Therapy

Adam and I after our first triathlon- Please excuse the sick picture

My bloggy friend was posting about a trip that she and her husband had taken and all the memories (good & bad) that they'd created.  I commented that traveling with your spouse, I believe, is one of the best forms of relationship therapy.  Especially bad traveling with annoyances and discomfort!  Get all them frustrations out, girl!  You definitely learn a lot about yourself and each other. 

The best relationship therapy that Adam and I have had, though, was training for triathlons together.  Oh my stars.  For some reason, intense physical exertion is directly linked to floodgates of emotions and feelings and issues for me.  Poor Husband.  Adam and I did a triathlon together when we were dating (2005)  and one when we were first married (2006).  Adam could tell you some stories about my running melt-downs (running and weeping at the same time...not so easy!) including a small breakdown during the running segment of our first triathlon where I should've won an Oscar for my dramatic hyperventilating breathing and then accusing Adam of not even caring! 

 

I have such a patient husband.

Besides the fact that physical exertion appears to be the gateway to my deep-hidden emotion, issues, and insecurities, I think that these hours of training provided us with lots of time for talking...getting to know each other on more intimate levels.  Even now that I'm 35 weeks pregnant and not exactly a hard-core workout machine, one of my favorite things is still to go on walks with Adam & Powers.  It's incredible all of the things that we discuss when we're not distracted at the house and, instead, just focused on walking and talking and each other.  It's the best connect time. 

In your experience, what do you think is the best relationship therapy?  

March Showers

How was your weekend? 

 

Our was rainy city.  But I'm not complaining because the weather was above freezing and I count that as a win, even if it felt like the laziest Sunday ever.  Adam just began having board review class on Thursday and Friday evenings from 5-6 and so, after his review class on Friday, we met Bethany & Josh at O'Charley's and enjoyed a little grubby-grub.   Then, we were able to watch LOST.  Oh, friends...I could go on and on.  In fact, on Friday night I read a 45 minute theory on LOST aloud to Adam.  Yeah, we're kinda big dorks.  I was hoarse by the end.  I'll spare you my thoughts.

Freakface commented on my last post that Powers is looking old!  Don't say that, Freakface!  He will turn 5 in April around the time that Henry arrives.  But...we're holding out hope that he'll just live forever...like in Fame.  

So, I am proud to say that I got a really cute pair of pajamas on sale for the post-delivery hospital stay (and beyond).  They shockingly fit now and so they will definitely fit after I push out this big boy (My email says he should weigh 5 1/2  lbs!)  How many months pregnant would you say that you look after you deliver?  5 months?  6 months?  Just curious.  Anyways, the pajamas are button-up top (easy for nursing) and are really comfy and really cute and hopefully won't clash with little Henry (kidding).  

So, I hope y'all enjoyed your weekend.  I just realized that I only told you about Friday night but you don't need a play-by-play, eh?   I think Daylight's Saving time is zapping my wit. 

Love,

Camilli-illi-illio

Male Nesting

Today, Adam set up his car seat base in the truck (we'll take that to the hospital if all goes according to plan).   It was raining pretty hard but the man wanted to get it done today!

We each have a base and then we're able to just click in and remove the baby carrier quickly. 

Powers supervised.

C'mon Henry!

Warmth Vs. Record-Breaking

One year ago, tomorrow

This day, last year

This day, last year

I hate to say this, but I don't really care at all if Erie breaks the snow record.  (For those of you that don't know, Erie is a few inches away from breaking the all-time snowiest winter record).

Maybe it's my lack of Erie blood since I've only been here two years, but I just want this lovely spring warmth to continue onward.  To me, warmth is better than record-breaking.    

Right now, it's a lovely 45 degrees with a high of 55 today!  Heat wave, baby!

Adam's Birthday Supper!

Last Wednesday, Adam turned 26. I think we mentioned this a time or two... you know, birthday week!

Bill & Christie

So, we went to Adam's favorite, Aayoma (Japanese food) so that he could have some good birthday food.

Some lovely friends came along.

B & Free.

Go Birthday Volcano!

