settling in.

I feel as though this blog is in need of an update, but I'll be honest... there isn't much to tell. I've just been here, busy being a new mom. 

Aaralee has been here for 11 whole days!  It's crazy how fast time flies. It's been a blur of diapers, feedings and more company in the span of one week than in the entire time we've lived in our house.  I'm exhausted and mesmerized and in love with this tiny person.  Yesterday we even left the house... a monumental achievement after more than a week without a single outing. 

It's amazing how quickly you adapt once you bring a newborn home.  I've never been so in love... with Aaralee, or with Ryan.  I've proven to be rather useless while recovering from a c-section, but my husband has been so very helpful in every way possible. Not to mention that watching the man that I love snuggle with my daughter... it makes me melt, every time.  This household is all mushy-gushy full of baby bliss and I'm feeling so domesticated that I barely recognize myself.  

I wouldn't change a thing!

a room fit for a little jet setter!

After weeks of this room being locked and off limits to all those that entered our home, I'm so excited to finally show off my favourite room of the house!  I'm a sucker for cutesy baby things and home decor, so I'll be the first to admit that I'd imagined this nursery since long before we found out that we were expecting.  Of course, for some reason I'd always assumed my first child would be a boy. That's not to say that I had a preference of gender... I just never took into consideration the fact that I'd actually have a daughter.  I grew up with younger brothers... little boys were all that I knew.  Everyone else felt the same way, assuming all along that we'd welcome a son.  

Imagine my surprise (and excitement) when we found out that "he" would in fact be a "she".  Oh the possibilities! The future would involve tutus and hair bows and most importantly... pink! Now back to the nursery... the painted blue and destined to be full of airplanes nursery.  While there was no doubt that I wanted to keep with the same travel and aviation theme, it needed a bit of femininity.  With a touch of pink and inspiration from Dr. Suess's "Oh the Places You'll Go", I set about creating a travel themed room fit for any little jet setter. Of course we left a few aviation details as well, because who says girls can't love airplanes? I know for a fact that I sure do!  

I can't take all of the credit, because Ryan helped to hang everything on the walls and offered his opinions as well.  I may have built the crib on my own, but the nursery would not have come together without the help of my husband. This is my favourite room of the house, and I think that Aaralee loves it too! 

introducing...

To most people, it was just a typical Tuesday. To us, it was the day that everything changed forever. 

On September 10, 2013 at 8:28 am, a (highly anticipated) little miracle was placed in our arms.  12 days behind schedule and forcefully evicted... we named her Aaralee Marie. She is amazing.  I finally believe in love at first sight. I can't get enough of her. All 7 pounds, 2 ounces of sweet perfection.

Allow me to introduce you to the girl that has stolen my heart... 

Life is good. After 3 days in the hospital we are home, and everyone is happy... even her big brother who has had to share a good deal of the attention. 

you haven't missed anything...

A quick update in case you've been wondering.  

I'm still pregnant. 41 weeks pregnant, to be specific.  

This is how I currently feel: 

This is all anyone ever says to me these days:  

I'm trying my best to be patient and enjoy these last days of quiet and calm with my husband and fur baby... but I'll admit I'm pretty anxious to meet this little person. Come out, Baby! I know it's comfy in that big old belly of mine, but I promise to keep you nice and cozy with lots of cuddles on the outside world!  

Stay tuned. There will be a new family member very, very soon.  

still no baby!

What am I up to these days? Oh you know, just being pregnant. Still.

Up until about 2 weeks ago, time was going by way too fast and the impending arrival had me feeling anxious and unprepared. All of a sudden, I hit 38 weeks pregnant and time stopped. Why don't I have a baby yet?! Does this ever end? Will I ever be able to wear my own shirts instead of slowly taking over my husband's wardrobe? Everyone had warned me that the home stretch would feel like forever.  As a very punctual person it's hard to cope with the fact that it's up to the baby, not me.  If he or she chooses to arrive late, I'm just going to have to wait. As a flight attendant who has never shown up to work less than 10 minutes early, it is quite the challenge for me to see my due date fast approaching with no signs of any progress.  Come on baby, get out!

  I've been passing the time as best as I can.  I've put the finishing touches on the baby room. Niko and I have went for many walks. I've baked cupcakes, drank raspberry leaf tea, and tried all sorts of labour-inducing tricks to no avail.

