Hey all you recent moms

I want to know what your favorite baby items were. Do you love your moby wrap? Do you even use that baby bouncer thing? Was your expensive stroller a waste of money? Give me the deets (and the brands)--I am totally clueless. What are your favorite things?!

Thoughts

I copied this off a blog I read. I really like each of them--I feel like they apply to my place in life right now: (I added the pictures)

• “The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.” – Pat Clifford

• “If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live” – Lin Yutang

• “I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” – Stephen R. Covey

• “It is a great art to saunter.” – Henry David Thoreau

• “I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.” -Nancy Willard

It is a nice reminder to slow down. I feel like I choose to spend a lot of time sprinting, but this year has really slowed down and I know July and some of the following months will feel very slow after all this busyness. But it is going to be a nice change to saunter. And the last quote is my favorite--I do feel like I'm totally in the dark, but I'm hoping to find something wonderful.

Last week

Last week was a nostalgic one for me and Raimo. On Tuesday we went to the BYU Singers' pre-tour concert. It was seriously amazing and I may have shed a tear or two. I was jealous of all those girls and the great experiences they have every day. They get to do a tour this year and have such a great repertoire. I just realized I will probably never be part of anything like that again. We also went to BYU's National Dancesport on Friday and Saturday nights. It was sad not having any part in the competitions. I enjoyed watching some great dancing and leaning over to talk about all the dancing and costumes with Raimo--he is so fun to go to dance stuff with. We missed being part of the big weekend, Raimo even more than me. I felt a little sorry for myself having a big belly and not having a fit body that can do things like dance. But those feelings come and go... I am still so glad to be in this stage of life now. I am excited to be moving on from the college lifestyle--I have been living it for 6 years now and it has really lost its luster. I am excited to start some wonderful new things this summer and start our family. Only 122 more days! That's 18 weeks or 4.5 months! She is going to be so cute!

Ward Choir

So in January of 2010 our ward boundaries changed and Raimo and I were moved to the BYU 109th ward. I have enjoyed it very much and feel like we have gotten to know so many people. There are still a lot of people I don't talk to frequently, but at this point I feel like there are many familiar faces at church and we at least know each others' names and visit from time to time. When we moved into the ward our bishop called me to be ward choir director. I was really excited to get a music calling, but I was also really nervous to be the one directing instead of singing or playing the piano. For the first 6 months or so I honestly dreaded that 1 o'clock hour on Sundays--I was nervous that no one would show up, that I wouldn't do a good job, that people would think the choir was just mediocre. I would voice all my fears to Raimo all Sunday morning--I had some major insecurities! But we kept having practice, thanks to some really wonderful people who were my faithful members. Finally, after 15 months of this calling, I have become so much more comfortable conducting and leading practice. I am still just making it up as I go (ha!) But I have really learned what it means to be "magnified in your calling." I am magnified by the pianists and singers who come to practice and who have listened to me mess up and been patient with me as I try to explain what I want them to do. They are the ones who really make everything possible. With their help, I am so much more comfortable (and I think better than before) leading them. Now I really look forward to that hour each week, and I always wish we had more time! I am really lucky to have a ward full of musical talent, and I am always so proud of their beautiful performances! I loved every second of our Christmas program--it turned out so great with only a month of practice! I have really missed being in Singers this year, but ward choir has filled that space a little bit. I never thought I would feel that way about ward choir! I am really excited about our Easter music--it's going to sound awesome!

21 Weeks and growing like a weed (or a carrot?)

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday morning! They are so much fun--I was looking forward to it all month. They took a real good look at our baby and we could look at the parts of her brain, stomach, kidneys, spine, and legs. She was looking really long and skinny--the technician says she will definitely fill out more. Raimo says it's because she has dancers legs... hey we can hope. But chances are she will be a shorty like us. We couldn't get a good look at her heart or face because she was face-down, and for the first time was totally unwilling to move. I said how weird that is because I feel her move all the time these days, and she is always kicking. Our technician was surprised Raimo has felt her kick already since it's still pretty early, but actually a few people have been able to feel her move over the last few weeks.

Speaking of kicks, funny story. I was watching dance videos online later that day with the laptop on my legs for about an hour. Baby started kicking and moving around a TON during this, and was kicking for probably 20 minutes or so. Either she wanted me to turn down that music, or she was really feeling the beat.

So anyway, they measured her skull and all different parts and everything seems to be looking on track. Also, she is 15 ounces, so just about a pound! She is sure growing fast, and I guess we were not at all set back by the two week due date move-up. I am 21 weeks today:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

I love my little kicking carrot.