Kingston

Kingston is now 9 months old.

Most kids are crawling now. He is not. He'd rather take my hands and walk around the room all day.

He chews his breakfast, lunch and dinner, and takes good naps.

He has two pearly whites on his bottom gums.

We listen to music, play games, read books and sing songs.

Made in the image of God, he shines bright wherever we go.

I rest easy at night knowing my life is perfect with him in it.

To Love and Live

When I was in college I noticed our campus newspaper, The Reflector, was lacking readership. This is about the time that "Sex in the City" episodes were popular. I sadly envied Carrie. Not her as a person, good grief, but her career. How cool to frolic around New York in pricey outfits, meet random eccentric people for lattes midday and then spend an hour a week writing a column?

So, I put two and two together and kindly approached The Reflector's editor-in-chief and asked if he would allow me to be their Carrie. He told me to write three samples. I did and the new "Love vs. Hate" column was born.

Ahhh. My dreams had come true. Kind of. I had a blast writing that column. I was a partier and dated multiple guys at once (sorry in advance to those who were unaware of this), so it was easy to pick up inspiration. The only downfall was when I actually fell in love. Unfortunately, Kyle fell victim to my column. Not because I wrote about him and our carefree relationship -- I stayed far, far away from that storyline -- but because students would frequently ask him whether or not that week's column had anything to do with him. Especially when I wrote about the ugly relationship scenarios. Fortunately, however, The Reflector's readership increased dramatically. That could have been me, but it also could have not been me. I'll never really know...

With that said, I've decided to start writing about relationships again. But, since I'm married and have a son, it would be rather odd for me to write a column about my non-existent single and dramatic dating life. Instead, I've decided to write about love and life, the small pleasures we take for granted everyday. Basically, if everyone realized they were free, the world would be a much more serene place. Okay -- so people in jail and strict countries aren't really "free" per say, so I'm guessing the majority of my readers will remain within the U.S... Even then, however, those who are not physically free to enjoy life as we know it, their spirits ultimately remain free.

Through the words of Jon Egan:

Through you the blind will see. Through you the mute will sing.
Through you the dead will raise. Through you all hearts will praise.
Through you the darkness flees. Through you my heart screams I am free.


Enjoy toloveandlive.com -- my new blog about loving and living life. (Blog to be up and running here shortly).

Baby Kingston

Well, Kingston David Wiley is here! (He has been since 4/21!)

Although we had some complications at the hospital, Kingston seems to be doing well. Napping at the moment, actually. He is the awesomest baby ever (I am allowed to say that because I'm his mom).

Thanks again to all those who prayed for his swift recovery, as well as mine. I think the big man upstairs was definitely looking out for both of us, especially him.

I'm keeping this one short because my time is limited before he has to cling to my chest again and I have much to do before then! More updates to come again soon. For now, enjoy some photos of our new bundle o' joy.

I need a tracking number for my baby, please.

Well, I'm officially 4 days past my due date. Many women cringe at that thought while I'm still enjoying the time I get to spend with my husband before our lives drastically change (for the better) for the remainder of our days.

It's interesting how many people expect you to deliver earlier than your due date. It's like "oh wow, you're still pregnant?" um... "yes, yes I am and I'm 100% okay with that." It's not like he'll stay inside of me for another 9 months -- he has to come out.

To me, our baby is now completely developed, healthy and preparing for his arrival. Only 10% of babies are born on their due date and over 30% of them are born after their due date. My yoga instructor (who has been a doula and prenatal instructor for several years) said it's sometimes perfectly normal for the baby to be 3 weeks late.

Now, that's not to say my OB/GYN will wait that long. He thinks I'll deliver before he has to induce me but he also said he's not in a rush to get him out because I'm healthy, he's healthy and there have not been any complications.

Unfortunately, I've also had many people seem petrified that I'm going to try to endure a natural labor process (if I don't have to be medically induced). How do we think women have done this for thousands of years without drugs? It's sad to me how few pregnant women do their research on what potential complications and side effects that can arise for both them and their baby when automatically opting into drugs. Did you know that an epidural increases your chances of having a C-section by 50%? Did you know that drugs used to induce women like Pitocin (Oxytocin) can have some drastic, irreversible effects? (http://www.drugs.com/sfx/pitocin-side-effects.html).

Again, if it comes down to it I'll have to be medically induced and have to face those potential side effects. But I'm praying that isn't the case. Am I 100% sure I'll be able to go through labor without ANY drugs? No.

