Preparing for Baby

Well, Jamie is 38 weeks now and less than two weeks from her due date, she could have this baby any day now. We have enjoyed preparing for our baby's arrival. Ryan has set up the crib and changing table as well as moved around the furniture in the nursery several times until both he and Jamie were satisfied with the results. The decorations are hung and drawers are stocked with baby supplies. We thank family and friends for all of their gifts that helped in setting up the baby's room.


What else have we been doing to prepare for our baby's arrival? Well, let's see... We attended home birth education classes, watched some birth videos, read some books and talked with others that have had home births. As long as Ryan is not busy with class or training he attends Jamie's appointments with her midwife Judy. Jamie has been exercising regularly - yoga, walks, hikes and her daily exercises from her midwife that are to encourage baby to move from the right side of her belly to the left side (which should make for an easier delivery). Jamie's placenta takes up a lot of room on her left side, so we think that is why the baby tends to prefer the right side. Baby's head is down and in position for delivery.


Jamie has also gotten all the supplies needed for the delivery, except the small chicken for the chicken soup that the midwife and her assistant will make during or after her labor. Jamie has also found time to make birthday cards for the upcoming months as she may be a bit busy trying to figure out how to care for this new little baby and herself. There are still things on Jamie's list of things to do before baby arrives, some days she gets more things crossed off her list than other days. Ryan and Jamie were excited to receive the Dunstan Baby Language DVDs from Ryan's mom last week. The other night we eagerly watched and listened to the universal language that has been discovered to help parents understand what their baby's needs are before they can speak. We are excited to try out this language system and hopefully relieve some potential stress. We are still deciding on names for our baby. We have narrowed down our choices significantly and have agreed on a few for each sex. When the time comes we may just have to see which name fits the baby best.


Despite the seemingly hard times we have had since our arrival in Boulder, we both know that this is where God has called us and we have peace about being here. Before coming to Boulder we knew that there would be difficulties, but it has not been more than we can handle. We trust that all things will happen in God's time as we wait for the sale of our home and the renting of our duplex. There are many things for us to be thankful for. We have wonderful neighbors that check in on us to see if we need anything from the store, or how Jamie is handling the heat, and that bring us cookies. Horizons International has become our extended family and we are excited to be a part of their ministry to internationals. In fact, one of the staff offered to give Jamie breaks after the baby is born, she would be happy to watch the baby while Jamie takes a nap or runs errands. Our midwife Judy and her assistant Peggy are wonderful women who are very supportive and encouraging. We have family and friends back home that have been lots of help to us with our house and duplex and we are grateful for their help while we set up a property management service and try to sell the house. We continue to search for a new church home, but plan on trying one that had a good feel on our first visit. Our thanks also goes out to all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer.