Thirteen years is a long time to wait.

I graduated from Sunset High School in 1994 and headed to Serukam. No, that’s not the name of a small university out east. It’s where I grew up. I took one year off before starting college (at Taylor Unv.) and revisited the medical compound where I spent ten years of childhood. I did everything from babysitting a pet monkey, to organizing medical supplies, to traveling with a team of nurses to give free medical exams in remote villages to women and babies.

One baby came home with me. He was four-month old Kris. His mother died of TB and pneumonia, leaving him with a case of illnesses all his own. Kris’s father, living in the middle of a rice paddy in a thatched bamboo box was desperate for food. He sold the baby to a stranger for a stack of crackers. The hospital staff found out, sought-down the baby and stranger, bought back the infant (not in crackers), and he was placed in my lap.

Kristandi is what I named him. The search began for a family to take Kris home. While we waited he needed extra care and attention, and I was the chosen one.

Petrified Anxious Nervous 18-Year Old Me.
Abandoned Nameless Ill 4-Month Old Kristandi.

Kris stayed with me for one week and four days. I was haggard and tired by day two of sleepless nights as he wailed in his sick little body. I carried him in a sling throughout the day, his little body clinging to mine. He was nicknamed “Si manis” or Sweet Baby. His right eyebrow arched when he was serious or happy. He laughed with his mouth wide open. He had a button nose. His fingers were soft and they wrapped themselves around mine at night during a bottle feed or a cry. Then there was that one night, The Night, I realized Kris knew me as his caregiver. At that moment I gave him my heart. I didn’t even try to withhold it.

A couple unable to bare children for 18 years found their way to Kris. The process was simple and quick. No papers, no signatures, just a gentleman’s handshake. He was there and then he was gone. I left for college and heard news about Kris for about two years thereafter. Then all went silent. Tribal warfare broke out and I believe the family had to flee their village. Kris is about 13 years old now.

Four-month babies will always hold a special place in heart. Today my babe is four-months old.

Still Petrified Anxious Nervous 31-year Old Me.
Always Mine Cherished Healthy 4-month old Shane.
Shane has been with us for four months (plus nine). I have been haggard and tired by sleepless nights and wailing. I carry him in my arms throughout the day, his arms wrapped around my arms. He’s nicknamed “Muffin” and “Buddy”. He half-smiles when he’s happy or sad. He laughs with his mouth wide, wide open. He has my button nose. His fingers wrap around mine. And there are those moments, those priceless moments when he shows me he knows he’s mine. And at those moments, I give him my heart. And I don’t even try to withhold it.

Kris taught me that the giving of myself, even for one week and five days, even if he would disappear into the jungles of Borneo, was the greatest gift I could ever give to a child. I dreamed for 13 years the day I would hold my own four-month old son. Today my baby is my dream come true.

Thank you Kris for sharing with me, Petrified Anxious Nervous 18-Year Old Me, a slice of your life. Thank you Shane, Always Mine Cherished Healthy 4-month old Shane, for you are my dream come true, 13 years in the waiting.

Waiting is hard. But you’re worth it. Boy, are you worth it!

Head's Up!

Shane is four days away from turning four months. He just wants to give everyone a heads up on that.

Happy Birthday Claire!

Happy birthday Claire! We attended Princess Claire's 4th birthday last night. The kiddos loved loving on Shane and as you see, he wasn't fussy about being fussed over. But of course the star of the show was Claire. Her mamma made TWO cakes (flower shaped) and a spread of yummies for the guests to enjoy. And we did.

Thanks for having a birthday Claire. You're one special girl.

News as the monsoon approaches

Yes, the monsoon has hit the west coast of India. It only a matter of days until it arrives to bring cooler temps. For the next few months it will be in the 80s instead of 100 F plus inside the house. Last monsoon, a friend took an amazing picture in the hills of north India where we were studying Hindi at the time.

Shane has now learned to grab things that are in front of him. He's starting to get into the routine of slapping things. He's also in the habit of curling up into a ball while sucking his fingers in his crib. When he stretches out, his body rotates slightly. The result is that, when you find him after a nap, he's rotated about 90 degrees and barely fits across his cot mattress without hitting his head and feet on the sides!

