A Letter to my Baby Girl

I'm sure this is sorta cheesy- but I'm awake this morning, and I couldn't fall back asleep. WAY too busy a day and TOO MUCH on my mind, so I thought I'd write about it. Excuse the sappiness- you can probably wipe the melty, sticky ooze off your keyboard :)

Dear Baby Girl,

I can't believe the day is finally here when I get to meet you and see your precious face, count your wiggly fingers, know who you look like, and just hold you as looong as I want to. Will you have Daddy's nose, or Mama's mouth? Will you get Mommy's pudgy toes? Will you have Daddy's skin that tans? Will you have a goofy, fun personality like your Daddy? Will you like to sew or paint or have a creative side like your Mommy? I can't wait to see- I've dreamed of this day, my little one!

Ever since I was a little girl myself, I knew I wanted to have my own babies. I always hoped I would be blessed with that, but you never know what God has in store for your life, and I've learned in my 31 years that trusting His plan is much better than making my own. I hope you learn that lesson too- I'll do my best to teach it to you! You are God's child. He has made you in His image and blessed ME to be your mommy. What a challenge, and what a thrill. I feel honored that He picked me to be your mom, and I pray you feel the same way. I don't think God takes that decision lightly- it is an absolute privilege to be a parent and I will do my best to raise you right, and make God proud. I've always had a very close relationship with my mom (your grandmommy) and I hope and pray I can be a good a mommy to you as she is to me. She's thrilled to meet you too, by the way!

Your Daddy and I can't wait to meet you. We've loved you before we've even met you and I know we will love you a zillion more times once we see you, and that will NEVER change! Life gets hard sometimes, you will do things to upset and disappoint us (and vice versa) but please know, that NO MATTER WHAT, come what may, I will ALWAYS be proud of you, and love you with my whole heart. Nothing you can do or say will change that. You are my daughter and I am blessed to be your mommy! We don't have a manual for this, and you don't come with an instruction book, but your Daddy and I are so excited to be parents, and I know we will both do our best to love you unconditionally, raise you in God's word and make you a good citizen of this world. It's our honor to get to do that! You are our blessing, our miracle, from God and we will raise you to the best of our abilities.

I, like every parent who has gone before me I'm sure, have big dreams for you- watching you take your first steps, say your first words, ride your first bike, come home with your first 100% in school, your first date (maybe you'll get to do that one day :), your prom, you going to college, your wedding, a career, kids of your own one day...these are all things that I hope and pray for you my sweet baby. It's amazing to think that I am going to get to watch you do these things-you, my sweet child.

I have tears in my eyes as I write this, because I can feel you kicking me in my belly, and as much as I'm ready to see you and meet you and NOT be pregnant anymore, there is a bond like I can't describe when pregnant. You are always near me. I am never alone, because I have someone else with, heck IN, me! I am the only one who can feel you kick and roll and move and I know that is all because I am feeding you and helping you grow into the big and strong girl you will one day be. I did that, and it is something I will always treasure. I have been told I'll actually MISS being pregnant. Now, I am sure they are not talking about the morning sickness, or the swollen feet, or the achy back, the heartburn or the fact that the weirdest of smells could send me running for the bathroom. Those things- well, they can all take a hike. But the bond I have with you- it's indescribable and something I will treasure forever. God picked me to be your mommy- wow! He placed you in me 40 weeks ago, and helped me grow you big and strong. Along the way he was molding you and shaping you to fit in His image, and today we will get to see that. Amazing!

I know that in the next few days, as you prepare to make your arrival (make it a smooth, easy entrance, ok?) and we meet you, will be emotional and exciting. I know that it will be like nothing I've ever experienced before. I am filled with emotion just thinking about it- seriously, I can't see what I'm typing b/c my eyes are watery. I have no real way of knowing what life holds for us. But all I know is that I love you already. I'd fly to the moon and back, slay dragons, jump out of burning buildings -all for you- and I've never even seen you! It is amazing I can love you this much and I know it will multiply by a million the moment I lay my eyes on you. You are my sweet baby girl, my greatest treasure in life, and I am so excited, honored and proud to call you my own. I'll see you in about 24 hours my little one. I love you more than I can ever say-

Mommy

BIG news!

