Lullaby

Gathering baby music has been something I’ve loved preparing for our little one.  I’ve created lists songs and have gathered a few CD’s through gifts.  Lucas even made me a Baby Songs playlist on iTunes.  But the other day all my baby music dreams were surpassed when I received a package in the mail from my friend Kerry.

Kerry and I have known each other since junior high.  We have always shared a love of music and throughout high school we would get together to sing and write songs.  Kerry has a great voice and I always loved singing with her.  One of our favorite singer/songwriters was Jewel.  We were both pretty much over the top with her and loved her music.  I still listen to some older Jewel stuff from time and time and I still love to play some of her songs on the guitar.

Once baby came into the picture and I began collecting music for the little one, I stumbled upon a lullaby album that Jewel made.  And in case you don’t know, Jewel has one of the best soprano/lullaby voices I’ve ever heard.  So I knew she had a lullaby album but I hadn’t been able to add this to my collection.

Along comes Kerry’s gift and inside is this…

I as so excited to have this CD and then a look a little closer and notice this…

It’s signed by Jewel herself!!!  I just couldn’t believe it!  I started screaming a little bit and Lucas was definitely worried that I might be losing my mind but I was just so excited.  Recently Kerry met Jewel and had her sign this for me and baby.  What a wonderful gift!

Hopefully someday when we’re back in Missouri our little one will have the pleasure of hearing mommy and Kerry singing together again…maybe we’ll even bust out an old Jewel song.

-Shannon

Princeton vs. Yale

Last Saturday we woke up to a nice fall day and headed out to enjoy some football.  We went with a group of friends to the Princeton vs. Yale game (the 132nd annual meeting) and enjoyed the afternoon watching the Tigers kick butt.

As you may be able to tell from the pictures, we were actually sitting on the Yale side but there were more Princeton people around so we didn’t feel too out of place.  Lucas and I both had on our Princeton sweatshirts so we fit right in with the fur coats and fancy clothes all around.  :)

Overall we had a great time enjoying some football…Ivy League style.

-Shannon

Hannah Grace

“Welcome outside of your mother’s womb, I know that it’s frightening but not there’s more room.  Just think of all the great things you’ll do, just by you being you.”   -Lori Chaffer

 

Hannah Grace Smith

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 12:52 a.m.

7 lbs, 7 oz

20 inches

Last night around 5:30 I got a call from Abby saying that after her routine doctor’s appointment she had been admitted to the hospital to wait the arrival of their baby girl.  Soon after I got off the phone with her things started progressing along and by early morning Hannah Grace had arrived!

Lucas and Spencer also had time to talk last night before Hannah’s arrival and it’s a good thing they talked them because I’m pretty sure Spencer is going to be spending a lot of time holding his little girl.

We are over the moon for them and can’t wait to meet Hannah someday.  As Abby and I have said, Hannah and Nacho will either be best friends or lovers.  :)

Abby is doing really well and I was even able to sneak in a early morning phone call before heading to work.  With all this excitement it made me even more ready for the day we will meet our little one.  I can’t wait for my turn!

Until then, I’ll enjoy pictures of Hannah Grace…

Congratulations Smith family!

Love,

Shannon, Lucas & Nacho

Movements – 27 Weeks

I feel like there are lots of movements happening with my body right now.  Obviously the biggest thing is feeling the baby move!  I’ve been feeling movements for almost 2 months now but I’m still in awe of them and it always brings a smile to my face.  I love feeling the baby move around inside of me and I love it even more when Lucas can enjoy the movement with me.  He has felt the baby several times but he is still waiting for the all out punches and kicks to begin.  He already wants to play with the baby.  :)

One thing that has surprised me about feeling the baby move is how low in my body it started out.  I always thought of pregnancy as a growing out of the belly but really so much of it is a deep down inside you process.  Of course the movements keep traveling further up my belly but I’m still surprised by the low movements deep within me.

I’ve definitely enjoyed feeling the baby but this past Saturday I also saw the baby move!  I knew there was movement going on so I stared at my belly and saw it moving!  That has to be the coolest thing ever!  It didn’t feel weird or foreign or like there was an alien inside of me at all.  I just knew that’s my child in there moving around and I love it!  Lucas even saw a slight movement but I think we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to see the full fist or elbow moving across my belly.

One of my favorite things about the baby’s movement has been the realization that it happens over and over at the same times.  Ok that sentence is confusing so let me explain.  I know that every night when I lay down to go to bed I will feel the baby move.  It must be the shifting that happens but the baby is almost always active right when I go to sleep.  Thankfully it’s not enough movement to keep me awake although I won’t count on that forever.  Another time that I almost always feel the baby move is when I lead worship at church.  Whether it be practice or Sunday mornings I can almost always count on feeling the baby moving around.  I love this!  Of course I’d love for our little one to enjoy music and it just boggles my mind to think that our baby already knows how I sound when I sing and play music.  I love sharing this with my baby.

