Meet Malachi Jude Stretch

I have written out my birth story and sent it to a few friends, but won't write it here, mostly because my 3 readers already know it! But anyone who would like it can ask and I'll share it.

My baby is now almost 2 weeks old. He has grown and gained weight and is almost squeezing out of his new born sleepers. There were a few days that I was doing laundry like mad and thinking I needed to grab a few new sleepers but I think we will be moving up very soon to 0-3 months. We are very blessed with boy cousins who have shared their clothes with us, not to mention the many gifts we have received so we are TOTALLY and completely covered in the every day things we need. Blessed beyond measure, for sure.

We couldn't be more in love.

Not quite a Christmas baby, but we are so glad our baby came on Boxing Day! We couldn't bear to wait any longer!!

These two like to lounge together on the bed...sometimes they stare at eachother...I guess Malachi is playing hard to get with his Daddy.

We are so proud of our little fella...he sleeps like a champ..through meeting all the family, through a visit to Target and even slept through a visit to the drop in clinic to check on his rash. 

Daddy's the best at burping.

We already miss our Christmas lights, but so glad he got to see them for a few days!!!

We love you Malachi Jude!

40 Weeks plus 2 days

Well, I guess you can say my emotions have been up and down the past few days. When we woke up on Wednesday...I guess we just thought...TODAY IS THE DAY!!! In my heart and body I knew nothing was different but I just hoped and was anxious and ready in some ways for something to happen. But nothing did. Thursday I had my Doctor's report who verified...yes, nothing is happening! Thursday was a bit harder. I was disappointed and just felt so unsure because this is my first time. It's so close to Christmas and just a few other things are on my heart including worrying over schedules with all our family who live so close and little Levi's 3rd birthday...wondering if I can juggle it all!!!

But here's my Christmas blessings that I HAVE ENJOYED so far this year:
I made my Bucket List and here's the fun things I have checked off:

• Christmas Sleepover with Jonah and Levi
• Two Christmas Cookie Exchanges!! still enjoying these from our freezer
• Christmas Baking: Swedish Ginger Cookies, Pretzel Bark, Butter Tarts, Almond Crunch
• A Failed/Botched Sisters and Mom hang time in Summerside....I guess we can still count the 20 minutes of fellowship (It was my fault too, I forgot to bring a document and the rest of the afternoon was us driving around trying to meet Danny!!)
• Bredin Yankee Swap night-Everyone in our entire family including Bella the dog (poor Sophie  Kristi's dog...got stuck at home) but we did see her later on for a quick Siblings only hang out (minus Mike and Ally)
• Stretch Siblings Pizza Party
• Christmas Decorating and Christmas Tree set up watching Elf
• Lots of Christmas movie favorites watched already! Only need to watch a few more to feel like I got them all in including: Muppets Family Christmas and Muppets Christmas Carol and Little Women
• Christmas Shopping DONE!!! I keep thinking of a few things I "could" buy but trying to not to over do it
• Spending time with Dan's Parents *They have invited us for supper 3 Thursday nights this month!! So nice to not have to do dishes!!! plus its always nice to see them of course!! 

Best parts of (STILL) being preggo:

• I have made lists in my head and googled and researched and asked lots of questions of all the things I need. I finally feel "ready" in the STUFF department. Including a finished Bassinet that was done just in the nick of time by bedtime on our official Due Date (Weds)...
  
    This is so so so special to me. I am
• so glad it's all ready for our first family sleep over!!
• I truly do feel fine. I have no real clues that this is the week I'm supposed to have a baby. I feel heavier and trying to rest a lot. I have indulged in naps and sleeping in without (that much) guilt, and we go to bed fairly early cuz Dan's pretty tired. I feel bad cuz I usually wake up at 3 or 4 and read and sometimes wake Dan up....but he's sweet about it
• Baby is happy...kicking and I can definitely feel his/her little bum pressing against my belly and it's always reassuring to hear a nice healthy heart beat....
• So now all I do is wait...pray and keep thinking of things I need to do before baby comes!!

Merry Christmas!!

Almost a week away from Due Date!!!

