Boy oh boy

Ladies and Gentleman, we are officially parents and ITS A BOY!  Just for the record, I was right!  Ever since Xavier Gray Lanier (we call him Gray) was born on March 7th, all I have wanted to do is hang out and look at him.  If there is ever a spare minute, I just want to be with him (as folks can tell from my lack of most extracurricular activities).  The Lord has certainly sent us a gift and I love him so!

We headed to the hospital to check-in at 6:00am on March 7th and Gray made his entrance to the World at 12:29 (he was already like his momma and didn't want to miss lunch)! He was 6 pounds, 5 ounces and 18 and 3/4 inches long and he didn't even have a beard like his daddy!  He was perfect from the start and pretty much the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (so maybe he isn't our kid after all).  Our families and friends have welcomed him and given him more love than I could have ever imagined. He turned 4 months old on Sunday and I can't believe it.  People warned me that time would fly and they were right.  He has changed so much already.  It is so fun to watch him grow and learn!  Now he can smile and grab things (including my hair) and show his delight or disdain.  He is a little nomad baby going from person to person and sharing his joy.  I honestly think he has secret happy baby powers!

We have learned a lot in our short time as parents and are still trying to adjust to the fact that pregnancy is over and the next 18 years have started. We have learned that little boys are quite good with their aim from the very start of their lives.  We have learned that you never have to wonder when it is time for a baby to eat.  We have learned that you really can survive on little sleep but its not very fun.  We have learned that babies dont always have "that baby smell" and sometimes they just need a bath! We have learned that the love you have for your child is bigger than you could ever imagine and that baby snuggles are priceless.  As life and learning continue we are praying that this little man will be healthy in every way and a special man of God. Please join with us in the same prayer.

And now, in true annoying mother fashion...here are a few pictures of the man cub. Enjoy! I certainly do!

Almost There

Well ladies and gentleman, we are almost there.  It is hard to believe that in 6 weeks or less we will bring a new life in to the World.  I know I have mentioned it time and time again, but my mind is still blown that Evan and I will be parents.

Things have gone smoothly throughout the pregnancy and for that we are more than grateful.  Now we are in full blown "ticking time bomb" mode.  The hospital bag was packed this morning (just to set us at ease), the car seat is ready to go and we will get and update on the size, weight and progress of our child on Friday.  The nursery is done and the odds and ins are, for the most part, gathered throughout the house (thanks to wonderful friends and family who have been beyond generous with their gifts).  I know there will still be plenty of things we end up finding/getting in the very moment we need it due to not knowing it was a necessity (have I mentioned we've never done this before?) and there will be plenty of trips back and forth to our house and the store from the hospital for some poor soul but, for the most part, the baby materials are gathered.

People keep asking "are you ready?"  To this, we have no idea what to say.  Are we ready to meet our child and have pregnancy over with?  Yes.  Are we ready to have sickness out of the way and trade it in for a different type of sleepless night?  Sure.  Are we ready to go through birth?  No.  Are we ready to be parents and know what we are doing?  I have no idea.  It's hard to know if we are ready or not because it's hard to know what we are getting in to.  What we do know is that we are excited.

We are excited to meet our little one (excited especially to find out and announce that it is a boy or a girl).  We are excited to see who he/she looks like.  I am personally excited to not have my ribs and other insides kicked out by what seems to be a really strong baby. I am really excited to be a mom and I think Evan is excited to be a dad too.   And, of course  I am excited to share a picture of our family of 3 with you in the near future :)
So, until all that excitement comes to fruition, here is a not so attractive picture of me and my big 'ol belly from last night.

3rd Trimester

Welcome 3rd Trimester.  Welcome to going through 3 out of 3.  It's countdown time!

Thanksgiving came and went like the breeze, Christmas will be here in a blink of an eye and then we will be on full baby alert.  Sweet friends and family are planning showers and things are coming together.  This must really be happening.

