The babymoon was a huge success… the most relaxing + delightful two days we’ve spent together in a while! Certainly an idea we’d recommend to other couples about to have their first child.

Sunday morning we packed overnight bags {bright Vera ‘Weekender’ for me; masculine leather duffel for Greg} and headed uptown after lunch. We arrived at the Westin – recognized the lobby where we spent some memorable time last year tweeting about our wedding – checked in, and took the elevator to the top! Greg had pulled a few strings to get us the Presidential Suite… a mind-boggling amount of space, plus incredible views of the city from three sides. For dinner, Greg took me to Vivace on Metropolitan Avenue, a restaurant I’ve wanted to try since we got married last year! We both ordered delicious gluten-free entrees and then shared dessert…  Greg, true to form, had arranged for berry sorbet in the shape of a baby bump to magically appear at our table. {!}

For evening entertainment, we watched The Ten Commandments, which Greg had never seen. {Julianna’s response to this plan: “You’re taking Charlton Heston with you on the babymoon??”} It’s an excellent film, of course. And it fit so well with our portion readings in Exodus the past few weeks! At first, I thought it was hilarious that we would bring The Ten Commandments on a romantic getaway, but on second thought it’s proof of how we have adapted our lifestyle for the responsibilities of parenthood – in this case, with family-friendly films.

While we were having breakfast in bed Monday morning, I found pictures on my phone from when we did the same thing last year, the morning after our wedding, at the same hotel! {Not surprisingly, my husband ordered the same breakfast. He is a man of habit indeed.} Later we visited the gorgeous Westin workout facilities, where I walked a slow half mile while Greg ran effortlessly on the treadmill next to me. {How does someone with a desk job stay so fit… that’s what I want to know.}

We had no schedule on Monday… just a blissful day of enjoying each other’s company. We ended up having a late lunch at Fuel {vintage pizza place uptown} where we split a gluten-free pie, ate with our fingers, sipped soda, and totally felt like two teenagers. {grin} Between bites we talked about the ways Raspberry will affect our lives, from social events to budgeting. It’s hard to have an accurate picture of exactly how our lives will change! But we’ve agreed to view these changes as good, not like we’re missing out on anything because of the privilege of raising a child.

It seemed appropriate to pick up a gift for the berry, since she was very much the focus of our trip, so we went to several baby stores at the mall and found something cute for her. It was an odd feeling – on the one hand, this was a chance for us to have time “alone,” before kids… knowing that it will never be quite like this again, but on the other hand, we are constantly aware of Raspberry’s presence! She did come with us. In fact, she’s always between us, if you know what I mean. She has a prenatally precocious way of waving her hands when she hears herself talked about. So it’s kind of impossible to see ourselves as simply a carefree married couple – we are a family of three, B”H.

Heading home Monday night, we thought the babymoon was over… but it wasn’t! Julianna had not ONLY made us dinner, but also prepared an elaborate cheese plate for us to snack on. {hug!} A perfectly thoughtful end to a perfectly splendid time.

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Last week was my second {& final!} baby shower, given by my darling sisters & a very sweet friend, Rachel Allison. It was an elegant evening affair with pink “princess” themed decorations, amazing gluten-free cupcakes from Cupcrazed in Baxter Village, and a giant bouquet of flowers! The group of ladies consisted mostly of my relatives {a surprisingly large crowd!} + a few close friends. It was a wonderful time! I received some VERY generous gifts, including a highchair, a breast pump, a sizable baby bathtub, and a beautiful nursing cover, not to mention adorable clothes & practical accessories for Raspberry. My friend Amelia even brought me a handmade pink knit baby hat! {wow}

My mom & sisters gave me a “gift certificate” for a month of meals, and this past Thursday they spent most of the day making + packaging food to stock my freezer with a wide variety of gourmet dinners for after the berry is born. What a big help!

Tomorrow I am 37 weeks {ahh! so close!} and feeling pretty good! Kind of like a small whale, but still able to get around… trying to walk as much as possible, stay hydrated, and get enough rest. The nesting instinct has kicked in – I’ve reorganized our closet, Raspberry’s dresser, all the kitchen cabinets + the bookcase. Next is the pantry. {grin}

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Interestingly, Julianna and her fiancé don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day either! As Greg said, must be a sign that our families will always be close. {so Christine, will the trend continue? -wink}

Raspberry & I went to a lovely luncheon in Southpark on Sunday, where we heard several excellent presentations on Biblical love and courtship. It was Julianna’s 5th year putting this event together, and {unfortunately} her final one, due to her upcoming wedding. She gave little Raspberry a special mention, echoing my own thoughts about how meaningful it is that my daughter could be present, in a way. I would have loved for the berry to attend a luncheon like this when she is older! I was honored to be there {technically only for single young ladies} as one of last year’s speakers, and had the privilege of hearing my mother share her wisdom with the girls present. Her talk was titled “It Doesn’t Just Happen,” an appropriately practical guide to becoming an ideal wife. Julianna shared from her own courtship experience, and her future mother-in-law spoke about understanding a guy’s perspective + adapting to his lifestyle. Raspberry loved being there, and we were both pleased about putting a cute outfit together! {black knit Express skirt, boots, and a cherry red sweater from Destination Maternity} Thanks to Mums and Julianna for continuing to lend me clothes… {grin}

According to my weekly pregnancy email, this is the time when the berry should be dropping {lightening}, making a noticeably lower bump. Waiting for developments…

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Speaking of which, Greg & I are rapidly coming up on our one year anniversary {March 6}, and part of our celebration is a stay at the Westin this weekend + a full day together to relax and enjoy time alone. We’re considering this little getaway our “babymoon” {definition: one last fling before the responsibilities of parenthood}. I can’t wait! The Westin is where we spent our wedding night… definitely some special memories there {as well as the 3-hour wait which resulted in us being given this complimentary romance package}!

