Advent

Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the arrival of Jesus.
It ends today with His birth.

As Nana pointed out in her Christmas card to us,
"If anyone knows about waiting right now, it's Joe & you."

Touché, Nana.

Although I can't relate to Mary's ride from Mesopotamia to Bethlehem on the backside of a donkey.
(Per the doctor's orders, I haven't been able to travel outside of Wilmington since Thanksgiving.)
I know what it's like to wait.

Waiting for our baby to arrive.
Waiting to use all of these baby accessories.
Waiting to hold our baby.
Waiting for my back, hips, and legs to stop hurting.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all.
May your day be full of peace and patience.

Maternity Picture taken by Perry Vaile Photography.

38 Weeks & Daddy Warbucks

I love musicals.  All of that singing and dancing combined with acting and an intriguing storyline is like one big conglomerate of entertainment fun.  I can’t get enough.  One of my favorites of all time is ANNIE, that timeless red-headed orphan that makes her way into Daddy Warbucks’ and all of our hearts.  

As I was tuned in last night humming along to ‘It’s a Hard-Knock Life’ (the original; not some revamped rap version) I was thoroughly enjoying myself.  The slice of key lime pie propped up on my pregnant belly didn’t hurt either.  About an hour in is the scene where Daddy Warbucks ever-so-coolly buys out all of Radio City Music Hall so Annie (and her dog, Sandy) can go to the movies for the first time.  Near the end of the scene it shows Annie curled up in her movie seat fast asleep.  His secretary prompts the never-been-around-children Daddy Warbucks to pick Annie up and carry her out of the theater in his arms until they can get her home and put her to bed.  Please cue the heart-warming music, tears, and for me, fond memories.

I can remember long ago (about 20 years) ‘falling asleep’ in the back of Pappy & Nanny’s 1980’s Monte Carlo.  We would be headed back from The Teddy Bear Café and grocery store on Friday night, our weekly ritual.  I would be laying down on the navy blue cloth backseat that was the size of a twin bed, all stretched out, looking up past the tree line and onto the stars.  With every twist and turn the car made I knew exactly where we were on our old country road without ever having to pop my head up for confirmation.  As soon as we would pull into the drive I would hurriedly shut my eyes and pretend that the 15 minute car ride home had put me fast to sleep.  Try to nudge me awake and I would just moan and curl into a ball to further my protest. Pappy (my very own Daddy Warbucks) would cradle me out of the back seat and carry me inside.  It is one of my fondest memories.

So that’s me at 38 weeks.  My reminiscent mind is a blur of old memories trying to make room for new ones while I prepare for the arrival of our new bundle of joy all on top of watching all of my favorite musicals.  And crying; lots of crying.

It’s hard for Joe to keep up.  

Maternity Picture taken by Perry Vaile Photography.

The Nursery

Ta-Da!  Behold!  Baby Madzar's Nursery.

Rocking chair and footstool, compliments of Cousin Heather.
Papa painted the bike picture, of course.

Every inch of Mr. Octopus was hand-sewn (even all the buttons) by Aunt Jen.

Diaper Caddy and Plant (fresh oxygen for baby is always good) from Aunt Dana.
Basket O' Toys from everyone that loves Baby M.

'You Are Loved' painting by Aunt Jen.
Pinwheels made by my ladies for the baby shower.
Ms. Bunny hand-stitched by Mimi (my mom).

Sonogram picture on left.  Pink Hydrangea picture that Nana discovered on the day we found out Baby was a Girl.

'Your Are My Sunshine' flag banner by Aunt Robin.

She wouldn't be my daughter if she didn't have a super-organized bookshelf.

Framed Fabric from Baby's quilt.

Framed Picture of a Newspaper Article about Carolina Beach.  Baby M gonna be a certified Beach Bum, for sure.

Wow, You're Pregnant

After watching his Adriatic Greens extensively assess my ever-growing bodacious curves, Joe says,
"Wow, you're REALLY pregnant."

I cautiously smiled back trying to interpret his comment.  I figured it could go one of two ways.

"Wow, you're REALLY pregnant ... and I can't believe I'm about to be a dad any day now.  Maybe I should read a book or watch a video or something."

OR

"Wow, you're REALLY pregnant ... I'm surprised you can still fit through the doorway with that baby all kangaroo-pouched up in there."

Either way, I could tell he was just as excited as I was.  We're so ready to meet Baby Madzar and see her and touch her and hold her.  At this point in the game, we're more cognizant of how many weeks pregnant we are rather than how old we are (is it 28 or 29 now?).

Just counting down the weeks ...

Maternity Picture taken by Perry Vaile Photography.