Halloween Bliss

Problem: It does not work to dress up a 19-week-child-in-utero for Halloween

Solution: See images below

You may think I'm crazy, and that's fine with me. I think it's hilarious.

And I bet you laughed, or at least smiled :)

"Goodnight Moon"

The two of you already have a favorite book.

Your Daddy loves to read you a goodnight story before bed and that brings tears to your Mamma's eyes.

I'm not sure who likes storytime more, me or you little one.

I can't wait to see the two of you together. I daydream of it daily. I daydream of outside peanut-butter-and -jelly-picnics and of long stroller rides together. It's the simple things that mean the most to him, and that's what makes him so great. He is so proud to be your Daddy already. You will be proud to call him Daddy too.

He loves giving you good-bye kisses thru your Mamma's ever-growing belly.

He loves to rest his hand on that same ever-growing belly in hopes of feeling absolutely anything. I think he would leave his hand there for hours in hopes of this. (Secretly your Mamma can't wait until the day when you are a little bigger and stronger and you give him the kick of your life through my belly, then we will laugh and your presence will be made known!)

We have almost reached the half way marker and we can't wait to see your beautiful face again. Last time I counted (who am I kidding, I count everyday) we will see you again in 28 glorious days.

Life

I don't know when exactly it hit me, but it did.

A sort of slow-motion-sucker-punch-blow-to-the-gut.

Got my attention none-the-less.

Maybe it was my pregnant shadow starring back at me tonight while Maya and I enjoyed the red and orange leaves crunching under our feet with the cool breeze in our face. Maybe it was the fact that I got to hear my 17 week old babies heart galloping away again today. Or, maybe it was the text I got from my giddy-hearted husband who's "playing farmer" tonight with a good friend that stated the money he earns farming is going in our baby fund. He is such a proud Daddy already. Maybe it was the good reports baby Van Meeteren received at the 21 week ultrasound. Or maybe it was the sweet email I got from a best friend that's literally thousand of miles away yet remains so close to my heart.

Regardless of what exactly it was, it hit me.

You know that feeling in your life when you look around and can't help but smile because you realize you are living the life you've always dreamed of? If I could bottle up that feeling and sell it, Lord know's I'd be a millionare. Anyway, that awesome feeling of pure happiness, contentment, and joy filled my heart today and that is exactly what "it" is.

If I'm honest, before today I had been feeling more anxiety, worry, and "what if's" as the past few weeks have been filled with life changing news regarding my precious nephew Jude. Honestly, I wish I had half the strength and faith his Mommy and Daddy continue to show. I can't help but finding myself thinking about the fact that God works through willing people. Wade and Alissa are the definition of willing. They are exactly the type of people God would use to further His kingdom. I'm not sure they know the impact they've had on me in the past weeks.

I'm learning not to take one day, one hour, or one second of this life forgranted. I'm reminding myself to take a step back, look at the big picture, pinch myself when I realize all the blessings God's given me, and take it all in baby.

Thank-you Wade, Alissa, and baby Jude for showing me the real beauty in life.

The three of you are the reason "it" hit me tonight.

For that I'm so grateful.