We've had very few power outtages lately. We're grateful since some big Indian cities have had a very rough summer due to growing demand for electricity and not enough production.

Libby bought some new goggles and will head back to the swimming pool next week as soon as summer break ends for the schools. There were just too many kids flopping around in the middle of a "lap pool".

We and some good friends had Subway sandwiches last night. It is an occasional treat since Subway is one of the few restaurants to serve lettuce. The delivery is free. Unfortunately, the manager at first refused to deliver (even though they have delivered here several times), then said they've never delivered to this part of town, and finally sent someone, but it took 1.5 hours to arrive because the delivery boy was new and got lost. Ah well.

That's the latest news for now!

Daddy's impressions

Just some quick thoughts and memories from the last few weeks. I'm enjoying being a daddy and love our little guy. He is now 15 weeks old (about 3.5 months). We've had a few challenges, but overall, he is one easy-going kid!

• Loved seeing him find his hands about a month ago (around 2 mo. old). This involved huge eyes since his fists were just in front of his nose. Then watched him use one hand to shove the other fist into his mouth. He's been doing that routinely ever since.
• Loved hearing his first giggle about two weeks ago. He doesn't laugh out loud much, but when he does, we all laugh. He loves when his mom does "floppy lip" sounds or dad does bouncing while saying in rhythm "ho-ho-ho, ha-ha-ha, he-he!".
• He doesn't spend a lot of time on his tummy, but is doing better and better at pushing himself up and even turning his head.
• About two weeks ago, we moved his bedtime up from 10pm to 6pm by simply focusing on his daytime napping. He still sleeps 10-12 hours a night, but now we have a little evening time for just Libby and I. The downside? Early mornings, and I'm NOT a morning person.
• Took him to the Police Commissioner's office on Thurs. to get his exit permission (3.5 hr trip). He charmed everyone and, just before we got in the car to leave, was snatched by the police guarding the parking lot. They wanted to cuddle and pinch the white kid. I think it broke up the monotony of the day for them and Shane didn't mind.
• I was amazed (and a bit proud) when the doctor gave him a vaccination in his thigh last Saturday...and he didn't even flinch. No crying. Nothing. Wow.
• The other morning,we couldn't figure out why he'd been laying in bed babbling to himself for 30+ min. when he should have been sleeping. I tried to sooth him. Then mommy tried. Then we realized he had a very very wet diaper. Sorry, little guy. You were communicating so politely that mommy and daddy were slow on the uptake. Maybe you should scream more.
• And then there was that one diaper. It wasn't a big explosion, but the stench made daddy head to the corner of the room and start dry-heaving while calling for mommy to come finish the job. All the time I was trying to smile at him and congratulate him and encourage him to poop more, but woah, I may have to buy scuba gear to keep near the baby changing table.

Conversations with Shane

On Mother's Day, Ben and I had conversations with Shane about his day. He's got a lot to say. Enjoy...we sure did.

Taking Snaps

As we say here in India, here are just a few "snaps," or pictures from March when my in-laws visited. Shane was 6 weeks old (he's now 3 1/2 months) at the time. I finally got around to sorting them! Enjoy

The three Spotts boys

Grandpa Bob

Grandma Kim

"A boooooring family snap"--Shane

Would this be a good portrait for the next family Christmas card?

Socializing with friends after church

6 week doctors appointment

Tidbits of news

Hope all you mothers had a great Mother's Day! Here's the latest from life in India:

• The monsoons are supposed to come one week early (by second week of June). Yeah!
• Since English Premier League soccer is on TV here a lot, Libby (and I) decided she had to pick a team this year. Guess what? Her team, Manchester United, won the league (although they lost the last game of the season yesterday).
• Shane's passport arrived on Saturday morning. The envelop was ripped, but the passport was still safe and secure inside a second envelop. We're grateful. Now begins the tiring process of working with the local authorities to get his visa.
• We're making plans to visit the USA this fall. No itinerary yet but we hope to nail down some details by the end of June.
• It was only 95 F inside our house right now (9pm at night). But we're not complaining...honestly. Because the power is on and the fans and air conditioners are working!