The belly is now out in full force and there is no more guessing whether Mrs. Meagan is pregnant or not.  The kids reactions at church have been very comical (as have some adults). We have decided not to find out the baby's gender until it arrives so that always leads to a fun conversation and guessing games when talking with friends (boy seems to be the guess for the majority of folks but there are a few who strongly feel the girl vibe - Evan and I have no idea)!

People keep asking us, "Do you hope it's a boy or a girl?"  All we can seem to think is "I just hope it's a human."  We aren't partial one way or another and feel excited about the possibility of both a boy or a girl.  I imagine a boy playing basketball with Evan in the driveway and a girl begging him for something silly and glittery (which he will surely give-in to).  I see either sitting behind the drums with him and equally so behind a computer (I just hope that there will be something that I can teach them too).

I often wonder about our child's personality and what they will be like.  As you surely know, Evan and I are both pretty loud and spastic so I imagine our child will either be screaming from the start of things or totally mute due to the fact it gets no word or sound in over us.

I am looking forward to seeing our child for the first time, to watching them grow and seeing what the Lord will do in their life.  I am excited to be a mom.  I am excited that the excited is getting to be more than the freak out (but don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of freak out).  My emotions have hit an all time high (God bless those around me) so I assume that this post could totally look different if I were to type it tomorrow.

So, there you have it.  There are the ramblings of my brain for this day and here is an up-to-date belly picture for those with an interest in belly pictures.

Share Their Journey

My blog today stands simply to send you to another blog.  Our dear friends have started the adoption process.  What could be more exciting, right?!!!   Click here to learn about them, their journey and how you can help be a part of this special families life!

http://briancassidyand.blogspot.com/p/join-our-journey.htmll

Half Way There

Well ladies and gentleman, we are 20 weeks along in this pregnancy deal.  Also known as: half way there!

I know Evan will be glad when most of our new surprises come from his new pride and joy of a baby and not from his wife.  It has certainly been an interesting first 20 weeks and we are learning a lot.

Who knew that you could be feeling awesome one minute and be crying or puking the next?  Who knew that barbecue could become the means for a house divided overnight (I mean, I just can't take that smell right now).  Who knew that camping out and only have beef jerky and Gatorade wouldn't be the best of ideas?  Who knew that a burrito from Moe's would sound soooo good every. single. day.

Well, we didn't know, but we do now!

We have also found out that putting together a baby crib isn't as intimidating as it seems but deciding on baby colors, curtains and bedding are what turn into the daunting tasks. We know how exciting it can be to be shown an ultrasound and see that your baby is in fact starting to look like a baby and less like an alien (we are pretty pumped about that) and how much fun it is to drive people crazy by not finding out the baby's gender.  And, we know that we have a long way to go before we are "fully equipped parents" (if that ever happens).

I must say though, we have an awesome support system.  Family, friends and coworkers ask us daily how we are feeling and take whatever the answers may be with a smile.  People have showered us with books, advise and love and we are doing our best to soak it all up.  People around the church have slowly learned that there will be a new baby in the mix and are eager to congratulate us and rub my belly (which is another discussion in and of itself).

So, what is next?  Well, I have a feeling that next comes a little thing called AHHHH I'M FREAKING OUT!  Yep, that sounds about right.  We are now to the part in life where we have to start thinking about child care and insurance and how to feed a 3rd mouth.  We are to the point where things get real and aren't just cute and fuzzy dreams anymore. We are to the point where we have to be the parents and not just people excited about a baby.  I mean it is a real life human after all and not just a baby in a photograph.  It will grow and have needs and we are the ones that are in charge of taking care of those needs.  So sure, I'm freaking out a little.  I'm excited and I'm nervous and I don't want to make decisions that will lead my kid to years and years of counseling in the future.  No pressure though, just in charge of a life here.

Whew.  So here is to the next 20 weeks.  Here is to the all the things we are about to learn and all the decisions we are about to make.  Here is to the all the people that have shown me and are showing me that it is possible to not totally screw up your child or be a complete failure.  Here is to all the people that are real in sharing their experiences, helping us know how things actually go down and that it is OK to make mistakes.  Here is to becoming the parent and not acting like the child.

