Perfect and Beautiful Baby Girl

Psalm 139:13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. (The Message)

Glamour Shots

Some Pics

I (Steve) have temporarily hijacked Claire's blog, as her Mommy is a bit busy, with the feeding, soothing, and sleeping. Claire is doing really well. We are working on teaching her that the world is a quiet place, and it's okay that she doesn't hear her Mom's heartbeat 24/7. We've got a ways to go, but baby steps (pun intended). Sorry we didn't post any pictures yesterday, we were a bit tired. Amy and I went to bed at about 11:00 p.m., Amy got up with Claire at 11:00:15 p.m., and I passed out. I couldn't tell you what else transpired in the night, but I do know that this morning Amy was exhausted, so I sent her to bed and took over.

Claire seems to fall asleep at precisely the time she is suppose to eat. So we spend about 15 minutes getting her mad at us so she will enjoy a snack, then about 45 minutes trying to keep her eating. After that she is inevitably hot or cold, and likely needs her diaper changed (yes I have participated in this activity, in fact I am proud to announce I performed Claire's first diaper change). Then for the next two hours she resists the urge to sleep until about thirty minutes before her next feeding; then she falls hard asleep and we start over.

The lactation specialist had told us to be sure Claire eats every three hours. The more realistic midwives told us every 2-4 hours. We are occasionally going to the 4 hour mark just so Amy and Claire can have a little rest. Enough about the details, how about some pictures?

Shortly after birth

Holding her Mommy
No girl likes a scale


Yes that does say 9lb 6oz in the bottom right

Still furious from the weigh in

Midwife Polly

Time to document the Lassie

Amy even thought to bring the baby book

They have a tradition at Reunion, footprints on the wall

Me practicing my pro-dressing abilities

Shame on us for bringing a newborn outfit, she didn't exactly fit, a smidge short. She didn't mind going home with her legs scrunched up

Midwife Janet

Home at last in the recently discontinued Boppy Bouncer

Amy and Baby asleep

838

Amy woke me (Steve) this morning at about 230, announcing that she was in labor. We called our midwive Polly, she had us come to the birthing center at about 4AM -- Claire was born at 8:38. Amy did great -- all natural!! Praise God!

Update

I had another doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Since I am past my due date, they want to see me two or three times a week to make sure that the baby is still doing well. The placenta can age and the amniotic fluid can get low. They are keeping an eye on these two things. As things stand now, we are still believing for and planning on a natural (or rather supernatural) childbirth, meaning that we're waiting for my body to go into labor on its own rather than being induced.

I will go back to the doctor on Friday, if Claire hasn't come before then. During this appointment I will have a Nonstress Test. (Click on the link for more details.) Basically, it just makes sure that Claire is doing OK in there.

I am fine. I still feel good. I don't have any swelling. My blood pressure is normal. I'm not gaining weight. Everything is good.

Steve is scheduled to work on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. He has a day trip on Friday. He leaves on Saturday for a two-day trip, back on Sunday evening. He leaves again on Monday for another two-day trip, back on Tuesday evening. We really, really want Claire to come on Thursday, May 21st (today). Otherwise, it's hit or miss with Steve's schedule; and we really don't want her to wait until the 27th.

Again, we'll update the blogs and Facebook with details as things progress.

Thanks again for your prayers.

The Latest

I just got back from my doctor's appointment this morning. There's not much to tell. Nothing has changed. We're just waiting on Claire...and waiting...and waiting. :)

Steve comes home tonight and will be home until Friday. Hopefully she'll come before he leaves again.

Have a great week!

Update - One Day Until Due Date

Claire's due date is tomorrow, so I just wanted to give everyone an update since we've had several recent phone calls, emails, etc. asking for news.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I am now 100% effaced and still 3 cm dialated. According to the doctor, this means absolutely nothing in terms of timing. My body is all prepared and ready for Claire's arrival. Claire could come any time now. However, this also means that Claire could decide to stay warm and comfy inside of my tummy for two more weeks.

They will most likely not induce until Claire is past 42 weeks. This means that the earliest possible induction date is June 1st. (They would only induce earlier if there were complications, such as high blood pressure, the baby was in distress, etc. We don't want any of these things, so please don't pray for this scenario.)

Claire and I are both still healthy. I have no swelling. I'm not having any problems. I don't have the "miseries." She has dropped and is now sitting quite bit a lower which makes getting up from a seated position quite entertaining for anyone who may be watching. It can also make walking for long periods of time a little uncomfortable. And I walk slower now. Other than that, nothing is different.

At this point, it's just a waiting game. Steve is back at work after three days off, so we need Claire to wait at least until late tomorrow evening to make an appearance. I don't want her to arrive without him by my side.

For those of you who are agreeing with us in prayer about Claire's labor and delivery, we are believing for a quick and easy labor followed by a quick and easy delivery without any complications of any kind and that Steve will be my side through the whole process.

