"Hey Everybody! I'm THREE!"

The day finally arrived!  Claire has waited ever so patiently for her birthday for about three months now.  And I think she had the perfect day!  Or two!

Claire's birthday was actually on Friday (the 28th), but we did most of our celebrating on Saturday.  However, Grandpa Richard was on the ball, and Claire got a birthday card in the mail on Thursday afternoon.  I held her off until Friday morning, and figured since it was her actual birthday, she could open her card.  She was way excited about the card with the animals on it, and the fact that she got mail, but was kind of confused when the $5 bill fell out.  :)  I tried to explain the significance of her birthday loot, but I don't think it really made sense until she got to trade that seemingly useless piece of paper for a much more useful Belle action figure!  Thanks Grandpa Richard!

She also got to open a present from Mom and Dad before bed, which ended up being the cute Tinkerbell jammies in the picture.  She went to bed happy, and Danny and I stayed up talking about how incredible it was that our baby girl was already three...

Saturday morning, Claire woke up early (around 6 am).  I overheard her through the baby monitor talking to her reflection.  This is what she had to say: "OH!  Hello!  It's me, Princess Claire.  It's my birthday today!"  She went on to sing, "Happy Birthday to me!  Happy Birthday to me!  Happy Birthday to Claire!  Happy Birthday to me!"  Needless to say, she was pretty excited!"  We packed a yummy lunch, got the girls dressed and the car loaded, and headed down below (that's Antelope Valley slang for going to LA) to check out the zoo...

We had so much fun!  We got there before the gates opened, so we didn't have much of a crowd to deal with, and the animals were incredibly active.  The zoo grounds are gorgeous, and the weather was perfect!  

After about 4 hours of fun at the zoo, I could barely walk anymore and Claire and Sophie were starting to lose it!  We drove home, barely awake, and once we got home we all kind of crashed for a bit.  We made Claire's favorite dinner, grilled chicken and pasta with broccoli, and then we Skyped Papa and Grandma Call so we could open presents!  It was cool to have them, along with Aunt Julie and Aunt Katie, involved with opening presents and doing cake and ice cream!  It made us feel not so far away...

Claire ended her day with an hour long bath so she could really play with her new bathtub princess toys.  When we were tucking her into bed, she reached up and gave me a second hug!  I usually don't even get one...those hugs are for Daddy only!  She went right to sleep, and we're positive it was the best day she ever had.  We feel like successful parents!  We love our Claire Bear, and can't wait to see what another year will bring in our life with her.  Love you, Claire!

To my Claire, on her birthday...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Claire!

I can't believe you're three already.  Where has the time gone?  I remember so clearly being the hospital all day on Memorial Day three years ago, struggling and scared.  When the doctor told me that it was time to consider a c-section, I was scared and disappointed.  But I do remember realizing that it meant I was going to meet you in just a matter of minutes!  I couldn't believe that after all my years of dreaming about you, I was finally going to see you.  My baby girl.

Even though the morphine has made my memory cloudy, I do remember holding you for the first time.  I remember being so glad that you had so much hair, and that you were beautiful!  I remember thinking you looked just like a Vigil.  I was wrong...you look JUST like your Daddy!

You've been my buddy ever since.  We've spent virtually every day together.  I love how happy you are in the morning!  You've always greeted me with a smile to start our day together.  

Claire's First Birthday

You weren't much older than a year old when we brought Sophie home, and you were instantly a wonderful big sister!  You've helped me so much since then, getting diapers and burp rags and keeping Sophie entertained.  Not to mention teaching her some of the naughty things you've picked up over the years.  But both your Dad and I know that you were meant to come to our family first.  Your sweet disposition and easy manner made it possible to stay sane after your sister got here!  

Claire's Second Birthday

Now you're three, and there is yet another sibling on his way!  Like it or not, you're going to be my "other mother" for a long time!  But the Lord has given you unique gifts and abilities that make you perfect for the job.  Granted, it drives me nuts how long you take to put the toys away or do anything I've asked you to do.  But it's because you can see the pleasure in even the little things.  Something I could learn from you!

I know I get frustrated with you a lot, Claire.  You didn't get much time to just be my baby.  But please know, no matter what, that I love you more than words can say.  I really did dream of you all my life, and made some very difficult decisions because I knew I had a responsibility to you.   You have blessed every minute of my life for the last three years, and I am so grateful for the privilege it is to be your mother.  No matter how many birthdays come and go, you'll always be my baby girl.  I love you, Claire Bear!

Week 29

First of all, I was totally disappointed when I lost track of how far along I was this week!  I could have SWORN I was 30 weeks, only to realize I was off by a week.  Bummer.  :)  Babystep to labor...

