Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Stuff We Feed Our Kids

Ann,

I feel like I’ve broken my kids. I always thought that if I only offered very pure, clean foods, this is what they’d love. How did we go from this to eating mac’n cheese and hot dogs? To be fair, the mac’n cheese is Annie’s and the hot dogs are organic chicken sausages, but seriously. They certainly aren’t clean and pure. I know you’ve been down this road before. Any suggestions?

Jen

Monday, November 28, 2011

Our Swagger Wagon


Reactions

Dear Jen,

In most cases telling people about our baby has gone much better than expected. I’m realizing that people’s reactions are about them and not me. They need to process things and sometimes part of that process is spewing things from their mouth. I’ve also noticed that people really take on your emotion. We have informed people in a very calm and accepting way and people are quickly taking on our same attitude. I even had someone tell me that since I am not anxious about it they have felt at peace as well. The Lord has definitely given me His grace.

Ann

_________

Ann,

PRAISE GOD.

Jen

Friday, November 25, 2011

Happy Birthday, Twins

Ann,

The boys’ 2nd birthday party with Levi’s family in the UP was great. This is the ridiculously yummy cake my mother-in-law made. If I had a big enough plate I’d just slice off that frosting and eat it straight up. Butter cream. You have no idea.



Of course they would have been satisfied receiving just these adorable toy cars from their cake. Well, at least for that day…I sure appreciate the generous gifts that will help get us through a long Minnesota winter!

Oh, and the best gift for very busy 2 year old boys? Etch-a-sketches. I ordered these to replace the dollar store “tester-sketches” we bought this summer and they were a hit.



(Everett’s covered in skittles; Levi took a chin-dive the minute we walked in. So much for birthday photos!)

Wish you guys and the girls could have been there!

Jen

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Maternal Fetal Specialist

Dear Jen,

This morning was our ultrasound and the nuchal fold was a 4.6 mm but was reported to the specialist as a 5.  This means she is at a lower risk for Down Syndrome. This was relieving to me not because she may not have Down Syndrome but because I realized how I really don’t want this pregnancy to be wondering and worrying but want it to be focused on her coming. We still have a 1 in 12 chance of her being Down Syndrome but somehow it caused me to switch a button in my brain to not worry anymore. If she is, she is and if she isn’t, she isn’t.

We have decided to tell our family and friends about the monitoring that will be going on. I have an echocardiogram scheduled and will have monthly ultrasounds. Also, we believe people need to get used to the idea so that there will be quicker acceptance once she is born if she does have Down Syndrome.

Ann

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Kate’s Shower

I’m really proud of my creation of both a chocolate chip cookie cake and the token gift given! My friend, Kendra, designed the colors and the cute pregnant girl image.



Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Elephant in the Room

Dear Jen,

So, I’ve been hanging out with some friends and it feels like there is this huge elephant in the room. I am wondering about my baby but don’t want people to judge her before she is even born so I don’t want to tell them. Everyone thinks everything is perfectly normal but I am trying to figure out my emotions. The strongest one coming through is not wanting people to look at her as some sort of freak. I already know she is special and we are so happy to even be having a third child.

When we found out June (our second) was deaf I feared people’s reactions as well. I didn’t always like their reactions and their statements were sometimes so stupid. Most people were more concerned about how her hearing aids would stick out and how she would look rather than the safety of not being able to hear well or her having to work harder than others to speak. I know these were all first reactions and people don’t know what to say but this is what I fear!

Lord, fill me with your grace.  This is my prayer.

Ann