27 Weeks

Good evening to you all!  We are coming off of a few weeks of colds, long work days, and snuggling every chance we got to keep warm.  I'm hoping that tomorrow is the beginning of one of the more "normal" weeks we've had in a while.  But for this lazy Sunday evening, M is sleeping next to me while dinner finishes up in the crock pot.  

Today marks week 27 of the pregnancy.... um, when did it start going so fast?  The holidays will be here and then our BABY will be here.  He's been moving so much lately, and on days that he doesn't, I miss him!  I think the third trimester exhaustion is starting to set in (although I can't find a consensus of when the third trimester actually starts) in that I may or may not have dozed off for about 45 seconds in church this morning.  I forgot what that all-consuming exhaustion felt like at the beginning of the pregnancy.  I remember when Michael and I were in Seattle when I was about 7 weeks along and sometimes I'd sleep in the car while he got coffee or did other things because I just couldn't. stay. awake.  I'd usually then wake up in a panic and want lemonade. 

Anyways, here is an overload of bump pictures from today.  

-K&M

Cultural Parenting

Before I was pregnant, I read and LOVED the book "Bringing Up Bebe".  It provided such keen observations about American and French cultural values, both in parenting and beyond.

I recently found an American blogger who hosted a series called Motherhood Around the World. It consisted of American mothers living in other countries sharing their observations about what is different in parenting in their current cultures opposed to the states.  Since graduating from college, I've begun to process what my place is in our family and in this world, and I've done a lot of thinking on cultural norms of wives and mothers as it pertains to career and education.  I found it especially interesting to see how other cultures value the woman's role in and/or out of the home.  It did seem though that from conservative to liberal cultures (as far as women's roles go), live in nannies are common in much of the world.  As I think about being home alone with our bebe while Michael works 11 hour days, I think I could really get used to the idea of another woman to be around to share the load, and even to have the company.  I love this section from the post on parenting in China (the link to the full article is listed below).

"Here, a nanny is called an “ayi,” which means “auntie” in Chinese, which I think is really sweet, because everyone feels like they're part of the family. She tells my girls that she loves them. I was coming from somewhere where I didn't have any help at all, so I thought, oh my gosh, I have some free time! It is a very normal thing here, and I can see why. My eyes have been opened, so to say! Moms just aren't meant to go at it alone. For some reason in the U.S., we have this huge expectation to be perfect and to accomplish that perfection all by ourselves. All those silly e-cards about stressed out moms who are drinking wine appear extra silly to me since moving to China, those moms just don't exist here. There's much more of a sense of a team effort around raising children."

A few of the other articles talked about strangers stepping in to help calm a child when he or she is throwing a tantrum in public.  I would probably find this invasive at first, but how great would it be to have this "team" mentality in a stressful situation, instead of receiving judgmental looks from others passing by?

Below are my favorite posts from the series:

Mexico

Abu Dhabi

India

China

Germany
Norway

Much love,

-K&M

23 Weeks // Portland

Today closes out week 23 of the pregnancy.  Holy cow, it is starting to fly!  I'm getting more and more excited each day.  He's been dancing around quite a lot in there, and I'm glad that he's enjoying the space while he still has it.

On the way to Portland last weekend we pulled over to take a few pictures - parts of the drive down to Portland are absolutely stunning.  

The main reason we went to Portland was for Michael to attend a coffee conference (because those exist) and a concert.  I spent most of the time exploring the city with our friends and dear hosts.  We also managed to visit one of the best baby stores and did some drooling over strollers.

Kiley and Justin, everybody.  Aren't the the cutest?

And thanks, Kiley, for the pictures. :)

-K&M

22 Weeks // Gender Reveal

So, we found out the gender of our bebe.  We didn't know that we were going to have the ultrasound until the day of, so it happened fast and nobody really knew when we found out.  It was kind of nice to have time to process learning this new fact about our little one.  Not only are we having a baby, but we are having a son.

Growing up I always wanted to have a boy first.  But then during this pregnancy, it just felt like it was a girl.  And everyone else felt like it was a girl!  Obviously none of us can know this but everyone seemed to agree.  :)  I envisioned a little girl full of giggles wearing bright colors.  As she grew I would encourage and challenge her to be a thinker, a learner, and be a voice in the culture around her. 

When we found out we were having a boy, we were a bit shocked.  Since then, in thinking about having and raising a son, I feel extremely honored. And humbled. This tiny body inside of me will grow up to be a man.  What?  And that's where my thoughts have been lately... moving from the excitement over general baby cuteness to realizing the sobering responsibility of raising a human being - a son, a boy, a man.  I feel so small. 

