Lev Eleos Oldenburg

Everything about Lev Eleos Oldenburg's arrival on May 28 at 2:25 a.m. was just perfect. I had a hard time yesterday leaving the birthing clinic (with which I had previously had a rather hostile relationship), because it seems like a holy place to me now. I've delivered two babies there: Both times, God took such good care of us. Wow, are we blessed.

So many thoughts. But -- so many photos! Let's just go with photos for now. More here.


There's 7 pounds, 13 ounces, 53 centimeters of Lev in there.

39 weeks

I've been thinking all kinds of deep thoughts recently: Thankful thoughts (that we've made it this far; for God's mercy in giving us another little boy; that Dietrich will have a brother); bittersweet thoughts (because there are only a few days left of just-D-and-me); nervous thoughts (mostly about labor, exacerbated by my doctor's recent comment that my eight-hour first labor was "long"); calming thoughts (so peaceful to be in my own home, living my normal life while awaiting this birth). But when I look at this picture, all I can think is ...



... it's time for a haircut. The last time I cut my hair, I wasn't even pregnant yet!

38 weeks

Big ol' baby ...



... grown mostly on hot chocolate and this salad. Ukrainian salads tend to have official names and recipes (not just lettuce with whatever's in the fridge). My friend Oksana named this one "Desires of a Pregnant Lady." It's spinach, apples, dried cranberries, feta and honey-mustard dressing. I'm basically an addict, though I imagine this addiction will pass on or around May 28.







In other news, we took advantage of yesterday's sudden rainstorm to do some puddle-jumping. I've been waiting for rain so that I could don my new rubber boots. Oh, I love them so. I wore them a bit in the snow, but they're way cuter with a skirt than with winter duds.

Also helping us pass the time while we wait for the baby: Lots of holidays (Victory Day was today), lots of cooking (stocking the freezer for easy post-baby dinner prep), lots of watching "Jungle Book," and lots of prenatal visits. Two coming up this week, including an ultrasound on Friday. Hoping for head-down!