Nine Months In - Nine Months Out . . . (and repeat!!!)

I thought it was neat when my friend honored her son's 9 month birthday with a special post about 9 months IN/9 months OUT. I thought it is a neat moment to reflect on. I also remember thinking though how very FAR away that would be for me and my Ella. But here we are . . . April 28th and my baby is about to have more experience outside of the womb than within. For some reason, it is so hard for me to grasp that I am the mother of a baby so close to one. (I'm sure those of you with older or grown children must be laughing. I suspect it doesn't get any more believable the older your kids get).

Sixteen/Seventeen months ago I was pouring over pregnancy books. Marveling at my little "lentil" turned "raspberry" turned "fig". (FYI - the pregnancy books compare the size of the baby to food items for much of the pregnancy). I was seriously "proud" when I read things like 'this week, your baby is developing arm buds . . . ' You won't want to be around me when she graduates! :) More recently we've poured over books about how to get your baby to sleep better at night . . . I digress. :)

Some highlights of Ella's nine months in:
- obviously, learning we were expecting!
- feeling her first kicks with Jason while flying back to Memphis from Austin
- learning we were going to be parents of a daughter
- choosing her name
- hearing her heartbeat. Towards the end of the pregnancy, Jason even heard her heartbeat by just pressing his ear to my belly
- watching her MOVE each night. Unbelievable. How I missed that after she was born!
- reading Psalm 139 most days of the pregnancy
- the generosity, love and prayers people showered on us and covered us with during the pregnancy
- Waking up the morning of her birth knowing I would be holding my baby in a few hours. So hard to get my mind around that

(the very beginning of the journey . . . )



(just a couple of hours before Ella was born)



Our miracle!





And some highlights and memories of Ella's first nine months of life:
- hearing her cry for the first time. And my own tears that followed.
- holding her for the first time
- listening to Jason sing to her
- her newborn Pterodactyl noises
- traveling cross country together
- her thoughtful, curious look that she has had from birth
- her beautiful laugh
- her sweet talking voice
- the way she holds my fingers or plays with my hair while she nurses
- her recent scrunchy-nose-smile
- her generous kisses
- her falling asleep on Jason's shoulders recently
- and developmentally: Ella is crawling backwards, rocking on all fours, has two and a bit teeth, says momma, dada and bubba, is trying to pull up and dances to any music (even her dad's attempted beatboxing). . . hysterical.

Ella on her 9 month birthday



So much more to share and love about our nine month old. We are so thankful to God for her. Tonight I sat by her crib. I find myself full of praise, full of requests and yet speechless all at the same time.

Since I've been reflecting on Ella's nine-months-in, it only seems appropriate to share a little nine-month-related news. Recently we learned a little more about God's goodness, generosity and dare I say . . . humor?! We are expecting our second child! Surprise! Baby Whaley #2 is due in early November.