To close out, here's a picture of baby (boy!) papaya. :)

-K&M

20 & 21 Weeks // CdA Babymoon & Blueberry Picking

Yeah, things have been a little behind lately.  But Bebe is faithfully growing whether we are documenting or not!

Here we were at 20 weeks.

Last weekend we stayed the night in CdA, ID. While it's only a 30 minute drive away, the time to mentally unplug and not be working through a list of to-dos was really great. We found some new thrift stores and visited a new coffee shop, so the weekend had a different feel than our typical day trips.

Probably my favorite part of the trip was Sunday morning. We got up for kind of an early breakfast (more like I dragged Michael out of bed because momma was hungry) then we went back to bed for a few hours. When we woke up again late morning we drove to the beach to spend some time reading. There's just something about being by the water that is so therapeutic.

It was kind of hard to be excited about Monday after that weekend, but I think that even now we're both still enjoying the lingering effects of intentional time together.

This past weekend was spent at the apartment doing lots of reorganizing and cleaning.  The nesting bug has bitten me hard, I've been feeling the urge to clean and prepare almost since the beginning.  I'm just trying to act on those impulses now before I'm the size of a whale! :)

Anyways, we did take Sunday afternoon to journey up to Greenbluff,  this wonderful community of farms just north of Spokane.  You pick your own produce - it's fresh, delicious, and CHEAP!  I'm ready to move north just so that I can do my shopping there every week.

Bebe at 21 weeks.

  

Michael's lucky day - we found a grilled cheese food truck that served gluten free options!  I can't remember what all was on this sandwich but it included bacon, pulled pork, apples, and of course lots of cheese... 

-K&M

19 Weeks

Hey there bebe mango!  

This week has been a mentally and emotionally exhausting one.  I’ve been constantly on the phone with various insurance people and care providers trying to make it all align.  While the 30 minute holds are inconvenient, I think that this insurance battle is wearing on me at a deeper level, because insurance lives in the world of worse case scenarios.  That’s why you get insurance for anything, right?  I want to be aware of possible worse case scenarios, and I’m so glad that insurance and other entities exist to aid in worst case scenarios.  But while I always want to be aware of what could happen, weighing all of the various insurance options in light of the worst possible outcomes of the birth has made my brain camp out there. 

In the midst of these calls this past week, we also had the opportunity to interview 3 doulas.  It ended up being a really encouraging experience – doulas are not worst case scenario people.  They will journey with you there if it happens, but they don’t assume the worst until it happens.  The 3 women were great, they all boasted different strengths so I feel that we have a very well rounded pool to choose from.  I just couldn’t believe how much I needed someone to look me in the eye and say “I love the birth process, it’s beautiful, let me journey with you.” When did I become so emotionally needy?!? Thanks for that one, hormones.

In the midst of everything, I am truly grateful for that husband of mine.  Not only has he planned a little weekend getaway for us, but he texted me at work so that I would be able to "mentally prepare" for the change of plans. :) He knows and loves me so well!

-K&M

18 Weeks // Learning to Trust

That Michael Glaze, he is just the best.  I snagged this picture of him taking a well deserved nap on Wednesday after spending the wee hours of the morning with me in the ER.  Around midnight I woke up with a really intense pain in my shoulder, and in my foggy mid-sleep mind I thought that I had pulled a muscle while swimming that morning.  Within the next 3 hours the pain moved to my chest and all the way down to my elbow.  I had to sit up in the living room because it was so painful while laying down, and hard to breathe.  Around 3am I called the nurse hotline on our insurance and answered their list of questions.  I was strongly advised by the nurse to seek emergency care (she was so calm while asking me the questions then went into sergeant mode with her directions - I was impressed).  I woke Michael up at 3am and off we went to the Emergency Room.  After running an EKG and monitoring me it was confirmed that my heart was healthy, and we got to hear the baby's heart rate too.  It was Michael's first time hearing it.  I can't stop grinning like a fool while they chase the little one's heart beat around and then let us listen.  So, so amazing.  Anyways, they diagnosed it as costochondritis, which apparently you can just get while you're pregnant, and sent us on our way at 6am.  Michael then ran us to the store for some Tylenol, dropped me off at home, and made it to work by 6:30.  See what I mean by amazing!  He was then able to get off at noon to come be with me and catch up on some sleep.  While I'm still slightly in pain throughout the day, it has GREATLY improved since Wednesday.  

