Hollis the big girl

Wow, I'm definitely a blogging dud. There's just not a lot of time with a wee one. She sprouted two teeth last week. I was very surprised since she is only just over four months old. I'm very proud and am convinced she is the most advanced baby in the world. She flew to Washington DC and Boston this week and did wonderful. I'm guessing travel gets only tougher the older she gets, but for now it's fine. I was kind of annoyed that it took so much gear--stroller, suitcase, car seat, breast pump, pack and play--to get her to DC, Boston and home, but I just can't think of a way to travel with less--those items are essentials! 

Hollis Joy

She arrived!! I was so thrilled to have my water break on my due date (December 28th), and I delivered her the next afternoon. I had a 17-hour labor, but only a few hours were bad thanks to a blissful epidural. She's perfect of course, and pretty good as far as eating and sleeping goes. Neal is nothing short of amazing, and has been so kind and patient with me, and to watch him care for and love on his baby daughter is SO wonderful. I couldn't ask for a more stellar husband.

We found the name--Hollis--in a name book. I immediately loved it, and it had to grow on Neal. Again he graciously let me make the final pick after she was born, and now we both think it fits her well. I think it means "lives by the holly bush." It fulfills all my requirements: unique, cute, easy to spell, and easy to pronounce. I still can't really believe I'm a mom, but I love it!

Geting bigger...

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on our blog. Neal and I have been busy with lots of different things, but nothing much worth reporting on the blog. I'm just getting bigger, we are anticipating the holidays and the birth of Baby Mitchell. She still doesn't have an official name. My mom affectionately refers to her as "Rachaelina", but unfortunately, it's not on our list. It's such a huge responsibility to NAME a child. I really don't want to make a mistake on that! This Friday I will be 32 weeks, which is 8 months, but people, don't be deceived....pregnancy is a TEN MONTH endeavor. I still have a ways to go, but my swollen feet, ankles, wrists and ankles may pop before then. That might be interesting.

GIRL!!!

We're so excited! Miss Mitchell is healthy and very active in utero...it was amazing seeing everything and she did a couple of yawns and high fives for us. My due date is December 28th, and more than anything we are so thankful that she is looking healthy. I am also excited because they said she has long legs. Yahoo! Hopefully she'll be taller than her mom!

Take a Guess

Neal and I will find out tomorrow the sex of our baby. We both have been waiting for this appointment for a while, and are VERY excited. I am hoping that the baby spares no modesty and let's it all hang out there. We'll teach modesty later. Anyone care to take a guess?

20 Weeks = 1/2 way!

Yesterday I went to the 20 week appointment for Baby Mitchell. The heart rate has consistently been about 150-160 over the last few months, so though I was thinking it was a boy, I am now thinking it might be a girl. Supposedly girls have higher heart rates. I like to think that since I have thought it was going to be either gender at different times then I am right no matter what. (I can't lose a contest I have created). The other possibility is that it is a very active boy and it's busy learning kickboxing and WWF moves in utero so his heart rate is high. Because this baby is a combination of two extremely active people I think we are going to have our hands full either way. I'm glad it won't come out walking. We find out for real next Friday, August 24th and Neal and I can't wait. SHOPPING! ha ha, just kidding Neal. Well, sort of.

Nothing and too much all at the same time

I have been waiting for something interesting to happen to write about, and we have had a lot going on, so you'd think I'd have some great story or something, but no. There's pressure on these things to write witty and interesting things, so I was waiting for something really good...

I did play a really fun tennis mixed-double match last night with my fantastic husband and some friends. I am so impressed with Neal's tennis skills. He had none when we met and he has improved so much that I really need to stop giving him tips so I can still beat him at one thing.

Here's the thing about waiting: we are all waiting for something. Little things: the end of the work day, the end of the week, the end of the sermon, the end of the football game or big things: marriage, a family, college, graduating, grandkids. I think on this earth we are waiting for heaven. I think in heaven we won't wait for anything and I am excited for that because we spend our entire lives down here waiting. Waiting is hard, waiting takes patience and the art of not only waiting, but living our lives so they aren't wasted. That's my profound thought for the day, but it's not that profound because i have written a million items this week for my job, and my brain is tired.