Last Day?

We are just about there, about to embark on a new adventure as parents. Bryce is doing just fine. She is a real trooper and I'm so proud of her! Thank you for your love and support. Stay tuned for another exciting blog post!

Still Growing

Can it really get any bigger? Apparently, yes. Forty inches around what used to be the smallest part of my upper body isn't big enough for Mo. I guess It's going for 41.

Feelin' Fine at 39

Chris was having fun photographing me =]

Look at that basketball!

Are you all as ready as we are to meet Mo?!!

Baby Blessing-Way

This most special occasion was designed and planned and carried out by sisters Bree, Brook, Kaylan, and my mom. There was nothing traditional about it. It was not a shower of baby gifts and games played with toilet paper, but a time to bless and pray over us and our little Mo-to-be. Although a few did bring some lovely things for Mo-mer, which we are very thankful for, the main focus was on fellowshipping with one another and sharing words of wisdom and encouragement with Chris and me. The main area of blessing was for Mo's cloth diapers. God is always faithful and through the lovely women who are invested in our family, we were able to purchase the only diapers we will ever need!!Well, I just told you we didn't play any games. It turns out that my very in-tune, very adorable, very capable midwife, Jen Bozza (caringforwomenmidwifery.com) brought a treasure that I will always cherish, but is mainly for me to wear or have nearby during the labor and birth. She explained the gift to us while holding a bag of beautiful and unique glass beads. Each of my friends and family chose a bead that they loved and spoke a word of hope or blessing over it so I could reflect on them on Mo's birth day.

Jen started off the bead ceremony with a hope for trust...
Now I really did try to retain each and every word spoken over the beads, but I am drawing a blank for some of them. Help me out and leave your comments so I can remember!Mom's bead for the miracle of God's work in me (and?)...
Miss Pam's pink bead hopes for a girl-Mo and memories to be made with our baby...

Banana's bead for minimal discomfort...and "good luck with those cloth diapers!"

And Bree's for a good night's rest before labor day...

Brook's bead for courage and to call her "as soon as I go into labor"...

On a large side note...
Here's what my little niece and nephews, the Monde's cats, and our bunnies have to look up to (37 weeks!)...
Bonnie and Kaylan's beads of blessing...

Stephanie's prayer for abundant breast milk!...

Yeah, that's a good one!

Joni's bead for no fear and
Ashley's prayer for joy in motherhood...

Ginny's blue bead for blue eyes...

Marianne's moment of sentimentality in praying for Mo's purity...

My nieces' blessings...Receiving so much genuine love, support, and prayers from you all is the best gift! Thank you for being wholly invested in our family!

What's that you have?

"Oh it's just me. I've got my chin up, but I'm head-down and I'm comfortably lodged where I should be at week 35. I'm pretty cozy in here and am pleased with the view. I've got a rib-kick in my step and have lots of hiccups lately (what other way is there to learn how to breath in here?). I really like being moved around about every hour and a half no matter what time of day or night. My heart is strong and healthy at about 130 bpm's. I wiggle and wave almost all day long, which is how I like to exercise. I'm getting bigger every day and I'd say I'm about 5 or 6 pounds now. I like listening to the singing voice and the reading voice. It's also fun bumping heads with the cousins. I also can't wait to meet all the nice hands that have been patting me. See you all in 5 to 7 (weeks, that is)!"

Yes. That's Mo!

Skipping backwards

Fooled you (I must have skipped a week ahead. Counting is hard). Just here at 32 weeks and going strong. I think "Mo" is having a growth spurt because It never stops moving and I'm extra moody/winey/complainy/sleepy/blimpy. Thankfully, Chris is here to rub my back/neck/legs/feet. Thank you, Mister!

Curly, Larry and "Mo"

Here's to 30 Weeks. Just 10 to go!

Merry Christmas! =]

Not really the picture I envisioned for this post, but here we are at 28 and 1/2 weeks. This face doesn't say it, but I love being pregnant!!

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! We love you!

First Thing This A.M.

I noticed just how "baby" I'm becoming.










<--- 27.5 weeks

Happy 26th Week

23

It's such a nice number, twenty-three.

I was married at twenty-three and now
I'm in week twenty-three of pregnancy.

What's happening on the inside...

This baby is constantly tumbling and flying all over the womb, making umbilical baskets with the placenta and layups with a fist of furry. It's like a full-on rave party with this kid. Mo will bust a hey-here's-my-booty move after breakfast and then be break-dancing for the rest of the night. No matter what correlation I have to the number 23, I love this week because we're that much closer to holding this little be-bopper!

In bloom

Chris and I are in a season of life that neither of us has ever been through before. As most of you know, we have been simplifying our home-life--clutter and twaddle things we don't "love," while other areas outside the home are becoming more complex. I feel like I can contain most of the treasured possessions we have agreed to keep in our tiny town-house, but there are a few BIG things we want to share. This online journal will be a way for you all to check in and keep in touch with "what's new" in our ever-changing life!

So much dreaming and growing is taking place and we are feeling stressed and pressed, but mostly blessed throughout the start of this season. We are expecting our first child in the spring and we are planning the move into our first home. Chris is revving up to become the sole provider for our family by finishing school and he's going full-time into his freelance design business, Schroeder Creations.

Don't worry about my Mister! God has proven this is the path Chris and I are going to take. He continues to provide us with unexpected opportunities for business and with long-term clients.

Things have been going excellently throughout my pregnancy. I am feeling closer to our growing baby every day. Especially on mornings like today, when little "Mo" was moving and shaking all over my uterus! Hehe :) It's fun being pregnant!