In light of this little scare which could have been much more serious than it turned out to be, I have been reflecting on the pregnancy as a whole and the journey it's been so far.  A lot of things have changed regarding our "plan" from the very beginning.  It's all things that are very much out of our hands and cause us to have to lean into the Lord in recognition that he is the one who ultimately controls everything - our health care, our insurance, our income, my health, the baby's health, etc.  Seeing him provide and even bring peace while we wait almost makes me feel like I'm getting to know Him more through this all.  I've always known that he is both all powerful and loving, but for the first time I'm really experiencing it and depending on it.  So far in the pregnancy I've admittedly been terrified of giving birth, AND I'm terrified of the fact that I'm terrified, because I know that fear can hinder the birthing process.  Ahh!  But it's almost like God has been showing me through smaller circumstances and trials that He is present, involved, and able to provide a way.  This doesn't guarantee that the birth will go exactly how I would like it to go, but I can feel my nerves easing just remembering that I won't be going through it alone, and that not only has God equipped my body to do this, but He is bigger than my body's abilities and I can depend on Him in those moments when I'm weakest.

Michael and I started attending Sunday school for the first time in years today, and the teacher went over the book of Habakkuk, who desperately had to rely on the Lord.  There were two quotes that really stood out to me, especially in light of our current journey. 

• "Our circumstances change, but God's care for us does not."  This was a really good reminder that even when things are going really well or according to our plan, that cannot be the source of our happiness.  But knowing that God is consistent when nothing else is guaranteed is all that we can trust in the good and the bad. 
• "Nothing changed in Habakkuk's circumstances, but he changed."  God is about changing us, and He will not fail to do so.  Even when circumstances are uncomfortable, we can know that it's for a purpose.  

Thank you to those who have been praying for us, especially since Wednesday.  God has been faithful in healing me and in changing me, which is the real miracle. 

---

Aaaaaaand here we are at week 18.  I can't believe we're already almost halfway through!  This link will tell you more of what he or she is up to this week.  I can't believe it's moving around so much.  When the technician at the hospital went to find it's heartbeat, she did for a split second and then it moved!  It made me kind of proud, just knowing that he or she could do that. :)

Love, K&M

17 Weeks // Labor Day

This week we welcome bebe into the onion stage at 17 weeks.

I woke up a few days ago with what felt like a noticeably larger and firmer bump.  Such a crazy feeling!  

Might as well document the growing beard while we document the growing bump, right?

Michael had to work on Labor Day but I got to meet up with him for lunch!  We usually bid adieu at 6:30am and don't reunite until after 5pm, so it felt like a real treat to get to connect mid day. 

-K&M

16 Weeks // Thoughts on Working Out Pregnant

Happy September everybody!  We've already begun our crock pot soup season here in the Glaze house... can I admit that I'm already excited for snow?  I know, I'll miss these beautiful temps come December but I love moving into these chillier months!

Yesterday we welcomed week 16 of little bebe's life.  To see what he/she is up to these days, you can check this update on The Bump. 

Before I got pregnant I had gotten pretty consistent with exercising, but the first trimester in the midst of the summer heat kind of knocked me out of my swing.  Since entering the second trimester I've begun to work out more regularly (mainly swimming and elliptical-ing) and it's been one of my favorite things to do while pregnant.  I've never been one to enjoy exercising... you know, the exerting and challenging yourself physically... I'm okay without.  But I think there are a few reasons why it's now something I look forward to.

• Knowing that exercising now benefits more than just myself.  And at this point, it's not even about getting skinnier, it's about staying healthy and preparing for labor.  That is real life motivation for ya.
• My body just hasn't felt the same since being pregnant, but when I'm pushing myself physically (not too much, of course) it's like I'm back to my old, (kind of) capable self.  While sitting on the couch I'm overly aware of how weird my tummy feels and how tired I am, but when I'm in the middle of a workout I feel so alive!
• Improving coordination.  Guys, I've never been smooth.  And since being pregnant, my coordination has gotten terrible.  Ask Michael, I literally hit him in the face almost every day just trying to do normal things... give him a hug, pass him the salt, etc.  
• Growing confidence in my growing bump.  I think that I'm able to enjoy this growing abdomen of mine (which literally goes against almost everything within me) because I am making healthier choices about activity and food.  I can look down and know that (most) of the expansion is due to a healthily growing baby, not an unhealthily growing mom.
• Ellen DeGeneres. Hopping on that elliptical right before 3pm and popping in those headphones... I know it's going to be a good time.  The only down side is I tend to creepily whisper-laugh in the midst of my panting because she's just so darn funny.

Anyways, here's what bebe is looking like these days.

And here's my super cute husband.

Who sometimes refuses to stand still for pictures.