Somebody made a funny!

Somebody made a funny, somebody made a bubble, somebody(s) made a handsome baby boy!

First Shower in Months...

Yes, I enjoyed my first shower since September 2006. We are in Chennai for a four day visit where we successfully went to the US Consulate and received Shane's USA birth certificate yesterday. He is now officially an American citizen!

But we've also enjoyed staying at a 4 star hotel which meant electricity and running water 24 hours a day! At our house in Hyderabad, we never have enough water in the tank on the roof for a proper shower. Without adequate water, the shower just trickles (it is a gravity-fed water pressure system), so we've become used to using a little dipper for "bucket showers."

Shane after his swim

Shane is drying off from his 20 minutes pool session. He fell asleep immediately afterwards. I guess it wasn't a stressful experience!

Easter Sunday Swim

This is a short clip of Shane in action at his first pool experience.

Super Size Please

Shane has found his fingers. Let me rephrase. Shane has found his fist. Why settle for a thumb or a teeny tiny index finger when you have a fist? Over the last two days I've been finding Shane slurp, slurp, suck, slurping on all five fingers. He looks up at me, face covered in slurp and spit with a happy grin and content as can be.

While he's still working hard to fit his entire fist inside his mouth, his attempts are noble at best. Shoving several fingers in at a time and using his other hand to guide him, he tries and tries. And when just his thumb makes it in, the rest of his hand is flat up against his face. I can just barely see his eyes peeking through his slurp slurping hand.

It's rather messy. It's rather slurpy. It's rather cute.

Curled Lip

I received my first curled lip from Shane yesterday.

Just before lunch we were taking a nap. I woke up and decided to get an apple for a snack, so I unraveled myself from Shane and headed for the kitchen. Suddenly a cry came from the room, but it wasn't any normal cry I've heard yet.

I headed back. Shane was lying there with his wide blue eyes and a very, very curled lip. What a heart breaker! Both sides of his mouth so totally turned down and that little lip turned completely inside out. I nestled into him immediately and apologized for making his world so sad. He whimpered a little, then settled down after a few minutes.

If too many of those sad-faced curled lips come my way I may be guilty of not letting him leave the house until he's 30.

Easter Swimming

Our first dip
Warming up Auntie Beena holding sleepy Shane. Swimming is tiring.

On Easter Sunday our friends invited us for an Easter picnic at a nearby pool. What fun! Shane even got to go "swimming" for the first time. Okay so he didn't really "swim" but he did bounce around, get wet up to his neck, lie on his back, and splash a little. There was lots of aunts and uncles to cuddle him, so Ben and I had a chance to splash around in the water too with the other kids. We had a fun day with friends and family. UTube video's soon to follow!

Mornings with Shane

Shane is particularly happy in the mornings and enjoys reading the paper, drinking a bit of coffee, and watching the world go by. Well, he enjoys the last one right now. Here's a glimpse of life from our living room this morning. By the way, he didn't laugh when I told him later (off camera) that the local government office had issued his birth certificate incorrectly. His last name is SPOFFS. True story. Have to get that corrected before we can get his passport and other documents. Sigh.

Enjoy the last of three videos for today!

Shane checks out the world

Here's Shane just chillin' and checking out life at our house. This is a longer video. Shows his typical pose...sorta fixated on something but occasionally looking you in the eye to check you out, too.

Conversations with Shane

Here is Shane talking with mommy about his 8-week doctor's appointment. By the way, he is healthy and normal. He weighed in at about 5.3 kgs (11 lbs, 11 oz) which means he has outgrown most of his "newborn" onesies and the "small" diapers are getting tight. Yikes! They didn't measure length or head Circumference (probably since that was done at his 6-week appointment across town).

Shane's first web video

We've finally figured out the whole video on the internet thing using our digital still camera. Thanks to several of you who offered tips.