I really wasn't the BEST model for these preggers shots but here they are all together: 

You can certainly see a great difference in the 6 weeks between 32 and 38...I kept meaning to take shots when I had places to go, but I'm always in a rush and as soon as I get home I put on comfy clothes. Had another visit today, but so far, nothing has changed!!! Its so surreal because my next weekly appointment is scheduled a day after my due date...WEIRD!!!

It's so very hard to believe its all coming so close to meeting our baby.

Baby's Room!! (38 Weeks)

Today I am 38 Weeks!!!! And I keep checking things off my list...these pics aren't professional by any means but I wanted to record them so I can remember all the little details...and it really is one of my favorite places now! I am very happy with it!!

I can't believe that these quilts are over 30 years old! Yowza. I was so blessed by a sweet lady one day I was subbing and she out of the blue said...do you need a baby swing?? And I did! So now I have one. And I kinda wanted a bright red or orange  barn light but was very happy and pleased with the one we got, and VERY excited when Cuz Scott installed the electrical stuff for us!

This summer I was gifted the most beautiful quilt, and immediately knew it would be perfect for our little one's room! I love how it has all the colors that I wanted to use, and just special that one of my childhood friends has given me such a special gift to use for my baby. I've been collecting kids books for years and this bookshelf was a VERY important part of the room! Oh, and when I opened up this cloud garland at my baby shower...I was PUMPED...it was exactly something I wanted but didn't know where or how to get it! I was SO happy that I got one of Hannah's crafts for my baby!!! 

So, Julie knows that one of my dreams is to go on a hot air balloon and gave me this sweet little nite light!!! I also should add that Jules and Gregg financed our sweet little curtains too!!! Thanks so much guys! And Dan's sister Kara blew my socks off with TONS of grey polka dotted hand made things (swaddle cloth, burp cloth, drool handkerchief, stuffie...like...WHOAH!!!!) And I was so proud of myself for scoring this rad rocker from Bev before she moved and priced getting the cushions covered at a fabric store ($100 bones...no way) and found this body pillow cushion for $6...so yeah...great deal!! How special is this beautiful painting by Kit...matches perfectly!!!

I can`t wait to add more baskets and organize this closet...but at this point I don`t have enough things to fill the baskets I ALREADY have...so that will come! I couldn`t resist Christmas PJs...but I just can`t even imagine which ones will be used!!! A few months ago, Dan`s sister was sorting out her baby clothes and gave me TONS of little yellow and green sleepers..which I was so happy to have but I snuck a few red ones in too...cuz you know...boys OR girls can rock a cute little red sleeper! Thank you so much KRISTI for this beautiful Hot Air Balloon picture! It`s completely PERFECT in every way!

More hot air balloon art over change table...and a crazy polka dotted bag...not really a diaper bag, but may need a few weeks to figure out what kind of bag I will need/want/use once I actually know what baby's need/want/use!!! And was so so so happy to receive so many cute polka dots at my shower....blankets, sheets, clothes...you name it! I am so thankful for my sweet man painting and updating my bassinet that was made by the sweetest, kindest Grampie who was a carpenter. He made that bassinet for ME when I was a baby, and now my baby's Poppa Stretch and Daddy will also have part in the bassinet legacy too! So sweet. 

So...like I said...38 weeks:

Best Parts:

