A BABY AND BANANA BREAD

Do cravings count as the pregnancy kind when you're two and a half weeks postpartum? Because I haven't stopped thinking of banana bread ever since Grey baby arrived. 

My mom indulged us when we came home from the hospital by whipping up quick/easy banana bread via Trader Joe's starter mix. Extra squishy bananas and walnuts were thrown in for good measure, and get this: she substituted cooking oil for coconut oil. Coconut oil! Nothing's ever tasted so delicious.

So with Grey all snug as a bug and snoozing in the Solly Wrap, I mama-multitasked and mixed up our second loaf of postpartum cravings perfection. It was a little victory worth celebrating (and blog-mentioning). I have a feeling this little treat will be the perfect antidote to stressing over future piles of laundry and dishes and that sort of thing.

Sleepy baby cuddles and warm banana bread and a quiet moment to count blessings.

Sending love.

NEWBORN PHOTOS

A sneak-peek of Grey's newborn photos are up on our photographer's blog. Melissa Deakin did a phenomenal job capturing our sweet boy - those lips and that chin! I can't stop thinking about how we made him. He's officially two weeks old and I continue to have moments of complete/utter gratuitous and ecstatic disbelief (and these moments are typically followed by a million prayers of thanksgiving).

I'm in love with being Grey's mom - it's the biggest and best thing I've ever done, and here it is just the beginning. Ben's an extraordinary father. He holds our son snugly in his arms and unabashedly sings the sweetest and most ridiculously-rhymed songs. It's so clear Grey loves the sound of his Daddy's voice; those two are already one and the same.

Nonni - my incredible mother Kelly Claire - has provided unbelievable support these last two weeks. From cooking to comic-reliefing to unconditionally loving our little family of four, we've been able to keep it all together and savor this time thanks to her. We are forever grateful, Mom.

Still so much to share. I loudly applaud those new mamas who found the time to return voice-mails let alone record precious memories on their family blog. I'm getting there - thank you sweet friends for your patience.

Sending love.

MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to the best woman I know. I love you more than words, Kelly Claire. And so does your Grey.

Sending love.

GREY BABY

Stanley 'Grey' Kicinski entered the world on Monday April 29, 2013 at 6:50 PM. He clocked in at eight pounds nine ounces and measured twenty-one inches long. The labor and delivery experience was phenomenal, I had an incredible coach in my sweet Ben, and our hearts will never ever be the same.

I've been a mama for ten days now, and while I have so much to say (and so many pictures to post!), I can't seem to pry myself away from our Grey baby. He's magical. 

God blessed us so deeply with our son. We are so thankful.

Sending love.

p.s. I have big plans of the birth story-kind. More than ever, it's so important to me that I record this time in our lives. Just be patient with me while we find our rhythm.

LETTERS TO BABY - WEEK 39

Sweet thing,

What a ride. I hope this is my last in utero letter to you, as it is with so much love and care that I say Time's up, honeybun! At our last doctor's appointment, your heartbeat sounded perfect and there's no doubt you are snug as a bug. But because of the way Mama's blood pressure has trended over the last four weeks, you won't be staying put much past our due date.

Little one, know that your Daddy and I can't stand the thought of scheduling your entrance into this wild world. It doesn't feel natural to us. The very most important thing, though, is your health and vitality and so if that means giving you a little nudge, then we'll agree to it.

The awesome news? We have time. We have this week to get you moving on your own. With moderation in mind, we'll be going for walks, drinking lots of tea, soaking in clary sage baths, eating super spicy foods, and we'll probably even do a bit of loving each other in the same way that brought you into this world (Ew, Mom!). Ultimately, it's God's plan how this all goes down, and remembering this feels like one giant deep breath.

We are ecstatic to meet you and to hold you and to love you in those first seconds of your life, and for every second after. Your Daddy and I are already so smitten, and we haven't even met you yet. Imagine that. So much love. And so soon, baby boy!

As long as I'm living,
Mama