I have one more movement to share and that is the journey my belly button is taking from the inside of my body to the outside.  I know this will sound funny but before I was pregnant I was fairly terrified of my belly button moving to pop out of my body.  I thought it would hurt really bad and that my belly button would ache all the time.  Don’t ask me why I was scared of this…I just was.  But I have to say that watching my belly button change has been one of the best things.  I just find it amazing how my body continues to grow and change.

So enough about movements…that was definitely longer than I thought it would be.  :)

-Shannon

It’s Official!

After a crazy turn of events we are finally able to call this house our home!  Granted we won’t see it for the next 6 months but still it will soon be our home and we look forward to that day.

-Shannon

24 Weeks

Well here we are in all our glory at 24 weeks.  Actually this was taken on the first day of 25 weeks but I’m still going to count it for my 24 week photo shoot.  :)

I’ve been feeling really good although I’m quickly realizing that getting up off the couch is only going to get harder as the weeks go by.  But other than a few minor adjustments in the movement area all is well.

Nacho is moving around even more and Lucas even felt his first kicks a few weeks ago!  He was quite upset that Nacho was kicking him but he is slowly getting over it.

Not much more to say other than things seem to be going well and I know these next 15 weeks will go by so quickly.  Let me know if you have any dying questions and I’ll be happy to write another post all about Nacho.  :)

-Shannon

P.S.  Note to self:  Wait for nice days outside to take belly shots.  There is no good place inside.

Falling for NYC

This past Sunday Lucas I decided to head into the city after church.  Earlier in the week Lucas looked at the forecast and saw that the rain was going to go away and a bright fall day would be surrounding us by Sunday.  Turns out the forecast was right and with perfect 60 degree weather we headed into the city.

We didn’t have much on the agenda besides enjoying the day together.  First we headed over to the library so Lucas could take some pictures of the woodwork in the study areas.  He already has dreams for his study in the new house although his dreams might have to be a little less intricate than the NYC library.

From there we headed up 5th Ave and I snapped a few shots of St. Patrick’s Cathedral…

Our destination was Serendipity on 60th & 3rd and as we headed that way we passed the Friar’s Club.  Lucas got really excited when we saw this place although I had no idea why he was so excited.

*10 bonus points to the person who can guess why Lucas was excited about it  :)

As we were walking along we also stumbled upon a movie being filmed!  We were coming up to Park Avenue and as we tried to cross the street they asked us to stay back because they were getting ready to shoot a stunt.  After a few minutes of waiting we finally heard “Action!” and a black SUV started driving the wrong way down the street with a man laying on top of the car.  It was pretty exciting for the 10 seconds that it lasted. :)

Finally we made our way to Serendipity where we were going to enjoy some frozen hot chocolate.  I had never been there before but Lucas thought I would like it.  We had decided that we would put up with a wait of 30 minutes but no more.  When we got there Lucas stepped inside and found out the wait was an hour to an hour and a half…on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00!  Ugh!  So no frozen hot chocolate.  But thankfully just down the street was another place I’ve been wanting to go to…Dylan’s Candy Bar!

With some candy in tow, we headed to the park to enjoy the fall colors.  We sat on a bench and enjoyed our candy.

After the park we headed down to Little Italy for dinner.  Lucas picked the restaurant which once we stepped inside was set up kind of like cafeteria style seating.  We were hoping for something a little more private.  After a quick attitude check for me we settled in to enjoy some fine Italian.  We were enjoying our meal when one of the staff turned on a karaoke machine and started singing along!  Granted she was singing Little Italy type songs…”When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s amore”…but it was ridiculously loud and she wasn’t that great.  We ended up just laughing about it and chalking it up to another experience in NYC.

Some after dinner strolling finished out the evening.  We hopped on the train and were home by 8:30.  It was a great day in NYC and I can’t wait until Christmas when we head back to enjoy the holidays with just the two of us.  Until then…bye, bye NYC.

-Shannon

Halloween Cookies

I’ll admit it…I rarely bake.  It just isn’t something that I ever think to do.  Plus Lucas actually enjoys making pies, crisps, breads, etc. so I figure I should just leave the baking to him.  However, with Nacho’s continued need for sweets I decided to make some cookies last week.

I knew I had some Halloween sprinkles that were just begging to be used and we had some cookie dough in the fridge.  Now I’m sure you’re thinking, “Shannon, you didn’t really make anything if you just put them in the oven”.  And you would be right except for the fact that I made homemade frosting!  Not icing but frosting.  Meaning boil together flour and milk and then add it to a mixture of butter, sugar and vanilla and…voila…frosting!  It was the best thing I’ve made in a long time and thankfully there was plenty of frosting left over for me to nibble on.  So feast your eyes on some yummy halloween cookies…

P.S. – I don’t really think these are that amazing or anything…I was just excited about cookies.  :)

-Shannon

Thoroughly Showered

After enjoying my baby shower we brought all the stuff back to our hotel suite and began the daunting task of packing it all.  First we had to show my dad each and every item :) and then I got to work packing it away.  On my flight to MO I didn’t check any bags and lightly packed my carry-on.  I also packed an extra duffle bag for my return flight.  So on the way back to NJ I packed my roller carry-on to the brim and then filled the duffle bag with all sorts of other stuff.  I ended up only having to check one bag and left only the bouncy seat with my parents to send at a later date.  There were a few other items I left with my parents since they fell under the category of cute but not necessary for the first 3 months of Nacho’s life.