Here's a short video starring Shane...well, he's sleeping, but he's still the star. Perhaps because during the pregnancy there was constant noise around us, Shane seems to sleep best when there is noise. In this case, Hillsong music blasting away. Enjoy!

(For people new to the web-video thing, just click on the "play" button twice. The voice and image don't seem to be exactly synced, but we'll work on that.)

Shane's Progress Report

Grandpa and Grandma Spotts are here and taking LOTS of pictures, some of which will soon be featured. In the meantime, a report on our little guys progress. Shane and I had our 6 week doctors appointment yesterday. He only cried, and quite fiercely, during his DPT and Hep B shots. Right in the upper thighs. But he recovered quickly. Recovery took a little longer for Grandma Spotts :) Because Shane is our "Indian baby" he will be receiving all the immunizations that babies here receive. Fine by us, although I will still be consulting my bro since he's a "child immunization pro"--this is what he does for a living.

Shane is now a very healthy 11 lbs. 5 ounces (good job me). His belly button looks great after the cord fell off 2 1/2 weeks later! He is holding his head up more and more, turning it on his own, and rocking to the left and right in my arms. I really have to hold him tight these days. He likes his baths but it's all about the timing. He coos and smiles regularly, especially in the morning which plants a smile on Ben's not-a-morning-person face. He's a fierce eater and not so much a consistant napper in the day. He and I are in boot-camp nap training these days, an emotionally and mentally exhausting must-do. He's sleeping through the night which gives me more rest than I've had in a month. This is a good thing which gets me through the tiring days.

He's an overall happy kiddo. There's lots of love being poured into his life, and that the best training of all.

Ben's other baby?

About a week after Shane arrived, she arrived. She sits in the corner of our living room 24 hours a day and hums quietly. She is white, beautiful and well-behaved. She has stolen my heart. Curious?

We bought an inverter. This wonderful piece of equipment consists of a huge battery, some wires, and a thing that converts the electricity from the battery into the current to power our fans and lights when the power goes out. It gives us power for about 4 hours and we are thrilled to have it! Power outages are common here in the summer and often scheduled for 2 hours a day.

The other new thing at the Spotts home is a beautiful coat of snow on our roof. Well, actually it is a double-layer of white paint called "Surya Cool Home". The special paint promises to keep the cement roof from soaking up the heat of the sun. And, so far, it seems to be keeping the interior of our house much cooler during the summer heat!

We are grateful for both of these things. Now if we could just turn on the tap and be assured that water would come out. (Even when it does, there is never enough pressure for a shower so we're experts at bucket/dipper baths.) Or if we could find a way to keep the mosquitoes out of the house. Or if we didn't have to drive the car through raw sewage running across our street. But that's the challenge of living in a developing country!

Some days it is fun and some days not. But we're convinced that we're in the place we should be and that makes it bearable.

Care package wish list

We're always thrilled to get stuff in the mail...and quite a few people have sent us care packages since we moved 17 months ago. Thank you because we know it is a sacrifice of money (for postage mostly!) and time for each of you!

Below is a wish list that we'll periodically update. We'll put a link to this list on the side of this blog so you can always find it. We've selected items that we can't get in India, or are very expensive here. Most of these are items that usually do fine in the mail, but for things that may melt or get stolen, contact us and we'll have someone hand-carry them over. Of course, you can use this list to brainstorm and surprise us with something not on the list, too! If you do want to mail us something, PLEASE contact us by email to confirm our address and the best way to get it here.

The list starts with the least expensive and includes a few "splurge-items" we love at the end.

