Saturday, February 11, 2012

He is Quite the Guy

There is something special that changes in a relationship when you are pregnant. It's as if I have fallen in love with Trav all over again in a different, deeper way.  I look at him different, I appreciate smaller things, and I find that my heart is pouring out more love for him than I thought was ever possible. 

He has been my brain during this pregnancy. I know he thinks he has a nut case for a wife as I don't blame him. From locking my keys in my car, running out of gas on the freeway, forgetting different events, and more he has "saved" me more times than not in the past seven months. His role in our relationship has changed too. I find myself leaning on him more than ever and I've sat back as he has really stepped into the role of being the head of our little family. 

We recently began birthing classes. While we learned lots there were also many moments where I would catch Trav, shoulders shaking and all, as he stifled in laughter from a comment the instructor made about some sort of anatomy. He took some of it seriously though. I found myself waking up in the night to Trav rolling me over from my back to my side. You see, you are not supposed to sleep on your back but I'm  back sleeper. He gets so concerned for our baby that he has started either sleeping on my side of the bed so I cannot physically roll onto my back or with his arm propped up behind me for the same reason. It's pretty cute...although sometimes I wish he was not so strong so I could move him and Nike over to get a peaceful night's sleep...on.my.back.

The other night we headed into L&D to be observed because baby h was not moving that day thanks to her mom not taking it easy. When I called Trav he was at dinner with co-workers who had driven him there. Instead of asking for a ride back to work he ran. Yes, ran. In his work clothes. Back to his car. I guess I know how he will be when I call to tell him I am in labor :)

The relationship he already has with his daughter warms my heart. It's as if she already knows who he is. Daily he puts his face close to my belly and talks to her. Calling her by name, telling her how much he loves her, and so on. Most times it is followed by him placing his ear as if to hear a response ;) He has been working late recently and I found myself waking up at bizarre hours to her kicking...hard. It registered that when he comes home late he lays with his hand placed on my abdomen and it is always than that she kicks back. Well worth it to be woken up at 2am to their sweet communication.

I know my heart is going to melt when I see him holding her for the first time. But I know even more his heart is going to be lost in her. 

2 1/2 months to go! Can't even believe it!

HOME!

After almost four years of bouncing around and wondering where in the world God was going to place us, we finally have an answer!

We just purchased our first home in Fullerton, CA! To say we are thankful for this is an understatement. It is such a blessing and a gift. Our storage was emptied today and over the next week or two we will manage to somehow move everything in and unpack amidst our crazy work weeks. We are excited to settle in and will be taking the next month to get things ready before our girl arrives. 

We cannot wait to bring her HOME here!!!


A Beautiful Day

The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking of the baby shower Trav's family threw last weekend is: Beautiful. Everything about it was nothing less of this. The details and thought into each decoration, the delicious food, but most importantly the people who were there and how they blessed our sweet daughter. It was such a wonderful afternoon amongst family and friends. Simply beautiful.

My parents came into town for the weekend and I loved having them back in California. ( although it made it harder when they left!) My sister Kristel came with her daughter Zoey and our great aunt Katie spent the entire weekend with us too. At 87 she came for the shower, made a delicious meal at her house that night, came to church with us, to visit our home, and for a late lunch at Chili's. I will treasure that always! It was fun having my family and Trav's together in one setting. There was lots of chit chat, lots of yummy food to eat, and too many gifts to be opened. Thankfully I had great helpers! Looking through all the things we received that day we are so blessed and our little one is so loved already!

One of my favorite traditions that is done at Vander Dussen showers is the blessing. Going around the room family and friends take a minute to say a blessing, kind words, memories, and more. The words said from those who are so close to me I will cherish and remember always. It is a very tearful time but so special. My sweet little cousin Kaelene, at age 9, even shared and it was the sweetest thing. After this everyone gathered around and prayed over Trav, myself, and baby H. With hands rested on me my aunts, moms, sisters, friends, and family prayed for our new family. They prayed for health, for a safe delivery, for our daughter's future, and for us as parents. More tears. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day. ( That and the cupcake I demolished once everyone left. Man, those were delicious!)

Here are some pictures from the shower. ( My sister in law took these.....they are amazing!)
 My dear Aunt Katie
 Love!
 This was so sweet! Thanks Jenise!



 Grandma!

 Love my sister in laws!
 Teri and her bikini babe :)
 Pregos together
 Gorgeous
 Thankful for these friends
Fabulous hosts
Love and miss my family so much!