Jim tied Adam some flies for his birthday....Here, Adam gets hooked. Get it? Get it?

Josh & Bethany (They're having a boy!)

Jarvis, Shauna, and Nicole

Dan & Nicole

Jim & Ron

Tiffany, Jen, and Jim

Thankful for good friends on my sweet husband's birthday. He is loved!

We proceeded home after supper and ate our delicious peanut butter pie. Over the week, we managed to eat both pies without offering any pie to anyone else. Go us!

Packin' It Up!

Now that I'm in week 34, I'm starting to think more about the day. One of my baby emails told me that I should have my suitcase ready in case Henry comes- because it could be at any time! So, I've started thinking about what to pack and I'd love any suggestions from the peanut gallery-

1. Snacks for Adam. I don't think that I can eat anything but ice chips but Adam may get hungry and I'll be darned if he's leaving me to go pick up something to eat! I was thinking oranges, trail mix, protein bar, anything that'd be good fuel in case labor lasts longer than the two hours I anticipate!  Ha!

2. Socks. I've heard that you should bring multiple pairs of socks because, let's face it, the first ones are going to look like someone was murdered while wearing them.

3. Pajamas. Not for delivery since they'd probably look like part of a violent crime scene but for lounging around the hospital after the baby is here. I was thinking of a pajama pants set with a button up top for easy nursing. Thoughts?  Also, nursing bras, underwear, and something to wear home (but what?  Maternity clothes?  Don't you still look like 6 months pregnant after you deliver?)

4. Depends. Yep, I've heard you might wanna bring a pair of Depends or two. 'Nuff said.

5. Camera/Laptop/Charger.   These are Adam's responsibility. We definitely need pictures of Henry and some family pictures especially once I am able to reapply mascara and lip gloss! (No delivery pictures...I'm not that kinda gal. I don't even want to see that!)

6. Aforementioned mascara, lip gloss, brush, ponytail holders, toothbrush, deodorant, and other personal hygiene and beauty essentials.

7. Henry items- specifically a couple of swaddling blankets that I've already washed and some easy diaper-change newborn clothes and socks. Most other stuff they have in the hospital, right? (diapers, aspirator)

8. carrier/car seat

Okay, so what else?

H.J.J.

(Disclaimer:  The name has been decided.  We are not asking for your opinion {unless, of course, that opinion is, "Yes!  I love it!" }  So, we'll thank you kindly to keep all negative and unhelpful comments to yourself.)

So, we haven't intentionally withheld the baby name from the blogosphere.  On the contrary, Adam and I have shared it with many family members, friends, co-workers, and grocery store check-out clerks!  Our little guy is going to be:

behind the crib (not much wall space due to the vaulted ceiling)

Henry James Jennings

to be more specific.  

Adam really named Henry and, although I helped and I love the name, we thought it was really cool(for us) that Adam got to name our son.  

Henry is Adam's Grandpa's middle name.  Adam's grandpa was an internal medicine doctor and spent lots of time with Adam when Adam was a little boy (Also, Adam is his only grandson).  He would take Adam on rounds at the hospital with him and really fueled Adam's love of medicine. Also,  Adam's grandpa is also extremely generous and insisted upon buying my engagement ring when Adam got ready to propose.  

Henry means Home Ruler.  We are praying that he will be a man of influence whom God uses to call out and raise up fishers of men.
 

James is my mother's maiden name, my father's middle name, and my brother's middle name.  It is also the name of James, one of the twelve disciples and the brother of John.  He was one of only three apostles who saw the transfiguration.  He was martyred for his faith in the book of Acts.  Also, James is believed to be the name of Jesus's brother.    This James was one of the people that Paul describes as to whom the risen Jesus revealed himself (1 Cor 15).  Paul also lists this James as one of the three pillars of the church (along with Peter and John).  

We pray that little Henry James is intimate with the Lord and a boy filled with joy and laughter and is steadfast in pursuing eternal things.  We hope he places all his trust in the Jesus and is a man knowing peace.  We can't wait 'til he's here!

This is one of our favorite gifts. It's a sock puppet monkey from my Aunt Barbara. Jo-Jo is his name.