• school programs or newspaper articles that mention you or your family
• newspaper clippings about local news (i.e. Hood River News, The Oregonian)
• music or book review clippings
• cartoon clippings
• photos of you and your family (our frig needs decorating!)
• newspaper/magazine clippings about children-at-risk
• microwavable kettlecorn
• Cliff Bars (carrot cake flavor is Lib's favorite)
• candy: Butterfinger, white chocolate Kit Kats, black licorice (favorite is organic brands)
• magazines: any flyfishing, any sailing, any running/health mag, Cooking Light, Real Simple, Wired, Relevant, Reader’s Digest
• powdered hummus mix
• cereal: Honey Smacks, Cheerios, and Rice Crispies (these are $10+ a box over here!)
• Parmesean cheese
• pretzels
• root beer flavored anything
• Bath & Body Works hand liquid soap
• dried fruit (non-sugared; especially pears, cherries, and peaches)

Splurge-items!

• Glutin-free products
• freeze dried fruit (non-sugared; especially blueberries, peaches, strawberries)
• smoked salmon (check out http://www.ilovesalmon.com/!)
• iTunes gift cards
• Garrison Keillor CDs (Lake Wobegon stories)
• DVDs (see our DVD Wish List)

Have enuf for now of these, but will probably "re-add" them to the list in the future:

• beef jerky
• Altoids strips (also called “smalls”) or gum
• coffee beans (whole; extra bold flavor)
• hot chocolate packets
• hot apple cider packets

Bath Time Again

Shane loves his teddy onesie. But he's about to be de-robed.

A fully exposed Buddha-belly. There's a six-pack under that milk belly.

Smelling baby-fresh, after a warm bath and Bert's Bee's Apricot baby oil on dry hands and feet. Shane loves Daddy-time.

Mossy’s: Not Welcome

Mosquitoes are definitely not welcome in our home anymore. They never have been visitors we welcome kindly, and we don’t appreciate their abrupt and intrusive behavior when they come for a visit. Especially now.

Shane had been sleeping his crib for one week when I began to notice little red swelling bights on his cheeks, legs and arms. One morning I found about eight bights on his face, bights that our friend called “kisses.” I don’t too heartily agree with that term. Nonetheless, it was time to give the mossy’s an official farewell party.

While I’m sure Spiderman “spiders” nicely, and Superman is quite super, and the Incredible Hulk is actually quite hulky, and Batman isn’t as scary as those venomous flying creature, the Super Hero in our home is quite distinctly Dad himself. And though can’t fly, he is quite super, definitely hulky and only venomous when his soccer team losses. Dad Ben swung into action!

First the packed-up Pack-n-Play was unpacked. Both he and my dad (visiting) assembled it, and found a mosquito net that fit perfectly within a few hours that very night. This would be Shane’s alternative bed until a net was found, or made, for the crib (which has slatted sides).

Ben then took careful measurements of the crib and scavenged the entire city for another net. After visiting several stores and making some phone calls, The Store was found among the rubbles. He came home as proud as a lion that’s caught his first meal of the night. The Pack-n-Play was put away, the crib reassembled and wah-lah, a mosquito net that not only fit perfectly, but wasn’t that hideous either.

Although Shane still gets an occasional bight during early a.m. feedings with mom, he sleeps much more soundly these days. Or is that mom and dad who do? Meanwhile, Super Hero Dad stands guard waiting for another mossy to bight. And when he does, watch out!

Notice to all mossy’s: The American blood-buffet has been cancelled in Hyderabad, India.

Four Weeks

Shane is entering his fourth week of life. His pediatrician says he's gaining weight, looking happy, and my-oh-my what a handsome boy.

Or did I say that? He keeps Ben and I smiling with his million-dollar facial expressions. I'm in the process of counting his fat rolls. So far so good.

We love you Shane.

US vs. India delivery

A few people have asked how the delivery and hospital stay were different here in India vs. in the USA. Obviously, we've never had a baby in the US, but based on what we have heard from friends, here are some (mostly pleasant) differences:

