A Prayer of Thankfulness

Ever feel like a 'thank you' just isn't quite enough?  That is the feeling Nicki and I have had since 8:08 a.m. on Saturday August 25th when Kennedy Grace Spicher met the world for the first time, weighing in at 6 lbs 4oz.

Without question, this week has been the most magical, special, unbelievable, and many other adjectives combined, week we've had in our lives.  I will let Nicki post the labor and delivery story, but over the past week there have been so many moments where we have said to ourselves how thankful we are for this blessing, and it seems appropriate to stop and say a prayer of thankfulness:

God,
We want to thank you.  That's it.  Just thank you.  An all encompassing thank you for the blessing of life, and the perfect miracle that surrounds it.  We thank you for your constant presence now and forever.

We thank you for entrusting us with the life of Kennedy Grace and providing us with the wisdom, patience, humility, and faith it will take to raise her in your image.

We thank you for allowing for Nicki's incredibly smooth labor, delivery, and recovery. We want to thank you for the nurse at the ER who refused to listen to the ER doctor who told us we were "definitely going home and not having this baby for another two weeks" about five hours before Kennedy was born.

Nicki arriving at the ER at almost 3 a.m. (Kennedy was born just 5 hours later) 

We thank you for the nurses at Willow Creek who stayed another hour beyond their 16 hour shift just to be able to deliver Kennedy.  We thank you for Dr. Hix and Dr. Partridge who have guided us through this pregnancy with such love and care.  We thank you for the nursery nurses who cared for Kennedy during the first days of her life like she was their own child.


We thank you for our grandparents.  We thank you for the safe 14 hour drive from Akron and flights from Cincinnati.  We thank you for their unending love and support.  We know without them we would have been lost.  We thank you for the model they have set before us, and thank you for their unselfish giving of their time to love their new granddaughter.

We thank you for our incredible friends.  You have surrounded us by a group of people both here and around the country who have showed us limitless love through hospital visits, home visits, meals, and simple phone calls.  These friends have also shown us what it means to rely on You in times of parenting trials.  We never would have imagined a day we would deliver our first child in Fayetteville, AR - and now we can't imagine it any differently.

We thank you for our wonderful work families.  You have blessed us with co-workers who go beyond just being co-workers and truly care for our well being and our lives.  We recognize this is not common practice and want to thank you for these friends.

I want to thank you for giving us a daughter who was born with more patience and understanding than I have.  You recognized my fear of very limited knowledge of how to raise a newborn and brought us a baby that seemingly has agreed to put up with my learning curve of how to change a diaper, bathe, swaddle, and change clothes with such grace.

I want to thank you for my incredible wife, who has made pregnancy, labor, and parenting look easy.  She has proven that all the reading, preparation, nesting, organizing, was actually worth it and has made for a smooth transition in to parenting.  You made her to be a mom and for that I am thankful!

We have so much for which to be thankful, and the words thank you seem to be so insignificant.  You have given us a magical experience.  And You know, that in the coming hours, days, weeks, months, and years we will come to You asking for many many things - patience, wisdom, grace, peace, comfort, understanding, amongst others.  But at this time, in this moment, we want to just stop asking for things and offer a thank you.  We thank you.

Amen

"They" call us full term!!

37 Weeks and loving every minute of it!  I've just completed my first week of maternity leave and am still enjoying every day to the fullest.  I know the countdown is on and so we are really trying to maximize our time as the two of us before Baby Spicher arrives!  Here are a few highlights from the week...

