Sadie Caroline Peterson

Life is so busy. Sadie Caroline is amazing. Birth story will be posted soon.

Fight For Love This Valentines Day

Ken Starr, the prosecutor who led the campaign to impeach President Bill Clinton has filed a legal brief -- on behalf of the "Yes on 8" campaign -- that would forcibly divorce the 18,000 same-sex couples married in California last year before the passage of Prop 8.

News broke Tuesday that the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on March 5, and will then make a decision within 90 days on the validity of Prop 8 and these 18,000 marriages.

Please watch the video above and click on this link http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce to tell the Supreme Court not to divorce the 18,000 California couples. Let loving, committed couples stay married. Deadline: Valentines Day.

We're Ready

If you're reading this blog on the day I post, I am a mere 12 days away from my due date!!!

Oh my goodness!!! February 17th will be here before we know it, but at this point, I could have this baby at any time.

My midwives have told me that for a first child, it is normal to go an average of 8 days past your due date, and I'll be "allowed" to go 14 days past my due date before we have to start considering inducing labor. So, needless to say, I'm trying to just be patient and enjoy these last days of pregnancy.
It's perhaps easier for me to be patient (although it's in my nature to be very impatient) because I still feel relatively good. I know that a lot of pregnant women are quite miserable by the time they get to 38+ weeks in their pregnancies. I was worried that because the beginning of my pregnancy was so easy that it would come back to bite me towards the end. But so far, so good. I have some typical end-of-pregnancy symptoms like swollen hands and feet (I'm down to one pair of shoes that sortof fit), and some lower back pain. It's tough for me to get out of chairs and turn over in bed. But really, that's about it. I'm still sleeping relatively well, which is probably the most important thing right now. It makes it so much easier to get through my 8 hour work days. I'm hoping to be able to continue working right up until I go into labor. If anything, I may cut my days down to 6 hours rather than 8. As long as I continue to sleep well, stay restful even while I'm awake, and stay close to home on the weekends and evenings, I hope to feel this good for the duration.

We're definitely feeling like we're ready for Baby Peterson to arrive. My suitcase is mostly packed for going to the hospital. The diapers and clothes are washed and put away. My birth beads are strung.

Brian has been practicing some peaceful banjo melodies (is that an oxymoron?) to play for me during labor and for Baby Peterson once she arrives. The nursery is decorated and organized.

I love how it has turned out. It's peaceful and cheerful and calming.

Some of my favorite things about the baby's room:

The wall full of tiny shoes.... The Broncos mobile....at some point Brian realized that this doesn't really "go" with the decor in the room. But hey, our kiddo has got to be a Broncos fan from the beginning, right? The curtains, made by Brian's mom Chris, which inspired the whole room.... These paintings on the wall....what better messages for our daughter?

Sing, Dream, Imagine...

All the tiny handknit items from my mom....The shelf full of my children's book collection.... and the glider in the corner....but that's a story for another time.... Brian and I talk every day how strange it is to be in this waiting period. Every night we find ourselves saying, "what if it happened tonight...?". We talk about how any day now, we're going to be a family of three and there will be another human being living here with us. We can't imagine what it will be like, but we know that despite the challenges ahead, it will be wonderful. We feel blessed to have family and friends close by to support us and who we can call on when we need it. We feel confident and ready to achieve the birth we've worked so hard to prepare for. And we can't wait to meet our daughter!!!

A Very Special Package

My grandfather Irv was an amazing woodworker.

The homes of his family and friends are full of gorgeous handmade pictures, furniture, and children's toys. As he and my grandmother traveled the world together, he collected wood from the countries he visited to use for future projects. The woodshop attached to my grandparents' home was his pride and joy and he treasured the time he spent there crafting gifts for the people he loved.

I miss my grandfather every day. His death in January 2007 was one of the hardest things I have ever been through. But I am comforted by the things in my home that remind me of him. The clown pictures that he was well known for.....

The chess board he made and shipped to me in Fairbanks, Alaska when I decided that the long, cold, dark winters there were a good time to revisit my chess game.....

And recently, my mom brought me several wooden toys that he made for me when I was younger. They're waiting in Baby Peterson's room for her to be old enough to play with them.

One of the most treasured pieces my grandfather ever made, however, was a cradle that he completed in June 1978, 3 months before I was born.

This cradle is now 30 years old and has criss-crossed the country numerous times. Each time a new grandchild was born, it was packed up and sent to the expectant parents. Since my brother and I were here in Colorado, and my three cousins were born in Florida, that makes 4 cross-country trips! It's been with my Uncle Chet and Aunt Barbara since the youngest cousin Ali was born 22 years ago.