Gahh, he's the greatest.

Much love,

-K&M

15 Weeks // Overview of the First Trimester

Wow guys.  Sorry that we've been MIA for the past few months, but this summer has taken an exciting turn that we're elated to share with you.

On the eve of our 2nd anniversary, we were greeted by a cheerful little + sign signifying one of the biggest and most exciting life changes we will ever experience.  

I don't think I've ever prayed so much for someone I've never met.  Especially at the beginning, when I was so aware of how fragile of a stage we were in.  I've never so strongly desired and beseeched the Lord for the health of another.  I've also never prayed so urgently for my own health, since I am the vessel for facilitating this life's development and delivery.

When we first learned of this precious news, I was hesitant to tell people.  Beyond wanting to wait until the riskier part of the pregnancy had passed, I liked having this little (but major) secret between M and I and only a few others.  But it's also been really fun to bring others in on the news. I have certainly been blown away by the excitement and support expressed by everyone.  It has been such a huge encouragement to see people's joy over this news.

The first trimester wasn't too challenging for me, which I am extremely grateful for.  I was always slightly nauseous but it only got really bad a few times, and usually in the evenings.  There are a few things that greatly helped that stage, some of them being:

A body pillow.  While my stomach hadn't grown yet, some nights my stomach would be upset and keep me from sleeping.  Being able to wrap myself around a body pillow though has brought a lot of relief.  And as a stomach sleeper, I'm glad to be changing that habit before it's physically impossible to sleep stomach-down.

The Bella Band. Close to the end of my first trimester my abdomen started getting harder, but wasn't growing enough to justify the maternity clothes just yet.  The Bella Band allows you to wear your normal pants but just not button them, the band holds them up!  It's a miracle that I did not believe until I tried it.  I also think that this is one product worth going name brand on.  I tried on an off-brand band that was much thinner and rolled up along the bottom.

Gatorade.  My experience of thirst has reached new heights since being pregnant, and especially with an often nauseous tummy, Gatorade was the drink to usually hit the spot.

Today began the 15th week of this little one's life (during which it has grown to the size of a naval orange!).  He or she is starting to show him or herself little by little, and while it's awkward to be in the "is that a baby or just your lunch?" stage, I'm trying to enjoy it before I get too huge. I know that sleeping and moving won't always be this easy!

Much love,

-K&M

Sweets and Treats

I (Katelyn) decided to try to go the whole month of May without eating any dessert-type food.  I've really never jumped full fledge onto any dieting bandwagon, but I realized that my relationship with sweet food was more of an addiction than it should've been.  If there was ice cream in the freezer, I would visit multiple times a day until it was gone.  I NEEDED a taste of sweet after every meal, and upon getting home from work every day I would pillage the house for any kind of treat.  I really thought that I could enjoy sweets in moderation, but I realized that there was no moderating going on, so I wanted to get it out of my system and free myself from it's grasp. 

I have seen some people cutting out ALL processed sugars... friends, I will not do that anytime in the near future.  What constituted as a "sweet" in my preverbal book mean anything dessert-related, sweet pastries, soda (especially dark), and lattes.  

The first week was tough, but I honestly don't really remember what that struggle felt like.  I had begun eating a lot more fruit and vanilla soy milk, and while those things didn't fulfill my addictive cravings, I could convince myself that they were just as sweet. :)  The second week it wasn't as hard to say no, but I was craving naturally fatty food like nothing else.  Eggs and avocados are all I wanted.  Guacamole became our Friday treat, and it was heaven.  I'm sure that there's some kind of correlation here of the artificial sweets we eat and our body actually wanting natural fats, but I am not an expert on that and will not explore that here. 

My dear husband (who continued to eat sweets but was kind enough to tell me they were gross while he was eating... seriously, I needed that for a time) brought home maple bacon ice cream last night to celebrate the move and the end of my sweets-free month.  Holy moly, it was better than I had remembered it being.  Because I hadn't eaten ice cream in a month, it tasted SO sweet and rich.  Every bite was an experience, and for the first time in a while I didn't eat the whole bowl in 5 seconds.

And then, about an hour later, a gnarly headache set in... and I still have the remnants of it this morning.  Hello sugar hangover. 

In looking back over this month, instances of saying yes to food when I should have said no immediately come to mind.  But then I realized how many things I did say no to, and it's all worth it. 

I don't know where mine and sugar's relationship will go from this point.  I know that I never want it to return to what it was.  Grapefruit has officially become my go-to sweet and it doesn't kick me in the head or the stomach - it makes me want to get outside and move!

-K