{Week 29 & A Little Princess}

Week 29

Simply put: the best gift any woman in her third trimester could receive... straight from France, thanks to a kind friend

Sweet gifts from faraway family members: Sophie! 

Something else to look forward to come August: Grandma-to-be's arrival in Deutschland (!!!!!)

Week 29 and its contents:

~ a last trip to the flat-lands before the autumn
~ an official outie for a belly button
~ a beautiful package from relatives in Kentucky
~ Little's new trick: bladder grinding = among the stranger, more uncomfortable feelings in this world
~ another Midwife Birgit visit and a good report: healthy mum, healthy baby. We now have a wee "Popo" (bum) up and a little "Kopf" (head) down... ready to go!
~ the gift of just the right stroller

While sitting on our big, blue couch, the midwife asked us how we feel about the pace of this season. When we both attested to its habit of sometimes being slower than slow then rushing by with a speed that can frighten, she looked us both in the eye and said, "It does that. You both realize that there is always the possibility that within eight weeks time, you could be holding a baby in your arms?" Now my friends, if that isn't a reality shock, I don't know what is. Glorious reality in many ways...

And this reality is building with each passing week. Whether it is a letter addressed to us three, a package with thoughtful contents for our new lives ahead, a small body's almost constant activity that sucks energy away with each twist and kick, early gifts from grandparents, recognizing how to apply present studies to a personal future, discussing birth and labor with the Dutchman before settling into bed o'nights... each of these moments grow upon each other giving us a better picture of what will be. But it isn't enough.

No matter how wide and creative or how vibrant and deep the imagination (and believe me, those closest to me can testify to just how far mine can go!), nothing can help us visualize the exact how, why and whom of the small life that lies within me. Nothing can help us comprehend the miracle that will take place in only a short few months more. We can learn, study, talk to those who have experienced before us, prepare, question...

But in the end, it's just for us to accept and enjoy. And we do.

                                                                                          &

                                                                              {{{{ A Little Princess }}}}

Oom (Uncle) Peter

Saar

It did our hearts good to welcome this little girl into the family and we couldn't be more proud of her. The pressure of her small body in our arms was refreshing and insightful as we look to parenthood. Welcome, Little Saar!