Bliss & A Beautiful Baby Boy

Rewind back to July 2010.

My sister and her husband are in the process of moving. She calls and said she needed our help to move some boxes from their upstairs to their downstairs. I had my suspicions and gut-instinct that we weren't really going to be moving anything and I remember saying to Brady, I just know they're going to tell us they're pregnant. Maybe it was my Mommy instinct already kicking in since we too were pregnant but hadn't told anyone yet. We went over to "move boxes" but instead were asked to help pick out paint colors for the "office".

Here were the two paint color choices:

Cue the happy tears, laughter, hugs, and "I knew it!" Talk about a hard time to keep a secret that we were also expecting and were only 4 weeks behind them.

Fast Forward to February 23, 2011.

Meet Mr. Carter Severt. 9 lb 3 oz. 22 inches long. Perfect.

Carter, you've scored big time with the Mommy & Daddy God's given you. Your Mommy is not only my sister but one of my best friends. She is so in love with you and has been for the past 9+ months. Your Daddy is quite the guy too, I'm sure there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you his little bud. Your Mommy and I have been blessed to share our pregnancies being due only 4 weeks apart. We compared every little kick, hiccup, movement, and stretch mark and dreamed often of how much you two will mean to eachother. I know you already sort of "met" your cousin last night when I was holding you on my belly and he wouldn't stop kicking you...you stuck out your pouty lip and pulled quite the sad face. Don't worry little guy, your cousin just wanted to say hello (or maybe he was feeling a little "squished")

I love that I get to be your aunt. I'm so excited to see you and our little guy grow up together and be buds. Being an aunt is the best thing in the entire world. I can't wait for sleepovers, campfires, family vacations, and just plain loving on you.

Your uncle Brady couldn't get over how cute you are. He just kept saying it over and over last night. I think the look on his face however says it best; he couldn't be more proud to be your uncle. Hope you like golfing 'cuz he's gonna take you golfing.

Grandpa and Grandma have never looked happier. They've waited to meet you for what feels like "forever". Grandpa already has plans to take you on 4-wheeler rides (when you're bigger of course) and do all sorts of outdoorsy man things with you. Grandma already has plans to rock you for hours on end, read stories to you, and plain spoil-you-rotten.

You are an answer to prayer little one, a gift from God above. Welcome to our family Carter, we couldn't be more in love.

35 & 2/7

Two novels read... Check

20 + magazines read... Check

Multiple visits/phone calls from family and friends... Check

6 episodes of The OC watched... Check

Thank-you's written...Check

2 blog entries...Check

Evenings spent with one excited Daddy-to-be...Check

Lounging around the house with one spoiled puppy named Maya...Check

Taking medication every 4 hours around the clock to control contractions...Check

Endless hours spent with my hands on my belly feeling my little boy move all around...Check

Multiple prayers gone up to God...Check.

Day 12 of bedrest...Check

One little boy remains in utero because of the above...Check

Would I trade any of it for the world? Never.

Today marks 35 weeks and 2/7ths pregnant. (Believe me when you are on bedrest, EVERY single day counts) Hence the 2/7ths part :) We had an apt yesterday in Orange City and I've never been more excited to be able to leave the house. The fresh air and sunshine were delicious. I soaked it all in. Everything looked good at the apt, bedrest and medication are working. Dr is hoping to keep him in there at least another 7-10 days.

Our little boy is the master of hiccups. He has them at least daily but typically 2-3 times a day sometimes for 10 minutes at a time. We even got to hear them a few times on the monitor when we were in the hospital. Since I have hours to just lay around lately I caught him having the hiccups and being active on video. I know I am going to miss my days of feeling him hiccup and move all around once he is born so I'm cherishing them now. The video is like 2 minutes long, you can see the jolts of hiccups the entire video and there are some movements and kicks in there as well. (There's a pretty good "kick" around minute 1:27 of video on the right side of my belly)Enjoy!

We appreciate all the support and love we have been shown and covet your prayers that things will continue to go smoothly.

Love is in the Air

Today I feel spoiled. Spoiled because I get to soak in Valentine's Day with my two favorite boys. The younger of the two proved to be a little too anxious to come out and meet Mommy & Daddy as we had to go to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday due to preterm labor. Thanks to a smart Dr, competent nurses, an ultrasound, medication, and bedrest he has remained right where he needs to be for at least another 12 days (hopefully longer).

I am on day 7 of bedrest and am surviving. When the hours get too long and stir crazy is a complete understatement I just remember that as his Mommy I am the only one who can help him remain in the "oven" longer by staying off my feet and taking medication every 4 hours. I shouldn't say I'm the only one, I know God is in ultimate control of our little boy.

The Mr. has really stepped his game up around the house, despite it being his busiest time of year with tax season. (Who am I kidding, he's seriously always this helpful bedrest or no bedrest) One of his many great attributes :-)

I'm trying to use this time to "rest" before the little makes his big arrival because I've been told several times there will be no resting afterwards. I love that I get to pay more attention to every little hiccup and movement he makes because with just laying around I notice it easier.

The nursery is now completed as the excited Daddy-to-be put up the much anticipated tree.

I can just picture him all cozied up in his crib and I can't wait!

**We have definately felt the love of many people who have offered prayers, visited, called, and brought meals. We are overwhelmed with the support we've been shown by family, friends, co-workers and our church. How amazing to feel so cared for and loved. Thank you so much everyone!**

Happy Valentine's Day!

58...

The number I saw on our thermostat when I got home from work today. Cold Frigid.

Maya's fur sort of "crunched" when I went to pet her. Poor dog.

Got me to thinking.

My heart has felt a little less than warm lately too.

Typically you will find mostly upbeat/funny/happy things posted here, but I guess I'm taking this whole "blogging" thing to a new level. It's all about being real and being relatable (right?)

February 15 marks one year since loosing our first child to a miscarriage at 12 weeks gestation. 11 weeks ago marks having to lay to rest our precious and much loved nephew Jude at 28 weeks gestation. The two hardest things I've ever experienced.

The "sting" of death still rears it's ugly head at times. Don't get me wrong here. I know our little one as well as Jude are in heaven in the arms of Jesus and we will get to see them again in heaven which is the best place for them but sometimes... it still just plain hurts.


My heart aches for having to say good-bye before hello. My heart aches for never getting to rock our little angel to sleep. Never getting to see or kiss his/her face. My heart aches that our little boy will not grow up next door to his cousin Jude, and I don't get to spoil him as his aunt. My heart aches for Jude's Mommy & Daddy. Sometimes I find myself worrying more than I care to admit about our little boy growing inside me right now. Blame pregnany hormones. Blame certain circumstances. Blame whatever you like.

Faith - defined as "belief that is not based on proof"

Trust - defined as "confident expectation of something; hope"

I asked a dear friend today how to combat worry. Her answer - prayer.

So pray is what I plan to do. Today I'm praying God helps me to have real faith and trust in Him. And I'm gonna pray with my hands on my belly feeling our little one (who now officially has a name, yes we decided!) kick all around. I'm praying prayers of thanksgiving that I get to enter this whole new adventure of parenthood with my best friend who I fall more in love with everyday. I'm also praying for Wade & Alissa as they pursue something God has placed on both of their hearts, adoption. Will you please pray too?

Romans 8:26-28 The Message
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.