Ethan Delaney

September 24, 2008

9 lbs. 3 oz.

21.5 inches

Our little bundle of joy...More pictures to come...

Last Baby Ethan Update

I cannot believe he's going to be here Wednesday! That's right: the doctor is going to induce me on Wednesday. And considering I will be one day shy of a complete 40 weeks, I could not be happier! So, how did we do at our last appointment?

Baby's heartbeat: 120s-130s
Mommy's weight gain: 11 lbs.
Mommy's blood pressure: 100/84

At this point, the doctor has stopped measuring the baby. She's thinking he's going to be 9-10 lbs. (based on the fact that he was 7.5 lbs. at 36 weeks). So hopefully, most of that 11-lb. weight gain will be gone by the time I leave the hospital!

I can't believe he's going to be here this week. I can't wait for everyone to meet him!

Three years later...

Here is a picture that a friend took when I was almost 36 weeks pregnant with Emma (August 1, 2005):

Here are a few pictures that Dan took today, as I am 37 weeks (and two days) pregnant with Ethan:

Wow.

The perfect dessert...

For anyone with a chocolate addiction (and who loves easy, not-so-healthy recipes), I have found the perfect dessert. I will be making it soon!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies (as found on a package of BC CC Cookie mix pouch)

1 box Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix (with chocolate syrup)
Oil, water, and eggs called for on box
1 pouch Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie mix
Butter and egg called for on pouch
1 container chocolate frosting

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 13x9 inch pan. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread in bottom of pan.
2. Make cookie dough as directed on pouch. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly onto brownie batter; press down lightly.
3. Bake 35-40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost with frosting.

See what I mean. Thank you, Betty Crocker, for that little piece of inspiration.

When it's hard not to laugh...

In a moment of budget weakness, Emma and I went to Chick-fil-A for a late lunch today. After we sat down to eat, Emma saw an advertisement that was shaped like one of those "We're #1" foam fingers. She examined it for a few minutes, looked at her hand, and then proceeded to give me THE finger! She said, "Look, Mommy! Just like this!" She was so proud of herself that I could barely stop laughing.

I did happen to stop laughing long enough, though, to show her how to properly show that her team is #1.

A few things I've learned...

Ever since Emma's birthday, things have been somewhat calm in the Delaney household. Nothing big going on with Nerve2Serve or church, no big family gatherings, and no updated information on when our little man Ethan will officially join our family.

In the quiet of this past week, I have been learning and reflecting--two of my favorite things to do. Here is what I've seen, heard, and realized:

1. Waking up to spend time with God before Emma is running around is the most refreshing part of my day. It gives me time to be alone with God, to talk to and hear Him, and to just thank Him for His goodness.
2. When I wake up early enough, I also have time to send emails and do other projects that would take me at least twice as long to finish once Emma is awake. :)
3. I REALLY love my husband. He had an incredible (or what would seem to be incredible) opportunity arise last week, and he turned it down because he knew it was not what God wanted.
4. When you do what God asks of you, the reward and blessing is sometimes almost immediate. (in reference to #3)
5. I am such a nerd! Yesterday while Dan and Emma were playing (yes, I think that Daddy has officially become the new favorite) I spent 30 minutes researching craft projects to make for Christmas presents. I cannot wait to get started.

That's all the excitement I've had for a week. Just a little calm before the "storm" of having a new baby. Not the bad kind of storm, though...

Happy Birthday, Emma! (again)

On Saturday, we had our families and a few of Emma's friends over for her 3rd birthday party. We so missed having more people over, but with our tighter budget and the fact that I am almost 37 weeks pregnant I thought it best to keep it small. Here are a few pictures of the special day.

We were so tired that we went to bed at 9:00 on Saturday night! I don't remember the last time I went to sleep that early. And we have been eating pizza, hot dogs, chicken, and cake for three days straight. Glad we do this but once a year...