I feel obligated to warn those reading that this will probably seem like a post of complaints!  :)  However, in an effort to document history, I feel it is my duty to report things as they are!  And things have just kind of started going downhill this week, or at least it seems to me.

I think more than anything else, Johnny has had a bit of a growth spurt.  He should be about 2 1/2 pounds and about 15 inches long (though again, that is an average estimate, so we'd be safe to assume he's bigger than that!)  In the last week, I've been able to feel him taking up almost every inch of my insides!  And it's reminded me what the third trimester was like with Sophie.  I was so uncomfortable at the end!  It's going to be the same with Johnny.  

And then to add to that, my darned pubic bone is acting up again.  It's been pure torture!  I honestly feel like my crotch is going to split in two!  I was awake all night last night with the pain, and I worry about how the next few months will be.  I think I'm going to have to start looking into some chiropractic work, since that is what I hear is about the only thing you can do for this particular pregnancy discomfort.  Either way, I shall endure.  I don't have any choice, really!

I've realized with more emphasis this week that I have to be more diligent about my spiritual preparations.  I've lost all patience with the girls, and I'm tired of yelling at them all the time.  I'm not only going to be in need of the Lord's assistance with the labor and delivery.  I'm going to need some serious heavenly intervention just to get through until then!

Week 28

And we've made it to the third and final trimester!  Unless of course I go 2 weeks late, and then I think those last 2 weeks should be considered a trimester on their own...thus making a fourth.  But let's keep thinking positive, shall we? :)

Johnny still keeps growing, along with the frequency in comments about how big I am and that I MUST be carrying twins!  Little do they know, this baby is probably going to triple in size!  This week, he should be checking in at around 2.25 pounds and 14.8 inches long.  I love how precise babycenter.com is for their weight and length measurements!  He had me worried for a couple days early in the week, as he just didn't seem very active at all.  But I've learned to give it some time, and sure enough, he's back to his acrobatic self!

This week has been more emotional than physical this time.  Really, the only ache or pain I've been experiencing is that darned pubic bone again.  I'm getting a little concerned that he spends too much time with his head down, but facing the wrong way.  I really don't want him faced posterior when the time comes...I hear back labor is a beast!  But I suppose there are still plenty of weeks for him to get in the right position.  And once again, I have to bear my testimony of prenatal yoga!  I just sleep so much better.  

But I digress.  It's been an emotional week for a couple of reasons.  First, I've realized that Johnny is going to be here pretty soon!  As I've watched Claire and Sophie grow, I've come to realize that for the time being, I don't have a baby!  My baby girls are now big girls, going potty in the big-girl potty and sleeping in big-girl beds!  It's hard to see Sophie as anything but a baby, only because there isn't anyone smaller around to compare.  I try to remember that by the time Claire was Sophie's age, we had a 3 month old baby!  Claire seemed much older.  

But my biggest emotion this week has been fear and doubt.  I think in realizing the utter inevitability of this birth, I've started to feel a bit more anxiety.  I've struggled much more with thoughts of "Can I really do this?", "What if the pain is too much?", "What if it lasts a REALLY long time", or "What if I really am not able to birth my children, and I end up with another section?"  I think a certain amount of anxiety is normal, and even healthy.  It spurs me into action preparing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  But I also know that I have to keep these fears from becoming too big, or they will impede my ability to have this baby at home.  

Danny has been such a good support, and so patient with my emotions (which isn't really something that comes naturally to him!), and I've loved having Beth to talk to.  I don't know if she realizes how much I depend on her faith in birth!  I do feel more confident knowing that both Danny and Beth will be right with me, along with Ali and hopefully even my Mom!  The bottom line is my belief that Heavenly Father really did design birth this way.  And if he did, which I believe he did, then it has to be doable for the majority of us.  And not only doable, but purposeful in its own right.  I won't be able to escape the pain, that's inherent to the process, but I will be able to manage it.  After all, I won't do it alone.  Christ suffered even my labor pains in the Garden of Gethsemane so that he could succor me.  I'm counting on that.

"Summertime...and the living's easy..."

Last weekend was a wonderful taste of summer!  It was hardly windy at all, and was pretty warm as well!  We took the opportunity to get some things done outside Saturday morning.  Danny watered the trees, and the girls and Jack were more than happy to...er...help.  

Claire had plenty of fun just getting her feet wet and muddy.  Sophie, however, has really taken to the country girl lifestyle!

