12.23.2010

PAST DUE

Well, here I sit lying in bed at 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I must say I intended to write a blog post yesterday on Kenzie's due date, but it was a LOOONNGGG day to say the least. The day started out at 4:45 AM with heavy contractions. I waited it out until 6 and then woke up Dad-to-be. We both sat in bed timing the contractions and they were 5 minutes apart and we officially got our hopes up and our butts up around 7 to get ready for the hospital. It was very exciting and as we got ready the contractions seemed to spread out a little so after we were done getting ready I bounced on the exercise ball for about an hour and they were back to every 5 minutes and painful! We were officially headed to the hospital, we both KNEW that this was going to be the day we got to meet our baby girl. So we showed up and checked in and they began to monitor my contractions. The nurse had said they were booming, but there was no sign of anything happen down in the "girly area." So she had us bounce on the exercise ball and walk around for about two hours hoping that would help. No such luck...no dilation..still at 3 cm. So she made a call to our doctor who said she wanted to send us home, but first we had an ultrasound that showed that all the fluids were perfectly normal and enough. We were headed home by 4 PM with no baby and contractions that were painful. This whole birthing thing wasn't turning out quite as I had expected. We went and ate some SPICY chipotle and visited with the Knutsen clan and gave Holly her birthday gift. Went on a small walk hoping to break my water...no luck. By 7 me and dad were ready for bed! So we headed home to Yorba Linda, and lounged around hoping the night would bring lots of gushing water! And here I sit on Dec. 23, contractions still coming making it very hard to sleep, but not worse than yesterday and no water broken. I am one ready mama. Kenzie if you don't mind giving the water bag a little karate chop that would be fantastic. Mom could really use your help baby. I was so jealous yesterday being on the labor and delivery floor we got to hear the screams of a newborn and it brought tears to me eyes because I CAN'T WAIT. My heart yearns for you little girl. As do many others out here....come on out and join us for Christmas you will love it! So now I find myself begging my blog to help get her here. I guess anything might help...

On another note, I found out yesterday that I am having a neice and a nephew and Kenzie will be getting three more cousins in 2011. Very exciting news, babies are everywhere and I absolutely LOVE it! So here's to babies cooking and babies being born....may the Lord bless us today with the presence of an angel.

Waiting with hope,
Mom

11.25.2010

Giving Thanks Today

So today is Thanksgiving sweet Kenzie Girl! You are going to enjoy some great food! We are having the family over to "our house." Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate everything that we have been blessed with and so this Thanksgiving I want you to know the things I am Thankful for:

~The amazing love of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice to die for all of our sins so that we would be able to live with Him for eternity. This earth is our temporary home and I have to remind myself of that everyday. Someday we will all be together forever in Heaven.

~Your dad. Words will never be able to describe the love that I have for him. He is more. More than I ever imagined, more of a man that I ever thought existed, more everything than this world teaches you to expect from a husband. I hope you find someone who loves you and wants to spend forever with you that is just like your daddy, because they don't get any better. We are so blessed to get to call him ours.

~I am thankful for the fact that is is 6:00 AM on Thanksgiving and I am wide awake, because that means that I have a little girl inside of me that I love more than life itself waking me up with leg kicks to the ribs. I am so thankful for those kicks, because it means you are healthy and happy in there. I can't stop thanking God for giving me you, you truly are my dream come true Kenzie Love Knutsen. I have wanted you since I could comprehend what having a baby meant. I am Thankful for your sweet smile that I watched on TV last night. I am thankful for all the people in this world that love you and have blessed you with all you could need in your first few months. We are ready for you lovey!

~I am thankful that there is a roof over my head and that is because your grandparents are the best! Living with them has been a blessing and we are so lucky to have been welcomed home with open arms and open hearts. The Lord has a plan and we will continue to follow Him and someday have our own roof, but until then I am beyond grateful to have this roof.

~I am thankful for all the doctors who have helped keep you healthy and safe while you have been growing inside me. They are wonderful!

