Baby Gear Galore

Wednesday Michael and I spent ALL day registering for all the baby gear. I’m amazed sometimes at how Michael can survive shopping longer than I can. I’m really glad though, because while I was trying to make the “right” decision, he was totally there with me, in mind and body, and not trying to rush me through and onto something else. I had fun, and I think Michael did as well.

It's so funny to me sometimes to see what husbands all of a sudden get opinionated on. (Like when you decide to redecorate the guest room and throughout the process they couldn't care less about the choices you make because they just want you happy. But all of a sudden they are very opinionated on the choice for curtains. Seems so random.) Michael had a special fascination with pacifiers, so if you notice we have registered for a lot of pacifiers you now know why. haha. Michael likes them. I'm just glad he was interested in the process.

I think it helped that I prepared quite a bit before I went in. I went one day with Carolyn when she was registering for Lilly and I was TOTALLY overwhelmed with all the STUFF. They have a product for EVERYTHING. It’s crazy. I was thinking “Surely one does not need all this junk. But what of it do you really need??” That feeling really stuck with me. So when we found out we were pregnant, I decided I would go in armed and ready, knowing what kind of items I actually needed, and what items I could skip over. I read a book on baby gear and talked to a few people, and then made myself a shopping list. I reviewed specific products online for a couple days, and then we went in Wednesday for the final “kill”. I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I felt like I knew exactly what I was looking for and didn’t waste time contemplating items I had already determined were unnecessary. Though I don’t expect to know every single item I need ahead of time. I may find something particularly helpful once Caleb arrives and I learn what kind of temperament he has and what he likes, but I just don’t want to waste any money on a bunch of stuff I don’t really need and that just takes up more room than it’s worth.

I’m glad to get that task checked off my list. One reason I wanted to get it done right away was to get a better idea of how much money we need in preparation for Caleb’s arrival. I was able to tally up the total of all my registries and determine how much it would cost us to totally outfit the baby ourselves. So although I’m sure I’ll receive some gifts at my shower from my registries, I now have a “worst case scenario” to plan for. Makes me feel a lot more at ease to be as prepared as possible.

The places I registered are:
Babies R’ Us
Target
www.nurturedfamily.com
www.diaperbagboutique.com

Let me explain a little something about the two web stores. I registered at Nurtured Family, because I plan on doing clothe diapers. Instead of registering at a specific diaper brand web page like fuzzy bunz or bum genius, I was able to register here for several different brands. I’ve heard good things about different brands, and some things I’ve heard and read have said to try a couple different brands to determine which ones you and your baby like best. This just seemed like an easy solution. This store also carries a variety of other baby products, but mostly what I needed was diapers. Then Diaper Bag Boutique is just one “fun item” for me. Haha. So I know you don’t need any sort of fancy or expensive diaper bag, but I was really trying my best to just be practical on other items but I was hoping for a fun diaper bag that doesn’t look juvenile. I am the one carrying the diaper bag, not my baby. Haha. Since I’ve been pregnant I’ve been browsing diaper bags at various stores and online and haven’t liked a single one, until this one. I LOVE it. Look at it and tell me it isn’t totally cute, even if it’s not your personal style. It’s super cute. Haha. Likely Michael and I will simply buy it ourselves, but I just wanted to show the ladies how cute it is. Haha. I’ll probably wait until the last minute to buy it though, just in case we don’t have the money for it. Which, in that case, I’ll THEN go buy the super inexpensive no thrills or frills bag.

Well we’re getting more and more excited about Caleb’s arrival. I think Daphne is particularly anxious. I keep finding her lying in the nursery “waiting”. That’s quite unusual for her. She never used to go in that room, and usually she either lies on the floor in the room we’re in, or in her bed. I’m curious to see how she will be with a baby around. I know she’s great with kids, but I wonder what kind of adjustment this will be for her as well. Maybe she’s in the nursery practicing her guarding skills? Although if that’s the case, someone should tell her that I’m keeping the baby with me at all times for now, until June that is. If she wants to guard him, she should stick with me.

What's In a Name

I think there is a lot in a name. My mom has often said that people live up to the names given to them. Whether the "name" be "stupid", "smart", "funny", "mean", or literally there name, be it Timothy, Sarah, Robert or Tera. She warned me to be careful what I called people, good or bad, because whether they are truly that name or not, they will begin to live up to it.