Sophie is just growing up so much!  In preparation for Johnny, we decided to get Sophie into a toddler bed and out of the crib.  We thought it best to get two matching toddler beds for both Claire and Sophie, so as not to have to deal with them fighting over the "new" bed.  For the first time since Claire was born, no one in the house is sleeping in a crib!  I really don't have a baby anymore...for a few more months at least.

The girls did great in their new beds, but because it gets light so early here, they were wide-eyed and bushy tailed before 6 am on Sunday morning!  This made for a difficult morning at church, but we made it.  Claire took a good nap (though Sophie didn't sleep at all!), and was all sweaty when she woke up.  It was pretty warm!  And what's better after a long, sweaty, Sunday afternoon nap than some ice cold watermelon?

Sophie skipped the spoon all together...

Danny and I finished off the weekend with Chipotle Corn Burgers out of my Food Network Magazine, and they were seriously to die for!  We love summertime at the Call house!

Prom Night

Ever wish you could re-live your prom night?  Make better memories, perhaps?  Or go at all? ;)  Danny and I got that chance when we attended the Adult Prom for the Lancaster and Lancaster East Stakes!

It sounds silly, I know.  But it was really fun!  The two aforementioned stakes put on a prom for the high school kids that don't want to attend the prom at their school.  I remember how frightening the school dances were when I was in high school and that was almost ten years ago!  I can't imagine the atmosphere now.  At any rate, they really go all out for the youth.  The cultural hall of our building (which is the Lancaster East Stake Center) is decorated to the hilt, a DJ is hired, and dinner is catered.  The kids pay for tickets, get dressed up, and have a wonderful time!

It's a lot of effort for one night!  What was discovered, however, is that if you leave everything up and decorated, it makes a totally fun atmosphere for the adults!  This year, they had quite a few dances.  The first one for the youth, and then one for the young single adults.  Next was one for the married (18-30) and the young single adults, and then two dances (one Friday night and one Saturday night) for the adults.  Danny took me to the adult dance on Friday night, which was when everyone from our neighborhood was going.  

Admittedly, it took some effort to find a dress that would be at all "formal" and cover this baby belly of mine!  But I found a nice dress and even curled my hair, and off we went!

We left the girls with Rose Beazel, and they had a great time!  It was so wonderful to leave the girls with someone they love and someone we trust and just enjoy an evening together!  The dinner for that dance was a  tri-tip dinner, which was pretty tasty.  And apparently it was a medieval theme, so we had some minstrel and troubadour entertainment!  But better than all of that was the company.  I have to say, we have the best neighbors out here, and have made what I know will be life-long friends.  It's crazy, Danny and I are quite a bit younger, but we have so much fun just talking and laughing with everyone!  I didn't get a picture of us all together, but here is a run-down of who we were with: Vern and Nancy Beazel, Doug and Beth Davis, and Andy and Shelly Tolman.  Those are the couples from the neighborhood.  We also got to spend the evening with the McClures, the Whites (Bo and Jackie), and the Novaks.  

I had to take the opportunity to get a picture with my good friend Beth.  The next one we take together, I'm afraid we'll look a little less put-together, since I imagine we'll be tired after working through my labor and delivery!  That's right...this is the infamous doula Beth, who will be helping Danny and I get Johnny here.  It's the very same Beth who started me on this path towards homebirth and has shared more wisdom and experience with me than I ever thought was possible!  I figured it was about time for a proper introduction... :)

But this post isn't about homebirth (for once!)  We really did have a wonderful time talking, laughing, eating, and dancing with friends.  Danny and I loved having the chance to dance together, even if it was a bit precarious with yet another child in between us.  I sure do love my husband!  I love that we're still best friends.  Eternity is going to be awesome!

Week 27

Week 27 is the last week of the second trimester!  We're almost 2/3s of the way through this pregnancy!  In a way, I feel like I've been pregnant forever.  In another respect, I feel like time is just flying by.  We could feasibly have a baby here 3 months from today!

Johnny has become SO much more active...at least, he's that much bigger and stronger.  For the first time this last week, his movements have started to be painful!  He's awful active at night, keeping me awake for hours at a time when he gets "rolling". :)  I don't imagine that bodes well for us once he gets here.  Lots more sleepless nights ahead!  I felt hiccups for the first time early this week, which is just too cute!  He's also started to get really irritated if there is any pressure applied to my belly.  He just kicks and squirms until I move!

This week, Johnny should weigh just about 2 pounds and be about 14 1/2 inches long.  But who are we kidding?  We all know he's bigger than he's "supposed" to be!  I had my appointment with Ali yesterday, and when we did my measurements, I was measuring at a 29!  No doubt about it, he's gonna be a big boy...