But when I get emails or texts with advice on how to "speed up going into labor" it's a little annoying. Only God and our baby knows when it's time. (Literally, the baby sends your body hormonal signals when he's ready to come out).

It's amazing... we've been reproducing for thousands of years and just within the last 80 years women have been bound to lay on their backs, forced to take drugs and deliver babies when it's convenient for the doctor, their family and even the couple themselves.

I'm thankful I've done my research. Thankful my baby is healthy. And thankful for the options nowadays should anything go wrong.

I would just like a tracking number for my baby so I have an inkling of when he'll arrive... that's all.

Snow is awesome... when you're not pregnant

I remember snow being exciting. The thought of it catapults me to the mountaintops in Washington and Oregon where I'd tighten my goggles, strap in my boots and glide down the white slopes.

Unfortunately, when you're pregnant, you can't snowboard. You can't really do a lot of things, actually. Instead, your husband (with such wonderful intentions), keeps you locked inside the house.

I slowly retreated like a sad puppy when Kyle angrily stared me down as I showered and dressed for work while the news anchorwoman in the background repeatedly said "don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary." Heck, work is "absolutely necessary" in my mind. But yesterday there was a sheet of ice over an inch thick on the ground. I agree. It's not worth trying to scoot my way out the door when I'm already off balance thanks to my enlarged stomach. One fall could be devastating. Thankfully, though, the Internet allows one to tap into work on icy days like yesterday.

One thing I'm learning quickly is that being a mom requires sacrifices before the kid even arrives. I like to think of myself as a career-driven woman with multiple dreams and desires. But I've seen the same scare tactic movies and know enough mothers to assume that my dreams will always be there but that I may take a few detours before I get there.

Well, last night it snowed over the ice. So Kyle sweetly cleared and salted a pathway for me off our back deck and out to the street. Here's one of the photos I was able to get as I sucked in the crisp, fresh air.

Ah yes. I remember snow being exciting. It still is (from the window). And although I don't live near mountains anymore, I'm guessing the snow will be much more exciting in the future as I get to build snowmen in it with my kids.

Baby Registry

Talk about a tedious and daunting experience.

Kyle and I went registry shopping. First, we hit up Baby's "R" Us. Not only did I find the breast pump decision confusing and scary but the bottle decisions are endless. I plan to breastfeed our little boy until 6 months if I can bear it. But, daddy's going to need to step in at some point. But, I hear you don't know what your baby will want in a bottle until they try them out. Needless to say, our registry contains more bottle options than anything else. A sterilizer, bottle brush, drying rack...? Holy crap. The list is endless.

Babies "R" Us ended up being the store we registered our "necessities" at. So, the receiving blankets, cloth diapers, onesies, medical and grooming kits -- you get the idea.

Then, we went to Storkland (a local OKC store). We found our modern crib and furniture, our German-made (ridiculously expensive) stroller with a reversible handlebar, hand break, custom fabric and "cool" wheels (so Kyle calls them).

Lastly, we found modernnursery.com. Hallelujah! Finally, some non-country, modern-looking patterns and earth-friendly options. Granted, the prices are steep, but it will be worth it to keep our nursery decor what we had hoped, a highchair that fits in with our new remodel (and won some sort of prestigious award in the Netherlands) and a sweet looking swinger and rocker. (see photos)

I know anyone who reads this who has children will think "it won't matter once he's here." But, please trust me, it will. I honestly did not find anything (pattern-wise) at any of the national chains that we can look at for less than a minute and stay sane. So, if you're reading this and you're coming to one of my three showers, please, please, please follow our registry. I know the plain white and tan outfits aren't as "cute" as you would have hoped, but unless we're desperate and our house burnt down and there was nothing else to keep him warm, we won't put him in any bunny-eared pajamas, choo choo train pants and tops or anything with bows.

I mean, we're parents! We finally get to call the shots for once!

Our crib


Bedding


High chair


My personal favorite, a sick rocker

Belly's getting big

Well, I'm about 26 weeks along and the heartburn is almost unbearable. I hear it's worth it though. Thank goodness.

We'll be starting the final phase of our remodel (master bath and bedroom) so we can move out of what will be the nursery room and start sleeping where we should have been sleeping since we moved in over a year and a half ago.

We also finally purchased our dining room table and chairs. Of course we had to test it out with a formal dinner with candlelight and soft music while sitting on opposite ends of the table like in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

I can't believe we're 3 months away from having our son. It's amazing to think how much our lives will change from that day on.

Well, Kyle promised he would rub my feet tonight if I cut up some fresh celery. Sounds like a deal to me so I'm cutting this blog entry short!

Happy New Year!