Daddy's Boy

Cohen loves his daddy. They love to read books together, play outside, and go for walks. Danny and I always try to put him to bed together and lately Cohen has been snuggling Danny when he sings him a little song. So cute. I'm so thankful for what a great dad Danny is and I can't wait to see their relationship continue to grow. Love these boys. 

Cohen & Co

Be prepared for picture overload this week, I've got lots to catch up on! Friday we got to meet up with Cohen's NICU roomie Eli and his mom Ciera. They are moving over to Eastern WA soon so we had to get the boys together before they go. We can never seem to coordinate our schedules very well and something always comes up but we were determined this time and we made it work! The boys loved riding in the toys more than they liked the play place. They also did more eating than they did playing, but it's still so fun to see them together. 

We also got a visit from our friends Bridget and Steven and Elliott. We took the boys to the park and Elliott was falling asleep in the swing, it was cracking me up.

29 Weeks

Still moving right along! I'm starting to feel large and in charge over here, or at least large. I walked by the mirror one day and I had to go back and look again because I felt like I had grown overnight. I am even outgrowing some of my maternity clothes, which I didn't even think about, I thought they would fit forever.

I barely failed my glucose tolerance test (by 2 points!!!) so I have to do the 3 hour one this week which I'm not too excited about. I tried to put up a fight against my doctor's office about having to do it (it was 2 points!!) but then my guilt got the better of me and I decided I should just suck it up and do it.

It's funny how often I think about doing or not doing something and then thinking about whether I would regret it later on if something happened, like not taking this test. I also try to remind myself of what I would have given to be in this spot with the boys or what other people would give to me in my shoes, pregnant and complaining about a little glucose tolerance test.

Baby Ezra continues to move like crazy and constantly changes position. Most of the time I think I can tell what position he's in my which part of my stomach is moving or getting kicked. It feels weird to have such a "big" baby inside still. I frequently have little baby body parts sticking out that I can feel. I have pretty bad heartburn, so if the old wives tale is true, this baby must have a lot of hair.

We are slowly starting to think about things like getting a crib, what we will do with Cohen when the time comes, and other "practical" things. I even washed a load of tiny baby clothes, just for fun. You know, the things we never really had time to think about before.

Cohen still hasn't really noticed my belly. He still tries to sit on my to read him stories but doesn't realize why it isn't quite working.

That's the pregnancy update, still moving right along, we are almost to the big 3-0 weeks which is just so incredible to me.

Growing Up

Has anyone seen my baby?? I turned around and there was this little boy in the place of my baby! I still can't believe he is almost two. I think him turning two will be harder on me than one.

I can't handle it. It makes me a blubbering mess. It might be something to do with pregnancy hormones, but I'm not entirely sure. I just want to hold onto him and keep him little forever.

He is Risen!

Easter has taken on a new depth of meaning for us since our boys were born. Of course we have always been so thankful for what the Lord did on the cross for us, taking the punishment for all of our sins, but the fact that he has overcome death has taken on a new, deeper meaning.

The Lord has taken our sins upon himself and conquered the grave so that we have the hope of heaven. I know without a doubt that Carter is in heaven because of what God has done for us. And we could not be more thankful. And now it is more clear than ever that because of Jesus, death will not seperate us from our baby boy and we will have the hope of reunited in heaven.

We hope you all have a wonderful weekend remembering what God has done for us and the hope and joy that it brings us!

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Romans 6:8-11 
 

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

In Real Life

When you enter the preemie world or the baby loss world, you search to find people who are like you, who "get it". While many of us have great support systems right around us, there is nothing like having someone who has walked in similar shoes and knows how it feels. 

I have found some really wonderful people through this blog and through other avenues online. I am so thankful that resources like this are available now and that we can connect in ways we wouldn't have been able to 10 years ago. Lately, I have found myself wishing I could take a little tour around the United States and meet all my friends. I think it would be so fun to be able to meet the people who have walked this journey with us from afar. I would love to see the faces behind all the messages and support and tears and give some big giant hugs in real life. It would be so fun for our kids to meet or to share pictures of our babies in heaven. Don't you think that would be fun?? Who's in?? :) 

Third Trimester

Oh, hello mysterious third trimester!!

I wasn't sure we'd ever get to meet, but here we are. I'm excited (and a little nervous as I've never been here before) to see what you have to bring me.

I'm sure you will bring days of me sitting on the couch eating bon bons, resting of course, while getting my feet massaged. I'm sure I will also have lots of cute maternity clothes that make me look like one of those cute pregnant people instead of looking like a house. I know Cohen will recognize my condition and be on his best behavior and letting me take lots of naps.

Please keep your cankles and swollen feet to yourself. Also, if you could please make sure baby Ezra stays head down and stops changing position every 3 seconds, that would be awesome. 

I know you will be kind to me and not give me any reasons to worry. Right? Right!? Thanks third trimester, I hope we get along well.

Jana

p.s. If any of you have been in the third trimester, please don't ruin my completely reasonable expectations. Thanks!