What to Expect:
When the time for Claire's arrival gets here, we have decided to keep the notifications on our end fairly simple. I want Steve to be with me and not in the hallway making 50 phone calls. The phone calls that we do make will be short and sweet. Please understand that we won't be able to answer any of your questions since we are first-timers at this whole labor and delivery thing. We have no clue what we're doing, so you will just have to understand when we call with an anouncement and then quickly get off the phone. We love you, and we want to talk with you; but we'll be a little busy. :)

For my family and friends, we will call my mom and/or dad. They will call my brothers and sisters-in-law, grandparents, aunts, etc. From there, let the phone calls begin to extended family and friends. If you want to be included on the notification list and are not sure that you are and cannot wait for a blog or Facebook update, contact one of them to let them know you want to be contacted.

Steve will call Lee, Grandma Jan, Robin and/or D'Wayne, Grandma or Grandpa Osterholm and Grandpa LeRoy. Each of these people can then start calling the extended family, including siblings, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. Again, if you want to be notified, please contact one of these people to let them know you expect a phone call.

We will not call anyone back or answer the phone or email or text message until after Claire has arrived. In fact, both of our phones and the computer will be turned off for several hours following the anouncement that her arrival is imminent. (I know it worries some of you when you cannot reach us. But as I've mentioned, we're going to be busy having a baby. If you're concerned during this time, I encourage you to pray for peace, patience and a quick and easy labor and delivery.) Once things have settled down, we will call the same people as before to share the details (i.e. time, weight, height, etc.), and they can pass it on. As soon as is reasonably possible, we will update our blog, Claire's blog and both of our Facebook pages with pictures. This could take several hours and may not actually go up until the following day (depending on the time of her arrival and how much sleep we've had).

All of this to say that we are so excited about Claire's arrival and know that all of you are too. We will keep you updated as much as possible.

My next doctor's appointment is Monday, unless Claire decides to come this weekend. Thanks for all of the prayers and well-wishes. We'll keep you posted.

Happy Mother's Day!

For those of you who are familiar with our conception story, you'll know that Mother's Day is very special to me. Three years ago on Mother’s Day, I grabbed hold of the promise of our baby. As our pastor's wife spoke that morning to those who wanted to be mothers, she reassured us that God had not forgotten us. It was the beginning of our miracle adventure. This morning, for the very first time, I was able to stand with the mommies on Mother's Day. Me! I stood! And I received the blessing of my pastor and his wife - a blessing for mothers - a blessing for me! As I stood there with my husband holding my hand and my baby dancing in my belly, I knew that the God of the Universe had not forgotten me. He breathed His life into me. He healed my body. And He gave me Claire.

Today was also the 50th Anniversary of Lakewood Church. It was such an incredible service as we looked back at how Lakewood started and how it's grown and the lives it has changed. As we stood there singing Great Is Thy Faithfulness, I was reminded of another service in that building last summer where I stood singing that song not yet knowing that I was already carrying our precious miracle. Our God is so amazing and so faithful!

God used this morning's service as a memorial stone for me. I was reminded of where I'd been and how I've changed. I was able to see God's handiwork in my life in so many ways, not the least of which is Claire.

We also took time this morning to look at where we're headed. Claire is due just five days from now. Steven and I are embarking on an incredible journey this week. We will become parents to a beautiful little girl. How amazing! We are so blessed!

So today, for all of you mommies out there, Happy Mother's Day! May you enjoy your children. May you have wisdom in raising them as they are young and in advising and guiding them as they grow up. May you always discipline consistently and lovingly. May they honor you and cherish you. May you always trust one another and love each other. Have a wonderful day today!

And for my mommy - thank you. Thank you for all that you have been to me in my life - my caregiver, my playmate, my teacher, my disciplinarian, my confidant, my advisor, my role model, my best friend, my mommy. Because of you, I am confident and strong. Because of you, I know how to love others in my life. Because of you, I trust our loving Heavenly Father. Because of you, I know that I, too, will be a good mommy. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your instruction. But thank you most of all for your extravagant love. Happy Mother's Day! I love you so very much!

So Ready!

While in my doctor's office last week, she asked how I was feeling. I told her that I felt great. She was pleasantly surprised. She said that usually at this stage in the game most mommies are ready for this whole thing to be over. (She, of course, is quite familiar with the diagnosis I received last year and the miracle that this baby is.) She commented that perhaps I have enjoyed this experience more than most simply because I was told that I would never have this. She wasn't saying this to be insensitive to other mommies, but she wanted me to know that she understood where I was coming from. (She also had infertility issues and ended up adopting her now 14-year-old daughter.)

In thinking about what she said, I think there's some truth to that. Indeed, I have appreciated the kicks and hiccups and movements in my belly, even if they sometimes keep me up at night. Each little movement means that God gave me something that someone else told me I would never have.

As I've mentioned before, this entire pregnancy - from conception through duration - has been supernatural. I haven't had any problems or unbearable discomforts or wierd symptoms. I have slept well. I have had energy to do the things I want to do. I have been extremely happy and not moody. And my relationship with my husband is better than ever. God has been so good to us!

And now that I am just 11 days away from Claire's due date, I can honestly say that I am ready. I'm not ready for pregnancy to simply be over. I'm not uncomfortable or miserable. I am just so excited to be Claire's mommy, and I can't wait to meet her. I can't wait to see her in her daddy's arms being loved and cared for by him. I can't wait to see her sleeping in her crib. I can't wait to smell her sweet baby scent. I'm getting so excited! I am so ready!

And all of this because God is the kindest person I know!