Maternity.

We got all of our maternity photos back from the wonderful Sarah Scruggs (Again, Sarah, you are incredible) and I just had to share them. Rather than putting them on facebook, where the world can see them without asking, I thought I would put them up on the blog with a forewarning.


I wanted to put all of our favorites up, including some of the ones that show my bare Olive belly, because I think that fully shows the beauty of what God created our bodies to do! I am so blown away by these shots Sarah took. They really captured our joy and the emotion of that period of time in our lives, expecting Olive and delighting in how God was forming her inside of me. Seeing these pictures, especially the bare belly ones, reminds me to find thankfulness and happiness in what my body did and has been through. This is really important for me as a post partum mother, I think. We watch our bodies go through so many changes, and often times, at the end, we slip into the trap of self consciousness over our new "mummy tummy" and whatever else usually accompanies growing and birthing a child! 


So, I put myself out there and post these as a celebration of the pregnant figure and what God has done in creating Olive. For me, I think, it will be cathartic and an attempt at making peace with my body. 


Proceed only if you want to and it's appropriate for you to do so!

                 

 

A Day of Firsts.

It's been a month since I've last updated this blog. In the world of a baby, a month can developmentally seem like an entire year!


Olive is almost four months old now and it is amazing how much she's grown and learned. It's crazy to look back at her newborn photos and think that this is the same baby! She's full of personality and so, so happy. She loves to grab for things now, and everything that she touches goes into her mouth. Big girl is wearing 6-9 month clothes already! 

 

This little girl had a busy day today, too! Colin worked from home, so Olive helped out with some of his sales calls:

You know you love the cloth diaper clothes line...

And, for the first time, Olive rolled herself onto her side! She had shown no interest in doing so up until today. Being the determined little girl that she is, she couldn't stop there. She decided to roll all the way over onto her tummy, too! 

On her side...

Tummy!

Now she loves playing on her side!

And, best of all, tonight Colin and I got our first belly laughs out of our little girl. We've gotten chuckles here and there, but tonight, while enjoying one of our favorite treats (Mochi ice cream!), we gave Olive a tiny taste (as is custom) and this is what happened.

           



Olive is clearly our daughter... nothing has delighted her more than food up to this point in time :) Although, it does seem that she is laughing more at our laughter (mostly her dad's, no surprise) than the mochi. 


It's incredible to me how the tiniest efforts and acquired skills can delight the heart so much. I mean, we find ourselves absolutely ecstatic over hands that can now grab for things that interest, smiles, eyes that can scan a room, and arms that push up off the ground. To a fully competent adult, these shouldn't be such a big deal. But they are. Her laughter brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. It is so pure and full of genuine and unadulterated joy. 


Grace and peace!

Mommy! Mommy! *sip* Mooommmy!

1. In the Kiser household, we love Allstate's Mayhem commercials.
This one, though, takes the cake in my book.



2. I know that many of you probably saw our post on facebook, but yesterday afternoon I felt Little One's very first without-a-doubt-it's-baby kicks! It was unmistakable. It felt like little, tiny pokes or bumps from inside, just below my bellybutton and to the left. I have been able to feel them a few more times since then, and it brings a huge smile to my face every single time! I know there is nothing unique about pregnancy (the vast majority of women are blessed to be able to conceive more than once!), but it sure feels special and miraculous.

3. Any time I talk to others about being pregnant, they almost always ask if I've had any weird cravings. I haven't had anything interesting to report at all, sadly, except what DOESN'T sound good. Well, my friends, I have one that takes the cake. On Colin's way home last night at 9 pm, I had the most intense desire for a chocolate iced glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut... and... an eggroll. It defies explanation, but eating both of those things, side by side was heavenly. (Before you call the prego police on me, I have been monitoring my diet carefully and don't often indulge in super sweet or fatty foods!) My husband is incredibly loving and serves me so readily. I am very, very blessed.

4. I totally missed blogging about it, but this past weekend our wonderful Mama K came to visit us! We love her, and she is one of the most gracious house guests you could possibly have. We were able to eat, relax, get outside (for walks and Colin's soccer game) and play games. Such a leisurely time with one of our favorite people!

Completed a game of Monopoly. for serious! Who does that?

Got to see Colin score a goal on Sunday! Go, husband!

Hope everyone stays warm, it's going to be our first chilly weekend in the South!

Checking another desire in life off the list! Seeing Ray Lamontagne live.

Yesterday, Colin and I made a quick visit to Cary, NC-- to see our good friend Ray Lamontagne! My parents are avid concert-goers, and, knowing of my love for Ray, bought us tickets to come and see him months ago. Colin and I were in NC for no longer than 14 hours (seriously), but got to spend some good quality time with my parents and see an amazing show.



Seeing Ray live was incredible. I firmly believe that he is one of the most solid and timeless artists of our generation. As I've read in interviews of his before, he's super shy, so most of the time the lights weren't shining on him. He kept his hat down low, and while he was cordial and thankful to the audience, he clearly focused on the music and that was all. We had GREAT seats , and it was at a nice venue-- Koka Booth Ampitheater. It was 70 degrees outside and couldn't have been a more perfect night. And oh, boy. If you can imagine his voice being more beautiful in person, it was. He wooed the audience. He sang with emotion. He rocked the harmonica, His band, the Pariah dogs, was awesome, and I was genuinely sad when it was over!

If you ever get the chance, see Ray Lamontagne live! I'll leave you with our favorite song of his.

another year.

23 years. Some people are flabbergasted when they find out I'm 23, either because they thought I must've been older (having been married for two years!) or because they thought I was 16 and working my second job at Toys 'R Us (trust me, I've heard that one before).

The weekend was complete with a wonderful surprise party thrown by Colin and our friend, Savannah (grilling out and yard games!), and then a quick trip to Pittsboro to spend some time with my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend. I felt loved on all weekend and it was truly special.

Thank you for the well-wishes and happy birthdays! I think 23 is going to be a joyous year!


( Ignore my awkwardness. Trying, in vain, to blow out my trick candles. Thanks, Colin (: )

"I always want to pick you flowers."

Happy belated Mother's Day! Today I'm thankful to both have and know so many amazing Moms. I feel very blessed to be a witness to and a recipient of such an amazing and special love!

Our weekend was filled with food poisoning (My first time ever being so betrayed by food! My goodness. Awful.), driving to North Carolina to see my parents, stopping at IKEA in Charlotte for a few items (So in love with that place), relaxing with my family and spending Mother's Day with them, and driving back. A quick visit, but so valuable to be able to be with our family for the weekend. Of course, I brought my camera along, but only remembered to snap a few photos on the way back. Figures.


My heart melts. He says, "Rachel, I always want to pick you flowers."

grace and peace!