Showers.

Three weeks ago Lincoln School threw a surprise shower for Jake, I & the little one. Sorry no pictures yet (waiting on them to come my way) - yet, it was a wonderful to time celebrate with and receive such great support from those who I work with on a day-to-day basis. I was overwhelmed at the generosity each co-worker shared through such kind and personal gifts.

Two weeks later we attended a shower celebrating the welcoming of our little one with Jake's family and a few good friends who live in N. Indiana.

Leslee & Darcee (two former - note, not old - babysitter) plus their little ones + mom.

Alison & I

Part of the afternoon was an opportunity for guests to offer Jake & I a bit of, what we'll call, "advice". I have to share - some of the best words came from the little ones celebrating with us.

"Please make the baby laugh. It keeps them happy. When you feed the baby, smile a lot. Talk to the baby and read to the baby. Give the baby lots of hugs and kisses. Take lots of walks and look at flowers. Listen to the birds on your walk."

"A way to survive diaper changing - spray cologne or perfume on a sock, and tie it around your face! P.S. This is a technique my dad used when changing my little brother."

Leslee surprise us with a beautiful cake - such a special treat! If you're in the South Bend area and need a delicious AND beautiful cake - we have a referral for you!

Jake's aunt and two cousins were the ones to put on such a beautiful and welcoming shower where all felt welcome to celebrate the upcoming birth of our little one. We are so grateful for their kindness, generosity and intentionality at making us feel such peace about our new family and the support we have in this new journey.

I'm quite remiss that we were not more intentional at taking pictures that involved more of Jake's family - many from whom we received such special gifts. When we get a moment, we'll see if we can scrounge some up and share with each of you.

That evening we all went to visit Annie & Shorty - two dear friends of Jake's paternal grandma & grandpa. Shorty turns 100 on Aug. 14th and as smart as a whip with sharing stories dating back pre WWII and a sense of humor that would shake anyone's belly.

When we pulled into Jake's parents we saw this front end plate on a van parked across the street. Such sweet memories of when we were younger and told to get our "dupa's into bed!" came flooding back.

Friends, Family & Vans

Over the last month or so we have been traveling to and fro to spend time with friends and family, keeping on the road with work related adventures and continuing to prepare and celebrate the up-coming arrival of our little one.

Here are some snap-shots of our time with my parents a month or so ago celebrating my mom's birthday/retirement/mother's day, Jake's graduation and father's day.

Our time home was a welcoming one with many trips down the river, visits to the celery nursery, walks in the woods and enjoying life's celebrations and seasonal transitions.

Our first stop was to visit with my cousin Chad whom we haven't seen since our wedding day when he so graciously documented our beautiful day. It was wonderful to spend time with him and catch up on the last four years of our lives.



After surprising my mom at school on her birthday we headed home to begin to preparing dinner with Dad. Highlighted gifts: Biking helmet (Because doesn't everyone look hotter in a helmet?) & vegetable steamer.

The following afternoon Jake & I were able to spend time with Rene & the little ones playing in the backyard, eating goldfish (the crackers, not the fish), and simply enjoying each others company.

I love the little hands poking up into this picture.

During our weekend away we were also fortunate to have a morning to spend with the coffee guys at Crankers. Such a beautiful time to catch up with old friends.

On an unrelated note: We also bought a van. Yes, a van. With plans unfolding for a Michigan tour up north and a moving adventure out West (following the Oregon Trail perhaps?) we decided that it would be in our best interest to invest in a van, convert it into a home/storage space/way of transportation as we pray and try to figure our where to next. Here are a couple shots of our, what Jake has begun to call, hot dog.

Oh... the beautiful Red Hot Dog (although I think most of us know that if it were a true hot dog the color would be yellow w/ white specks for mustard & onions).

The "backyard" - as seen above.

In total: Jake has stripped out the shelves (both good & bad); removed, dried and cleaned the flooring; added new Master Lock hasps and locks; rewired the entire front dash complex (crappy wiring); cleaned and reattached the air filter system and mass airflow sensor; bought, cleaned and painted a spare tire; changed the lights (everywhere); bought a new battery; cleaned, fixed and redid the air filter box complex; fixed the coolant system; done a deep cleaning in both the inside and outside; is anticipating replacing the water pump in the coming weeks; begun to build/plan for making an elevated bed in the back and best of all -

Jake & his brother were able to find this beauty of a middle seat in the junkyard - a perfect match - so we can travel across the lands with the little one between us.