~I am thankful for all of our family. No matter what happens, we have some pretty darn good family! You are going to love them all!

~There is so much more that I could write but it would take hours! Just know that everything that has happened has happened for a reason and I am thankful that it has! God has a plan, and for that I am thankful!

See you soon Kenzie,
Love Mom

10.25.2010

2 Months Till the Official Due Date!

The clock is ticking and my belly keeps getting bigger and bigger with each new day. I am sitting here writing this blog with ice on my feet because yes, my feet are swollen. Typical pregnancy symptoms are starting to kick in. I guess I should feel lucky because they have only started to appear and I have had it pretty darn easy these last couple months. However, the days are getting more uncomfortable and HOT! Bending over and getting up off the couch or floor is slowly turning into a HUGE task! I officially FEEL pregnant. Luckily, I only have approximately two months left of these uncomfortable times.

Besides the comfort issue, I have been hard at work preparing for a baby girl. Kenzie's nursery is coming along quite nicely! We are picking up her crib this week and then waiting on some bedding my mom ordered and it will be ready for her. Of course, she will be in our room for awhile, but there is something about finishing the nursery that makes it feel so close! I also made her a baby blanket last night. IT IS ADORABLE! Daddy helped me with the sewing and we put together a pretty cute blanket for her. I hope she saves it forever. It may not be the best, but it is made with love and care by the two people who love her most in the world.

This weekend we have another shower. A couple's shower! We are VERY excited to spend time with all of our close friends! It will be at Julie S. house and I am sure it will be tons of fun! Just wish Kenzie was here so we could introduce her to all of our friends.....soon enough! I also bought Kenzie's coming home outfit this last week and I must say it is GORGEOUS! I am sure she will look like a little angel in it! Well thats all for now, just a quick little update!

XOXO,
Kallie

10.09.2010

A Blessed Shower for Miss Kenzie

Today was a Really fun day! Aunt Holly and Aunt Nicole threw Miss Kenzie a Beautiful Baby Shower! It was amazing the amount of love that was circulating at the Grey and Pink themed shower. My wonderful sister-in-laws are so creative and pay attention to every little detail making all events that much more special! From the grey and pink table linens to the grey and pink cupcakes it was ALL color cordinated! Adorable. And the gifts....wow what a huge blessing! Kenzie is already stockpiling a pretty great closet! And some cute shoes too! It is so exciting to know that with each shower we are getting closer and closer to the day when Kenzie will actually be here to receive all this love in person! I know you are going to be overwhelmed with love little one. 


Kenzie:
One of my favorite gifts today was your baby memory book that Elaine Toth gave to me. I have already started filling it out and as I was I came across a pretty cool detail. See originally we had been told there was a high chance that you were going to be a boy so we went ahead and picked out a boys name...Your dad and I had decided to name that little boys middle name after your grandpa Donald. We were so excited to tell him and he was very excited to hear that we had chosen that name for him. Well, turned out God wanted us to have a PRECIOUS baby GIRL! So the boy named after grandpa went right out the door, and in came Kenzie. I had never put much thought into what the name meant, we just knew that we liked Kenzie best. Today as I was filling out your baby book it asked for the meaning of your name, this is where the story gets cool. Turns out that Kenzie is scottish and means Handsome. Handsome is ironically the nickname I have called your grandpa since before I can remember. So it turns out his first grandchild will still be named after him. Pretty cool huh? I love him so much and am so happy to have such a huge part of him in your name. 