I've kept that in mind, and so far it seems true, at least most of the time. For this reason and others I knew I wanted to pick great names for my future children, names they would strive to live up.

Michael and I recently decided on the name "Caleb Andrew" for our baby. We both liked the sound of the names, their meanings, and we liked the Caleb and Andrew in the Bible. Caleb means “faith, devotion, and whole hearted.” Andrew means “warrior” or “courageous”.

The Caleb in the Old Testament wandered in the desert with Moses and the Israelites. When they arrived at Canaan, Caleb was one of the twelve spies (one from each tribe) that went into Canaan to check it out and report back to the rest of the people. Upon the spies return they reported great things about the land of Canaan, and that it was indeed flowing with milk and honey. Caleb and another spy, Joshua, insisted they defeat the people and take over Canaan, while the other ten spies convinced the people that this was impossible. The people were huge and the city was fortified, they did not believe they could defeat them. Despite Caleb and Joshua’s efforts, the people believed the other ten spies and had lost their faith and questioned why God even brought them to this place. They were so faithless that many wanted to return to captivity in Egypt where they could die. As you know God punished them by making them wander in the dessert until everyone over 20 had died, because they would not be allowed into Canaan. BUT because Caleb and Joshua were faithful and believed God, they would be allowed to enter Canaan when it came time. Because of this, Caleb is known for his faith, devotion and whole heartedness.

Andrew of course was a disciple. He was a fisherman (which Michael thinks is really cool) and brought many people to the Lord, including his own brother Peter. Jesus instructed Andrew (and the other fisherman he was with) to be fishers of men. And he was. Andrew is the disciple that brought the boy with the 5 loaves and two fish to the hillside where Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people. He was also present at many other “major” events in the Bible. Andrew is also the name of Michael’s best friend. Andrew is a great Christian man, a true friend and great influence and encouragement to Michael. We really appreciate him and are honored that he is willing to share his name with our little boy.

It's a Boy!!!

My crazy dream and most everyone's predictions were correct. It's a boy! We had our 19 week appointment this week and found out the news. We are SUPER excited.

Since we found out, things have felt surprisingly different for me. I don't mean physically, but mentally and emotionally. It feels way more real now. This is the most excited I've been through this journey thus far, but it's also the most nervous/scared I've been. Yesterday I felt quite overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. My mind was so busy yesterday I had to just sit in the nursery and do nothing for about an hour. I literally mean nothing. Kids would call it "time out". haha. I keep thinking "In only a few months I'm going to be responsible for a human being and all of their needs." That thought is quite over whelming to me. Michael and I have waited this long for two main reasons. 1. We wanted to be done with school first because we knew raising a baby and going to school would be exponentially harder than doing them one at a time. 2. We knew that taking care of a baby was a huge responsibility, and that teaching and raising up a child was a big important job. We didn't take the decision lightly.

Even though since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a mom, now that it's here IT'S SCARY. haha. It's not that I'm scared of being a bad mom. I think I'm just scared of the responsibility of the raising up and teaching of the child, and the emotions involved in having your own child that you love and care that much about. Even before this baby is born, my heart aches that he will have the best things in life, will do great things, and be extremely successful and love the Lord with all of his heart. How much stronger will these feelings get once he's arrived? I'm sure much more.

So while those thoughts rush through my mind I also am so excited and happy at the thought of having someone who is literally a part of me. Another person to add to the family to love. Someone I'll get to watch and play with and build lots of fun memories with. Goodness - how much will Michael and I learn on this journey?? That's crazy to think about, because I know it's a lot! haha. And I'm certain that parenthood will be something that draws us closer to God and teaches us more about Him. We have a lot to look forward to.

Just yesterday Michael said "I can't wait until our baby boy is here." I'm definitely happy and excited about our baby's arrival, but I was thinking "I can wait!"

Here are the results from our "baby photo shoot".









My favorite one is that last one. I can't believe how big his foot looks. He must have Michael's feet. Oh boy, all the shoes we buy Michael...now we'll have another one who needs shoes every few months. haha

My sister in law, Joi, got Michael and me the sweetest gift the other day. It's a picture frame with a verse and a place to put a sonogram picture. The verse is one I've heard many many times before, but it takes on a whole new meaning for me now.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous, and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formeed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."