Plaques with our names and birthdates were placed on the cradle after each of our births.

Now that the next generation is on its way....this old cradle made the trip yet again. My uncle Ray built a VERY sturdy crate for it and it arrived on Hogan Court last week. Brian recruited some neighbors to help him break into the crate.

Ryan and Chris then got to work putting the pieces together to reassemble the cradle.

It didn't take long until it was in one piece and had taken its place in our living room.

Every time I come downstairs, I see this beautiful antique cradle that was so lovingly made by my grandfather. The wear and tear of the wood is testament to the lives this piece of furniture has touched. And after being empty for over 2 decades, it's patiently waiting for a new baby to arrive and fall asleep inside. Although my grandpa will never be able to hold his great-granddaughter in his arms, I think this is the next best thing and I am so thankful to have this piece of him to share with my daughter.

A Bowl Full of Wishes

On January 10, my mom hosted a wonderful baby shower for me at my house. In many ways, this shower was similar to many baby showers I have attended in the past.

A pretty table, yummy food and drinks, lots of chatting amongst the women in attendance, and plenty of oohing and aahing over the ADORABLE baby clothes and gear.

I was the happiest girl in the world that three VERY special out-of-town guests were able to join us. Granny Sharp (Brian's grandma, and baby Peterson's great-grandmother) has been in town since the previous weekend from Costa Mesa, CA, and my aunt Cathy and cousin Casey flew in for the weekend from Tampa, FL.

It meant so much to me to have them all join me on this very special day!

We were also thrilled to have Casey's artistic talents available. Mom had decided she wanted to make me a diaper cake...which are usually made out of disposable diapers. But knowing my wishes to cloth diaper baby Peterson; she, Casey, and Cathy managed to make a diaper cake out of cloth diapers!! Look how beautiful it is! It made a great centerpiece for the table.

The guests started arriving around 2 p.m. and I was so excited to see all the women from different parts of my life. Family and extended family, neighbors, an old college buddy, a childhood friend, the women in my bookclub, a friend from work, and some of my mom's closest friends, many whom have known me my entire life! I felt so lucky to have all these amazing women in one place.

Brian and my brother Adam even stuck around for a while to visit with everyone. (before heading across the street to drink beer and watch football...)

My friend Amanda was so sweet to offer to bring a cake to the shower. She coordinated everything with my mom, but wouldn't tell me anything about this surprise. Well, I was definitely surprised when I saw the cake!

Luckily I was not involved in the decapitating process...

As I talked to my mom about this shower, I told her that I wanted it to be a little different. I yearned for a meaningful, genuine gathering of the most important women in my life. In order to facilitate that goal, my mom included the following request in the shower invitations she sent to my friends and family.

Birth Beads are a modern day way to honor the expectant mother. When taken to the birthing experience, they symbolize the support, strength, and positive energy of those who gifted them. They carry with them energy and power. They can be used as a visual and tactile focal point during labor and held for strength and endurance during the birth process
Please bring (or send) a small trinket or bead that symbolizes your wish for Rachel and baby in labor and birth.

(These beads will be used to make a necklace for Rachel to wear during labor)

I had no idea how amazing this ritual would turn out to be. After some visiting and munchies, we all sat down in my living room, and starting with my Aunt Cathy, everyone in the circle explained the bead or trinket they had brought with them, and then expressed their wish for me and/or for my baby. Needless to say, we were all in tears before Cathy was done and the tears kept right on flowing until Susie finished.

I was so overwhelmed by the thoughtful, kind, funny, and empowering messages that were offered. Every single person there said something that was so meaningful and representative of my relationship with them. As I reflected on the shower later, I initially wished that I had recorded what everyone said so I'd always be able to remember their wishes and share them with my daughter. However, in retrospect, I realize that's not really the point. The feelings of love and support I got from those moments are what will last. I truly believe that during the most difficult parts of labor and new motherhood, I will draw on those wishes and prayers and blessings to give me strength. And Brian knows to remind me during labor about all the amazing women who gathered in my home to send me on my way to motherhood and to use their power and love to give me strength when I need it most.

I received so many beautiful, thoughtful, and useful gifts at this baby shower. We're so lucky to have such generous people in our lives who have provided us with almost all the baby gear and clothes we'll need. However, the best gifts I have received in preparing for Baby Peterson's arrival are the words that were spoken by all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.