• Over here the husband is rarely allowed into the delivery room, but I got in
• They were happy for us to take pictures and video in the delivery room
• Over here you have to move to three different rooms during the delivery
• Most of the nurses and helpers don't speak English! We used a little bit of our Hindi.
• Some doctors insist that you don't let the kid sleep under the fan (and give other traditional advice)
• They refuse to do any circumcisions until a couple weeks after the birth; we convinced them otherwise but tramautized the hospital staff in the process (they hate to see any baby cry, ever!)
• You don't have nurses coming in all night. Just a visit at 8:30pm (just after dinner) and then at 7:15am in the morning when they serve you tea
• After 7:30am, there are four types of staff visiting your room: doctors, nurses, doulas (older ladies who bathe mother & child, change diapers, etc.) and cleaning ladies. Libby wanted to take the doulas home.
• The food for both patient and one guest (me!) is almost all rice; no meat, only some eggs for the mother
• Tea and snacks are delivered to your door at 7:15am and 5pm
• Visiting hours are very very strict: from 5-8pm and a guard walks down the hall ringing a bell at 7:45pm to warn the familes milling about that it's time to "make a move"
• If you order "room service" (the cafeteria will deliver to your room), then you have to pay cash since they won't just add it to the bill
• There are pediatricians and anesthesiologists in-house 24-7!
• The entire cost of the delivery and after-care are (understatement!) very reasonable: $760

Finally, for all the curious people who have been on the edge of your seats out there: YES, I have changed several diapers and lived to tell about it.

Sleepy Happy Shane

Dreaming of ...

...Swimming with mommy. Preferably in a warm ocean. Preferably in crystal-clear ice-blue waters. On a tropical island. With cold lemonade on tap.
...Flyshing with daddy using a 4 weight rod with weight-forward line and a wooly bugger size 12 on a small mountain stream (I didn't make this up. My husband just dictated this to me after telepathically communicating with our son).
...Reading all of Charles Dickens books. Four times
...Double-tall soy latte's. Iced in the summer.
...Sailing in Hood River with the ever-messy, wind-in-your-face-and-hair look.
...Grandpa Spotts' blueberry pancakes. And canned peaches. And pears.


No wonder he's smiling!

Dr. Evita and Andi and Gareth visit photos

Gareth and Andi are originally from the UK and working in India for two years. They have become good friends and shared a celebratory bottle of Sula champagne with us during their visit to the hospital!

Dr. Evita Fernandez is our doctor and Shane's first crush. Read more about Dr. Evita...she is an amazing woman who lets God use her to bless many people every day.

Sometimes I Feel...

Shane Daniel

Why the name "Shane"? Shane means "God is gracious." We desire for our son to grow in grace, to love others with the strength that only grace can give, and to allow himself to experience grace from his family.

Why "Daniel"? Although it is my dad's middle name, this is the name he goes by--Dan. In honor of Grandpa Crawford, Shane shares his middle name with the man who gave me life and who continues to give of his life and compassion to people worldwide.

Shane, we've been waiting for you!

Here's a copy of the e-announcement that we just sent out. We'll post more pictures and fun stories in the days ahead.

* * * * *

On Thurs. morning (Feb. 8th, 11:41am IST), Shane Daniel Spotts arrived. We are thrilled and things went smoothly in so many ways: a traffic-free drive across Hyderabad, wonderful staff at Fernandez Hospital, a safe delivery (with help from an epidural), Ben was allowed to be with Libby the entire time, and the one “deluxe” room (which simply means it has air conditioning, a little cot for dad to sleep, etc.) was available when we checked in! It’s evident to us that God’s hand was upon the whole event.


The other details on Shane:
7 lbs. 5.5 oz (3.33 kg)
20.5 in. (52 cm approximately; because they usually don’t measure the length of Indian babies)
Blue eyes (we think)
Fair skin (because Indians always ask; of course his skin is also red, if upset, and blue, if cold, etc.)

We just got home from the hospital a few hours ago. We’d appreciate your prayers for all that is ahead. Ben will take some time off for paternity leave and Libby’s parents arrive on Monday. We are thankful to God for Shane, for the miracle and sanctity of life, and for you and your interest in us!

With love,
Ben, Libby and Shane

2+1=3

Our Favorite will soon arrive. Favorite curly smile, Favorite clingy snuggles, Favorite forever memories, Favorite tussle of hair. Fatigue, new challenges, difficult adjustments ahead, yes. But our Favorite.

