Long Story Later, Good News Now.

This is Sarah writing on Tracey's behalf.

I would like to announce with great excitement and honor, that Tracey is the proud Mommy of:

Miles Kendrick
5 lbs 6 oz
19 inches
6:31pm, Thursday, April 13th, 2006

Miles surprised everyone by being just a little early. (About 6 weeks.) However, he is doing wonderfully and is happy and healthy. God is so good!

Tracey would like to thank everyone who has been praying for them, and she says to please keep those prayers coming as she continues to recover from a really crazy labor and birth experience (among other things.) She has felt your prayers and God's presence through this whole time. She is doing well, but it will be awhile before she can get back to the computer to share her birth story, which might just be the craziest one I've heard yet.

I just have to say here that Tracey is amazing, strong and SUCH a good mother already! Way to go, Tracey! Rah Rah Rah! We can't wait to see pictures of your little man!

Miles has a cute little face

I've been told by some that they can't tell what is what, and by others that they can see what is there. So...in case you need a bit of help, what you are looking at is Miles facing you, with his hand (on the left) propped under his chin. You can see some of the forearm bones there as well. His forehead is on the far right, and you can see his nose, cheekbone and lips, and his eyes are closed. What might look like some 'bubbles' next to his cheekbone is actually part of the umbilical cord.

Enjoying the calm

I had no clue as to what the last weeks of my pregnancy were going to be like. My ideal picture was that, yes, I would be waddling around the house a bit and moving more slowly, but overall I would be this glowing picture of motherhood, setting up last-minute things in the nursery. Remember, I said ideal. I knew it wouldn't be exactly like that. What I didn't expect was that I have to endure such intense back pain, spend a week in my bed and wake up crying because I just could not sleep.

I'm painting a pretty bad picture here, aren't I? But hopefully every woman knows that pregnancy is not going to be a beautiful experience the entire time -- maybe not at all, for some. And I've been told that the final month is the worst...you mean it gets worse than what I just went through? I've also been told by the same women that it is all worth it in the end. And I believe it. Miles is a very active baby, making sure I feel every little point of his elbow or knee, and occasionally jamming a leg into my ribs. I'm already talking to him, telling him to 'stop that!' because wow, does it ever hurt! But the sweetest moments are when Casey and I watch him moving my stomach around, or Casey puts his ear to my belly and Miles kicks his cheek and we laugh and talk about how we can't wait to see him in person, to hold him and learn all about him...all of that already makes up for whatever discomfort I am going through.

Just over a week ago, we were able to find a crib and changing table that we really love and get that all set up, along with a few of the 'classic Winnie the Pooh' decor things we've received at one of our two showers. Everything is just waaaaay too cute, but it is so crazy going in there and seeing a crib and realizing, "Wow, we are going to bring a baby home -- our baby -- and he is going to be here! In person!!" I know it sounds funny, but it's really how I feel. The moment he is handed to us after he is born will most likely be more overwhelming than I can even imagine.

And now for some really great news, although it will start out sounding not so great at the beginning...Thursday night was when Casey and I were signed up to take an infant CPR class at the hospital, one of the two or three we'll be attending. Not long before we had to leave, I was experiencing some of the most intense pain in my back that I'd had in the entire week. I certainly didn't want to go to the class like that, but I rested on the heating pad for a few minutes and we left. All during the class, I kept changing my sitting position, trying to make sure I didn't get stuck in the same spot and make things worse. It really wasn't so bad, but by the time we arrived home my pain was completely gone. No kidding. I kept talking to Casey about it, how incredible it was for that pain to be gone, and then to go to bed feeling so much relief and being able to really breathe -- it was just amazing!

I can only point to God and thank him for answering so many prayers for relief from this pain. I want to give him the glory and also thank my friends and family for praying for me. I am taking things as easy as I can for now, because I know that overdoing it could put me back where I was. But for now I am rejoicing and smiling and have actually been able to get around and do so many things again!

The way of things

I realize I'm blogging less and less these days, so I thought I'd give an update...

It's been a rough few days, what with having a cold, a flare and lots of back and hip pain. We've learned some new stretches to help with the back, thankfully, and the flare seems a bit better today. I'm taking it as easy as I can and trying not to feel overwhelmed at times with pain, but I'm doing alright. I still laugh in those moments (well, not the worst ones), so I'm making it!

We'll get to see Miles on the ultrasound tomorrow morning, and that is something really worth looking forward to...thanks for coming by, sorry I don't have more to say for now.

'Back' again

I know I haven't written much lately, and I have neglected my photoblog as well (although that has more to do with trouble I'm having with Hello). The past week has been a tough one, as my back pain has become a daily presence as Miles continues his rapid growth. I did manage to add a new album to my dotPhoto collection. Comments are always welcome! Some are there that have been seen on the photoblog, but some will be new to you. I am enjoying creeping my way back into my old photography passion, something I discovered just over eight years ago.

I hope all is well with everyone. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!