Nearing the end of this pregnancy in late August, and carrying a rather large little girl, it's fair to say I'm getting rather uncomfortable. Out of respect for those who don't care or don't want to be scared away from having their own kiddos, I'll spare you any more details.
Because it gets so easy to focus on the negatives (and for some reason, it seems like pregnant women feel as if they have a free pass for being negative), I'm trying really hard to practice a "focus on the positives" approach. For those who remember Pollyanna... it's kinda like her Glad Game. Now don't get me wrong, this doesn't make the discomfort or not-so-great realities go away, but it does help to not let them overtake me. I guess you'll have to check in with Rye to see how well I'm executing this approach.
Below is a list of the things I'm very thankful for right now. Or considered another way, things I wonder how women survive without. What are you thankful for today?
1. Central air conditioning... and my husband understanding my desire to keep it a few degrees cooler than normal
2. A car - not having to take public transit or walk everywhere
3. A job that lets me work at home
4. In-unit washer & dryer
5. Health insurance that allows me to receive excellent care
6. Not having to work a second (or third) job
7. Family & friends who are incredibly helpful and excited to meet this baby
8. Relatively easy access to and the ability to have, the things I want, when I want them
9. Trevor, our dog walker, who prevents me from having to take any extra steps in the heat
10. A loving and involved husband
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Growing Bump
Are words really necessary? With a 7 lb. 9 oz. baby in my belly today (35 weeks)... it's hard to believe I thought I was big at 21 and even 27 weeks. I guess it's all about perspective. These pics definitely capture the progression from a mini bump to what now feels like a mountain. Really, how does the human body do this? And thank goodness for the amazing Bella Mama Belly Butter!
11 weeks
14.5 weeks
20 weeks (after baby's first 5K)
27 weeks
32 weeks (baby is 5 lbs. 15 oz.)
35 weeks (baby is 7 lbs. 9 oz.)
35 weeks (baby is 7 lbs. 9 oz.)
38 weeks (9.3.07)
11 weeks
14.5 weeks
20 weeks (after baby's first 5K)
27 weeks
32 weeks (baby is 5 lbs. 15 oz.)
35 weeks (baby is 7 lbs. 9 oz.)
35 weeks (baby is 7 lbs. 9 oz.)
38 weeks (9.3.07)Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Brandtrust SURPRISE Baby Shower
I suspected something was up when Beth asked me to be in the office on Wednesday (I now work at home several days a week)... but I honestly wasn't sure what. I thought it was a little early for a pre-baby celebration, and with my birthday coming up, I thought maybe we would celebrate early.
So when Katie asked me to help her with something in the copy room and Steph suggested we take a walk to chat/bring lunch back, I was happy to go. Little did I know I would return to a SURPRISE luncheon baby shower! My Brandtrust friends/colleagues really know how to throw a party.... complete with great food, fun decor, and a surprise special guest - Ryan! Highlights include everyone's baby name guesses (Katie's pick, Wicked Wichuthu Westrom, wins the creativity prize), the birthdate pool (winner gets a $100 Banana giftcard), amazing creme bruleé cake, and a very generous gift card for our stroller.
Thank you BT!
So when Katie asked me to help her with something in the copy room and Steph suggested we take a walk to chat/bring lunch back, I was happy to go. Little did I know I would return to a SURPRISE luncheon baby shower! My Brandtrust friends/colleagues really know how to throw a party.... complete with great food, fun decor, and a surprise special guest - Ryan! Highlights include everyone's baby name guesses (Katie's pick, Wicked Wichuthu Westrom, wins the creativity prize), the birthdate pool (winner gets a $100 Banana giftcard), amazing creme bruleé cake, and a very generous gift card for our stroller.
Thank you BT!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Week 32 ultrasound - there's a big girl in there!
One of the upsides to having diabetes (I do my best to focus on these... :) is getting to have extra ultrasounds. Our reward after the big work weekend was having our week 32 ultrasound on Monday, July 23.
