A Special Visit And A Very Special Request

Their wall is beautiful

Your Great Grandpa Chambers

Me and your Great Grandpa

Great Grandma Chevalier

 

She was so beautiful inside and out

       Today turned out to be a very special day for me.  I was driving your Grandma back to her house in Seabeck and we drove past where your Great Grandpa and Great Grandma's ashes are placed in a wall and I decided on the way back I was going to stop.  Driving up to the cemetery brought on a lot of emotions and I started feeling incredibly sad that you would never get to experience the amazing amount of love that both of these amazing people had to give.
        Your Great Grandpa Chambers (my mom's dad) was a gentle, very intelligent, talented, loving man who called me "His Battle Ground Girl Friend" and I loved that more than anything.  He loved to carve wood, was in the Air Force, and designed the house that your Grandma and Grandpa Chevalier live in. We unfortunately lost him in 1994 after a battle with lung cancer but I know he would have loved to have called you his "Tacoma Girlfriend" and make you feel as special as he always made me feel.
         Your beautiful Great Grandma Chevalier (my dad's mom) was a loving, smart, witty, selfless, amazing cook who opened her heart and home to all.  She was the most incredible woman I've ever known and loved and anyone that ever knew her loved her with all their heart and she loved them even more.  She was an incredible cook who was always trying to make you whatever your heart desired....for me that was usually her famous cream of wheat (yes... yes famously delicious cream of wheat).  I have so many amazing memories and warm feelings about her that are so fresh in my mind that it's incredibly hard to believe she's been gone 5 years.  Whenever I think of her not being here to meet you it instantly brings tears to my eyes because you are missing out on such a dear soul.  We sadly lost Grams to lung cancer as well and it doesn't get any easier as time goes by...I still miss her daily.
         I had not gone to see either of them since they passed, I think for a few reasons but today just seemed to be the "right" day...plus I had a favor to ask the both of them.  One very big coincidence is that their spot in the wall is directly above and below each other...it wasn't planned just happened to be the open spot. It's comforting to know that my mom's dad will always sort of watch over my dad's mom in a way.  I pulled up to the cemetery and it was beautiful outside...the sun was shining and my heart felt full.  I looked around for a bit and started thinking about what I was going to ask them when I got to their spot.  Finally I spotted it and instant tears rolled down my cheeks behind my sunglasses.  I ran my fingers along each of their names and thought about all the wonderful memories I have of each of my amazing grandparents.  Then came the question....I just held both hands to each of their names and talked to them. I introduced them both to you as their Great Granddaughter Hannah and filled them in on your stubbornness already (Little Miss 4 days late).  I then took a moment to tell them how sad I was that they would never meet you and that you would never get to experience their love...but hoped they could help me with something instead.  I asked them to watch over you and take care of you in my belly until you decide to make your appearance.  I asked them to keep you safe through labor and the days and weeks that come ahead.  I asked them that as you grow up and your dad and I learn and struggle through the ups and downs of parenting that they keep a close eye on you and help guide you and keep you on the right path...whatever that may be.  As I sat there and asked them these things I had tears flowing but I felt calm and assured.  I know that while they may not be here to physically meet you, they would do anything they could to love and watch over you and that gives me such a sense of calmness and relief.  I then also asked if they could kindly suggest you come out soon ;) After I took some photos I said my goodbyes. I left feeling incredibly sad about missing them both so much but also extremely grateful that they are up there watching down on you and keeping you safe.  I can't wait to share lots of stories of them with you sweet Hannah and just wanted you to know that they will be watching over you and loving you from Heaven.  xxoo

You Are Past Your Due Date

Thank you for the daily reminder that I am past my due date

3 days past due and getting more swollen by the minute

Bought a exercise ball to try and help with inducing labor

Grammy and I went to the zoo to try and walk you out

I sort of get why you aren't coming out...I'm too relaxed :) View out at Seabeck on the hammock

Grammy and I have been passing the time together and it's been really nice

We even tried to eat some hot dogs at the Red Hot to coax you out

       Well baby girl we are officially past your due date, as my friendly "what to expect" app keeps reminding me everyday.  Monday was your due date and the day came and went.  It's now Thursday evening and still no sign of you even thinking about coming.  We went to the dr's yesterday and Dr. Boutry says that because my blood pressure is getting so high and I'm getting so swollen that if things haven't progressed or I haven't had you by Monday we are going to induce.  I guess it's at least nice to know there's a date in site of when things will get moving.  So the waiting game continues.  Luckily your Grandma Chevalier is up here at their new house in Seabeck and it's been beautifully sunny and we've been able to just relax and have some delicious lunches and dinners together and even took a little walk around the zoo today to try and get things moving.

       We are getting really excited to meet you and it's hard to believe it's just days away.  I'm getting a little anxious that things aren't happening naturally and I just hope that labor is as easy on you as possible. I am also excited to experience the whole birth/labor process with your daddy.  We have been through a lot together but nothing quite like this and I know it's just going to bring us that much closer and I cannot wait to see him holding you, OUR baby girl, for the first time.  We love you sweet Hannah and hope things are going well in there but feel free to come out ANY time now :) xxoo see you soon!!