Can't wait to meet you baby girl,
love mom

8.28.2010

Preparing to celebrate Aunt Brittany's Wedding Shower

Wow, it sure is crazy how time flies. I can't believe that it is almost September! Tomorrow we are gathering the family to celebrate Auntie Brit's Wedding Shower! I am so excited that I got to help plan it. We are having it here at Grandma Judy's house. It will be such a fun time! And then we have the wedding in just over a month! Finally these two are going to make it official! They will have been together for almost 5 years! I know you are going to adore your auntie brit and uncle kelby baby girl. They may be far in distance, but I'm not worried about that. You will definitely know who they are and you are going to fall in love with them! All the boys and your dad are at the river for the bachelor party. I hear they are having fun.....tsk, tsk, tsk~ 

I can't believe how much you are growing! It feels so surreal when you kick me and I only can imagine that you are flipping around like crazy in there. Today I went through a bunch of old baby clothes that Grandma Judy had saved from when I was a baby. Some of the clothes still had tags on them!!!! We are going to dress you in some of them! You will look adorable, ALL the time! You will be a mini fashionista! I can't wait for you to be here! God is keeping His eye on you and me and what a blessing that is! You are such a miracle little girl! I will tell you that everyday! You are a gift from God! 

I love you,
Mom

8.04.2010

It's Been AWHILE!

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last post! Time has been flying lately. We just returned from a Hawaiian vacation on the North Shore. It was an AMAZING time with lots of family and a gorgeous wedding!! I have to say congrats to my beautiful cousin Ashley PIEKLO!! You looked amazing ASH and your ceremony was ideal! It was nice to take a vacation and spend so much time just me and my hubby. We are kind of obsessed with each other and my favorite part of vacation is spending all the hours of the day with him and not having to send him off to work! It was Kenzie's second flight and she sure was kicking! It is pretty awesome these days to feel her kicking away in there. She is pretty active right after meal time. I can't believe that we are almost at the 6 month mark! She will be here in no time and we can not WAIT!! I have started getting gifts and they are all SO CUTE! It will be a fun time dressing our little girl up in lots and lots of PINK! I just keep praying every day that our AMAZING GOD will continue to keep her healthy and growing! I know how faithful He is and do not doubt His unfailing love.

I will leave you with a picture of Hawaii!

7.23.2010

It's Gonna Be a Pink Christmas

Dear Kenzie Love,

Yesterday was a BIG day little girl. Around 3:30 me, dad, and both your grandma's made our way into the ultrasound room. I sat there as the ultrasound tech got the dvd ready and my belly. I had never been so anxious in my entire life! She measured all of your body parts from head to toe and said that everything was looking GREAT! Then she slowly scanned down to your thighs and before she even told us your dad already knew that you were a GIRL! She told us just a couple seconds after and grandma says she looked at me and I had a HUGE smile on my face! I was thanking God for you. After the ultrasound ended we made a shopping trip to Balboa Island. I think you might like the color pink when you grow up. I love pink, but who knows maybe you will like purple, or yellow. You can like whatever you want to like. I can't wait to see your face. I can't wait for you to finally be here. Your going to look like an angel...I know it. This life is a little scary, but you only need to remember that God is in control and that you have two parents who love you and will protect until the ends of the earth. As well as four grandparents who would do the same. And lots of aunts and uncles who are going to love on you  SOOO much! You are going to be the apple of everyone's eye! Your dad and I are going to try and give you the world little girl. I hope we fulfill all your dreams and I know that someday you will rock this world! By the way, your going to have the best dad any girl could ever ask for. He is going to protect you and love you, and probably teach you how to surf. My heart is so full right now I can't stop thinking about you. I think about you every second of the day. I give thanks every other second. I love you baby girl, love your momma

Psalm 92

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,
to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
sing your faithful presence all through the night,
Accompanied by dulcimer and harp,
the full-bodied music of strings.

You made me so happy, God.
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
How profound your thoughts!!


Amen!

7.18.2010

12 AM and Still Awake

Three in the morning, 
And I'm still awake, 
So I picked up a pen and a page, 
And I started writing, 
Just what I'd say, 
If we were face to face, 
I'd tell you just what you mean to me, 
I'd tell you these simple truths, 

Be strong in the LORD and, 
Never give up hope, 
You're going to do great things, 
I already know, 
God's got His hand on you so, 
Don't live life in fear, 
Forgive and forget, 
But don't forget why you're here, 
Take your time and pray, 
These are the words I would say.