Lets get our prayer on people.

Belly Update.

Ma and Pa

A Kid (and not the goat kind)

Well, its true.  Evan and I are going to be PARENTS.  I know, SHUT THE FRONT DOOR, right?

I am overwhelmed, overjoyed and nervous.   The thought of parenthood doesn't seem like it applies to us.  Evan and I still act like kids so the thought of us raising one sounds almost absurd.  However, in mid March there will be an addition to our family.  We won't just be the young married couple anymore; we will be the little family.  Whoa.

Evan and I found out on July 3rd that I was pregnant.  We spent the next 24 hours in shock and going back and forth between jumping up and down and googling "what to do when..."  We have always called babies miracles but the reality of just how big of a miracle they are starts to set in when it applies to you. It was beyond hard to keep our lips sealed until we felt it was the right time to tell everyone.  We wanted to wait until things seemed to be in a pretty clear "safe zone" and until the 1st trimester was almost complete.  Well, hallelujah, we have made it to that point!

We could barely hold ourselves together when we were FINALLY ready to let the news out (it felt like much more than a few months worth of waiting). Our families and friends have screamed with excitement and jumped up and down with joy.  Some have cried and a few have beaten me with whatever they were holding due to the fact that I had fibbed to them at some point over the last few months.

So now it's preparation time. On one hand, having 6 months to prepare seems like a long time, and on the other, it seems like it might as well be tomorrow.  There is a lot we dont know.  There is a lot we are reading up on, talking to new parents about and plenty we will have to learn as it comes. But there is one thing that we do know; our lives are about to change BIG TIME.  And I'm not sad to say that I'm excited about that.  I know that "mommyhood" wont be all roses and butterflies but I do know that I am called to it.  Here is to a new adventure, a crazy ride and a lot of learning!

14 weeks and some change (and have I mentioned that talking in weeks is weird to me?).  I honestly think the tummy came in over night. What is that baby doing down there, anyway?! Weird!

And now, the feature presentation. A little video we like to call "Telling the Family" staring our parents and siblings as themselves. 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=644838647374

Courageous

I Do Solemnly...


These 3 words are not usually followed by something simple or petty.  These 3 words are meant to be followed by a significant oath or resolution.  Tonight, I watched 6 men say these 3 powerful words followed by those of which made up a resolution to be Godly and faithful men to their families.  One of these courageous men was my husband.  He stood boldly in front of me and our ministers to declare what God has called him to do. To say that I am a proud wife would do a terrible injustice to how I really feel.  


These 6 men have met, studied and prayed together and have now signed a resolution promising to hold each other accountable to be the best men they can be from here on out.  They hope to add to their number of courageous men and be leaders not only in their families but to their church and community as well.  This resolution came from a study that followed the movie Courageous that came out last year. This movie showed the need for husbands and fathers to take the helm and stand out in faith for their families when it's not always easy.  Now, I must tell you, my husband is not one to do things that seem corny or cheesy or do things because they were in a movie and he usually isn't drawn to something that everyone else is doing; Evan has always stood out with his own likes and dislikes and that is part of what I love about him.  These facts are what makes his resolution to be a leader to me and our future children even more impacting.  He did not do this because it was what he was supposed to do or what was expected of him and he certainly did not do it because it was in a movie.  He did it because he truly wants to follow a call on his life and be faithful to his God and his family.  To know this desire is in his heart is an incredible testament to the man he is. 


Whether you've seen the movie Courageous or not, I hope you can grasp what a strong thing these men did tonight.  I know it moves me to be a better wife now and pushes my desire to be the best mom I possibly can in the future.  Evan, I'm proud of you and I love you more than you can imagine.  Kevin, Courtney, Dave, Adam and Jeremy, I know your wives were as proud to stand by you as I was to stand with Evan and are honored in your commitment to them and your children.  We are blessed.

cou·ra·geous/kəˈrājəs/

Adjective:

Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.