The Greatest Blessings...

Sometimes the greatest blessings in our lives are unexpected surprises.

We have an announcement.

Dum Dum Dum....

Matt and I are expecting a baby!  I am due in May! Cue the honeymoon baby jokes! No, we are not naming him Bob Marley if it's a boy!

FAQ

Was it planned? How did it happen?

Sort of... And the usual way...the TV in our house was out for a week, LOL! We were planning to start trying in the winter, but as my wise office mate says, if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.... I've always said, What messes us up most in life is that picture of how things are "supposed" to be. This feels right for us, we are excited about the future. Having said that, we were TOTALLY shocked when the MD confirmed the pregnancy.  He said "Do you have any questions?" and the only one I could think of was, "Can I get my parking validated?!"

In the immortal words of the great Theologian Taylor Swift (Matt LOVES her..not!)

The stakes are high, the water's  rough, but this love is ours.

What does Hannie think?

She isn't buying it.  Her response? "Babies don't come from bellies Mom, they come from Kazakhstan..."  I tried to explain that sometimes babies come from bellies but she looked horrified and said,
"WHY would you eat a baby, Mommy?!"

I think she is going to be surprised when we go to the hospital, not the airport this time around...

Have you thought about names?

Not too much.  Hannah helpfully suggested Gilbert for a boy (I believe that is the name of Caillou's cat) and  Sunkist for a girl.  I would love to incorporate "Hope" somewhere in a girl's name, after my favorite bible quote and the first thing that popped into my head when I found out the Big News...

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a Future."

Highs and Lows so far?

Highs -- Hearing the heartbeat on the first sonogram literally took my breath away.  Lows -- Not being able to fit into my jeans already! Funniest moment -- After staring at the sonogram, I confessed to MD that I am pretty sure the fetus doesn't appear to have a head...or maybe 3 heads (it seriously looked like a weird reptile for a while).

His cheerful response,"Don't worry, if it doesn't, you  will probably get our own show on TLC."

Are you nervous about delivery?

Yes and no.  I have complete faith in my midwife and doctors and I will be delivering at the best hospital in the area. Plus, I know the end result will be worth it.  As Galileo once said, "I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night..."

Are you worried about losing your bod?

Yes and No. I know it won't be the same, I know I won't be rockin' the bikini anymore.  But in the end, I chose a beautiful life over a beautiful body.

How is this journey different from the adoptive process?

It's love redefined. And don't get me started on people commenting on us having "one of our own." BOTH my children, adopted or bio, are my own and BOTH are miracles. It's weird not having to have a homestudy or completing a dossier or anything.  I mean, you need a license to drive a car or go fishing, but they are just going to hand me a baby at the hospital and let me leave with it?!

Are you excited?

We are over the moon.  Babies make love stronger, the days longer, nights shorter, bank accounts smaller, homes happier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for!

If you are hands will be full....you should see our hearts!

Please say a prayer for the continued health and development of Baby Eckert :-)

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139: 13-14

GOIN' TO THE CHAPEL....

I can't believe the wedding is 4 months away!!!  I can't wait. 4 months from now Matt and I will go from being each other's fiance to being spouses. A couple of married folks. Best friends for life. 


The wedding, I am looking forward to. The wedding PLANNING however...That's another story altogether. 

Every time someone asks how it is going, I say, "sort of all done" and then I looked at our knot checklist (first mistake) and we have 137 days and 136 things left on the list.

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love being engaged. It is amazing. all consuming. overwhelming. fantastic. i am just not very "Bridal". 

I am so thankful to my 5 wonderful bridesmaids who have gone above and beyond to help me with the planning process.  5 lovely women who have helped shaped my past, embrace each present, and influence my future. Every moment of my wedding will be better because they have been there, were there, and will be there. 

Some details...

We are having two showers.  One is an English "High Tea" planned by 3 of my bridesmaids, and one is a "wild and crazy couples shower" planned by a 4th bridesmaid and an awesome friend/neighbor.  The 5th bridesmaid is planning the destination Bachelorette party in Chicago!!!  


I haven't picked out my dresses for the showers yet, but there are a few strong contenders.  I have a soft spot in my wallet for Lily Pulitzer, may she rest in peace.

Last week we got our rings, and with them came some very special words,which we are incorporating into the ceremony....

"These beautiful rings serve as a physical reminder of the feeling you have in your hearts at this very moment.  There will be times in life when you will focus on things you have lost, things you don't have or things you have not yet accomplished. Yet as you look at your wedding band, let it speak softly of the great gift that you have been given today.  Let it remind you of all that you have in one another. Let it remind you that no matter how difficult life may seem, you always have someone to share it with. Never again will you walk alone."