We were thrilled to learn that this little girl still looks healthy. And, after a weekend of painting, etc. that she's still a girl. We also learned that she's in the high 90th percentile for size. (YIKES!!!). Yep, they estimate she was 5 lbs. 14 oz.! Ryan said the ultrasound tech took the measurements multiple times... as if she had made a mistake with the numbers. I will admit that the prospect of delivering a really big baby (they estimate a 1/3 - 1/2 lb./week growth rate from here on out... if we went to 40 weeks... you do the math) makes me a little nervous. At first I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault due to my diabetes (though, after looking at Rye & me, the MD did say that a big Scandinavian couple like us would likely have a big baby... I didn't correct him that I'm not Scandinavian)... but, as I imagine we'll do over & over again on this journey of parenthood, I have to take comfort in the promise that this little girl is God's child - first & foremost. He promises in His word that he knew her before she was knit together in my womb (crazy!) and that he has a plan for her.... Of course, parenthood does come with tremendous responsibility and we have been entrusted with her care. But at the end of the day, we're human too... I hope we can always take comfort in the fact that we're not expected to be perfect and that we simply can't be. But this little girl will always have a perfect parent in her heavenly father.
The docs say we'll take a 'wait & see' approach to further monitoring her weight and making any decisions on implications for delivery. I'm crossing my fingers we'll get to go a little early.
We were thrilled to learn that this little girl still looks healthy. And, after a weekend of painting, etc. that she's still a girl. We also learned that she's in the high 90th percentile for size. (YIKES!!!). Yep, they estimate she was 5 lbs. 14 oz.! Ryan said the ultrasound tech took the measurements multiple times... as if she had made a mistake with the numbers. I will admit that the prospect of delivering a really big baby (they estimate a 1/3 - 1/2 lb./week growth rate from here on out... if we went to 40 weeks... you do the math) makes me a little nervous. At first I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault due to my diabetes (though, after looking at Rye & me, the MD did say that a big Scandinavian couple like us would likely have a big baby... I didn't correct him that I'm not Scandinavian)... but, as I imagine we'll do over & over again on this journey of parenthood, I have to take comfort in the promise that this little girl is God's child - first & foremost. He promises in His word that he knew her before she was knit together in my womb (crazy!) and that he has a plan for her.... Of course, parenthood does come with tremendous responsibility and we have been entrusted with her care. But at the end of the day, we're human too... I hope we can always take comfort in the fact that we're not expected to be perfect and that we simply can't be. But this little girl will always have a perfect parent in her heavenly father.
The docs say we'll take a 'wait & see' approach to further monitoring her weight and making any decisions on implications for delivery. I'm crossing my fingers we'll get to go a little early.
Prepping for baby with G'ma & G'pa Cochrane
What a weekend! July 20-22 marked our big prep-for-baby work weekend. And prep & work we did (or should I say Ryan and my mom & dad did... :)! These photos capture the highlights of our condo's transformation. They don't capture mom's cleaning frenzy (which took place while I napped), our big trip to IKEA... or our yummy food breaks with El Farol burritos, Hot Doug's hot dogs, or Hub's gyros. As you can tell, Ally is very excited about all these changes...
Tremendous progress had been made by the end of the weekend... none of which would have been possible without the amazing assistance of G'ma and G'pa Cochrane. They are truly gifted in the area of service and we are so thankful for their support (especially in areas like dry walling and installing outlets... where we have NO CLUE)! This little girl is going to make her home in a beautiful, organized condo. If she doesn't appreciate it, her mommy & daddy sure will.
Stay tuned for pics of the finished projects...
The director - hard at work!
How many paint samples does it take to make a selection?
Grandma Cochrane on laundry duty
Grandma & Grandpa Cochrane centering shelf brackets
The electrician installing a light dimmer
Grandpa Cochrane & Dad preparing a beautiful room
What's happening to my house?
Tremendous progress had been made by the end of the weekend... none of which would have been possible without the amazing assistance of G'ma and G'pa Cochrane. They are truly gifted in the area of service and we are so thankful for their support (especially in areas like dry walling and installing outlets... where we have NO CLUE)! This little girl is going to make her home in a beautiful, organized condo. If she doesn't appreciate it, her mommy & daddy sure will.
Stay tuned for pics of the finished projects...
The director - hard at work!
How many paint samples does it take to make a selection?
Grandma Cochrane on laundry duty
Grandma & Grandpa Cochrane centering shelf brackets
The electrician installing a light dimmer
Grandpa Cochrane & Dad preparing a beautiful room
What's happening to my house?Sunday, July 15, 2007
Visit from Aunt Tracy & Uncle Robby
While we love living in Chicago, one down side is being far away from family. With limited vacation days, funds, and us all having great friends and commitments in our respective communities, it's often difficult to figure out visits. Facing this reality, we get really excited to have visitors... and even more excited when the stars align for multiple visitors.
Thursday, July 12 was one such moment! It just so happened that Rye's sister Tracy was passing through on her way from Atlanta to MN and Rye's brother Robby was passing through on his way from MN to a wedding in OH. How cool!
Tracy arrived in time for some relaxing and helping Rye move the awesome baby's room rocker purchased from Craigslist (THANK YOU TRACY... I'M IN NO SHAPE TO HELP WITH MOVING!). We then ventured out for Thai at Sticky Rice (the best!), where Robby and his friend Jim joined us.
We then got a bonus visit from Robby & Jim on Saturday during their trip back to MN from Ohio! This time we enjoyed Chicago-style deep-dish pizza from Chicago's Pizza & Pasta (they'd never had deep dish! - can you tell we love food?) and had a little more time to hang out.
As is often the case, the visits seemed way to short... but we've come to appreciate any time we get together and anticipate the next one... likely after the arrival of this little girl!
Thursday, July 12 was one such moment! It just so happened that Rye's sister Tracy was passing through on her way from Atlanta to MN and Rye's brother Robby was passing through on his way from MN to a wedding in OH. How cool!
Tracy arrived in time for some relaxing and helping Rye move the awesome baby's room rocker purchased from Craigslist (THANK YOU TRACY... I'M IN NO SHAPE TO HELP WITH MOVING!). We then ventured out for Thai at Sticky Rice (the best!), where Robby and his friend Jim joined us.
We then got a bonus visit from Robby & Jim on Saturday during their trip back to MN from Ohio! This time we enjoyed Chicago-style deep-dish pizza from Chicago's Pizza & Pasta (they'd never had deep dish! - can you tell we love food?) and had a little more time to hang out.
As is often the case, the visits seemed way to short... but we've come to appreciate any time we get together and anticipate the next one... likely after the arrival of this little girl!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Baby's first weddings
It's hard to believe that it's been 6 years since Rye & I got married... at the risk of sounding cliche, the time really has flown by! We've experienced a lot as we've grown as individuals and in our ability to love one another over this time. I wonder if we'll say the same in 6 more... 12 more... 18 more years...
We marked our anniversary season by sharing in the marriages of Matt & Anne Ahrens and Ty & Laura Grigg. What great ways to remember our own vows! Both weddings took place in Champaign-Urbana and were beautiful expressions of love by couples surrounded by many family & friends.
At both weddings, it was difficult not to think about the many weddings we will attend with our little girl... and of course, the possibility of her wedding. For now we'll stop at thinking about her attending weddings... and mark her first ones with these photos! :)
Rye & Sarah after Matt & Anne's wedding
Rye & Sarah @ Ty & Laura's wedding - our 6th anniversary!
With the Ahren's family (Jared, Yvonne & Joshua)
With the beautiful Jess Elkow
The boys playing bocce ball (Joshua & Jared Ahrens, Rye, Chris Ridgeway & Rob Anderson)
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