37 Weeks and headed to the Miranda Lambert Concert!

1. Mornings with the Today Show Crew.  I've especially enjoyed Kathy Lee and Hoda during the 10am hour!  Now, if only I could enjoy a glass of wine with them every morning....3 more week

2. Weekly Doctor's Appointments.  I'm sure we've mentioned this before, but Nick and I LOVE our OB.  Nick has been wonderful throughout this entire pregnancy and joins me at every appointment.  At first I never thought we'd be "that couple" but I absolutely love it.   The clinic I go to has over 8 or so physicians, but Dr. Partridge (aka Paige) agreed early on to that we could see her exclusively and not rotate through docs at every appointment.  We think this fact alone has drastically enhanced our entire pregnancy experience.  Not only is it great to see a familiar face every time we go into the office, but we really feel like we've gotten to know her.  I swear we spend 10% of the visit talking about this baby and 90% about Nick's latest adventure or serving as each other's travel agent.  Our hope is that she may just like us so much, she will come deliver our baby even if she isn't on call.  Wishful thinking I'm sure, but we're still hopeful!  As of last week, our trips to Park Hill will be weekly.  Last Wednesday the 15th, I was 1.5cm dilated and Paige said this baby's head is really low.  We should have a better idea of timing based on this Wednesday's appointment and if there has been any progression...I'm still hoping for a September Birthday!  We had an ultrasound too but the baby is so scrunched in there that it was hard to see a lot.  The tech did predict that OB is currently 6lbs so if we make it full term, we can expect a 7.5lb baby (of course, I know this is a major estimate and never really correct!)

3. Nursery.  Our chair arrived on Friday afternoon and our nursery feels almost complete.  All we are missing is our "pop" of color which can't be added until Baby Spicher makes his/her debut!

Jack loves my time home the most!!

About 91 weeks of pregnant ladies in this picture at the Miranda Lambert concert (from left to right Jessica is 20 weeks, Lindsay is 34, and I'm 37)

36 Weeks

I CAN'T believe we only have four weeks to go!  Here are a few of the highlights of what life has been like over the last two weeks in the Spicher House as we prepare for OB!

35 Weeks

36 Weeks

1.  Maternity Leave - I have to start with this one because I am officially done with work!  I am so thankful and feel very blessed that Lilly has an amazing maternity leave.  Today is day two and it hasn't sunk in yet that I don't have to go to work on Monday.  Nick is counting down the days until my boredom sets in but I keep telling him that my to do lists keep growing and I will more than enjoy the next four weeks :)

2. Nursery - We are making progress!  My mom and dad came in town last Friday and we had a get things done kind of weekend.  The beautiful artwork and craft project are on the walls, our fancy color video monitor is installed, and my mom and I spent some time purchasing some little things to make the room cozy.  The one (but major) piece missing is our chair.  I was hoping for a phone call this week to tell us it was in, but no such luck...maybe next week!  We also put together a lot of the typical baby items - the pack 'n play, the bouncer, the strollers, and installed the car seats!

Nick spray painting

Then came the Mod Podge

The Masterpiece!

3. Showers - My wonderful girlfriends in Arkansas threw me a baby shower last Saturday!  I loved every bit of it and it was so nice to have my mom in town to meet all of my girlfriends.  I feel so lucky to have these girls in my life especially with our families so far.  My work crew also hosted a joint baby shower for Kia (she is due just one week after me) and me this past Monday but unfortunately, a stomach bug got the best of me and I wasn't able to make the 6 hour drive to and from Little Rock.  However, I am so thankful for such supportive and loving people to work with.

4. Ailments - As I just mentioned...that stomach bug.  I really can't remember the last time I had a stomach bug that was quite so terrible.  It started last Sunday night and seriously knocked me out for two days.  Not only did I get it, but so did three others, including my mom and Nick.  Yuck.  On Wednesday, I thought I was back to my normal self when a lovely case of heartburn struck and has continued for the week.  I can honestly say I've never had to deal with heartburn before.  So, despite very little sleep and slowly and begrudgingly giving up some of my favorites until this passes (Chai Tea Lattes, tomatoes, fruit and lemonade) I'm praying this ongoing burning sensation will cease!  I feel very lucky that I've had such a smooth pregnancy thus far so can handle this week's adventures.  

