but today you've made it to 29 weeks. Officially in the 3rd trimester now and feeling it. Weariness has taken on a new hour, after Isabel goes down I am always tempted to join her. 7:30 bedtime never sounded so good. I've also been having heartburn this time around, tell me that means you're gonna have some lovely locks? I didn't have any heartburn the first go round and your sister was bald so maybe...

At your last checkup your heart rate was 144 and you and I both passed the glucose test with flying colors, I was worried, Isabel and I didn't do so hot, but you and me baby got it made. I don't remember feeling so much movement in the last pregnancy or being able to feel so many of your body parts but maybe I just have selective memories. Either way you are a mover and a shaker. Someone has to keep your sister on her toes, it might as well be you. 

We are still struggling with a name, nothing seems quite right or we can't seem to agree. I'm sure we'll find one soon, hopefully sooner rather than later. Maybe we'll have to poll our family and friends for an idea.

In other news: your Dad and sister have been spending more time together; in an effort to bond and prepare her for you. Which means you and I have been spending some much needed "quality" time together. Translation: they are not the only ones benefiting from bonding, my introverted self is loving the "alone" time, time to shop and sleep and craft and get a tea, all interrupted; except of course by your beautiful self. 

The weather here, in true Alabama fashion, has been a bit cooky. On more than one January day we've worn shorts and sandals. We are doing our best to soak up these days outside, taking walks and playing in the backyard. Best news of all: our favorite local coffee shop is opening up a new location on the riverwalk. I can already tell you there will be loads of walks and playdates along the trail with a treat in hand, loads I tell you, both before and after you come. 

Hang in there little one, I sometimes think you are trying to escape somewhere between my hip and rib cage but I assure you good things come to those who wait, and you my friend are worth waiting for. Loves!  

20 weeks, second go round

Happy twenty weeks babe, you're measuring 8oz this week. You've been very active, even your dad has felt you move, your sister would too but her patience level isn't quite up to speed with your sporadic movements. We found out your gender this week and will keep it a secret for a few more days, maybe weeks before we reveal online, but it does make it all the more real to know more about you and have seen you on the screen. You are healthy, and I hope happy, in your temporary home, growing each week and impressing us with your kicks and rolls. 

Your sister is very excited to meet you baby, maybe a little unsure post ultrasound, but excited nonetheless, as are we (excited not unsure). I hope you'll be fast friends and find your place in our little family, you'll be such a great addition! Keep up the good work. 

Sharing

I feel as if I'm living in some alternate reality. Think "Pleasantville" or 1950's a throwback to a time when people knew their neighbors. And I don't mean know their name or what kind of car they drive but details like what they did on their last vacation, what they are watching on tv tonight, whether or not their toddler is embracing potty training or where their child got their latest bruise or whether or not I'm pregnant; you know details we introverts like to keep to ourselves.

We like our home, we like the location in town and the giant backyard that we don't have to maintain. We like that it is one of the few spots in town to have sidewalks. But what I'm finding hard to live with is that we also share our leisure space with all the other folks on our street; our neighbors.

I recently read a book "Assimilate or Go Home", the author and her husband purposefully move into apartment housing to live in closer community to others. They have a fierce desire to know their neighbors, to love them and serve them. It sounds so good, reading it on the page that is, living it out is proving to be harder than I like. It's not that I don't want to know the people living down the street but usually my first inclination is to get the mail and hide out in my backyard or inside my house, meanwhile my extroverted husband and daughter are itching for a walk, socialization i.e. neighbor time.

And so we've settled into a routine; checking mail and taking a walk after dinner. Part of me hopes there won't be anyone out, that they'll be too busy to talk and we can quickly circle back home. I do enjoy talking with them and being blessed by the parenting comradery and gifts of toys they seem to think my daughter needs but man does it stretch me.

Toys that often come with parenting instruction that our sweet neighbors think Isabel "needs"

It's uncomfortable to share, to make conversation. It feels unnatural and often times I dread it but I'm pretty sure it's good for me and I definitely don't want my daughter to be holed up inside all because mom couldn't manage a 15 minute convo with the neighbor, revealing intimate details like what house number is ours (please don't come knocking) and what our families future plans are (read a hint, just a hint of sarcasm in this last sentence, there is also a lot of truth)

So to my husband who hopes we always live in townhouses with shared leisure space I can't say I'll always be on board with that plan thanks for dragging this introvert along,  this time anyway.

New Friend

As you may have guessed we aren't going overseas this fall. Instead we have a different sort of adventure waiting for us. We will welcome Baby number two this Spring, three cheers (or is it four now?) for us!

How to prepare for life overseas: Bread making

Previously I've mentioned that we are waiting. Waiting for what you might ask? Waiting on the government. You can laugh now, I give you my blessing. We've applied, the royal we here, I'm just playing a supporting role, to work for the State Department teaching English overseas beginning in the Fall. There are a lot of details that I'll save for later, stories and exciting what ifs but that's for another time. 

I've lived overseas before and am desperate to begin the prep work should we be accepted. The location could be anywhere really. So since packing for Eastern Europe or South America could have very different ramifications on our wardrobe choices I'm holding off on the delicious yard sale scores I'm sure are to come.

What I did decide to focus on was bread. For many months now we've been making our own bread but in a bread machine. And since I'm pretty sure we won't have one of those, wherever we end up, I wanted to master, or at least feel comfortable, making our bread from scratch. This is proving to be more difficult than I first thought. After extensive research, including making and eating lots of bread-yum, I decided to perfect my sourdough. 

Though it is sometimes frustrating, but still yummy, I haven't given up yet. I did purchase a baking scale and am determined to make a loaf similar to the picture included with my recipe. I've been close but not yet close enough. I have to keep reminding myself that it is just bread, it'll be eaten in a days time anyway but I want to do this well, to be proud of my creation, so I keep baking. Below is only half the story really, if I could bottle up the smell and send it to you I'm sure you're mouth would be watering as mine is now. 

See the separation on top? That is called an ear, a good sign of a great loaf!

I added a bit of rosemary and oregano to this particular loaf, so tasty.