Maternity Pictures

These pictures were taken by Nicole Hoefer Photography out of Redwood City, California. We think she did an EXCELLENT job ... if you're interested in connecting with her to help you with your family photography needs - go ahead and reach out to her!

Nicole Hoefer: 650-302-6191 or nicole@daniente.com

And now for the fun .... (these were taken at 29 1/2 weeks!)

Belly pics from our anniversary

People seem to LOVE pictures ... so I thought I'd share some belly pics from the other night. This is me 29 1/2 weeks pregnant - the night of our anniversary dinner out.

Now mind you that it was a Monday night and the eve of a much anticipated frightening storm front. Upon seating us, the hostess said "I'm so proud of you for getting out at this stage of your pregnancy." And I responded with "you mean the very beginning of my third trimester with 11 more weeks to go?" ... I think she back peddled by telling me it looked like I could already be uncomfortable.

The front view:
The back view: (cute dress huh?)


There it is ... the "yep, she's pregnant" view ...


And in case you weren't sure ... we've spelled it out for you ...
Yes, I'm large.

I do get asked all the time "are you sure that you're not having twins?" ... this question should offend me because really, they are implying that I'm extra big, but instead I'm gleeful and giddy - I love having a pregnant belly, I love that it's huge!

Pregnancy and infant loss awareness day

Today, October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss awareness day.

If you have lost a baby or babies ... my heart goes out to you, I wish I could reach through the screen and hug you right now. If you lit a candle for your lost little ones, know that you are not alone in your pain. Know that grief and heartache do not have a time schedule that other people dictate. Grief and loss are very complex and painful. I hope you were able to surround yourself with people who love and support you - I hope you got the hugs you needed today.

If you have not lost any babies ... maybe, tonight ... give the little ones that you do have an extra big hug and thank God for them - they are truly a miracle. And if you know anyone who has lost a precious baby - let them know that you think about them and their lost little ones.

Missing our babies today:
August 2006
February 2007
September 2007
January 2008

Lift a glass ...

Today marks 8 years of marriage.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this previously, but Berilac and I have not had an easy marriage - by any means. We call our first year of marriage "the meat grinder year" because there was so much difficult change going on that year. Then our second year was deemed "Berilac's take-it-in-the-chin year" ... it was appropriate for the emotional beating I was giving him and no, I'm not exaggerating.

In those early years we fought against our new identities, we fought against selfishness, we fought against insecurities, we learned of many more of our own weaknesses - and the reality of that was so very intense. The best news is ... is that we surrendered that all back to God and asked Him for His blessing, wisdom, and direction in each area ... and over the years each of these areas has gotten better and better. Because we had so many struggles, we were able to learn how to become a team and face these problems together. I believe that it was because of these issues and the tools we learned to overcome them ... that going through the years of infertility and loss brought us closer together, rather than driving us further a part. I definitely mourn over the loss and heartache from these past three years, but I also cherish these years as an opportunity God took in breaking us down even more - drawing us closer to each other and closer to Him.

For the past three years - every holiday, every milestone was just another reminder of what we don't have, rather than what we do. Today is a milestone. A milestone very different than the milestones we've hit over the past 3 years. Today, I am so grateful to be passing this milestone with little baby Gamwich in my belly. No, we are not holding baby Gamwich in our arms, and no I'm not 100% certain that there will be a live healthy baby to take home come Christmas ... but I do have more hope than I used to have ... that it will happen ... more hope then I've ever had ... some would think this is a slam dunk - 29 1/2 weeks pregnant, all tests look good, everything progressing successfully equals live healthy baby ... but I will tell you that each day I still have to choose hope.

Although we celebrate 8 years of ups and downs, we also celebrate that today wasn't another reminder of how we don't yet have children. I think of the ladies that are still waiting and my heart breaks for them and my eyes well up with tears. I am saddened by their losses, I am brokenhearted with them. I think of how this milestone would have been like that had this little baby not been conceived and thriving in my belly.

I am celebrating 8 years, I am celebrating emotional growth and intimacy, I am immensely grateful to be celebrating today, and I'm rejoicing in a new life.

A toast ... to real life.