31 weeks: Skin!

I haven't shown this much skin since the early 1980's...

2 Months To Go.

Steve and I were at our synod assembly (church convention) this week and kept answering the question, "When are you due?" In the process we realized Baby is due exactly 2 MONTHS from TODAY! Wow. That's crazy. We are also very careful not to depend upon that estimated due date, I keep telling myself August 5th... 41 weeks is more realistic for most first time Mamas.

Meeting my Midwife

This week I met the woman who delivered me into the world. I think that is about the coolest thing ever. Here I am in Denver, CO, preparing to give birth with midwives here at a free-standing birth center (only one in Denver!) and I happen to meet the woman who helped my Mom (and Dad) bring me into the world. She is a mother of a friend in the Lutheran world... and in Colorado that is a very small world. We were at a film screening (Lord Save Us from you Followers- very interesting, I recommend it), as was this friend, and his parents were in town so he brought them along. As I made my way to the purchase table, I ran into them and was introduced, quickly discovering that she was a midwife, with my protruding belly! I then discovered they were from La Crosse, WI to which I always respond, "I was born there!" And the pieces just fell into place: Gunderson Lutheran Hospital- midwives- 1979... I called my Mom the next day and yep, she was it! My only regret is that I didn't think to take a photo of our chance meeting. But I did offer to buy her lunch next time she's in town, so we'll see if that ever works out. It would be great fun to just have a little sit-down chat with the woman who delivered me, and probably have a birth story of our own to tell by then!

hiking, biking and picnics

Keeping active...

30 Weeks

Baby had a huge growth spurt since our last midwife appointment 5 weeks ago. Baby can only grow "out" now! It's amazing to think that it's already been 10 weeks since our ultrasound, and we have the same amount (approx) to go until Baby's here!

29 Weeks

Do I look Huge or what?! 11 or 12 more weeks to go!

28 Weeks - 6 Months - 3rd Trimester!

THIRD Trimester is here! And we are starting to be able to recognize appendages pushed up against one side of my belly or the other. Lots of fun to start "communicating" when s/he pushes outside, we can push back!

Baby Showers

We are so blessed by all the baby showers we are being given! It was great fun to see family and friends in MN to celebrate Baby back in March...when I just barely had a bump! Our Baby stash is beginning to grow.

The Evergreen Lutheran women through me a shower today-- Thanks for all the baby stuff! We need it. My internship site has been incredibly generous to us and excited about seeing Baby grow. And the blessings of joy and love abound!

In June we'll have the pleasure of partying with friends here in Colorado! This will be a well-celebrated Baby before it even arrives!

Baby's Daddy an I cannot express enough our gratitude to all those who are showering love upon us during this time. We truly appreciate the Baby items that we need and most importantly: Baby will come into this world knowing s/he has been embraced by a wide village of people.

We love you!