Year's End

I began writing this post on New Year's Eve, fully intending to have it finished before 2014. But then my baby woke up early from her nap with a 102 degree fever. The post has sat open on my computer, half-finished until now, so I've adjusted the time stamp and I'd still like to share it as a farewell to 2013. 

Even though I haven't blogged in over a quarter of a year (something that started out accidentally and eventually became intentional) I thought I would write one last post to commemorate 2013. What a year.

Honestly, I have typed, deleted, and re-typed this post countless times. My words continue to fall flat. How to I begin to express all that this year has held? I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. We bought our first home. Our hearts have filled with the joy of new life, the stress and excitement of new beginnings, the pain and grief of loss. I'm honestly a little overwhelmed thinking about it all. Even still, I feel like these words do 2013 no justice. I may not be able to express all that 2013 held, but the memories I made this year will live forever in my heart. It was not an easy year, but it sure was a good one.

And now, I turn my thoughts towards the new year and all the promise that it holds. Unlike last year, I've come up with a few resolutions (starting to blog again happens to be one of them!) for 2014, which I'll share a little later. I'm welcoming the proverbial new beginnings that January 1 brings. A chance for self-improvement, for reinvention, for growth. 

Amelia Joy Ross

One of the first photos of my daughter, moments after being born

Our baby girl arrived on May 22 at 7:13 in the evening. 7 pounds, 0.5 ounces. 20.25 inches long. Her name is Amelia Joy and she is completely perfect.

She has a head full of thick brown hair, the cutest button nose, and deep blue eyes that are just beginning to focus on her world. Christopher and I are completely smitten with her curled little toes, her squeals and sighs, her chubby thighs... everything.

It's pretty incredible to think that today she turns two weeks old. Goodness. She's already changed so much! We're growing to know each other more and more every day, and it is one of the most rewarding things (albeit challenging) I've ever been a part of. Even now as she sleeps on my chest, my heart has grown larger than I thought possible.

Posting on GH may be a little sporadic as I get used to motherhood (specifically, the lack of sleep) but I'll do my best to share little updates as I can in between baby snuggles.

Arrested Development: Season 4

Let's take a break from all the baby talk, shall we? Let's watch this trailer instead.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT RETURNS IN TWO WEEEEEKS!!!!!

Ten Days

Instagram taken by Sharon after our weekend trip to the Goshen Farmer's Market

Ten more days until baby girl is due to arrive. Ten. more. days.

It just doesn't seem possible that in less than two weeks, Christopher and I will be parents. I just can't even. I've washed teeny tiny onesies and the smallest socks in the world. Christopher has assembled the bassinet (and disassembled it to discourage kitty naps for the time being.) The carseat base has been installed in the back of our car, ready to go. Diapers, baby shampoo, blankets galore: check, check, check. We've essentially been preparing for this for the past nine months, but I still don't feel ready. The only thing I haven't done yet is pack the hospital bag... I'm half afraid that if I cross that last thing off my list, baby girl will know and I'll go into labor immediately.

Even though I've had it pretty easy with my pregnancy overall, I'm definitely feeling huge pregnant these days. Swollen feet, achey hips, a distinct waddle. Pregnancy is not a glamorous thing, don't let anyone fool you. Also, the dream hair and glowy skin they always tell you about? It's a lie, too, at least for this mama. Baby girl has stolen my beauty like the old wives' tale said she would... but it's totally worth it.

All that said, I'm besides myself with excitement. I can't wait to meet our little girl! (duh.)
TEN MORE DAYS!

Kitties + Pregnancy

Oh, just some of my favorite Catstagrams

Before I was pregnant, our kitty Ulia was my snuggle buddy. Most nights, she would curl up next to me in bed and purr herself to sleep. Cutest thing ever. Once I found out I was pregnant, though, I distanced myself from her quite a bit out of fear of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection occasionally found in kitty litter that can cause severe birth defects. Scary stuff, right?

My doctor said the chances of contracting the disease from Ulia are low, especially since she's a house cat, but that hasn't stopped me from being extremely paranoid cautious about it. That has meant no more kitty snuggles, kisses, or squishes. So sad!

I've been trying to give her a little extra attention in these few final weeks before baby arrives. After all, she is our first baby, and I'm not sure how she'll react to having an actual baby around (cat moms, any tips?) So among all the baby posts that have been popping up on GH lately, I thought I would dedicate this one to her.

I love that squishable belly, those little white paws, and her raccoon tail.