Yesterday's visit was amazing!  Claire and Sophie were so excited for Ali to get here, and Claire could hardly wait to get to hear Baby Johnny go "a-woosha-woosha-woosha"!  My physical exam was all good, and Johnny's heartbeat was nice and strong.  Apparently, he has good reactivity too!  I didn't know this before, but when you're listening to a baby's heartbeat via doppler, they can hear it too.  It gets them all excited and you can literally hear their hearts start beating faster!  Johnny thought his heartbeat was SO COOL!  It sped up quite noticeably, which is a good sign that he's healthy and his nervous system is developing normally.  Ali was able to determine that he was already head down toward my pelvis, which is a good sign (though admittedly a lot can change in the next 13 weeks for so!)

Ali and I discussed my nutrition and exercise as well.  When she asked how my eating had been, I had to blush a little bit!  I haven't done so well avoiding my cravings over the last few weeks.  I told her about my near constant desire for Wendy's and Ben and Jerry's.  She thought it sounded like my body needs more fats...so I should make sure it gets the good fats and not the saturated fats!  I'll be eating a lot more avocados and sunflower seeds in the coming weeks!

Danny and I had a lot of questions for Ali, and I must say we were really pleased with the answers!  Danny was hopefully that he'd be able to deliver the baby once the head was out and Ali checked to make sure the cord wasn't wrapped around his little neck.  Danny felt confident he could catch him, since he couldn't really drop the slimy guy in the water!  Ali thought it would be perfectly fine to do so, as long as both Johnny and I were doing good.  Danny is so excited!  I found out how to go about renting our birthing tub, what to do about testing for and handling Group B Strep, and whether or not one of the midwife assistants would be able to play photographer/videographer for us.  Looks like we're well on our way to being prepared for this birth! We're all so excited!

"The Most Sensuous of the Cured Meats"

Mother's Day this year actually started out on Friday afternoon, when Danny's gift for me arrived in the mail.  Now, some might not see this as the most romantic or Mother's Day-ish gift.  But if you know anything about me, you'll see it was perfect!

Now my collection is complete!  I've waiting over a year for us to finally get this last season, so I was pretty excited to get it!  Now the trick will be to find enough time to watch it together.  Life is going to be pretty busy this summer...

So, Saturday morning was spent laying in bed with the girls wondering what we were going to do with our day.  It's so unusual to have an entire Saturday with absolutely NO obligations!  We didn't even have to do the grocery shopping.  Danny decided he was in the mood to take a "long, pretty drive" through the Angeles National Forest, and ultimately end up at IKEA in Burbank.  We've needed to get a dresser for Johnny's room, and thought it was a good day for a trip into LA.

We got the girls ready, printed out a map of our drive, and hit the road!  Turns out our long pretty drive wasn't so pretty. :)  Apparently, there was a pretty bad fire in the Angeles National Forest last year, and it left all the scenery pretty...well...charred.  But, the girls slept (until Claire woke up carsick), and even with a closed road we weren't expecting, we ended up safely at IKEA and no worse for the wear!

Since we were in the area, we called Uncle Robbie and Aunt Kris to see if they wanted to join us for some shopping and dinner.  So, we all met up at IKEA and enjoyed the wonderful shopping that Swedish smorgasbord has to offer!  Ultimately, we left without a dresser (which is a totally aggravating story that my blood pressure can't afford to blog about), but we did get about $20.00 in odds and ends we've been meaning to get.  

At this point, we were all pretty hungry!  And as die-hard Food Network fans, Danny and I couldn't be in Burbank and not take the opportunity to eat at...

Guy Fieri featured this little joint on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", which Danny and I saw while salivating in December.  Their specialty?  A Pastrami sandwich appropriately called "The Oinkster".  This mammoth of a sandwich starts off with a toasted French roll and then is piled high with fresh pastrami, carmelized onions, red cabbage slaw, and topped with gruyere cheese.  Phenomenal! We also ordered their pulled pork sandwich, which was also featured on "Triple D", but honestly, it didn't measure up to The Oinkster.

This is actually the pulled pork sandwich, but the pastrami looked very similar.


I'm becoming a little self-conscious that most of the pictures that I post are of us eating somewhere!  But one must keep a couple of things in mind.  I am pregnant, which restricts my activity somewhat...so eating is the perfect activity for me!  Second, Danny and I are total foodie wanna-bes!  There.  I said it.  We really do enjoy eating and trying new delicious foods.  So, with that disclaimer, here are some more pictures of what the Call Family does best!

Of course, the food was fabulous.  And the company wasn't too shabby either!  Robbie and Kris are leaving this week for Alabama and Ohio, and won't be back until the end of July!  We're gonna miss having them close.

