Are we ready? That seems to be our new question to each other.
The past month has been riddled with Jill volunteering a majority of her non-work time with the Junior League and their annual American Girl Doll runway show. Jill graciously volunteered to coordinate all the models and serve as a co-event coordinator (she made this challenging commitment months before knowing we were expecting). Jarrett has crossed the northeast 2 or 3 times during the past month with travel for work and we both traveled to Kentucky (Louisville area and Carlisle) for Thanksgiving with a mini-trip to Pigeon Forge, TN for black Friday shopping at the outlets (essentially began and ended Christmas shopping during this trek)… It’s been a busy, busy month!
Somewhere in there we had the monthly check up with the doctor where we again heard the sound of LillyMilly’s heart beating 150 beats per minute. Everything is on track with LillyMilly and his/her mommy. At the check-up visit Jill had gained just 4 pounds total and her stomach is measuring where it should at this point in the pregnancy. We were not expecting Jill’s tummy to be measured, so when the doctor pulled out her measuring tape (yes it looked just like one you find in your tool box only smaller) we were both a little curious what she wanted to measure.
Next month’s check up is the big one…. We learn on December 20th if LillyMilly is Lillian or Mills.
The nursery furniture has been ordered. You can see in the picture a couple of the pieces that will be in the nursery.
The furniture will arrive at our home in mid-February, which leads us back to if we are ready? Hopefully the nursery will be fully painted and ready for furnishings by early January. Jill is working with family to plan baby showers in March and we are narrowing in on childcare options. Aside from other small preparation items, we are paying special attention to how parents, parent. We now take a closer notice when in public places or around other family and later discuss what we witnessed. There have been many great parenting examples that we have noted and a few outrageous parenting examples that we wish not to duplicate. In our attempt to not say, “our kid won’t be like that or our kid won’t do that”, I must admit there are a few things we have seen that make us say “boarding school is in our kid’s future if they act like that”.
Are we ready? We doubt it! From what we hear from those of you who are parents, you are never really ready for what’s to come. We would like to hear from you concerning what you learned in the early days to toddler years that you wish you were ready for. Post your comments or send us messages with your stories and suggestions.
Above you read that Jill has gained only 4 pounds total… THAT WAS AS OF THE LAST CHECK UP! While in Tennessee over Thanksgiving Jill had to unbutton her pants for the first time while shopping when she became uncomfortable. Thankfully, she had packed a few maternity and elastic waist items for the trip. Just today she wore the “tummy sleeve” for the first time, which for those who don’t know, is a stylish way to wear your non-maternity pants leaving them unbutton while the sleeve acts as a bridge holding both sides of your open pants together enough so they don’t drop to your ankles. (Editor’s note: You may recall from an earlier post when Jarrett questioned new shoe purchases for pregnant women. We are happy to report that Jill did purchase new “flat” shoes to replace her 3 and 4 inch hilled shoes while pregnant.)
Tomorrow begins week 17! The time is going quickly. Keep praying for a healthy LillyMilly and his/her mommy and daddy as they enter parenthood.
We hope each of you are taking time to enjoy this special season of love, joy, and peace.