I can't believe it's almost here...

A year and a half of dating,....9 mos of planning.... A life time dreaming....

More details....

Something Old - My dad's rosary will be around my bouquet
Something New - My dress is new
Something Borrowed - My headpiece belongs to my bridesmaid Ashley (I was her MOH a few years ago).
Something Blue - My bridesmaids will be signing the bottom of my shoes with blue sharpie, my garter is also blue.



I can't wait to see Matt at the end of the aisle, and hear the words of our wonderful priest....


"Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –

"This is my husband. This is my wife." 


I am really trying to keep things in perspective...


In the midst of blogs and Martha Stewart weddings it is easy to get caught up in the dress, the flowers, the invites. How to decorate the space of the ceremony as opposed to the ceremony itself. I am trying to remember what is REALLY important in a wedding.

The words. The declarations. The vow of commitment. To the person and to Commitment itself.


 I can't wait to be A Bride. The Bride. His Bride.


More details....

We registered at Bed Bath and Beyond and Target (we wanted Ikea..WHY don't they have a registry?!).  With a three year old in tow.  Matt wanted to register at Bass Pro but I nixed that idea.  It was frankly a painful experience for all.  Matt kept looking longingly at the Buffalo Wild Wings across the street from the mall as I frantically  googled "what's the point of a table runner."  The only one who really enjoyed herself was Hannah, who now asks for a scanner gun anytime we enter a store.  















        Honeymoon...Couples Swept Away JAMAICA!!! We cannot wait. Having said that, we are traveling during the heart of hurricane season. We shall see.  

Our stretches of time relaxing will be juxtaposed with adventures into land and sea. We'll be snorkeling, sailing, zip-lining through canopies, and biking through the jungle. Most importantly this will be a trip of two best-friends, learning about each other through placidity and adventure. That's all we hope our lives together will be and we are looking forward to beginning this new chapter together in paradise.


I am already in love with Jamaica.... As they say..... "Once You Go, You Know".


                                                       My "airport" day after wedding shirt

The Rehearsal dinner will be a Bravo, hopefully out on the beautiful outdoor patio, with Bocci ball and white twinkly lights and lots and lots of delicious Italian wine.  I am over the moon excited! Our last party as "single". A dinner to celebrate with our wedding party and parents. A night of laughter and toasts before the best and busiest day of our lives.

As I think about my future. Our future. I am reminded that 

It wasn't always dahlias and sweet peas.

There were some broken roads that lead me here. 

Do I sometimes wish we were high school sweethearts? Sure. 

Do I sometimes wonder why it took a frog or two before my prince? Sure.

I took the Long Way Around...but Here I am.

Did I learn more about me, myself, and I every step of the way.

I did.

What brought me here, brought me you.

What was before makes after so much better.

Couldn't change it. Wouldn't even try.

And now...back to earth.  Weddings are ridiculously expensive, even with both sets of parents helping out. What did you all do?  Which came first? The Budget or The Dream??



The flowers and the candy buffet mock up (in different colors).

I am all about the DYI aspects, the late night bridesmaid get togethers, and luckily I have some very crafty and generous friends.  One is doing our cake for just the cost of the supplies, a teenage cousin who is very "techy" offered to video the wedding and reception.  Another awesome friend made all kinds of super cute signs and decorations for the Lodge, and yet another friend is letting us borrow centerpieces, candles, "candy buffet" glassware, etc. from her wedding last summer.  Did I mention we have amazing friends and family?! 


   

The friendships and the family that we are surrounded by only make our relationship stronger.  We have been showered with all of the love, happiness, and support of those we hold nearest and dearest. I am truly one of the luckiest women in the world to be held up, helped out, and loved by so many beautiful, strong, and inspirational people. My village is full and my heart is bursting.

And of course, there is Hannah. We need to talk about Hannah.

Because in the midst of hair trials, dress fittings, shellac manicures, invitation mock ups, who is sitting where woes and statement earrings, I still have a three year old. She is unsure of what is happening and grappling with the reality that her life is changing and no one asked her. Any advice on this would be more than appreciated.  I have fear, but I also have hope. We are starting family counseling this week, and our therapist comes highly recommended. I am trying not to let our "what was" get in the way of "what's next." After all, change is what life is all about, right?

  

Such moments of joy and happiness about to come my way. Our way.

So many we have already had.

Life is changing

Forever, for the better.

Now on with the show :-)

The Tides They Are A Changin'....

In December, I started writing my annual "What I Learned in 2012 And What I'll Do Better in 2013" blog.  I love those blogs.  I find them cathartic.  I find them cleansing.  After all nothing is quite as spiritually purifying as turning over a new leaf.  And it feels oh-so-right.

