A lot can change in one year...

Man, that's the understatement of the century. At this time last year, we were anxiously anticipating the arrival of the little guy; here's our 39-week bump post from then. He didn't even have a name at this point last year ... just the ubiquitous "short stranger," or "baby awesome." We were as ready as we could get for this life change, and enjoying our last days of freedom (going out, going on walks, enjoying good meals, etc.). About a year ago this weekend, Bryna (toting the Short Stranger) and I went out to Eckert's Farm in Illinois to go pumpkin picking, and to simply spend some time enjoying fall.

One year later, and our lives are quite different. It feels like Holden has been a part of our life for much longer than just under a year (although I suppose if you add 9 months to that, he's been with us for more like just under 2 years). No complaints on this end, though -- things are certainly different, but not in a bad way. Holden has been such a rockstar baby (and now soon to be toddler), and he's been teaching US a lot about life, too. Every week brings challenges, amazing moments, utter silliness, and milestones that seem to blast past us.

Yesterday, we brought Holden out to the same farm/orchard we visited a year ago to do some pumpkin-picking, and he had a blast (although I think Bryna enjoyed the small children's farm more than Holden, with its goats, camel, pigs, and ponies, of course). Another very warm but beautiful fall day, and the drive up the Mississippi River is always stunning.


I have to keep pinching myself that Holden's 1-Year Birthday is just around the corner!! I hope we have enough time in our busy lives to truly savor this moment.

40 Weeks!

We made it! We've successfuly hit the 40-week mark and the Short Stranger is now officially a Pumpkin Baby! For those of you who took our poll and thought the little guy would arrive early--I'm sorry to tell you that you were wrong. What Mike neglected to mention in his poll-related post is that more than 50% of first time moms go past their estimated due date (EDD) into week 41. And this is why even though I'd hoped we'd have an October baby, I've long had a feeling he'd be a November one.

But when this little guy decides to arrive is not the point of this post...no, this is a post to celebrate this pregnancy. The Short Stranger and I have safely and happily made it through the long hall together, and believe it or not, I've really enjoyed being pregnant. Even at 40 weeks, I still feel healthy and energetic, small discomforts aside. And despite my impatience to meet him, I'm so glad the Short Stranger has stayed exactly where he is until full-term.

Though little has changed since last week, here's what babycenter.com writes about the end of this journey:

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

So what's next? Next we continue to wait, but we also start to monitor Mr. Stranger more closely--first with an ultrasound on Monday, and then with an appointment on Wednesday (that is, if we make it until then). And if it comes down to it, we'll bring the Short Stranger here by force through induction. But before that, Mike and I will enjoy what is finally decent weather in the 'Lou with lots of walking walking walking--because that seems to be the main doctor-recommended advice for helping bring labor on. Beautiful fall foliage, here we come.

Baby Shower #2!

This weekend our friends Anna and Elissa hosted the second of our three baby showers, my Art History Dept. shower, where much fun was had by all. It was a lovely brunch event that included my primary pregnancy food craving, pumpkin, of course (in the form of muffins). And not only did pumpkin play a part in the menu, but in the gifts: we received our first of what I hope will be many seasonal outfits, pumpkin beer (for our Short Stranger celebration, yum yum), as well as some adorably cuddly winter outfits, warm blankets, booties, and even fab leg warmers. And now that it's finally starting to feel autumnal, we can finally start to picture the little guy all cuddled up in cozy wear.

Some pics from the event: