Baby Shower

Last Saturday, June 22, my mom and sister, Alaina, threw me a beautiful baby shower for this little girl's anticipated arrival. I am beyond thankful for such loving, thoughtful and super creative mom and sister. This shower seriously blew my mind with every added detail. In fact for the two weeks leading up to the shower, I had to give my mom warning before stopping by and the last week I wasn't allowed at the house at all!

To share this day with some of the special women in our lives meant the world to me. To know that I have their love and support as I start this next journey of my life is truly uplifting. I have felt nothing but encouragement during this time from so many important women in my life and am so lucky to call them family and close friends.

Our little girl was spoiled with the thoughtfulness of these amazing women. We are sure this is just the beginning!

Thank you to everyone that came for our shower - many of you traveled an hour to three hours just to come spend the afternoon with us. While others had a short drive, but still took the time to come celebrate. To those that couldn't make it but still sent gifts and well wishes, thank you! How blessed are we!

A special thanks to my mom and sister for this special baby shower. You two are the most important women in my life and I can't wait for our little girl to learn from you and grow up with strong women surrounding her.

Maternity Pictures

I wasn't originally going to do maternity pictures as I figured I put Matt through enough with engagement pictures and then wedding pictures all withing the last 18 months. But then I got to thinking that I wanted some pictures to look back on during this special moment in our lives. We did the pictures when I was a little over 31 weeks and it was a gorgeous night to do them, not too hot. (Side note: the quilt used in these pictures was made by my great grandma Freeman) We used Cristi with Lemon Tree Photography in Des Moines and she will also be doing the newborn pictures whenever this little girl decides to make her grand entrance into our lives. Her newborn pictures are out of this world and I can't wait to put all of our ideas together as she has very similar taste as me. 

35 Week Appointment

This whole having a baby thing became all the more real today at my 35 week doctor appointment. BTW, it seems like I keep saying "more real" with every passing week. We did the lovely Group B Strep test and then she checked me for effacement and dilation. It should be noted that at my 33 week appointment I was at 0% effacement and about 3/4 cm. Today I was at 65-70% effaced and between 1.5 and 2 cm. Dr. Lines was shocked how far along I was and said she could feel her head lower than the last check. She also said she wouldn't be surprised if I went sometime between July 10-23 and not actually make it to my due date. In fact, she said she would be really surprised if I made it to my due date. I reminded her that I was convinced I would go a week late and be giving birth to a 10 lb baby. Also, my co-worker was 80% effaced and 2 cm since she was 37 weeks and here she is at her due date and still hasn't gone. Dr. Lines continued to tell me that she definitely didn't think that was going to be me and that she would know more when she checks me at my July 2 appointment. Matt thinks I will go on July 17. What do you think?

Childbirth Class

Matt and I attended our childbirth class today. I'll be honest, I was a bit apprehensive for this class. All I could picture for this day was the scene from Baby Mama where the instructor said "And how many of you are planning on using toxic medications to drug your baby for your own selfish comfort?" with Amy Poehler's character bouncing on the birthing ball raising both hands in the air while saying "Ooh Ooooohhh". As I typed that, I am seriously sitting here dying laughing as I am picturing this scene. The only part I really laughed at (and yes, was immature) were the parts in the video when the dad got in the birthing tub with his wife. I immediately told Matt that was NOT happening. Also, when the instructor told us we could induce labor with nipple stimulation. Wait, what?

The class was very informative and taught by a great labor and delivery nurse. We learned everything from pre-term labor, actual labor, when to come in, breathing/relaxing techniques, different kinds of pain relief and tons of other great information. The best part was getting a tour of the birthways area and where we would be delivering our baby girl in less than seven weeks (hopefully). At the end of the class she asked if there were any questions and I so badly wanted to raise my hand and ask "Can I just spray a little Pam down there before the baby comes out?"

So childbirth class is done and we are one step closer to having her here. Up next? Breastfeeding class on Thursday. Yes, Matt will be attending as I hear that it is beneficial to have your spouse attend so they get an idea of what it takes.