But then December turned into a really, really hard month.  Maybe the hardest ever.  I tried to blog about it. It's not time yet.  Maybe someday, or maybe never.  Having said that, I should mention, I'm a big silver linings girl, and I did learn a few things:

1. Matt is a rock.  I am blessed and lucky (more about that later).

2.  Our family and especially our friends are supportive and amazing. Together, we can do hard things.

3. God Has a Plan. God Has a Plan. God Has a Plan.....

But enough about all that.

Here's what HAS happened since the last time I blogged:

Matt and I got ENGAGED :-)  As many of you know, my home slice and I have been dating for quite a while.  On Christmas Eve, he proposed and I said yes!  (My next blog is going to be all funny, wedding related stories; but patience, grasshoppers). Our wedding is in August, we are so excited to begin our Happily Ever After!


Hannah's health problems have IMPROVED!!  Many of you know that in August, Hannah was diagnosed with a mega colon.  This is a pretty serious issue, made even more complicated by the fact that we have absolutely no family history or medical background.  Although she has been bladder-trained since age 2, it made her impossible to bowel train.  At our surgery consult, it was suggested that we place her in the hospital for 17 days, insert a feeding tube, attach electrodes to her colon, remove the part that may or may not be working.  After hearing this news, I was hysterical, obviously.  For a child who has already been through serious trauma in her life, this, I felt this could be potenetially devastating. And my mother's instinct told me I was right. Her pediatrician agreed (we are so lucky to have an AMAZING pediatrician) suggested we do one more trial of medication, and, lo and behold, IT WORKED.  She is now completely potty trained and no longer in pain.    

Hannah is now 3 and half, and some of you should have warned me that three and a half (the half, she tells me, is very important) year olds suck the sanity right out of you.  Like, I love her, but after 4 straight snow days inside, I kinda wanted to light myself on fire.  Here are a few things she has recently tantrumed over:

1. Her birthday balloon is missing. (Her birthday was in July. The balloon was helium.  I threw it in the garbage 3 days after her party.  She miraculously remembered and lost her Sh** over it just this week.). Stay classy, Hannah.

2. Her best friend stole her invisible golden slipper, and wouldn't give it back.

3.  I won't let her go outside in 3 degree weather wearing a tank top and one sock.

4. I won't let her touch fire.

Calgon, Take Me Away.

On the flip side, We had lots of fun holiday family time, including a great trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, Sledding, trips to the museum and the zoo, IceFest, a cookie exchange, and Hannah's first trip to the dentist (no cavities, no surprise there, she brushes her teeth about 20x a day -- I blame Doc McStuffins.). Anyway, here are some pictures dating back to October....

 Matt is a HUGE Notre Dame fan (cue the win one for the pretend girlfriend jokes) and was excited to see this ice sculpture.

 Being her usually silly self.

 Training for...Cirque Du Soleil maybe? at the Great Wolf Lodge.

 You have never seen a person so excited to go to the dentist.  It was the best day of her life.

 Meeting her new cousin at Matt's cousin's Christmas party.  They warmed up pretty well :-)

 Helping Matt unwrap a Christmas present

 Sledding!

 Fun with her best friend Isabella (who makes strange faces when we try to take her picture)

 Her first musical, she loved it!

 This is ALL ice.  I swear.  It's down in Nashville -- we went to the Opryland Hotel.

 Totally Amazing

 Matchy Matchy Mommy and Hannah

 Her new bedroom set

 And again.

 Out to eat

 Before her School Christmas Show.  Oy.  For the love of pete Hannah, please try to keep your dress down next year.  

 Santa Breakfast

 Festival of Lights at the Zoo

 Mad Goldilocks (it was too cold to trick or treat, she was bummed).

 Cheesin'

 Oxford's Halloween Parade

 Some snacks I made for her class party....

So there you have it folks, my first blog in 3 months.  There is so much I want to blog about.  I want to talk about blending families (the whole carriage before marriage thing isn't always easy), I want to talk about the wedding, and how Matt must NEVER know how much it costs, and I'd like to blog about how I'd like to try hillbilly hand fishing.  At any rate, I need to keep an accurate blog so Hannie will have something to show her therapist someday.  But Seriously folks, this blog could go in just about any direction.

Thanks for reading and I promise a funny wedding planning bloopers blog is on the docket for this week!  Blogging is cheaper than therapy :-) 2013, here we come.

In December, there were Tears.  There was a Storm.  There was a Sunset.  But there was also a Rainbow....



Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.      Love and Light, ~Erin