This is exactly what I am thinking about right now directed towards my sweet, strong baby. I love you, Mom.

7.13.2010

Preparing for a change

Change is interesting thing...it brings about so many emotions, but in the end everything always seems to be better. Crazy how God always has Good in store for his children. As we finish out this week, hubby and I find ourselves preparing for lots of changes....I sit in amazement dreaming about what will become of our lives. I only imagine that love will multiply, relationships will strengthen, energy will grow, and God's faithfulness will be more present than ever before. Sometimes we get so comfortable with the idea that life is supposed to be one way, when really God has different plans...better plans. And we are called to pick up our cross and follow Him. And so me and my hubby will do just that. Follow the One who guides us and loves us unconditionally. Thanking Him every step of the way for being the center of our lives and loving us. Thank you Lord!

To my baby: Never be afraid of change. As Christians, we should be ever evolving in Him. Growing in our relationship with our Creator. Growing in our maturity. Growing in our relationships with others. Change will always continue in our lives, and we should not be afraid. Even if at times we don't understand we have the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord who "provides us with a peace that surpasses all understanding." Remember to always accept change with a smile on your face knowing that He has something great planned for you! I know this because you are His child. We love you forever...that is the one thing that won't change.

Love,
Mom and Dad

7.05.2010

Work, work, work all day long!

So I find myself sitting here thinking about all the blessings the Lord has given me in the last year. I can hardly believe that my life is where it is today. Today I went out and worked REALLY hard to further expand my brand new business. See, a couple of months ago I started a business in hopes that it would take off and I would get to work from home for myself! The idea for The Christian Nanny Source was definitely one of those blessings from God. It's funny how He just drops things in your lap and asks you to follow His lead. It's fun and exciting every step of the way. I went out and passed out advertisements in Newport Beach and then stopped by two awesome baby stores in Costa Mesa. To my utter surprise, both stores were SUPER excited to receive my business ads and said they would be more than willing to pass them out. GOD IS SO GOOD! I had envisioned them saying politely, "No thanks, we see this kind of thing once a week." But, it was the complete opposite! I walked away from the stores smiling from ear to ear, excited to see what God has in store for this business! If only I could make enough to stay home with my baby, what a huge blessing that would be. "For all things are possible through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 Can't wait to see where this journey takes us as a family!!

Love and excitement,
Momma K

6.28.2010

25 DAYS!

25 DAYS...until we find out whether we are having a boy or a girl. To be quite honest, I CAN NOT WAIT! Since being pregnant I have not bought a single (yes, nothing!) baby item!  I promised my wonderful hubby that I would wait until we knew if it was a boy or girl. I think a shopping trip will follow the ultrasound on July 22 for sure. There are so many things that I can finally start doing once I know if its a boy or girl. Design baby bedding, pick out furniture, clothes!!, and my favorite part is that I can finally start calling my baby by name. Ahhh...heaven! I don't really care anymore what it is, as long as he or she is healthy.

Things I Look Forward to If It's a Girl
~Buying pink everything
~Bows
~Dresses
~Dancing
~Watching her dad when boys start to come around
~Taking her shopping for special occasion dresses
~Wedding dress shopping
~Cooking together
~And did I mention shopping

Things I Look Forward to If It's a Boy
~Teaching him about sports and the legacy of his G-pa
~Lego's
~GI Joe
~Waving goodbye as he goes camping with his dad
~Mud
~Dirt
~Teaching him how to treat a girl

I know these things are very gender oriented, but they are just the things I think of when I think about boys and girls growing up differently. I'm sure God's plan will be completely different from what I envision. Thank you Lord for having the ultimate plan~ Mom

6.22.2010

A Sovereign King

I came across this passage in THE MESSAGE Bible as my journey of reading the entire Bible progresses. It is a preview of what 1 Kings is all about and it applies to my life in such detail I just had to document it.