So, I have some BIG news today...I think I'll be having this baby tomorrow!!! I went in for my weekly apt today, and the dr said things look good but she was concerned I might have pre-eclampsia (basically a fancy word for high blood pressure while pregnant). I had gained 5 lbs in one week (yikes!!!) and was really "puffy" looking all over. So, after a few labs were done, she said it is mild, but she thinks she wants to bring me in tomorrow afternoon and start an induction. Wow! I am SOO ready to meet my lil' missie, and also scared and nervous and have a few "can I really do this" thoughts (little late for those, huh?) but I think most of all I'm so excited to get to meet my little girl finally. So, cross your fingers and toes, and say a few prayers that I have an easy, painfree (ha) delivery and that Brett, myself and Baby C all make the perfect little family in about 36 hours! Whoo-hoo- let's do this!!!

The "Meet Kirsten" Shower at my house

The weekend after my lovely baby shower, I held a baby shower for my friend Lynn. She actually already had Little Miss Kirsten, but didn't get a shower ahead of time here in Japan. So I had a "meet and greet" at my house. It was lots of fun, and I enjoyed being able to host it. I was tired afterwards, and my feet were swollen (that's what happens when you cook and host a party at 36 wks pregnant yourself) but it was all worth it. I think Lynn had a great time, and Miss Kirsten was passed around and enjoyed by all!

The clothesline banner I hung up in my living room
Mindy, Abbie (holding Kirsten) and Lynn on the couch
Melanie, Chelsea and Bridget enjoy the eats
Lynn's mom, Jessica, Abbie and Mindy
The little members of the shower- Ruby, Wyatt and Maverick

Japanese Baby Shower

We've only lived here in Japan 4.5 months and I've been very blessed to have made some great friends in that time! Some are squadron spouses, some PCS'd over on the same plane as us, some are friends thru mommy-and-me groups, some I knew from Dyess, and some are neighbors, but they are all great. I know this (well, for several reasons) but because I was lucky enough to have them give me a baby shower! On July 11th (at 35 weeks, with 35 days to go until my due date), they threw myself and Baby C a wonderful party in the rec room of one of the base towers. The decor was adorable, the food was delicious, and the presents were cute as could be. I LOVED it and this baby is pretty darn set now with more stuff than a kiddo could ever need! Thank you soooo much girls!

The adorable cake, made my Lynn. Not only was it cute- it was yummy too!
The decor- complete with cherry blossoms in the vases!
More decor
Playing the "draw a baby on the plate on your head" game- it was quite comical!
Eating, drinking and mingling
Eating and hanging out
Opening all my fabulous gifts

This kiddo is gonna have to change clothes every 2 hours just to wear all the adorable outfits she has, but really, is there anything cuter than baby girl clothes?
The whole group: Sarah (due 7/31), Jessica, Blythe, me, Mindy, Melanie (due 8/22), Laura, Hillary, Bridget, Amanda, Lynn, Daphne, Courtney and Carlin, Courtney and Kenzleigh, Heather

The camera was propped up on some packages of diapers to take the picture- ha!

Just Curious...

So I've added 2 polls to the side bar- how much will Baby C weigh and when will Baby C arrive. Feel free to chime in with your vote. And I'd love to hear your specific date and weight answers, so post a comment here if you want to be precise with an answer. I'm sure you guys can already guess what MY answers will be (small baby=less pain=ready to meet my baby girl!) but I'm curious to know what the rest of you think. And as soon as she does arrive- I'll make sure to post the specifics, and lots of pictures too of course!!!

P.S. You guys ended up guessing right on the boy/girl poll, so let's see if you can do the same here!

