Lily Joy Schroeder



8/26/06 at 7:26pm
6 lbs. 14 oz.
21 1/4" long



Baby and Mom are doing very well, and are home from the hospital. We will update this with more pictures and our account of the birth when we have time. Right now we're kind of tired but very happy with our new little baby.

No News Yet!

Eric & I went to the doctor on Tuesday which was about 4-5 days past my due date, and he checked all the vitals. We even got to see another ultra sound to make sure she was doing okay. And the great news is, that she is still healthy! She still has a little room to move and her environment is in perfect condition. She's happy in her current home. So there is no need to think of inducing or anything like that, which is good. I just hope that it happens soon so that I don't have to worry about any type of procedures or anything unnatural. We've heard of and read about some things that I can try to do to get labor started like drinking certain herbal teas and massaging accupressure points on my ankles...so we are doing the best we can. The truth is, we just can't rush fate but we are twiddling our thumbs while destiny makes her path. The unfortunate thing in all this is that my aches and pains have totally increased, the discomfort of being 41 weeks pregnant is unreal. I keep trying to remind myself that the average first time mom is a week past their due date... amazing that we can handle this.

The weekend has passed and Eric and I have not had to make a dashing trip to the hospital. I've been experiencing a lot of pre-labor symptoms...which just means my body is working. But it hasn't turned into the real thing that you picture, or that the tv shows. Contractions and cramps here and there, but nothing to call the doc about yet. So we enjoyed our weekend together around Cincinnati. We stayed in on Friday and Saturday went to Ault Park...it was gorgeous, all the flowers are in bloom and since it's good for me to walk at this stage, it was the perfect thing to do. Oh and we got La Rosa's, it was totally amazing. Today we went to church and saw the youth choir put on a really entertaining musical play...it was super cute. They had a picnic afterwards and we spent a lot of the day outside...walking around Swaim Park in Blue Ash. Since we had expected to be at the hospital we didn't make any plans, but that's okay because we need to relax and stick close to home.
On Saturday my Grandpa passed away. He has been really sick for awhile. I'm sad he never got to meet his great grand daughter...but it's good that he won't be in anymore pain. His furneral is this week and I hope that we can goto say goodbye and be there for my family , but I am not sure, everything depends on timing with labor. My nephew Boede turns 3 today, he is adorable with a new haircut and now on a softball team. It's fun to see him and the other kids grow up...knowing mine will join them soon. In Elton John's words...It's the Circle of life...I suppose.

Today is our baby's due date
No news yet... we are patiently waiting
she's still happy and safe and waiting for her perfect timing.
I guess only 5% of all babies are actually born on their due date
And it's still "on time" if they are born two weeks before or two weeks after the date...
We'll keep you posted...

Current Status:
Doctor's appointment went great!
-baby's heartbeat is perfect, slowed down which is normal
-she has dropped all the way, could have her anytime
-my body is showing all the prelabor signs
-my total weight gain...a solid 45 lbs. Wahoo
-and we are 3 days from her due date

I have a sneaking suspician that she is really comfortable in there, and is having fun not telling me when her birthday will be!

A thought on verses I read yesterday...

"You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves." (1 corinthians 6:19)
"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (2 corinthians 6:16)

At this stage in my life, being nine months pregnant with our first child, it brings on a whole new meaning. I've been so careful to take care of myself for the baby's health...for this little creation that lives inside me, depending on my body, which depends on God to keep it working. And to think that not only is it because of God that she has been created and carried in my womb, but also that she will be born through it. And my physical self that has changed and grown to carry her, will change again to feed her and care for her after she is born. And the entire time, it is God who has lived in my heart and willed this all to be. He keeps her safe, healthy, and strong. It makes me stand in awe of the Lord, who has made and continues to make creation happen so perfectly.

August...It's official, I am 9 Months Pregnant!



Mommy & Daddy To Be



So Excited for our little one...



Eric enjoys the sweetest "welcome home" from our nieces!



Cousins in the womb! Shannon and I get excited for our kids to be best friends!

This day marks the end of my 39th week! On to the last week of pregnancy (or one of the last). I am feeling... sooo pregnant. My last doctor's appointment on Tuesday the 8th went well. Not much news other than she's dropped more, my belly is measuring perfect, and she is getting ready for her birthday. I read the other night that the baby's brain sets off a relay of chemical messages that kick off a chain reaction of hormones in the mother that start labor. Isn't creation is amazing? So she'll decide her day. In the meantime, I am waddling around doing the best I can to have a healthy mindset in the waiting process. It's easy to feel excited when I start to feel back aches or cramps and think...is this it? Then, they go away. All part of preparation I am sure. I know she has the perfect environment in there, so I won't rush her. Though if she chooses to come early...we are ready. My mom, sister in law Shannon, and my nieces visited us yesterday...it was so nice to see them. My mom hung up the curtains in the babies room...which really tops it off...and Shannon who is just a month behind me in pregnancy and I bonded over pregnancy issues. Emma and Megan my nieces are ridiculously sweet and cute, and gave Eric the sweetest "welcome home from work" hugs and kisses...that I think it made him all the more excited to come home to a daughter of our own. Oh, and we got a video camera...to capture all the first moments and then some of her life!

Her room is coming together. I put her sheets on the bed, blankets out, the last of her clothes are washed and I just bought her this onesie that says, "Daddy is a rockstar"...I thought that would be perfect for Eric. Now all she needs is a drumset and we can form a Schroeder band. Just kidding!

Last night we met with our doula, Kate, to talk about the birth and delivery and what we were expecting. Kate was our labor class instructor, the Bradley Method. She is super informative and really comfortable to be around. We decided to have her as our doula since we were able to get to know her over the 12 weeks of classes...and so that we could have the comfort a woman whom we totally like and knows what to do and what's going on. It was both exciting and reassuring to talk to her. She reminded us of a few things to remember for when we think I am in labor, and is willing to be with us and support us through out the experience. Both Eric and I are comforted in that she will be there. And of course, my mom and sister will be there too...my two best friends. Lord knows I couldn't do it without them.

Celebrating "Daddy's" 25th birthday at Hofbrahaus on July 13, 2006

And here is August...month number 9!
It is hotter than I can stand it, but it won't get me down! Things are rocking and rolling at the Schroeder household. With Eric painting the baby's room and me going on baby shopping spree's, we are almost ready for our littlest family member to join us. I feel dorky but I get excited just packing up the diaper bag. I frequently peak in her room just to look at her stuff. I really cannot wait until she is here.
I am going to the doctor every week now. The last appointment I had on Tuesday went well, I was worried she hadn't been moving much, but the doctor monitored her and she is just fine. I guess she is making her way down, getting ready for birth, so she moves less. It is amazing to me that babies know what to do, where to go, and that my body works so harmoniously with hers. What a miracle. I am a few cm dialated already, which is exciting. However, I can walk around like that for a month, so I don't want to get my hopes up. At the very least, I feel like I am really in tune with what is going on, and my doctor affirms it.
We saw a lot of Eric's family over the weekend which was nice. It was weird knowing that the next time we see them, we'll have a baby. Will this ever register? I really don't think it will.
From this week on we are home bound- we are thankful that we cleared out our schedule so that we can remain close to the doctor and hospital for the rest of this month. that's all for now... baby love!