"Sovereignty, God's sovereignty, is one of the most difficult things for people of faith to live out in everyday routines. But we have  no choice: God is Sovereign. God rules. Not only in our personal affairs but in the cosmos. Not only in our times and places of worship but in the office buildings, political affairs, factories, universities, hospitals - yes, even behind the scenes in saloons and rock concerts. It's a wild and extravagant notion, to be sure. But nothing in our Scriptures is attested to more frequently or emphatically. Yet not much in our daily experience confirms it. Impersonal forces and arrogant egos compete for the last word in power. Most of us are knocked around much of the time by forces and wills that give no hint of God. Still, generation after generation, men and women of sound mind continue to give sober witness to God's sovereign rule. One of the enduring titles given to Jesus is "King."

So how do we manage to live believingly and obediently in and under this revealed sovereignty in a world that is mostly either ignorant or defiant of it?

Worship shaped by an obedient reading of Scripture is basic.We submit to having our imaginations and behaviors conditioned by the REALITY OF GOD rather than by what is handed out in school curricula, media reporting, and statistics. In the course of this worshipful listening our hearts turn towards Him and Him alone. What a wonderful direction to be pointed in."

My prayer today is that God would continue to work in my life as He has been and that I would never forget that worship and reading scriptures is what should be the #1 guiding light in my life. I pray that I can pass on this life lesson to my unborn baby. Remember little baby that the realities of this world are only that, of this world. And we are believers in the God who rules over this world, therefore first and foremost we must submit to His ways and His realities. Never waiver little baby in the truth that is Jesus and the words of Scripture that He has left for us here on earth. He loves us and wants only good things for us. Never forget that.

I love you and can't wait to share God's love with you.
Mom

6.20.2010

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful dad!! I have the best dad and he has given me the world and more throughout my whole life! Thank you dad for being the bomb!! I LOVE YOU HANDSOME!

Happy Father's day to my wonderful dad-in-law....I'm so lucky to have you as a dad. You are an inspiration and I appreciate you every day. I am so glad God placed me in your family! Thank you for teaching your boys what a GREAT father is! I love you!

And happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband (the father-to-be).....I know you are going to be the best, because you have learned from the best. I can't wait to see you as a daddy. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Mrs. K

6.16.2010

OTETE & ANYO

What does this stand for you might ask???  Well they are lovely nicknames for baby's hands and feet in Japanese. I know this because I stumbled upon this amazing little creation that I will definitely have in my hand weeks after my baby is born. Here is a little webpic of the product.







































I think it is amazingly cute! A stamp of your baby's hand or footprint! Love it!! Can't wait to have one and sign all babies cards with this cute product! Mostly, though I just can't wait for baby.

~Momma K
"Don't Be Afraid, Just Believe"

6.14.2010

Letters to My Unborn Baby

My baby. You have no idea how long I have been waiting for you. When your dad and I found out God had created you, I finally felt like my life was complete. All I could have ever hoped and dreamed for was finally coming true. Your being inside of me was a MIRACLE. God had blessed our family with wonderful YOU! You...you are gonna be great. I have a feeling you are going to do great things, but more so I have a feeling you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. There has been a lot of talking between me and God about you and I want to share some of the great things He has revealed to me during this pregnancy process. There have been a few times during the last three months that have given me a slight scare....but God has reassured me, "Fear not, for God is in control." and "Be Not Afraid, Just Believe." And every time I get scared this verse from Philippians 1:6 helps calm all my nerves, "Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." I know this is a lot of words, but they have all helped me get through this time of growing you inside of me and praying that you are healthy and whole and not being able to see, but remembering that we live by faith and not by sight. I just so badly want you to be here in my arms so I can hold you and kiss you and keep you safe. But God is teaching me that He will keep you safe, that is His job and I need to trust Him. I hope you trust Him with your entire life, for all your life. Don't ever forget how great He is. I've been surrounded by a lot of worry lately and a great inspirational speaker named Leo Buscaglia once said, "Worry never robbed tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy." Oh how joyful I am today that you growing inside my tummy and doing somersaults and playing...keeping growing big and strong baby!  


