Progress

We have been taking weekly progress pictures of our growing family. For your viewing pleasure--and if you're interested because you haven't seen me since I've "popped" or find it hard to imagine what I look like--here are belly pictures from the first half of my pregnancy. (And we are taking them in front of our porch door to watch the changing seasons.)

The first half of pregnancy: halfway there - and no more morning sickness!

tmm

Grandfather Clocks

When Nate was in his early 20s, he and his dad were talking about grandfather clocks and how they both liked them and would love to own one someday. Nate said, "I'll tell you what. When I make you a grandfather, I'll get you a grandfather clock." Thankfully he had told me this early on in our relationship so it wasn't a surprise. But I did wonder if there was a creative way around it -- would a miniature grandfather clock work? What about a calendar of grandfather clocks? How about a grandfather clock kit? Nope, it had to be the real thing. We hadn't seen any around, but kept our eyes out (because how common are they?), even though I wasn't pregnant. 



At the end of September 2012, we found out we were pregnant! But since we're not very good at keeping secrets, we had to figure out how to announce it to our parents creatively yet obviously - and quickly. And there was the situation of the grandfather clock.

We stopped by a resale shop to see if they had any nice, affordable grandfather clocks. They had one that was beautiful, fairly understated, and affordable! After doing some measuring of it--and our car--we decided to get it. Hooray!

We decided to tell our parents in person by getting each of our moms Gerbera daisies to represent their grandchildren plus a red rose for their new grandchild. We gave a quick call to my parents to make sure they were home (they were) and to make sure Nate's parents would be home later that afternoon (they live about 2 hours away - they were planning on it). We stopped at my sister Lisa's and told her, then swung by my parents'. When we got there, we handed the bouquet of four flowers to my mom and told them they were to represent their grandchildren...all of their grandchildren. They counted the flowers and realized what it meant and were thrilled!

My mom with her flowers

We didn't stay long since we had to drive down to Nate's parents' still. While driving there, we called my other siblings to tell them the news (they were all thrilled).

In the meantime, Nate's family (his parents and sisters) had been pondering whether us coming down rather unexpectedly with "something to drop off" meant we had a grandfather clock with us...translating to another grandchild. Or maybe they were better off assuming it was puppy so they wouldn't be disappointed if we showed up with something not nearly as exciting as an announcement of an expected birth some nine months away.

While on our way, Nate's sister, Amy, called to tell us that she had to leave for church. We told her and she was thrilled to pieces to be an aunt again. When we arrived at Nate's parents', we got out of the car, went to the front door and were met by expectant looks of anticipation. Nate said, "You need to come outside to get it." Nate's dad hurried out to see what we had brought with us. Nate's mom quickly followed. Nate's sister, Karen, looked at me and asked, "Is it a grandfather clock?" "Yes, it sure is!" Hugs and tears followed. I also handed the bouquet of one dozen to Nate's mom.
 
Then the assembly of the clock commenced.

It looked like it was made to sit against their brick fireplace. And it has the most lovely chime.

Thankfully, Nate's comment about the clock only applied to his first child...because who really needs more than one grandfather clock?

Nate's mom with her bouquet

Nate and his dad with the grandfather clock

tmm