Week 39. In a matter of time our family of two will be three. In a matter of time, our very flesh and blood, the miracle of a child, boy or girl, will be ours to hold and to have.

We are simply overwhelmed by the gifts you have sent, lovingly made, and intentionally asked about. We say thank you, THANK YOU.

Carpe' Diem. Seize the day.

We Have No Pants

My folks dropped by for a three-day visit (they'll be back in two-weeks). We toured the hospital where Dr. Dad and Nurse Mom meet Dr. Evita, saw the labor ward, and noted the highly professional medical facilities. Dad bought a gift for Dr. Evita. Fancy chocolate you might ask? No. A pocket-sized doppler. Mom couldn't stand having the doppler in the house and Baby S. to use it on. So before handing over the gift, dad administered an at-home check-up and we listened to the heartbeat--thud-thud, thud-thud.

Another highlight was the 7 a.m. walk with dad. He said hi to every person we passed, picked up a newspaper, and we were back home just as Ben and mom rolled out of their beds. With hazy lazy eyes they gazed at us, disgusted by morning-people who sip coffee and have the boldness to welcome the day with a "Good morning!"

On Friday while the guys fastened in the car seat, mom and I attacked the baby room with stealth. At one point I commented, I guess several times that "we have no pants" (in lue of trying to find baby pants) at which point the guys stuck their heads in the room and said, "You have no pants??" Ben continued to repeat "We have no pants" throughout the day at random moments suffering us all into giggles and laughs.

It was great having mom and dad around. The next time they see us, life could be totally different. Though some things may never change like morning walks, morning "good mornings", and jokes on who has "no pants".

Family time is good time. And sometimes it's funny too.

Pregnancy Update and Refresher

In lue of our delivery date nearing (Feb 13th), here's a brief update and refresher of already known facts and maybe some new ones.

Facts:

• At week 37, I'm considered full-term.
• Total weight gain (all the ladies want to know) is 22lbs.
• My folks will be here for either the delivery or post-delivery. First they have medical training in a nearby state, and afterwards will fly to Hyderabad arriving on the due date of Baby S.
• We (still) do not know the sex of our baby (and won't). Yes we have a hunch and that's a secret.
• A name has not been nailed down, but we're close.
• The baby room is furnished with a crib, makeshift changing table (aka: single bed), diapers, clothes, wipes, and my favorite, a rocking chair.
• Continued exercise throughout the pregnancy has freed me from too many aches and pains, though I am ready to sleep on my tummy, practice yoga moves, and run again.
• Specific cravings: apple juice just before bed and oranges. Lots of oranges!
• Ben will take time off for baby/mother caring.
• Ben's folks have tickets for mid-March. They'll stay two weeks. And volunteered to babysit so Ben and I can take a date for our three-year anniversary.
• Baby S. has regular bouts of hiccups.
• I've read them all!, picked and nibbled at some great concepts, thrown out legalism, and come across one or two great reads. Feedings, sleep schedules...thank you for the grace of Your guidance.
• And finally, Feb is a popular time for babies due to the auspicious time that comes nine months prior--May. A religiously-held "lucky" time to marry, thus conceive as well, on the wedding night. We joined the ranks without even knowing it!

Time Keeps on Ticken

The clock is ticken.

Week 36 ends. Month nine and no turning back. Dr. Evita will begin to evaluate the "readiness" of my body to deliver. The hospital bag is (partially) packed. The crib is (partially) prepared. Baby clothes are drying on the line outside. Grandparents have tickets to India. I'm tired. Fatigued. Anxious. I can't wait to meet you! Ben arranges for the installment of an AC so the whole family doesn't melt this summer. I stay awake at night baby names whirling in my head. Ben does the Bill Cosby impression of Lamaze breathing. We think it's hilarious. Labor won't be.

The clock is ticken.

Labor and Delivery 101

Ben was doing his homework last night. Reading through a chapter "for spouses only" in the pregnancy book, let out a few gasps, asked some provoking questions ("They do WHAT with forceps?!") and landed on the section about cheering his beloved wife through "pushing." This conversation followed...