Redoing Baby C's cribl

Just had to shout out quickly to the 3 girls who helped me redo Baby C's crib-Hillary, Amanda and Bridget. Brett and I bought this crib for a great price back in April from a family that was moving back to the states. It was just what I wanted- light wood, and the kind of crib that converts to a day bed and then a double bed eventually. I researched that it was a safe bed, and made sure we had every screw, nut and bolt that came with it. The only problem was that the kid who had slept in it first was apparently part woodchuck, as he had "eaten" part of the front rail (he must have some very strong front teeth!) Brett had said he would sand it down and restain it if it was the crib I wanted (and I was trying to be the helpful wife and save us a few $'s on this crib instead of a brand new one). That plan was all well and good...until he got stuck in Singapore for a month! He probably would have had time to redo it once he finally got back, but I had spent so much time getting the rest of the nursery ready- all that was incomplete was the crib. So...many thanks to my 3 sweet friends, neighbors and East Side Comrades- Hillary, Bridget and Amanda- for all their hard work. Thank you, thank you and thank you!! It looks great now!

I love you girls, and Baby C loves you too!

Birthday Parties, Anniversaries and July 4th

I'll just make this a combo post of a few events and activities from the past few weeks. As you can see, I stay pretty busy around here and am rarely bored. That's a good thing I think! I feel like there is pretty much always something to do, if you want to get out and about, and I enjoy that lifestyle.

Nolan's Birthday

My friend Heather had a birthday party for her son Nolan. He turned the big...1! Here are a few of the guests (and their parents) watching Nolan (and Heather and Jake) open presents.
Heather and Nolan opening presents
Nolan's way cool cake and candles. It opened up, spun around and played Happy Birthday. Seriously- the Japanese come up with some cool stuff!
Nolan getting ready to dig in! He actually wasn't a big fan of the cake in the end, or getting it all over him. Most of it was left on the plate, and the adults ate all the cupcakes!

July 4, 2009
This is Hanger 15, on base. It's where they hold pretty much all the large events here at Yokota. For July 4th, they had it all opened up with a stage at the back for live bands to play on; a food line on the side w/ free bbq, burgers, hotdogs, chicken, corn on the cob, beans, chips, bread, drinks, cookies, etc.; and tables for people to sit/eat. In front of the hanger were all kinds of little stands with stuff to do- face painting, go carts, tshirts, giveaways...all sorts of stuff and all free! It was a fun time. I wish Brett could have been here to enjoy it, but I had a fun time with all the friends I've made from around base.
A few pictures of the fireworks (my camera has a hard time capturing them). This was the 1st time in 3 years they have gotten to shoot off fireworks on July 4th- it has rained every other year!

Our 1st Wedding Anniversary
Once Brett FINALLY made it home from Singapore, we did get to celebrate our anniversary. I made dinner and we celebrated with "sparkRing soda" - no I'm not even making that up. Don't you love the Japanese translations? Ha!
Our delicious anniversary cake :) FD is Brett's nickname at work. It was a chocolate cake w/ white frosting and pink embelishments, just like our wedding cake though (although that cake had pink orchids on it instead of writing!)
Here's why it said what it did - I let Brett ice the cake! We did exchange anniversary gifts as well. I went the traditional route and did "paper" as the 1st anniversary gift. I got Brett a neat picture that is framed and hanging on the wall in the "man room". It is a print of a star map of Ambergris Caye, Belize from the night we got married. It is pretty cool looking I think, and came with a star chart describing all the constellations. I also got him tickets to go on a dinner cruise thru the Tokyo Bay one night (we will probably go one night after lil' one gets here and my parents are visiting and can babysit). Brett went modern with his gift, which is "clocks". He bought me an awesome Tag Heuer watch- pearl faced with diamonds where the #s are. It's beautiful. I went into Tachikawa a few days ago and got the band adjusted and it fits great now. I LOVE it, and I needed a new watch too!!! Go Brett!!

Trip to Ikea
This is all my loot from IKEA. I went there with my sweet neighbor Bridget one day. It's about a 2 hour drive from base, but we had a great time. I got TONS of stuff- 2 lamps, 2 small tables, some kitchen items, some stuff for the nursery, a rug...all kinds of stuff for only $210! Not bad, huh?

John's Birthday
Lastly, a picture of my sweet friend Daphne (we PCS'd here at the same time- literally, we were on the same plane together. They were the row in front of us from Seattle to here!) and her super fun neighbor Bonnie. It was Daphne's hubby John's birthday, so we got together to grill, eat and chat. Good times. And the best part- I totally don't even look prego in this picture (although I'm about 36 wks!)