Anticipation

I am 35 weeks pregnant today...rounding third and heading for home. It takes a long time to grow another human being. Some days I feel like I've been pregnant forever and can't wait for the baby to be here. Other days, I'm not quite ready for the sleep deprivation and routine shake-up that comes with a newborn. I've spent a lot of time this past week studying the calendar, wondering when this little one might arrive. At this point, it's more out of curiosity and a hope that I'll go early like I did with the girls. I'm not far enough along where every night when going to bed you wonder, "Will it be tomorrow?" That phase comes later.

Bringing new life into the world is really one of God's greatest gifts, and mysteries. There's the primary question of gender, which always keeps me guessing. I've thought "girl" all along, but had a boy dream the other night and have recently recognized that I'm carrying differently than I did with the girls. The miracle of two tiny cells coming together to form another being is quite mind-boggling, if you think about it. I marvel at the fact that from two cells, everything knows what to become. Without my doing a single thing, the cells that will become the heart, go and make a heart. The brain, arms, lungs and eyes all know exactly what to do, what to become. Talk about surrender - the entire process is out of my control. I'm merely the chosen vessel.

As term nears, I begin to wonder what this labor will be like. I know women whose labor got easier with each subsequent pregnancy. I know a woman whose 3rd birth was the most difficult. There was almost a "night and day" difference in Maggie and Claire's labors, it's nearly impossible to conceive what this one will be like. Yet, I still find myself imagining different birth scenarios - thinking I can somehow predict the unknown with the power of my mind. Yes, every pregnancy and labor is different, just like every child is unique. Some things are for certain though, there will be contractions and transition and crowning. And (God-willing) after that, a healthy new person will join our family.

Who will that person be and what will his/her final journey into the world look like? Only God knows the answer to that. May S/He grant me patience as I wait.

More Singing

Claire just loves singing! Lunch time is often spent belting out her favorite tunes. She usually sings along to her lullabyes at bedtime, just melting my heart. Here's some video I captured today.

Chili Cook-Off

Long before I came along, Jim and his P&G friends started an annual chili cook-off the Sunday of NFL playoffs. We were happy to be back in Cincinnati and able to host again this year. The event has grown over the years and this year we added a dessert competition. It was so fun to have our friends over and give the kids a chance to play together.

Chili Champ - Aaron Dietz

Just a few of the 13 kids under age 4

My winning entry into the cupcake competition

All things princess

Maggie is officially in her princess phase! Her favorite stories are all the princess books she got for Christmas. Most of her pretend play involves witches, spells, queens, dukes, castles and the like. Always trying to keep up with her big sister, Claire loves to join in the fun! She will wear the Cinderella dress up outfit for hours on end and is often seen sporting a tiara. If #3 is a boy, I can only imagine the torture these two girls will put him through.



Princesses on parade

How is it Jan 22nd?

We have had an unusual month in the Farwig household. Maggie was back at school from the holidays just one day, when we had a snow day. Then she came down with a pretty bad cold and missed another week's worth of activities. The following Monday was MLK day, so when I finally dropped her off at preschool today, it had been two and a half weeks since she'd been there. Needless to say, she was a little anxious about returning to school and had lots of tears at separation. But when I picked her up, she excitedly announced, "I LOVE preschool!" while jumping up and down.

The month has also been spent doing home improvement projects. We had some new windows installed, and I finally got some curtains up in the family room. The girls also spent a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa in Dayton, so Jim and I could get the nursery ready. We decided the beige strips the previous owners painted would look great with our neutral safari bedding, so we kept them. All we need to do now is pick up the extra crib we're borrowing from friends and the room will be ready!

Earlier this week, Maggie had an overnight with her cousin Bixie at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Claire sure missed her big sister while she was gone and kept asking, "Where did Mani go?" Maggie had a great time with her cousin, playing dress-up and going to the Boonshoft. When I met my mom and dad to pick her up, Maggie threw her arms around me and said, "I missed you Mommy!" We weren't home five minutes and Maggie says, "I miss Bixie!"

While it was nice to hibernate a little when we had snow earlier this month, I am glad we're finally getting back into a routine. It's been gray and rainy for days, I'm really looking forward to Spring!

Sleep-overs are fun!

Christmas 2009

Our first Christmas at home was all we hoped it would be! Christmas Eve was spent in Dayton with my family, but we tucked the girls in their own beds that night. Maggie and Jim left cookies and milk for Santa. Maggie made sure we left him a napkin to wipe his beard. The girls were up before the sun Christmas morning. Maggie came into our room, wiping the sleepy out of her eyes and said, "I want to see if Santa came." All four of us headed downstairs and opened the pocket doors for the big reveal! Maggie was thrilled Santa brought her a doll house saying, "This is the one I wanted!" Claire didn't let go of her new horses for at least an hour! After breakfast, we opened presents to each other. Claire really got into the opening this year and would say, "Another one!" each time she finished.

Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Beth, Uncle JJ, and Bixie came down after naps. A relaxing afternoon was spent opening even more presents, followed by a tasty dinner (if I do say so myself). Maggie and Bixie had a great time playing together and sharing new toys.

Our lovely holiday came to an abrupt end around 3 am on the 26th when Maggie woke up vomiting. Both girls got a 24 hour stomach virus which kept us busy through the weekend. I had my turn with it on the 28th. I took comfort in the fact that we were not alone. More than half of my extended family who attended the Christmas Eve festivities were stricken.

Luckily, we were all recovered in time for MawMaw and PawPaw's visit on the 31st. Our tree was mostly dead by then and we opened gifts to the sound of ornaments falling to the ground, but we were all in the spirit none-the-less. A relaxing New Year's weekend was had with chili in the crock-pot, football on TV and a fire in the fireplace. Jim and I were even able to sneak out for a lunch date!

In what has been a difficult year for so many, we are so fortunate to have gifts under the tree, a home that we love, steady employment for Jim, our health, and family to celebrate with! We are so blessed!