• Last week I worked 4 days, which basically for the last year was a RARE thing for me...I was happy to have work but pretty achy and sore by the end of the week (lucky for me there was a surprise snow day last Thursday!!!) So this week, I kinda told myself I wouldn`t book in advance...I ended up working today (Tues) but that just might be my only day, and I don`t mind at all! I have a pretty bad cold/cough/runny nose and want to get my energy and health to a good place...just in case!!!
• I told my mom tonight besides my cold that I was feeling pretty great. I feel like I can climb stairs no prob and in general (besides the achy pubic bone/pelvic area and lower back pain) I truly do feel fine! But mom told me that alot of women feel a surge of energy near the end..and in Mom's words "It's how the Lord prepares you for labour..." so...um...that kinda makes me feel like whoah this stuff is getting REAL!!!
• I am so happy that for the most part my baby's room is all done... the bassinet is very close to being done. We got our car seat safety inspected and have put our cozy carseat blanket in...but are waiting a few more days to put it in the car. 
• We got a few other things crossed off our list on Black Friday...and I just re read the "What to Pack for the Hospital" handout and feel like I have most of what I need! So just need to get that all settled and tucked away! 
• Got all my Christmas decorations up (except tree)...I can't tell you how much that means to me! I am so thankful for dear Danny who did all the climbing and grins and bears my silly sentimental decorations!!! I broke one little porcelain caroler this year...which almost brought me to tears...but even Dan said I handled it good. And this afternoon I wrapped up a few gifts. I've literally NEVER been this close to being DONE shopping this Early...cray cray! But also very relieving!
• What else...I'm going in tomorrow to see my Doctor for my first weekly visit...not sure what they are going to "do" to me to "get things started"....so honestly not looking forward to THAT....don't make me say it on my blog but it involves a different kind of "sweeping"
• I am just very excited and nervous and can hardly believe that this jumping bean inside of me will soon be here and I will get to hug and kiss this baby's face for real THIS MONTH. And if its on sched....in 2 small short weeks! YEEHAAA!!!!

Christmas is in the Air!!!

It snowed on Friday night and just sent a jolt of cheer through the air, as well as a reminder of what driving in snow and icey slush will be like for the next 5+ months! But this is neither here nor there! Pretty excited for this most special Christmas ever as I wait to see WHEN this little baby will be arriving.

Today I am 35 weeks larger than life....
Best Parts:

• This little cutie kicks all the time and reminds me that they are there inside me, hanging out with us when we watch movies, eating supper and falling asleep at night. My family (well, the ones who aren't too shy so basically Kristi and Jay, have also felt this little one kicking!)
• The baby's room is coming along so well....here's a sneak preview, but there is a few more things to do before I can do a full on REVEAL!!! 
                              
  
  
• Like I said in last post, was BLESSED like crazy with tons of polka dots and loved putting the blankets around the room as well as my sweet little polka dotted sheets! Lots of sentimental things around the room...talk more about that soon!
• Bought our baby their Christmas pjs and Christmas book and on the look out for a cute little stocking for them! 
• Not much else to report. My belly's is pretty big....still have lots of clothes to wear but no warm winter jacket...but bundling up in Dan's coats when I need it. My pelvic area hurts more now that the belly's growing heavier but honestly, I can't really complain (except to Dan to get free massages). I have been VERY blessed with my pregnancy.
• Reading this book and will try to peek through the B-feeding book but not sure how much I will really "get" till I'm in it. 

                          

My take aways are to try to find a place in my head to be in control of my thoughts/fear. Try to relax and let my body do the job it was intended to do. Try to find joy and pleasure in the experience instead of my natural feeling of FEAR ANXIETY and NERVOUSness. I'm even trying not to tell people that this is how I really do feel because just having it there in my head and thoughts causes the fear to have more power than it should have. Anyways. I'm a newbie so I have NO clue what will really happen or if these "principles" will really even be able to happen but anything to help, right!!! These were recommended by my doula friend (aka Kristi's BFF Angie Stanley) and also by a random girl at one of my prenatal appointments!

• I can't wait to see how THIS will turn out too: Here's a sneak peek at the bassinet when I was a baby with my Mom and all my baby quilts:
  
  
          and here it is in progress!
• Looking forward to decorating, Christmas time with friends, baking, Family-get-togethers and Christmas movies!!!

Baby Blessings

I am 33 weeks, going on 34!!!

Well today I am just overwhelmed with all things baby. I feel kicks all the time and know that baby is on the go. I love it! I had a beautiful shower on Saturday and was blessed by so many wonderful friends and family. I always thought I'd be too emotional at my own baby shower, as I've been known to tear up at cute baby outfits at other baby showers I've attended...but my cheeks hurt from smiling!

