And the next Pope will be . . .: Two for One

So . . .

Just like that, our boy is HERE! There's so much my heart and mind are wanting to write, and hopefully will get to soon . . .

Judah Robert Ryan was born quickly and health-fully on December 28th at 8:48am. WOW, I can hardly believe it. He is one week old as of just a few hours ago . . .

More to follow for sure, we are filled with PRAISE (the meaning of Judah). It's all too much.

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And here is your two-for-one deal: below is a post that was in progress (you know, on my "to do list") before Judah's arrival.

Karis-isms (pre baby Judah!)

- "Mommy, I'm going to make a phone call. Can you please be quiet?"
- "We're all dressed in our best!" (what Karis tells Trevor when they are all suited up for going outside)
- "Mommy, is baby brother going to be born today, or next time?" (asked after I told her we were leaving for a midwife appointment)
- "I like to write m&m's with feet and kitty cats with tails"
- "Is baby brother kicking really hard?"
- "Someday, when I'm big, I can go see The Hobbit!"
- "Mommy's gingerbread has a baby belly" (true - they gave out homemade gingerbread people at church one Sunday, and even had special ones for the pregnant mommas with a baby gingerbread embedded into the belly)
- "I need to go wash my dishes!"
- "Do you want to put some sugar in your tea? Do you want to join me?"
- "I can't wait to have my guac" (you know, guacamole. atta girl)
- "Someday I'll have a phone that works and I can talk to her"
- "Can I please have some berries with my gingerbread stomach?" (she ate a gingerbread man piece by piece, and thought the red hot candies were berries)
- "I want baby brother to come out right now" (said with her stomach on my belly: 12/18 - a day I had been contracting a lot)
- "I made a fancy feast for us!" (included tea, meatballs and ice cream - she even used a cookbook and utensils)

The festivities have been fabulous and relaxed this season. We made a little family memory a few weeks ago when we used some of Trev's hotel/travel points to spend the night in a hotel 5 minutes down the road. We arrived in a snow-storm, ate pizza, explored the hotel, swam, opened up "new-to-her" pj's for Karis and ate popcorn in bed. Karis got the huge bedroom so we could traipse around the living room area . . . and sleep on the less-than-full-size pull out (discovered that after lights out for K). Cozy! I crashed early and Trevor was entertained by Predators. Christmas-y, right? We had a blast, a fun family memory.

The night was most memorable for me because I was up almost every half hour with contractions, thinking "Oh boy, this is it. How are we going to get to the hospital . . . I'll have to stop at home and get my bag . . . " Well, the morning found things much calmer and the day went on as usual. Interestingly, at my midwife appointment a few days later I told her about that night. It took her about 2 seconds to say, "Oh yeah, that happens a lot during snow storms". Huh. So, I've been watching the weather.

News in Trevor's sphere is that he's settling into his new job, we went to his work Christmas party, and he saw The Hobbit. He hosted a guys' night game party, organized Brews with the Bros, and has been an organizing machine. A good month.

We've enjoyed going through our Christmas movies, and with the help of some friends we introduced Karis to A Muppet Christmas Carol - hilarious. I got through The Family Stone without crying . . . and decided that instead of watching Little Women, I thought I might as well read it. I am loving its reminders of deep, simple faith - that life is not always easy but God is always good. That we are continually on a journey of character growth and all have obstacles to overcome - and strengths to offer. I'm loving the example of "Marmee", her mothering is beautiful and real (again, not without its trials).

I was thankful to read this passage: "I like to think He was a little child once, for then I don't seem so far away, and that helps me" (said by young Amy, who is explaining one of her paintings of Mother Mary and Jesus to her mom).

Isn't that so Christmas?

And now it's the 26th. We spent the last several days here with my parents, celebrating Christmas. We're so thankful to have had family here, I feel like we had a retreat in our home with laid back meals (thanks, mom, for the meatballs & turkey & stuffing & bounteous baked goods!), lots of decaf, Christmas music, and playing with Karis. We got to spend some time Christmas Day with the "Minneapolis Popes", also such a gift.

And of course every day we're eagerly waiting to meet baby boy - the anticipation is both exhilarating and exhausting. I remind Trevor every once in a while that most of my thoughts now are about labor/birth. I was thankful to come across a passage that I hope to remember during labor. Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.