Ethan Santiago Ansley
Born just when he was meant to be (about a week before his due date), and already such a precious Little Monkey in our family. We love him so much and are thankful for his safe delivery.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are so very glad.

oh, baby [ week thirty-eight ]

Dear Little Man,
We're nearly there! A part of me feels as if I just found out I was pregnant and the other part has a vague memory of life before the aches and waddling of this baby bump (note: we do our best NOT to waddle). Currently, you love drop kicking the right side of my rib cage and continue with your daily dose of hiccups. You seem to be quite content to stay inside forever, which would be just fine with me but I think everyone else is pretty eager to meet you. Daddy and I firmly believe that babies come precisely on their birthday, so we're not anxious either way (I have a sneaking suspicion that you might come sooner rather than later though, we'll see!).
I'm still sleeping quite well and have adjusted to our 4:30/5am loo ritual. The current battle is remember to eat enough during the day! I've been so distracted by preparing for your coming that sometimes I forget to eat proper meals, heavens! Also, I started taking a powder form of vitamin C (just to switch things around) which tastes fruity at the beginning but if I leave it in my mouth too long it begins to taste like vomit; I love you so much.
We haven't any odd cravings but things that always sound good are big, leafy salads, french fries, soft ice, and really good pizza (anything from Grimaldi's or Pinthouse Pizza a new favorite which has great ice as well!).
You're clothes for the next six months are washed and neatly folded, I just need to find the right basket to put beside my bed; that will hold all of the necessities in my reach, such as nappies, onesies, snacks, and knitting, of course!

And for those of you who've asked, here's the link for our baby registry.

a January list

// Continuing to prepare for Little Man! We've already been so blessed by friends and family, and there are just a few more things I need in order to feel more "ready" for his appearance. Also, I've been slowly stocking up freezer meals for after he's born and breakfasts for David (when he goes back to work after a wee paternity leave). I'm trying a few new recipes from my pinterest board and hope they taste just as well after defrosting as they did before!

// Having a baby (ha!) or rather, continuing to mentally prepare for having a baby! God has been good to give me a few good Braxton Hicks lately, I think they're His way of reminding our brains that our bodies were built for this. We've got this thing. Contractions come one at a time, the keys are to surrender, Let It Go, relax our muscles, and let our bodies do what they're built to do.

// Bedrest projects! I'm sure we'll both be doing our fair share of sleeping but I am picking out a special, easy knitting project in case I feel inspired.

// Reading. There are a few books in my queue that I'd love get through and also to cultivate a list for 2015. Unbroken and The Hardest Peace are a few that I know I'd love to read. I'm open to book suggestions!

// Writing. I love the idea of keeping a journal for Little Man, to document the little things about his development, my prayers for him, and things I simply don't want to forget. In a sense, that is part of the purpose of this blog, to document God's faithful hand in our family and to remember each beautiful moment we can; that being said, there are few things like reading a handwritten note on real paper.

What are your goals for this month?

oh, baby [ week 34 ]

Dear Little Man,

Land-O-Lakes, this last trimester is flying past; it seems as if Christmas is tomorrow and you'll be here next week! We're continuing with the Arrival Preparations and its my personal goal to have everything ready by the new year, just in case you're convicted to be an early baby. You're clothes are washed and ready to wear, I'm on the hunt for organizational baskets, and tomorrow Nani and I will finish sewing fitted sheets for your Moses basket. Lately I've been practicing the mental surfing of the Labour Waves and becoming more prepared for your delivery; it's not such a scary prospect (PRAISE THE LORD), and lately I've been refreshed by a recent friend having her baby: women deliver babies every single day and have done so for centuries. I think we'll manage.
You're still diligent in your training to join the circus but I don't think you'll go very far if you insist on having the hiccups quite so often. On the other hand, I've been experiencing loads of round ligament pain and downward pressure (you're just so heavy for me!), so much so that I'm considering a maternity belt or prenatal wrapping of some kind for support. (we're nearly there!)
Oh, I've started sleeping with a snoogle body pillow which has proved to be the best thing since toasted bagels with blueberry cream cheese; I sleep so well when I use it though it does inhibit cuddling with Daddy (he doesn't much care for the pillow but bears it nobly for the sake of good sleep).
I'm still anemic but am taking a few different supplements to hopefully remedy and bring that hemoglobin count back up to where it needs to be; thankfully, my thyroid is still good so I really ought not complain!