5. Pool - I don't even think it's fair for me to add this to the list quite yet, but after such a relaxing Friday afternoon, I can't help it!  Combine 90 degree weather (instead of 100+) and the fact that Nick got off work early today, and it was the perfect time to relax poolside.  Well, let's just say that I spent the time relaxing while Nick swam laps.  Nonetheless, it was exactly what we needed and made our Fayetteville Athletic Club membership (which I don't use very often) worth every penny!

So, as I write this we are sitting on our front porch enjoying the cool weather and some good music and I'm counting down the days until I can join Nick in a nice cold cocktail!

33 Weeks and Counting!

September 9th is fast approaching and we are getting more and more excited by the day!  With 7 weeks to go we are so thankful that my pregnancy and this baby are progressing perfectly and praying OB gives us seven more weeks before making her/his debut.  We have had a wonderful last couple of weeks filled with lots of time with family and friends and are still in amazement at the generosity, love and support from everyone!  OB is one lucky baby!!  While I don't have pictures yet from our Cincinnati shower (I forgot my camera in Arkansas) my friends threw OB a nursery rhyme brunch at Shannon's lake house.  From the setting, the food, the decorations...everything was perfect!

We spent the fourth of July here in Arkansas and then headed to Akron as my Mom hosted a joint baby shower for Jen and me.  We did remember the camera for this trip so I've posted a bunch of pictures below!  As you'll see, the luncheon was gorgeous and my Mom did a phenomenal job.  It has been such a blessing to share in this pregnancy journey with so many friends but most importantly my sister.  As you can imagine, my parents are beyond excited for the arrival of these babies!

My Aunt Linda and KC flew in from San Diego!

Baby Buggy Themed Shower

The GROWING bump!

  

Cincinnati Round One...

Although it feels like forever ago, a few weeks back we made our way to Cincinnati for quite a few celebrations!  From Nick's 30th Birthday, OB's first baby shower, a wonderful wedding to Father's Day,  I really don't know how we manage to squeeze so much into just a short weekend, but I must say, Nick and I always find a way!  Here are a few pictures from the weekend.  Unfortunately, I don't have more yet from the adorable baby shower that Pattie hosted but will post them soon.  The theme was "Is it a boy or Is it a girl" and everything was decorated in pink and blue.  After having my first shower, it definitely made OB's approaching arrival seem real and exciting!  

The three of us...just missing Jack!

Another Twin Baby Bump Photo!!

Two bumps plus Mom and Dad!

The Theme of the Shower!!

A passdown Baby Blanket that Pattie received as a gift when Nick was born with many open squares to fill in with more babies! 

Katie and me at the Slone/Sellet wedding!!  We are due just 10 days apart!

Nick and Denny celebrating their June 14th Birthday!

What a Ride...

Whoa...time is certainly flying by this year!  While we have taken a brief hiatus from posting recently that is certainly not because of a lack of major events happening in our lives.

One of the major happenings recently was my first ever triathlon.  After 5 months of training on June 10th I competed in the Lawrence, KS Ironman 70.3.  It was a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run.  It was something I had dedicated a significant amount of time to training for but really didn't know what to expect.

What I did know is that throughout the process we joined with 99Balloons and one of their international partners to raise funds for a ministry named Ekisa, for special needs children in Uganda.  99Balloons is an amazing organization based here in Fayetteville which we have been blessed to be a part of.  We initially sought out to raise $600 for the orphanage to start a school, and through the generous blessings of friends and family raised over $2,000!  We were able to provide the orphanage with funding for the school, two new goats for fresh milk, an Apple iPad and apps, and other operating funds.  It was truly amazing to see what God worked through this endeavor.

The race was a wonderful journey in itself - and one I'm not soon to forget.  The night before the race a wonderful friend, and spiritual mentor, Ross Cully sent me these words of encouragement  “seek His face for strength, call upon His name when in trial, He is the great I Am, and He is inside of you – get out of the way and unleash”.  I spent quite a bit of time on Saturday night praying and focusing on those words and trying to frame my mind around the blessing it was to be able to compete in an event like this.  