39 Weeks

39 weeks

Definitely HUGE

       This week marks 39 weeks and what I'm hoping is our last week of you in the belly and not in our arms :) We've had many "I think she's coming" moments but so far you are just hanging out in there and content as can be.  We've been walking every night hoping that will help speed things up, however while the contractions are in full force while we are on our walks around the neighborhood sadly as soon as we get home and stop...so do the contractions.  I've been trying to take advantage of this week though because I'm not working any longer so Monday was spent relaxing and cleaning, Tuesday Aunt Trish and Leah came down from Lake Stevens to hang out with us and it was wonderful.  At night we had dinner with Aunt Heather, Uncle Danny and Lyla.  Today I spent the day out at Seabeck and your grandma and I did a little shopping and weeding around the house.  Now I suppose the rest of the week will just be trying more tricks to get you to come out of that ever growing belly.  Truly we just want your birth to be as easy on you (and maybe even me) as it can be and whenever you decide you are ready we will be thrilled to finally meet you baby girl.  So come out tonight...come out tomorrow or even wait a week...we will love you just the same.  :) Love you baby girl!! xxoo

Seabeck

Stunning views

Sunset

Fresh oysters

Water for days

Your dad relaxin'

We were exploring after the tide went out

Sequence 

Grammy feeling you move

       They finally closed on the house and got the keys!!! Your Grandma and Grandpa Chevalier and Great Uncle Ethan and Great Aunt Brenda have bought a stunning house in Seabeck.  The house is so comfy, a great yard with lots of ponds and great plants and the best part is the stunning views of the hood canal.  It's directly on the water and the view will take your breath away.  When the tide goes out it's fun to go out and check out all the oysters, starfish, clams, and sand dollars.  I know you will have lots of fun exploring out there and there are lots of amazing family memories to be made there.  They've only had the keys for about a week and we've already had a blast.   Here's just a few of the pictures from the first amazing week.

38 weeks and prepping for your arrival

Lots of laundry

Your dad catching up on some reading

WOWZA

        38 Weeks and the countdown is on!! We have been scrambling this week trying to get all ready for your arrival.  That means lots of clothes were washed, we read up on breast feeding, watched some online videos of births and even took a tour of the hospital where you will be born (Tacoma General).  The Friday night that we had the tour scheduled I started having some serious contractions that were about 3 min apart and they started around 345 and were still going on at 6 when we headed to the tour.  They continued throughout the tour but none that were progressing in pain so alas...you didn't make your appearance.  That's okay though baby girl, you take as long as you think you need in there and your dad and I will just be out here waiting for you...hopefully patiently :) xxoo

Lyla's 4th Birthday Party

The Birthday Fairy

Face painting

Presents

Arriving to the party

Selfie :) 

Selfie of the three of us 

       Memorial Day Weekend is always one of our favorite weekends of the year because it's always when Lyla's birthday party is.  It's always such a blast and Auntie Heather and Uncle Danny go ALL out...trust me you'll see!!! This year's theme was "woodland fairy" and it was a huge hit with all the adults and the kids.  I even attempted to face paint which turned out better than I expected.  It was tons of fun and I can't wait for you to experience it next year sweet Hannah! :) 

**Fist four photos courtesy of Heather Stajgr

The Most Amazing Baby Shower Hosted By Auntie Abbie

Gorgeous letters made by Josh and Abbie

The spread

Baby Hannah

Loved the personalized mugs

The cake was amazing and delicious

Exactly what I wanted 

YUM!!!

Nicole and I 

Gabby and I 

The hostess with the mostest!!

Presents galore

Just resting a bit

Jenny and I 

        Where to even begin....AMAZING!!! Auntie Abbie, with the help of many others hosted the most amazing shower for you and I.  It was incredibly thoughtful, had beautiful decor and elegant touches of everything I love here and there.  The best part about it all was being surrounded by so many people who already love you so much baby girl.  It was overwhelming the amount of love that was in that house that day and I could never put into words just how much it meant to me.  Between people driving near and far (even flying into town), all the lovely gifts, the wonderful advice, the incredible amount of work that led up to the day....it was all just the perfect day to celebrate our baby girl.  I wish I could have gotten more pictures with everyone but I hope you know there were a TON of people there who love you and will be there for us throughout your life for support and love.  We are grateful beyond words and were humbled by the entire day.

The night before the big baby shower

We met up the afternoon before the baby shower to prep...first a little grub

Great Aunt Brenda and Great Uncle Ethan were kind enough to let us host it at their beautiful house

Everyone pitched in and took directions from the boss (Abbie)

Games

Add caption

everyone congregating in the kitchen

onesies

       The night before your baby shower we met up with the family at Great Aunt Brenda and Great Uncle Ethan's house in Gig Harbor (they were kind enough to let us host the shower there) to help prep for the shower.  I wasn't much help because my legs and ankles were quite swollen but it was so fun to be around your cousin Gabby and Allie and the rest of the family.  It was my first glimpse of just how much work your Auntie Abbie put into making this day spectacular for you and I and I have to say I was blown away!! She really hit this one out of the park and it got me extremely excited for the big day.  Your dad even came out after he got off work to help with some prep...but mostly just to eat the steaks your Grandma grilled up :) All this fuss just for you sweet girl!! xxoo