I think he may be nesting.

More pictures from baby showers coming soon.

DeBoni Family + Graduation Gown = Weekend Celebration

- Jake & Nathaniel man nurse style -

- I cherish this picture of Marea, Jake & Grandma-

-Nathaniel, Marea, Jake & I-

-the little one was full of active excitement during the graduation ceremony-

-Jake & Jason-

-it was wonderful to spend the weekend with Grandma and catch sweet moments like these-

-Jake + Parents-

-From prerequisite buddies to grad friends + 2 amazing spouses-

-Larry, Jason, Grandma and Beth waiting for the ceremony to begin-

-"bros first" as Jake would say. Nathaniel, Chris, Jake and Peter-

-Jake and his handmade cedar nursing pin-

-DeBoni family on a Sunday morning walk-

Photos!

A couple of photos from recent weeks:

Two weekends ago we had a wonderful visit from our good friends Cory (who just received some MAJOR awards!) and Sarah (who is MAJORLY awesome!).

Putting the boys to work in preparation for a work-related field-trip.

That very same weekend we were able to escape into the woods of Wisconsin (stop the snickering) with some good friends.

The following weekend we were gifted with being able to host our wonderful friend (yes, it's evident that we have a lot of wonderful & good good friends), Rach.

As part of our weekend we delighted in being able to celebrate the union between Amy & Chris. Such a beautiful wedding and simple celebration of love.

(L-R: me, Rebecca {who just agreed to be our birth advocate/friend at the time of delivery}, Amy, Rachel & Jessi {who is due with her first child mid-June!})

I am a little obsessed with this little one and yes, we dance together often.

Time together before the wedding.

The following afternoon Jason joined us for a day downtown. It was such a gift to welcome him into our day of rest to simply be with. Thanks Jason for joining us - we loved having you!

Growing Heart

In January as my mom was in the beginning stages of cleaning out her classroom as she prepares for retirement she came across the following quote she later passed my way:

Making a decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. (Elizabeth Stone)

Back in January my body hadn't changed too much at that time - clothes were fitting tighter, aversions to certain foods were stronger. But this idea of forever having my heart walk outside of my body was an idea, a philosophy, a thought of "really?" as I read over and through this quote time after time, not able to truly grasp what Elizabeth could be intending to convey/communicate about her ideas of motherhood/parenting.

In February I began wearing maternity clothing. February 20th I felt our child move inside for the first time as I laid in bed beside my Beloved, waking to a home filled with friends - experiencing new life.

In March I began wearing form fitting shirts. My breasts were (and still are) growing, my belly expanding, my hips adjusting. Evidence was growing that our lives were changing, my heart was supporting another, my choices were impacting another, my lungs were bringing new life to another and my body was growing into a haven for another life.

In April our little one began dancing. Naturally, we began a new routine to our morning and evening together of listening to this new life with our hands, hearts, and laughter in the midst of the miracle maturing in this body.

A month ago this morning I shared with my Board of Directors that following the birth of our child I will not be returning to my position. A week later we sold my motorcycle and began packing our apartment into boxes - preparing to move to a place where we can rest and call home.

Three weeks back as Jake & I were laying on the couch, listening to each other, communicating with one another our feelings related to these slow & steady changes our little one began to dance. With instinct I lifted my shirt and we watched for the first time our child move within. My skin adapted, my shape manipulated, my spirit connected and although I have always known that a love for our child would come - as we laid on the cough that evening as a family I could not help but wonder what we would continue to grow and look like as our heart began to grow into something greater than the two of us combined.

Our heart continues to grow, able to experience our spirits and listen to our voices, developing the skills needed to walk around outside of our bodies, experience the world on his/her own terms and listen to the small voice of love growing inside.

This morning our little one woke me with a jab to my lower right abdomen. He/She is thriving as we continue to celebrate, wonder, grieve and celebrate over and with this new life preparing itself for love and life on behalf of others and within.

Our heart is growing & learning as we look forward to cherishing and protecting committed moments such as these together.

Week 25

A morning @ the conservatory & one active little one:

Gettin' Bigger & Better

- thank you TW200 for two years of memories. I'll miss you. -

- thank you Spring for making me feel better -

- thank you Bleeding Heart Bakery for making me bigger -