So, here's my family on (or before) Mother's Day, 2010.  I truly am blessed to be a mother to my sweet little girls, and to my baby-boy-to-be.  I couldn't be a mother without Danny, who really does make me a better and stronger woman.  He wouldn't be who he is without my amazing mother-in-law.  And, of course, I wouldn't be here at all without my mother, who continues to amaze me with her faith and courage.  I can still count on her for anything.  Love you, Mom!  Motherhood isn't easy, starting at pregnancy and ending with...well...it's never-ending really.  But every moment really is a choice blessing.  Moments for which I am eternally grateful.

Week 26

If I look a little hammered in this week's photo, that would be because I am!  We're at 26 weeks, and I'm getting tired!  For some reason, I haven't been sleeping well at all.  I fall asleep right away, and sleep until about 1 or 2 in the morning.  And that's about it.  I have bizarre dreams when I do sleep, and when I wake up to go to the bathroom or switch hips, I realize I haven't really been resting.  It's been nothing short of infuriating, and has made me a very emotional and impatient pregnant wife and mother.  

See, I had taken a weeks break from yoga to give my pubic bone and pelvis a chance to get feeling better after all that pain in week 25.  I started getting my walks in again this week (we're just doing laps to the mailbox and back to avoid the snakes), but if anything that left me sore during the night and added to my sleeplessness.  Yesterday I had had enough, and found the 23 minutes needed for the warm-up and guided relaxation part of my prenatal yoga workout.  Let me tell you, I think prenatal yoga is the trick for me!  I slept better last night than I have in DAYS, and it was so much easier to wake up when Claire got me up a little earlier than usual this morning.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still SO EXHAUSTED! **yawn**  But I'm not nearly as frustrated!

Ok, so Week 26...let's see.  Johnny is about 14 inches long (the length of those big hothouse English cucumbers you get at Costco) and about 1 2/3 pounds.  Apparently the nerves in his cute little ears are continuing to develop, and he most likely can hear not only my voice, but the voices of Danny and the girls when we're chatting.  He's still so very active, and puts on a show for people by making my stomach do all kinds of weird things.  

Other than not sleeping so well, it's been a pretty easy week.  Not much other than an annoying suspected varicose vein in my ankle that has made walking a bit painful.  So many little things in pregnancy!  :)  I have found my newest craving, however.  Wendy's has a delicious Chicken Club sandwich!  Pair that with a root beer and fries, and I'm in heaven!  It's all I can think about.  Luckily, I live about 25 minutes away from the closet Wendy's!  I'm also looking forward to our appointment with Ali next Wednesday.  I even have almost all my homework done!

I did have a wonderful conversation with the girls' pediatrician yesterday, Dr. Odunusi.  I had to take Sophie in for her 18 month check up, and figured while I was there I would ask how soon he would like to see Johnny after he was born.  I was worried about his possibly reaction when I told him we were birthing at home, and had prepared my rebuttal on the drive there.  To my pleasant surprise, he was really supportive of my decision!  He did ask about who was going to be attending me at home and what safety precautions we were taking, and was very satisfied with my answers.  It was so nice to have a medical professional have such a positive reaction!  He just asked me to bring Johnny in between 24-48 hours of birth so he could check for jaundice and preform the requested circumcision.  I think we happened upon a wonderful pediatrician for our children!  And I totally love his Nigerian accent! :)

Once again, I'm sure I've included more details than necessary in this week's entry.  I'd promise to keep it short next time, but let's be realistic... :)

Los Angeles Temple...at last!

At long last, Danny and I were finally able to get to LA to attend the temple!  We couldn't have done it without Robbie and Kris, who were gracious enough to watch the kids for us while we did a session.  It took us about an hour and a half to get to the temple, without traffic.  I actually quite enjoy the drive, though I'm not actually driving!

We arrived in time to attend the 4:30 session, and it wasn't busy at all!  They do things a bit differently at this temple, but I do have to say it is easily one of the most beautiful temples I've been in!  It was so opulent and elegant!  The rooms were enormous!  Danny and I can hardly wait to go again...

The girls weren't feeling particularly photogenic, so I didn't get any pictures of them around the grounds (which are also beautiful!)   Robbie and Kris said they had SO much fun with them while we were doing our session, though!  They have a cute little place on Fort McArthur AFB, and out in the common area is a lot of grass (which my children react to like other children do to exotic animals) along with a slide and swings.  The girls had a blast!  Sophie especially enjoyed the slide.

Robbie and Kris prepared a wonderful dinner for us, and we stayed for a couple of hours and enjoyed their company before making the long trek home.  It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday, and I anticipate there will be many more such Saturdays in our future!  Hopefully with more pictures... :)