So Babe, do you want me to cheer "push, push, push" along with the doctor, or should I kick everyone out?

Well Hon, I really don't how I'll feel right th.....

But think of this: when you are running a race, are you encouraged by people cheering for you?

Yes, actually I...

Alrighty then. I'll have the doctor and staff line up and, "Give me an L, give me an I, give me a B.."

I'm not sure if humor will be the best for me right th...

No. It's gonne be great. We're bringing in the pom-poms.

Not only do have to worry about forceps, I now have the head-cheerleader planning routines to chant our way through delivery, pom-poms and all.

Clippin' n' Snippin'

Today I am clippin’ n’ snippin’. It’s called “nesting” and I’m supposed to be madly dashing around the house dusting every nook and cranny, killing every cell and molecule no matter how miniscule, of germs I may find. I’m supposed to be folding and unfolding baby clothes, testing out every cream, every ointment and every medication that will be put on, under or into my baby. Ben, on the other hand, is supposed to be finding new hobbies he’s never loved before but now finds great pleasure in, like assembling a 500-piece do-it-yourself “easy-to-assemble” bookcase in 15 minutes flat. Or planting a crop of corn in the dust of our front yard and grunting at the end of the day how fulfilled he feels, how he’s “redeemed the day.”

I’ll definitely let you know when this happen. Maybe that’s what today was? Today I clipped and snipped off “for sale” tags on baby clothes, toys, and blankets. I definitely have a sense of satisfaction. Like removing the “Do Not Ever Remove” tag off your pillow. So I did this with some baby’s clothes, etc. More plastic containers to fill, so there was also time spent arranging miniature everythings. I have a sense of satisfaction in appearing organized for the time being. Ben hasn’t planted a new crop or assembled any bookcases lately. But he is working hard to keep the car clean, dust his bike, replace broken tub lights, hang framed art, manage finances, suggest ideas for the baby room, take me diaper shopping, check the health of our plants… oh wait. That’s all normal.

Nesting. Hum. What does it mean to you?

Beautiful Foot

I never liked my feet. I ran around barefoot for a good 10 years before I was forced to wear socks and shoes. During those ten years, I had some tough toes. But I also suffered severe pain from my heels that cracked and bled. My feet have an allergic reaction, different than athlete's foot, when left uncovered. My dad often bandaged them up in long strips of white cloth until the hurt healed.

So my torn, bleeding and calloused feet really were ugly. But it wasn't until I was 18 years old that the truth about my feet was realized. Flying high above the lush forests of Madagascar in a six-person airplane, I was reading my Bible. Romans 10:15, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. It came at me sharp like a blade.

For it was on this day that I had spent many hours with abondanded and rejected twins. Nestled in a small village, twins were a curse and a taboo, literally thrown away. The forgotten ones. I'd spent the day in a rescue home for the twins. It was one of the first moments in my life where a tangible expression of sin crushed me, heart and soal, so tremendously.

From that day on, my feet became beautiful. And Romans 10:15 became my life verse. I felt like God had whispered a personal, tangible message of his love and dreams for my life. He took my uglyness and made it good.

So it's no surprise that at our last ultrasound, all Ben and I were able to see were feet, and more feet. Our baby was all folded up, and all he/she allowed us to see were feet. What beauitful feet.

Aweful Mystery, Mysterious Joy

Every day I am forced into the reality of this pregnancy. Every day I am forced to see the miracle of this child growing in my womb. Catch me in a quiet moment with my hand on my belly, and you'll find a smile as my fingers feel this child's foot pressed against my tightened skin. Find me in the doctor's office with red slightly swollen ankles and aching joints on my hands, and you'll find us in conversation about delivery, where, when and how. Find me on a morning walk as I am able, but listening to the tones of my body. As I listen, I am forced to sometimes slow down, sometimes speed up, lie down, or put my feet up. I am forced into the miraculous reality of this wonderous child. God could have chosen any way to bring a child into this world, but He chose this aweful mystery and mysterious joy of bearing children to bore by woman. What a mysterious God is He.