Shortly after Sam and I found out that I was pregnant, we created a list of things we wanted to do before welcoming the baby into our lives. The list contained lots of different items: home improvements, increase savings, organize closets, etc. One of the items on the list was to find a church. We both grew up with exposure to church communities and wanted to offer that same exposure to our child. We also thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to meet other young couples and especially other new parents. Our reason for picking Germantown United Methodist Church was probably a little unusual – we attended a wedding there and really liked the minister. His wedding service was one of our favorites we had ever been to so we were excited to see what his sermons would be like.
We started attending services in February and really felt at home. After attending for a couple of weeks we started attending a Sunday school class and quickly started to make friends. Our Sunday school class is really active and we are really excited about all the social events. We have been to several social functions and we are looking forward to many more. As an added bonus, our good friends Angie and Pete attend the class as well!
After attending for several months, Sam and I felt confident that this was the right church for us and decided to join this week. We are now official members of Germantown United Methodist Church.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Birth Class
Sam and I attended Birth Class at the hospital last weekend. Rather than taking a class a week for 7 or 8 weeks, we decided to take the accelerated class offered on Saturdays from 8 to 4:30. What a day! I was the least pregnant student in the class but greatly appreciated the suggestions by friends to take the class as early as possible. I can’t imagine sitting that long during the last couple of months of pregnancy. I would definitely recommend others to do the same.
The instructor was a very good teacher. She was realistic and never seemed too preachy or too optimistic. The class covered the basics: how to tell when you are really going into labor, what will happen when you get to the hospital, pain management (medication!), relaxation techniques (“hee hee hee woo”), hospital tours (the facilities are really nice), recovery time after baby, infant care and breastfeeding. I had hoped we would make it through the class without any videos – WRONG. I think there were four in total. Only one was bad – most were computer generated images (thank heavens for technology!).
The funniest part of the day occurred at the beginning of class. After introducing ourselves and telling the class our favorite part of pregnancy (I think there were a couple of girls who really struggled with this one), the instructor separated the men and women into different rooms. We were instructed to go around the room and share our least favorite thing about pregnancy. The girls were pretty predictable: morning sickness, back pains, heartburn, bed rest, etc. According to Sam, the men had quite a lot to get off their chest and the session quickly turned into a “list everything we hate about our wives” session. Sam said he and another father tried to be a little more positive by saying that they were just worried about having a healthy baby and momma (I am sure they got some nasty stares). I know I am not as far along as some of these women and I am willing to admit that Sam and I aren’t always perfect BUT I can’t imagine feeling the way these men felt about pregnancy. There wives must not be a cool as I am J Seriously, I guess it just showed us how lucky we are to have each other. Sam has been wonderful and I am thankful for him everyday. I could post pages about all the helpful things he does on a regular basis (and maybe one day I will). I can’t imagine sharing this experience with anyone else!
The instructor was a very good teacher. She was realistic and never seemed too preachy or too optimistic. The class covered the basics: how to tell when you are really going into labor, what will happen when you get to the hospital, pain management (medication!), relaxation techniques (“hee hee hee woo”), hospital tours (the facilities are really nice), recovery time after baby, infant care and breastfeeding. I had hoped we would make it through the class without any videos – WRONG. I think there were four in total. Only one was bad – most were computer generated images (thank heavens for technology!).