It was a Polka Dot themed shower! I had my camera in my pocket and forgot to take pics! Luckily, I do have a few that the hostess (my sis in law, Kara) took before! Her decorations alone blew my mind, plus she got all the guests to WEAR polka dots! Such a sweet party....

and OH so many gifted polka dots too! Crib sheets, blankets, burping cloths, washcloths and a beautiful hand made polka dotted stuffie!!! I just keep going into my baby's room and sitting and looking all around! I am so close to being able to say its ALL done!!! We even hung pictures up on the wall last night! I'll wait until its all done to write a long sentimental Nursery post because believe me...this nursery is filled to the brim with sentamentality! My dear Mom has given me some baby quilts and hand knitted sweaters that I used as a baby...so we are talking a few decades of history here!!!

I just am so amazed that my baby is so loved and supported. I've been blessed so much with so many things so far and although we have spent lots of money, the things we have received for FREE or at a used price has saved us SO much!!! THANKFUL, THANKFUL, THANKFUL...that's all I can think!

Anyways, I am so blessed that I am still feeling great. I had a checkup last week and really have no complaints. I had a pain under my belly, as it must have been stretching out a few weeks back, that hurt when I walked or got out of bed...but that's doing better...a little pain by the end of the day but nothing I can't fix with a nice bath! I am getting excited to decorate for Christmas, but also not wanting to rush through these last few days. I want my baby to be healthy and come at the right time (just not LATE!!...please, not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day).

32 weeks!!! *heading out for a Date Day with Danny!!*

30 Weeks Strong!!!

Wow! I can't believe this wee little babe is already 30 weeks old!!! In some ways I'm still getting used to the idea that our world's going to be rocked in less then 10 weeks and in other ways I still can't believe we have to wait so much longer....Christmas is going to be so so so unforgettable this
year!

Best things so far:

• We have been faithfully attending our pre-natal classes for 4 weeks so far. And I am so thankful to have someone walking through this information with us. We have been pretty overwhelmed with the labour videos, and I get VERY weak in the knees at anything "medical-ish" (could NEVER watch Rescue 911) so some of the vids have left me feeling a little unsure and alot SCARED. But thankfully, every time there is "THAT SHOT" of the mama and daddy holding this precious little one and I can't help but cry. Its the baby that makes it ALL worth it, right!!!!
• We were given a few sleepers from our sis who just had a baby so was weeding through her clothes and it was a relief to know that our baby will have lots of duck and pooh sleepers if they do happen to come early! They are very cute and I can't imagine what our baby will look like in them, but at the same time I'm looking forward to having gender specific sleepers as soon as we know what our baby will be!! I can't wait to hold them and finally know!
• I went to a Mom to Mom sale. I felt very grown up, and VERY overwhelmed! You should have seen the strollers and baby wearing that was going on in there. I didn't really buy much. I am thankful for the peace of buying used items through FB and Kijiji where I can look at my leisure, but I guess I don't necessarily always get what I want that way! 
• We are both thinking so much more about raising our baby and talking through lots as a result of our classes and baby books and observations from our own interactions with children (past and present). Its exciting and unnerving knowing we are so different but I read a beautiful quote from a book the other day that brought tears to my eyes: 

"To excel in parenting, protect your marriage." 

(Babywise, pg.27. Ezzo and Bucknam)

Of course we both don't know what it will be like when we have a tiny human to care for every moment of every day, but I truly long to make Dan a priority. I absolutely LOVE being a wife. I think it is the best thing I have ever been and as much as I want to be a great Mom, I feel like my number one job after Loving God is to Love Dan and show my children that he is the most important relationship. I have alot to learn. So maybe in a few years I can build more upon this when I have actual experience.

• We are still thankful for a healthy heartbeat and our appointments are now going to be every 2 weeks. I'm starting to feel more strain under my belly as it's growing lots now! My Dr. recommended to keep walking, having warm baths and trying stretching/pre-natal yoga. All of which I find helps. Dan's advice is to wear comfy shoes...this is not really easy for me as I don't really "dig" the style of sneakers, but I have to admit it is WAY comfier when I do. 
• I am getting closer and closer to having more things to set up in our nursery, but as of now...its pretty empty!