As I entered the swim portion of the race – to describe the situation as a major panic would be completely underselling it.  As soon as the gun went off I literally had a major meltdown, given this was my first time swimming in open water and with other people around me.  As people were kicking me in the head, water going in my mouth with every wave, I lost my mind.  Within the first five minutes of the start of the race – I was drowning.  I was taking on water, panicking, losing energy, losing breath, and in that moment every negative thought I could summon was in my head.  How many people I let down, how embarrassing this was, how to write an email to the Ekisa donors telling them I made it only .2 miles of the swim before having to bail, how this will be just another notch in the ‘see I told you you aren’t an athlete’ belt, and on and on.

I spent five to ten minutes trying not to die and just move forward.  With each “stroke” it only got worse – the water was incredibly choppy and I was getting pushed extremely far out of the course.  Finally, I saw a race kayak which is made for people to either hang on to for a bit or take them back to shore.  I remember so clearly, in that moment of panic, thinking “okay, that’s it, I’ll just swim over to the kayak and call it a day – I just wasn’t meant to do this – I’m not good enough for this sport”.

It was almost  simultaneous – the next thought in my head was “seek His face for strength, call upon His name when in trial, He is the great I Am, and He is inside of you – get out of the way and unleash”.  It was in that moment I turned to God and just asked him if this is what he meant to happen.  I asked for His strength, His power, His glory.  To describe what happened next in words doesn’t do it justice.  The next feeling I had can only be described as an out of body experience.  I suddenly started swimming as if I knew what I was doing – my stroke was long, lean, clean – I could see in front of me, the water calmed, and I was confidently on my way.  I remember quite often during the swim thinking – this is not me doing this – this is AMAZING to see how I am being carried through this water.

The next 70 miles of swim, bike, run were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  There were times on the bike/run where I felt like I was actually able to feel like God had taken over – like I was looking down on the Holy Spirit finishing a half ironman using my body as a vehicle.  Each time along the way where I expected additional trial, pain, exhaustion, etc. it just never came.  Even my body’s recovery has been beyond my expectations.  It was, well, indescribable.

I couldn’t help but think throughout the race what a great analogy for life and it’s trials this was.  It was at my darkest hour, my toughest moment (of the race), just when my mind decided to give up, that I turned to Him and unleashed the Holy Spirit – and he happily took over and carried me through to the finish while I was along for the ride.

Alot of nervous energy in the air at 5:30 a.m.

Ummm...not all of the bikes were here when I got back from the swim...

The first time I'd ever been identified as 30 years old...

This is right about the time when the panic set in....

Smiling because the swim is over...

This was a better stroke than the initial 10 minutes of doggie paddling...

Nicki was clearly concerned for my time...she made me stop to pose for a bike shot before I left

Doesn't get much better...

Really an 8 oz bottle of water after 6.5 hours of working out?

On.The.Go.

Everyone says life gets crazy with a baby.  I really do believe this, but lately our life before baby has been quite the adventure.  These adventures are the reason that this blog post is long overdue.  Despite the craziness, Nick and I are enjoying every minute of it.  We had an amazing trip to San Francisco and Half Moon Bay California.  The food in San Fran was out of this world and the setting at Half Moon Bay was gorgeous and so peaceful.  We then headed to Akron to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday over the extended Memorial Day Weekend.  Jen and John also came home and it was so nice to have everyone together...and get more twin belly pictures!  I'm officially 26 weeks and feeling great!  OB (our baby...thank Nick for the name) continues to move around a lot!  Bubbles don't quite describe the feeling anymore...somersaults or little punches would be more like it.  We'll keep you posted with updates and pictures over the next couple weeks as our travels take us to Indy, Kansas and Cincinnati!!

Cable Car Ride

Alcatraz 

Belly Pic in Sausalito

Sausalito

Redwood Forest Tour

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Lobster Night!

Gervasi Winery

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!!