The funniest part of the day occurred at the beginning of class. After introducing ourselves and telling the class our favorite part of pregnancy (I think there were a couple of girls who really struggled with this one), the instructor separated the men and women into different rooms. We were instructed to go around the room and share our least favorite thing about pregnancy. The girls were pretty predictable: morning sickness, back pains, heartburn, bed rest, etc. According to Sam, the men had quite a lot to get off their chest and the session quickly turned into a “list everything we hate about our wives” session. Sam said he and another father tried to be a little more positive by saying that they were just worried about having a healthy baby and momma (I am sure they got some nasty stares). I know I am not as far along as some of these women and I am willing to admit that Sam and I aren’t always perfect BUT I can’t imagine feeling the way these men felt about pregnancy. There wives must not be a cool as I am J Seriously, I guess it just showed us how lucky we are to have each other. Sam has been wonderful and I am thankful for him everyday. I could post pages about all the helpful things he does on a regular basis (and maybe one day I will). I can’t imagine sharing this experience with anyone else!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Twist and Shout
We have been shouting for joy at the Coverdale house this last week! Seems that little Harrison has figured out how to twist and KICK! I have been feeling little twitches and thumps for the last few weeks but last Friday Harrison really let me have it with several powerful kicks. They were so hard and lasted so long that I could share them with Sam. Since then I have been feeling lots of little movements.
He seems to be on a schedule (he is kicking me even as I type this) usually occurring before breakfast, again mid-morning, a little after lunch and right around bedtime. I hope he is so schedule oriented when he joins the outside world!
It really makes it all seem more real. I know I have seen the pictures and heard the heartbeat but those little kicks are really amazing. It isn't just a 2D image with the ability to thump. It is a real live moving baby boy!
I know there will be a time in a couple of months where I will wish I could get a break from all the kicking. For now, keep them coming little guy! I am loving it!
He seems to be on a schedule (he is kicking me even as I type this) usually occurring before breakfast, again mid-morning, a little after lunch and right around bedtime. I hope he is so schedule oriented when he joins the outside world!
It really makes it all seem more real. I know I have seen the pictures and heard the heartbeat but those little kicks are really amazing. It isn't just a 2D image with the ability to thump. It is a real live moving baby boy!
I know there will be a time in a couple of months where I will wish I could get a break from all the kicking. For now, keep them coming little guy! I am loving it!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Busy Weekend
Wow! What a fun and busy weekend we had. Sam’s parents came for the weekend to visit on their way back to Iowa. Sam’s dad is now retired so hopefully that means we will be seeing a lot more of them. It is always fun to have visitors! Sam and his dad were very busy working on projects around the house. They put the crown molding up in the baby’s room (The baby’s room is really coming along, I hope to have pictures soon!) and made some repairs to the gutters on the garage. With all the rain we have been having, they might have been smarter to just build an ark :-)
We followed the museum with a visit downtown to see the rising Mississippi River along Mud Island (where Sam and I use to live). I am pretty sure the river is higher than I have ever seen it!
We ended our day with a nice dinner out with some of Sam’s friends from Graduate School who were passing through Memphis. It is always nice to catch up with old friends!
All in all it was a really nice weekend. After all the activity, I am looking forward to putting my feet up a bit and taking a break. At least until next weekend...
Sam’s mom and I took advantage of the free time to do a little shopping. We visited Baby Time to pick out the glider for the baby’s room. It is a sweet blue and white gingham print. We also did a little shopping for maternity clothes (the Oak Court Macy’s has a wonderful selection). I really needed some new things to wear to work. It really helps to have a shopping buddy around to help you make decisions. I got 5 cute tops that I will be able to wear to work/church. What a successful trip!
Sam’s mom got a case of the “Grandmother Bug” and showered little Harrison with lots of cute gifts. He received his first official Florida Gator onsie with matching booties. He and his daddy are going to look super cute in their Gator apparel watching the games this year. She also gave us a sweet layette set for his first few weeks home from the hospital and a really cute knit outfit for when he is a little older. He is going to be one well dressed baby!
We followed the museum with a visit downtown to see the rising Mississippi River along Mud Island (where Sam and I use to live). I am pretty sure the river is higher than I have ever seen it!
We ended our day with a nice dinner out with some of Sam’s friends from Graduate School who were passing through Memphis. It is always nice to catch up with old friends!All in all it was a really nice weekend. After all the activity, I am looking forward to putting my feet up a bit and taking a break. At least until next weekend...
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