Diaper Cake a la Jenny
Cyrus con su jirafa
Alekzander's Storage Unit
View from hallway
View from Jack&Jill bathroomTuesday, September 29, 2009
Awaiting Finishing Touches...
Diaper Cake a la Jenny
Cyrus con su jirafa
Alekzander's Storage UnitView from hallway
View from Jack&Jill bathroom
Monday, September 28, 2009
Rich in Laughter and Love at 32 Weeks
Here are some of my favorite parts of the weekend: watching a grandpa freak out after he saw me on the elevator at the hospital; he thought I was in labor (Andrew had bag full of our pillows and a blanket) and apologized for making us stop on the 7th floor instead of going up to the 8th floor at Presby Main... laughing through breathing exercises in childbirth class...bottling Alekzander's beer... "playing baby clothes" with Mom and Tessa.
After about 8 hours of childbirth preparation class, I guess Andrew and I are "ready" to have our baby. For me, knowledge is power - so even though I may not remember or use half of what I learned in class, I am glad that I know it now. We did leave the class with confidence in ourselves considering we could actually watch "the" videos without squirming in our seats or covering our eyes - which was better than the rest of the class! I did commit a major relaxation faux pas; during a breathing exercise with the lights off and music on, I started belly laughing uncontrollably. No reason at all, but my sense of humor has been heightened during pregnancy! I love it, but felt the need to apologize to the teacher after the class for being disruptive.
When we got home, we bottled Alekzander's Cranberry Wheat beer... though he won't be able to drink it for a long time, Andrew decided to brew a batch in celebration of Alekzander's nearing birth which should be close to Thanksgiving. Its hard to believe that in about 2 months, we'll be a family of 3!
Sunday we had a family lunch with my dad's great cooking...straight from the mountains. While the boys watched football and prepared lunch, Mom, Tessa, and I folded and organized baby clothes. My mom got nervous that I was nesting, but I just want Alekzander's world to be a little more organized than mine has been in the past!!
Today we had our 32 week appointment. We got to hear Alekzander's heartbeat -which continues to be amazing. Contrary to many people's opinions, I am measuring right on track (32 cm at 32 weeks). We did also learn that the cute little round bump that is camped out over my belly button/below my rib cage is not Alekzander's little butt... instead its a uterine fibroid - which is apparently relatively normal (and hormone related). I would have preferred to continue to think it was babe's bum, but now that I do know what it is and have had time to process/pray about it, I am comforted by the fact that God obviously wanted me to have THIS baby at THIS time and He is in control - giving us hope and a future. I know my family's future is rich in love.
After about 8 hours of childbirth preparation class, I guess Andrew and I are "ready" to have our baby. For me, knowledge is power - so even though I may not remember or use half of what I learned in class, I am glad that I know it now. We did leave the class with confidence in ourselves considering we could actually watch "the" videos without squirming in our seats or covering our eyes - which was better than the rest of the class! I did commit a major relaxation faux pas; during a breathing exercise with the lights off and music on, I started belly laughing uncontrollably. No reason at all, but my sense of humor has been heightened during pregnancy! I love it, but felt the need to apologize to the teacher after the class for being disruptive.
When we got home, we bottled Alekzander's Cranberry Wheat beer... though he won't be able to drink it for a long time, Andrew decided to brew a batch in celebration of Alekzander's nearing birth which should be close to Thanksgiving. Its hard to believe that in about 2 months, we'll be a family of 3!
Sunday we had a family lunch with my dad's great cooking...straight from the mountains. While the boys watched football and prepared lunch, Mom, Tessa, and I folded and organized baby clothes. My mom got nervous that I was nesting, but I just want Alekzander's world to be a little more organized than mine has been in the past!!
Today we had our 32 week appointment. We got to hear Alekzander's heartbeat -which continues to be amazing. Contrary to many people's opinions, I am measuring right on track (32 cm at 32 weeks). We did also learn that the cute little round bump that is camped out over my belly button/below my rib cage is not Alekzander's little butt... instead its a uterine fibroid - which is apparently relatively normal (and hormone related). I would have preferred to continue to think it was babe's bum, but now that I do know what it is and have had time to process/pray about it, I am comforted by the fact that God obviously wanted me to have THIS baby at THIS time and He is in control - giving us hope and a future. I know my family's future is rich in love.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Shower the people you love with love
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you to all of the awesome women in Mom's life who showered her and I with love at Mrs. Bradley's house. I can't see anything from in here but can hear things going on out there pretty well and also know how Mom feels, and she felt so much love and kindness at my shower. From what I did hear, it sounds like I have a lot of really cool stuff to play with and outfits to wear...whatever an "outfit" is.
I'm getting lots of really good food from "the tube" as well... must have been some party! I also heard some talk about how I'll already have a few "girlfriends". Not really sure what that is but if they are anything like my Mommy's girlfriends at the shower then I can't wait to meet them!
I know I haven't been born yet, but all of these women have already shown me so much LOVE and kindness. I've heard we'll have a testosterone filled house at times with Dad and I outnumbering Mom but I can see that there is great importance to having strong female role models in your life as well. I know I'll have Mom to serve that role in my life for sure, but it's great to know she has such a great support group of strong women who are filled with FAITH and love Mommy and our family!
I felt a very powerful moment during the shower when I felt lots of hands touching Mommy and me while Ms. Abbey, Ms. Mo, & Ms. Wabecca prayed over us for HOPE of a God-filled life. Thank you to everyone who was there (and those that couldn't make it) who showered us with so much love!
Dad wants to say something really quick now :)
Barb, Rebecca & Tessa... thank you so much for hosting & planning and loving on Ashley and Alekzander! It was overwhelmingly awesome to go through all of the presents when Ash got home and look through the pictures.
I know my son already has a great head start in life with all of you backing Ashley and we all know she'll need some 'girl time' away from her boys every now and then. :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
What's in a name?
ALEKZANDER
Most people knew that we planned on using an 'A' name for our son; we ran through just about every 'A' name possible on our quest. For a while we wanted to use 'Ander' but eventually landed on Alekzander. We decided on the spelling because we also like the nickname 'Alek' and have found this to be a Slavic (Czech/Polish) spelling which further appealed to our Czech (me) and Polish/Ukrainian (Ash) roots. We've been calling him by name for a while now and haven't been all too secretive about the name, but never officially announced it until now.
JOHN
For the middle name, we had a couple options that we were throwing around, but eventually came to the somewhat obvious conclusion of John. For starters, John is my middle name, but also on my side of the family, both of my Grandpa's are named John and I have an uncle and a cousin with the first name John as well. On Ashley's side, her Dad and his Dad share John as a middle name as well.
Something that also helped seal the deal for us with the name John was the meaning... 'God is Gracious'. If there is one lesson we would hope Alekzander will learn and hold close, it is that of God's everlasting Grace. When I was growing up, my Dad would tell my brother and me how much he loved us and that there is nothing we could ever do that would ever diminish his love. The Bible draws correlations between this type of love from a humanly father and explains how even a love so great pales in comparison to that of the love and grace of God. I hope to show Alekzander this kind of love and have those same talks with him.
Most people knew that we planned on using an 'A' name for our son; we ran through just about every 'A' name possible on our quest. For a while we wanted to use 'Ander' but eventually landed on Alekzander. We decided on the spelling because we also like the nickname 'Alek' and have found this to be a Slavic (Czech/Polish) spelling which further appealed to our Czech (me) and Polish/Ukrainian (Ash) roots. We've been calling him by name for a while now and haven't been all too secretive about the name, but never officially announced it until now.
JOHN
For the middle name, we had a couple options that we were throwing around, but eventually came to the somewhat obvious conclusion of John. For starters, John is my middle name, but also on my side of the family, both of my Grandpa's are named John and I have an uncle and a cousin with the first name John as well. On Ashley's side, her Dad and his Dad share John as a middle name as well.
Something that also helped seal the deal for us with the name John was the meaning... 'God is Gracious'. If there is one lesson we would hope Alekzander will learn and hold close, it is that of God's everlasting Grace. When I was growing up, my Dad would tell my brother and me how much he loved us and that there is nothing we could ever do that would ever diminish his love. The Bible draws correlations between this type of love from a humanly father and explains how even a love so great pales in comparison to that of the love and grace of God. I hope to show Alekzander this kind of love and have those same talks with him.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Hello my name is...
Alekzander John Swistak
Pronounced: al-ək-ZAN-dər
Meaning: Man's Defender or Warrior
Origin: Greek
Spelling/Variation: Slavic
Pronounced: al-ək-ZAN-dər
Meaning: Man's Defender or Warrior
Origin: Greek
Spelling/Variation: Slavic
Friday, September 4, 2009
28 weeks - More growth to come!
28 weeks - a misshapen basketball which hides my view of my feet!
The traditional 4th year anniversary present is either flowers or fruit. Thanks to my parents, I was able to give Andrew an entire tree - a transplant from my family's original fig tree in VB!Deep roots = Great love
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Four years on the 4th... to forever
Happy 4 year anniversary! Sadly, I can't even dream about fitting into my wedding dress at this point and I may have to retire my wedding band until the heat and humidity go away - or until A's birth... but I am excited to begin the fourth year of marriage!
God knew what He was doing 9 years ago when I first laid eyes on "Stack"... God always knows what He's doing, but at that moment when Andrew and I first met, I think we both realized there was something special between us. A year and a half later, I got to reconnect with my Prince Charming and experience our second "first kiss." And then fast forward 3 years to the eve of our wedding day... after our rehearsal dinner, I came home and sobbed...and swept profusely. I was not at all nervous, but I think I was overwhelmed with happiness... The happiness truly has lasted these last 4 years and I know it will for many, many more. We've had our share of ups and downs, but we've grown closer to one another and to God.
I am proud, beyond words, of my husband and the man he's become. Right now, he is the financial provider for our family, he is my biggest fan, and the best handyman I know! His patience is unending - and his humor has provided me many belly laughs and potentially years on my life. I never doubt his vow to love me through thick and thin...from Brook Shields eye brows, through bad hair cuts, worse moods, to a 'pregopotamus' physique, I know that Andrew will love me forever.
God knew what He was doing 9 years ago when I first laid eyes on "Stack"... God always knows what He's doing, but at that moment when Andrew and I first met, I think we both realized there was something special between us. A year and a half later, I got to reconnect with my Prince Charming and experience our second "first kiss." And then fast forward 3 years to the eve of our wedding day... after our rehearsal dinner, I came home and sobbed...and swept profusely. I was not at all nervous, but I think I was overwhelmed with happiness... The happiness truly has lasted these last 4 years and I know it will for many, many more. We've had our share of ups and downs, but we've grown closer to one another and to God.
I am proud, beyond words, of my husband and the man he's become. Right now, he is the financial provider for our family, he is my biggest fan, and the best handyman I know! His patience is unending - and his humor has provided me many belly laughs and potentially years on my life. I never doubt his vow to love me through thick and thin...from Brook Shields eye brows, through bad hair cuts, worse moods, to a 'pregopotamus' physique, I know that Andrew will love me forever.
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