Entering the Blog World

I am going to be honest, I have been hesitant about starting a blog. The moment we announced we were pregnant, people started asking when I would start a blog. Does blogging and pregnancy coincide with each other? I have two cousin-in-laws that are fantastic bloggers and such good writers, that quite frankly, they intimidated me to start one of my own. Also, my husband is in communications for a profession. I didn’t want him reading what I wrote and judging that I misplaced a comma or semicolon. Note: I am not confident in my writing/proofing ability at all, so please hold no judgment.

What gives you ask? The number one reason I decided to start this is for our family and friends that we don’t get to see often. Matt’s family and friends all live in Minnesota and my family and friends are spread throughout the United States. I want our family and friends to be able to check in on the happenings of our lives, specifically Baby Shoultz, at their leisure. If we have a story to share or new pictures we want to send to people, the blog is the easiest and fastest way to update them. I get so annoyed with the million and one pictures and status updates people put up on Facebook on a daily basis. While we may think our kid is cute and want to post tons of pictures, not everyone else wants to have their Facebook inundated with updates. If people want to know what is going on with us or see a ridiculous amount of pictures, just check the blog. Plus, it should also keep the grandparents happy as they have a steady stream of updates on our daughter! I’m hoping that having this blog, it gives us the chance to record special moments, big milestones and a journal of sorts that we can look back on. A modern day scrapbook. Because let’s be honest, I did not get the crafty gene from my mom that my sister clearly got.

Hang in there with me as I navigate the blogging world and learn the ropes. (Big thanks to Jess on the design help already!) Even if no one reads this blog, I figure it is ultimately for our family’s own enjoyment to reflect back on as we venture into this thing called parenthood.

One Year of Wedded Bliss

What better way to start my journey into the blog world than by starting with the celebration of our first wedding anniversary. 

One year ago today I married the love of my life. Surrounded by our amazing family and closest friends we promised our love to one another in becoming husband and wife.  I am amazed at how quickly the year has gone, but can definitely say it has been a wonderful one full of so many memories (hello new house and pregnancy). I am looking forward to the next 60+ years with this man and although there will be ups and downs along the way, I could not imagine going through them with anyone else. Matt, you are my everything. I love the life we have together, the life we are about to start and look forward seeing where life takes us. Happy 1st Anniversary!

After dinner tonight, Matt and I sat down and went over these questions that I found online for us to answer about our first year of marriage. 

1. What has brought us closer together?

Lindsie- We've had a pretty big year with moving into our first home and finding out we were expecting. 

Matt- A lot of things: We bought a house and are having a baby.

2. What is your favorite memory of your first year together? 

Lindsie- Our honeymoon and when I told you we were having a baby. I will never forget that moment in the kitchen when I told you.

Matt- When you told me we were having a baby.

3. Did you have a wedding or honeymoon disaster that you are already laughing about? What? 

Lindsie- Yes! The DJ - what a jerk!

Matt- (laughs) I wouldn't call the DJ a disaster.

4. What has surprised you most about being married? 

Lindsie- A sense of security. I always knew I was going to grow old with you and never thought being married would feel any different...but it does. :) 

Matt- Can't think of anything that has surprised me.

5. Anything shocking you've learned about your spouse? 

Lindsie- Matt's color blind (though he says not entirely).

Matt- You don't like putting your clean laundry away. I would say less than 30% of the time you actually put it away when it is done. If you don't want to put it away right away, you run the dryer a little longer and then it sits there for a couple days and you have to fluff it again.

6. If you could do anything different would you? 

Lindsie- Not a thing.

Matt- No, I'm happy the way it all turned out. 

7. What have you learned from your spouse this year? 

Lindsie- Patience and compassion - I've never met someone more patient or compassionate than you. I always knew this about you, but it has really come out during my pregnancy. 

Matt-  You are a natural born mother. Always taking care of people and caring about everyone else but yourself.

8. How have your feelings changed in just one year together?

Lindsie- I love you more each day. I have a deeper more mature love.

Matt- Nothing. I guess I would say I am more protective of us and our future.

9. What is something you have done that has worked, and really made a difference in your marriage, that you would give as advice to be successful to others on their wedding day?

Lindsie- Always remember how lucky you are to be together. Always say you love each other and kiss each other goodbye/hello/for the heck of it. You aren't promised tomorrow so make today count.

Matt- Don't ever let an argument or disagreement carry over. Communicate and resolve it. We've done good at doing that. 

Before our anniversary dinner at Aunt Maude's