I recently started to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation (I hope to pass on the love of reading to you!) and as I was reading I Samuel I came across this amazing verse in the first chapter...verse 27. "I PRAYED FOR THIS CHILD, AND GOD GAVE ME WHAT I ASKED FOR. AND NOW I HAVE DEDICATED HIM TO GOD. HE'S DEDICATED TO GOD FOR LIFE." I have a feeling you might be a boy, but we shall see. As long as you are healthy and happy that is all that really matters. If your a girl I think you may like the color pink!   Well, my baby, I can't wait to see you again. We get to see you again on the ultrasound on July 22. I CAN'T WAIT! I love seeing you on that little machine. You are cute already, but I may be a little biased! I love you forever. 


Mommy <3

6.13.2010

Brilliant Baby Bedding

So there is this AMAZING website that I found months ago when I first became pregnant. It allows you to custom design your own bedding on the web and preview it. If you are in the market for baby bedding this is the place to go! Here is one of the designs that I came up with that I LOVE!!



Check out the website: www.babybedding.com! Happy Sunday Everyone!

Momma K
"Do Not Be Afraid, Just Believe"

6.12.2010

The Story of Us

We met 5 years ago. We had been going to the same college, but our paths had not yet crossed until one summer night. One of his bestfriends took me out to a Hootie and The Blowfish concert, afterwards we headed back to his friends house with a couple others, and there he was. Just like that. Sitting there waiting for us to get back from the concert, little did he know his future wife would be walking through the door that night. The night was interesting to say the least, he was involved with a girl and although he claimed to be single, was in no way available. So we became friends, GOOD friends. The kind of friends who would talk and see each other in between classes and ran in the same group, but he was still unavailable. Eventually, he graduated. He saw off his former flame the day after graduation and the door was finally opened! Then we became even better friends. Summer 2007 was the start of our forever journey. 


We moved pretty quickly with the whole dating thing. We both knew we had found the one. So after 8 months of dating he set up a surprise engagement at the Hilton in Huntington. It was the first of few big dreams to come true in the last couple of years. He got down on one knee and with candles lit and rose petals strewn around the gazebo asked me to be his wife. Of course I said YES <3
Then came the big day. We were engaged for WAY TO LONG! It felt like eternity, but was all part of God's plan. With our parents help, we planned a beautiful wedding in Monarch Beach. It was the second of my dreams to come true and the day was a fairytale. I could not have imagined marrying someone more perfect for me. It was like God made us each with the other one in mind. We fit. 


We both had a huge heart for children. So we knew that we wanted to become young parents. My job is to be the care-taker to two beautiful girls! It is so fulfilling and the best job I could ever ask for. But I was yearning to have my own little one to take home with me every night. I knew my day would come when the Lord had planned, so we waited. And then.......a few days before our 1 year anniversary we were blessed with this.


Our little family of two was becoming a family of three right before our eyes. We were overjoyed and so excited to tell our parents. We immediately made plans with them that night. My wonderful, witty husband came up with how we would tell them. We gave them each a gift bag containing one box of Eggo's and one can of Prego. Needless, to say the moms didn't quite catch on, but the dads helped bring to light what was happening. It was the most amazing feeling to watch my parents become grandparents for the first time. His for the second. Our life was in a constant state of pure bliss. We were floating on cloud 9! One of the best parts of pregnancy so far is the ultrasounds. They make everything feel so real.


So here we are, just out of our first trimester and starting a blog. Why? To document  what our life was like before baby? To realize how much better life will be after Baby K arrives? To leave behind words and pictures for our little bean? To find cute baby stuff and share it with everyone? All of it. We want to do it all. And along the way we will keep remembering at each stage, it definitely won't be like this for long. It WILL BE BETTER. So take in every breath and remember that life is good, and God is Good. 


Momma K
"Fear not, for God is in Control."