For the first time...

For the first time ever in my professional, adult life...I am not preparing for the first day of school.

I am not nervous about what to wear.

I am not exhausted from setting up a classroom for three weeks.

I am not sore from all the physical demands that the first month of school can bring (much thanks to moving furniture, setting up desks, centers, tying shoes, lifting curriculum, etc. etc.)

I am calm.

I am well-rested.

I am sore, but from a wonderful pregnancy workout!

I am happy.

NOT that I wasn't happy mothering all my little cherubs each year, especially as I taught that ever-so-important first year of school: kindergarten! BUT, this year, for the first time...I am mothering my very own little cherub. She is busy growing and I am busy nourishing her. I am so thankful to God for this vocation of Motherhood!

I have been extremely blessed to stumble upon the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth and, in the process, have learned just how important nutrition is to my unborn child, and to me...to aid in a safe and healthy labor and delivery, and of course to produce the healthiest baby possible.

Making bread, cooking delicious recipes that are natural, real, full of leafy grains, whole grains and protein...it's a full time job! And one that has also led to so many healings for Gary in his own health challenges. More on that later. The fulfillment of knowing my family isn't eating anything hydrogenated, processed, flash frozen, MSG, etc...and that they are encountering nutrients in the way God intended for them to grow and be taken into the body, is truly a vocation. Start here if you too would like to join me on this incredible journey. You won't believe how great you will feel :)

I am destined to be that Proverbs 31 woman. And today, on this first day of school for so many parents, children and teachers...whom I love dearly...I worked hard all day preparing Sausage and Kale Soup, a cold fiesta salad (full of beans, vegetables, homemade dressing and goodness), enjoyed a delicious pumpkin muffin for dessert, and am venturing into an evening of making granola cereal, cheese, soaking my dry beans for the week, and attempting to assemble a magnificent menu for my family: breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Happy Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary! May we strive to immitate her purity, trust, obedience and openness to God's perfect plan for our lives so that we may receive the grace of a happy death and live forever with Him in Heaven.

Crib

After a long process of waiting and hoping for our crib to become available for pickup, we learned that Babies 'R Us can't sell it to us due to a change in government standards. So that great deal we got for $99.00-NO GO. Oh well. And the matching dresser-well what's the point now?

So....we found something better! And A BIG THANK YOU to Gramma and Grampa Huber for buying us a crib! Your granddaughter loves you and thanks you too!

I will post pictures as soon as it arrives :)

24 weeks

and growing! This is right after Mass on Sunday after a wedding weekend and I'm pooped!



Here is my "Monday Message" for this week-24 weeks! (and might I add-this week she is viable outside the womb now!!!) Each week when I wake up on Mondays, Daddy has written this for me :)



Sorry I had to erase the last line there...baby's name isn't ready to reveal yet :)

Happy Birthday, Mary Bridget

Today, July 23, is the feast of St. Bridget. Today is the day we were expecting our first child to be born. Although we miss her so, we know she is in Heaven with so many others and we delight in knowing she gave her life for her sister, whom I am now carrying!

We will celebrate the wedding of Cassandra and Dustin and pray for the wedding of Hope and Jesse, along with many other friends getting married this summer. We are honored to be able to photograph a wonderfully kind and holy couple to commemorate this very special day.

We invoke our daughter, Mary Bridget, every day and ask for her intercession. She has taught us so much with her short life. She will always be in our hearts.

We love you, darling Mary!
~Mommy and Daddy

Venerable Nennolina, Pray for us!

22 Weeks!

I'm a bit tired, but so excited to be showing. Here's my baby girl at 22 weeks and counting...

Baby Treasures

Our cousin, Mandy (Mom of 4!) was so kind to share bags of baby treasures while we were visiting for the 4th of July. I am so thankful to her for all that she gave us: clothes, blankets, headbands, crib pads, you name it!

Most things are folded and put away. But look at her TWO hanging pieces!(looks kinda silly on adult hangers!) I am pretty sure that little (tiny) blue and white bathing suit used to be Samantha or Emma's! (they are 10 and 6 now and oh so tall!)



And one of the BIG items:



A bassinet! You have no idea how exciting it was to wash all of these cute little ruffles and assemble it with Daddy! It now sits right by my bedside, just waiting for you, Baby Girl!

Thank you Mandy!

Gender Reveal!

Off to the East Coast we went to celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends. Oh...and to share the big news! Upon arrival our cousins greeted us, and my belly for lots of rubs and hugs. Francessca, Becky and Tina were particularly excited for cake once they figured out why we brought a cake to the 4th of July party. Becky even begged, "Come on, please? Cut it now as my birthday gift!" (We were celebrating June and July birthdays...Happy Birthday to Aunt Patty, Becky, Audrey, Gianna and so many other summer birthdays that we will miss! We love you!)

The cake to help reveal our baby's gender...



Gramma K. "cut" the cake for us and shared the good news with everyone.



P I N K !!!! It's a GIRL! GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL!!!



She was so happy for us! (She's been praying for this blessed event for a long time.)



So many people thought "boy" but we were happy to share, another little girl will be gracing this family. Look at all the girls (poor Vinnie!) We can't wait for the day when our little girl will sit on this couch with all of her cousins. She loves you already Vinnie, Lyric, Tabitha, Audrey, Emma, Samantha, Olivia and Gianna! [and many more not pictured =)]