 Baby is happy and cozy inside and refuses to be rushed.  On the plus side, the fact that I'm still pregnant has motivated me to take advantage of eating whatever I want while I still have the excuse. I'll probably gain another 10 pounds between now and Baby's birthday, but right now I don't care.  My husband enjoys this part of pregnancy as well.

Soon baby Shippelt will join the world and I'll finally get to use all of the adorable little outfits that we've acquired over the past 9 months.... including these amazing Emirates items that my friend Greta was awesome enough to send to us! I'll always be an aviation geek at heart, and I hope that our baby will enjoy the skies as well.

Until the day that this little one arrives, I'll be home waiting (not so) patiently, eating treats, being lazy, and promising my mom that I'll let her know as soon as something happens.  At least I can say that somebody is even less patient than I am! 

full term, baby!

Holy smokes... we've made it to that magical number... 37 weeks!  At this point, Baby Shippelt is considered full term and good to enter the world whenever he/she chooses to do so.  Am I ready for this? Oh heck no.  I feel like these never ending 9 months are suddenly ending so soon... and we don't even have curtains up in the baby room yet! My husband has assured me that little babies can survive just fine without curtains, but I beg to differ.  What does he know? He's eager for our offspring to arrive and constantly commanding me to drink raspberry leaf tea, bounce on the yoga ball, consume spicy foods, and walk until my feet hurt.  He wants to meet this baby, and so do I... but if he/she could just wait until next week when our glider chair arrives, that would be ideal.  Oh, and not to be picky... but I still haven't experienced the 18+ VIP theatre and would like to have the opportunity to do so before I've got a tiny little person who isn't allowed to join me. So Baby, if you don't mind waiting until let's say... next Friday?  That would be quite ideal.  I'm busy giving your big brother Niko lots of attention before his only child status expires... I've been there before, and it's not easy suddenly sharing the attention. 

Oh, and one more thing... don't be late.  August 29 is your due date and your mama is one very punctual lady so I expect you to follow in my footsteps and NOT in your father's.   Are we clear? Good. The whole world (or at least all of the important people in it) is eagerly awaiting your arrival. We can't wait to meet you... and I can't wait to sleep on my stomach once again!  

the waiting game.

Ahhh summer.... in a past life this season was a glorious one filled with sunshine, patio drinks, and afternoons by the pool. Summer at 8 months pregnant? Wake up, haul myself to the couch, eat, waste time on Facebook, spend money ordering newborn photo props on Etsy, and on a good day venture out in an attempt to be productive. I'd still take summer over winter any day, but this year I'm hibernating inside with pale skin instead of spending every waking moment outdoors.  I will note that I did spend a weekend camping at 34 weeks pregnant.  Aside from having to crawl out of the tent to go to the bathroom at 2 am, it wasn't bad at all.  Campfire food is even better when you are eating for two.

 Baby Shippelt is due one month from yesterday. I have a million, billion things that I feel like I need to accomplish between now and then, but alas, I am lazy and would rather blog about what I should be doing. Story of my life. 

On the plus side, Ryan and I (mostly Ryan) got a little dose of nesting yesterday and cleaned out our office... soon to be spare bedroom.  My mom has already claimed it as her own bedroom for the days following the baby's birth.  As rent, I've put in my request for her homemade lasagna. The nursery is set up for the most part, and all of those adorable little baby outfits are washed, hanging in the closet, and ready to be puked and pooped on. Our "various junk" cupboard has been replaced by bottles and tiny little spoons and bowls. I think that we might almost be ready... at least as far as having the baby stuff goes.  Mentally, can you ever really be ready? I  mean, this is a tiny human that we are talking about.  It was a big enough adjustment bringing Niko home.  As the days draw closer I'm bombarded with so many horror stories about labour and life with a newborn. These stories and the women who share them are all very helpful and reassuring... except not at all.  I appreciate them as much as the "wow, you must be due any day now!" comments.  Oh really? I wasn't aware of that giant beach ball attached to my midsection.

People are just far too kind.  It might be difficult, we might never sleep again... but we'll manage.  There are billions of people on this planet and every single one of them was a newborn at one point. If their parents can do it, so can we.  

As we wait out these next few weeks, I don't plan to do a whole lot aside from lazing around my house and giving Niko all of the only child attention that I can before his new little sibling comes along.

 I apologize for the lack of entertaining blog posts, but stay tuned... it won't be long until we have big news to share!