Our long search for a washer and dryer has ended – we were given a gorgeous brand-new set by my parents, in honor of their granddaughter’s birth! We are so grateful, and we could not be happier to do laundry in our own home for the first time. {grin} {who knew washing clothes could be such a gratifying experience?}

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“To some degree, the first pregnancy spells the end of carefree youth – very important to Americans. The maidenly figure goes gradually into eclipse, and with it goes sprightly grace. Both eclipses are temporary but very real. The woman realizes that after the baby comes there will be distinct limitations of social life and other outside pleasures. No more hopping into the car on the spur of the moment, going anywhere the heart desires and coming home at any odd hour. The same budget has to be spread thinner, and her husband’s attention, all of which has gone to her at home, will soon be going to two.”
-Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care, by Benjamin Spock, M.D & Michael Rothenberg, M.D.
{originally published 1945}

A profound quote from Dr. Spock… surprisingly accurate! I like how he describes the loss of “maidenly figure” and “sprightly grace.” Couldn’t have chosen better words myself. {grin}

Updates:
1. We have decided Raspberry will spend her first few weeks in a bassinet rather than our giant crib. This will save us space and be a LOT easier for me to use, as well as adding flexibility to our living arrangement by allowing us to move her around. The crib is safely tucked out of the way until she is ready for it.
2. Raspberry’s grandma {Mums} gave me a matching set of Vera Bradley diaper bags! There’s a smaller “purse” sized one for quick outings, and a much larger tote bag for day trips, both in the Very Berry print. Love them!! So we practiced this weekend by filling up the small bag and taking it to Bella Torah with us. {grin} I think we had everything we needed… with the obvious exception of the berry herself.
3. Speaking of which, we’re down to 6 weeks! Unbelievable how quickly she’ll be here.
4. Two important purchases need to be made in the next 6 weeks: first, a car seat; second, a washer & dryer. Both essential to living with an infant!
5. My appointments with Leigh have increased to every two weeks. I’ve gained 23 pounds so far, and recently had to get a few longer tops… even my maternity shirts were too short! Now I realize what my pregnancy books were saying about slowing down – it almost feels like I’m in slow motion. And the dreaded pregnancy waddle has arrived. {grin}

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That same weekend we attended a double bar mitzvah down in Rock Hill, for Timothy and Isaac Gordon. It was a really neat ceremony! If Raspberry had turned out to be a blueberry after all, I would have probably felt more of a personal connection with the details – thinking ahead to when we would plan our own son’s bar mitzvah. But she is very much a girl. {yay!}

Then Sunday was my baby shower! My mother-in-law hosted a lovely afternoon shower for the ladies of Bella Torah. They brought me some beautiful gifts – adorable baby clothes, diapers, bath supplies, books, toys, a playpen, and even a handmade quilt! Greg’s mom gave me the cutest baby swing, which has a detachable bouncy seat, and we agreed that she’ll keep the swing at her house while I keep the seat {so Raspberry can watch while I cook dinner}.

It was a special treat to see my friend Autumn Munoz at the bar mitzvah and my baby shower – she’s visiting from her new home in Curaçao. Autumn is expecting a baby girl just a month after me {to be named Moriah Arielle}.

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Feeling much more prepared mentally for the “agony & ecstasy” of birth… while trying to stay in good physical condition too.

Today the barista at Starbucks asked, “How much longer do you have?” “9 weeks,” I replied cheerfully. “Whoa, that much? You’re way out there!” he responded, with surprise. “9 weeks is nothing,” I informed him crisply. At that point he started backtracking, insisted I was “all baby,” and eventually gave me my decaf soy latte for free, out of guilt. Just another day in the life of a pregnant woman… {grin}

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January 1 found me 30 weeks pregnant, with around 10 weeks to go until my March 11 due date. {!!!} Around here we’re starting to countdown the weeks… not out of desperation, just huge amounts of anticipation. {grin}

2011 was by far the most exciting + significant year of my life {married!!}, but it looks like 2012 will top last year {even if the world doesn’t end…} with the birth of my daughter. May she be a healthy, happy little girl who brings sparkle into our lives!

This morning I am headed up to Bristol VA with my mom + sisters for the annual Squicciarini girls retreat… the first separation Greg & I have had in our married life. {eek} We have 2 events to plan during our mini-vacation: a little baby shower for friends + extended family, and the “Raspberry Party” {a celebration for my family & Greg’s family to meet the berry when she’s born}. FUN!

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• Raspberry is over 2lbs and 15″ long… what a big girl! {wink}
• She has her own dresser now, filled with a surprising amount of tiny clothes. She is slowly establishing a dainty feminine wardrobe. The dresser was another family project… everybody helped in getting it to my house. It was originally a $5 yard sale find, back when Mums & I used to yard sale. She and I had painted it a fresh minty green, and I’ve now repainted it a neutral cream color.
• My baby bump is 36″ around, in case you didn’t see that fact on Twitter. Somebody said to me the other day, “Oh, you’ve popped out!” {grin…}
• Alternating between confident “can’t wait to have a daughter” to flashes of doubtful “but this is lifechanging” thoughts… I think it’ll be the same as getting married: something that can’t be undone {!} and might seem like a big deal but you quickly realize it’s the best thing that ever happened to you.
• Completed my baby registry! I’ve registered for a few things at Buy Buy Baby in preparation for the baby shower my mother-in-law is giving me in January. It was tough to make decisions – I’m shocked how much baby stuff is out there! And how expensive!
• We did a little photoshoot with my sister Mary this week, and got a few “pregnant” pictures… really the first ones we’ve taken since there was a significant baby bump to see. {grin}

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