Of course I had to showcase all the goods so here they are…

We have the feeding section…

The bath/toiletry section…

Gotta love the Burt’s Bees…

A sweet baby book my parents bought for Nacho…

The clothing section…

Lucas even went to our neighborhood clothes swap while I was gone and picked up lots of great clothes and a manly diaper bag!

The diapering section…

We plan to use cloth gDiapers once we move back to Missouri and don’t have to pay per load for laundry.  I was thrilled to receive our first little gPant and cloth inserts!  Seriously one of the best presents ever!  :)

My diaper bag my parents bought me when they visited this summer…I think we might be going with a green and brown theme…

And now we move on to the gear section…

A surprise gift in the mail from my cousin Nate and his wife Haila…I also have a sling I plan to use a bit but I’m sure the carrier will come in handy especially for daddy carrying times.

We already had a car seat from when our friends Ryan & Vanya visited with little Ciara but now Nacho will be nice and bundled for a February arrival…

And our stroller!

My parents bought this for us when they visited this summer but at the shower they outfitted with Bob with a warm and fuzzy liner and a double cup holder attachment.  Pretty soon the Bob will be worth more than our car.  :)

What a wonderful treat to be showered by friends and family.  It definitely helps to feel a little more prepared for Nacho’s arrival although I know our world will inevitably be turned upside-down when this little one arrives…and we can’t wait!

-Shannon

Shower Time!

The whole reason for my trip home to Missouri was for a baby shower!  My parents flew me back and my friend Mandi, Aunt Shirley and Mom put the shower all together.  I couldn’t wait to see some Missouri friends and to enjoy an afternoon together.  Of course I wish I could have had an entire afternoon with each person but I’m thankful for the time I had.

Mandi made all the wonderfully delicious food…shrimp wontons, crab dip, chicken salad sandwiches, shortbread cookies and tuxedo brownies…

And the beautiful cake…we went with a green and brown theme…

Party favors/prayer candles…a wonderful idea picked up from friends in Vancouver…when they hear I’m in labor they’ll light the candle and pray…

My mom with one of the prizes…green and brown chocolates!

Kristy, Emily w/ Hunter on her lap, Julianne, Hannah & Olivia…

Mandi & Jennifer (who is due 2 weeks before me!)

Bonnie (Lucas’ mom), my Mom & Angie (sister-in-law)…

After food and mingling it was time for some games.  First we played a guess the baby food game…

Jennifer & Jess sniffing it out…

Our other game was hilarious.  When Mandi and Jesse visited us recently, Jesse filmed Lucas answering some questions about babies and fatherhood.  Lucas’ answers were not the most serious but they were funny.  :)  I might try to post the video on here sometime but for now you’ll just have to enjoy the screenshot…

After the games it was time for presents…

Hunter decided to help me with them…

Quick story behind this next picture…first of all I’m bawling my eyes out and that is why I’m hiding behind the frame.  :)  My mom made this when she was pregnant with me.  She has now passed it on to her first grandchild and wrote a little note to the baby on the back.  I was really hoping she would pass this down to me and it was so touching to read her note and to remember what the stitching says…I still have it memorized after all the years of seeing it…

“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep”

Once the cry fest was over we took a group picture…Back Row Standing L-R: Aunt Shirley, Kristy (friend from church), Alexandra (friend from church), Jennifer (friend from college), Mom, Angie (sister-in-law), Emily w/ Hunter (friend from church), Mandi (friend from high school & college), Bonnie (mother-in-law), Abby due Nov. 22! (married Lucas’ best friend and now friend of mine)  Front Row Sitting L-R: Cindy w/ Lena (high school Pom coach and now friend), Jess (friend from grade school on), Julianne (friend from church)

And finally me with all the hostesses…Mom, Aunt Shirley and Mandi…

Besides enjoying the wonderful shower, I also enjoyed staying in Springfield the entire time.  Normally when I visit MO I end up going to West Plains where my parents now live.  But my mom and dad splurged a little and we got a 2 bedroom suite at a Marriot.  My mom and I got into town on Thursday and then my dad came up on Friday evening.  In between some shopping with Mandi on Friday and getting ready for the shower we enjoyed lots of yummy food…Steak N’ Shake, Pasta Express and even Nakatos on Friday night.  And I was able to see all of my family minus my sister in Boston!

It was such a great trip and I’m so thankful for all the love and support!

-Shannon