introducing...

pier francis fossier

So we had a baby last night!!! I'm so looking forward to share how our little man entered the world, but until then, here are the freshest photos of the newest member of our family to hold you over.  He is 7lbs 8oz and 20 inches of perfection and we are so in love.  And he's also the reason why blog posts will have more typos and grammatical errors than usual (hello already exhausted mama!).

Brad and I sincerely want to thank you all for your prayers...we can't wait for you to meet our baby Pier!

hospital packing...

It's so close!!!  I'm incredibly thankful I've had this bit of me time to rest and prepare my heart and my body for the marathon that is labor (and parenthood).

After doing some research (since I've never done this before), I think I've finally narrowed down what I want to bring to the hospital with me.  We're planning on doing most of the labor at home, so the labor section isn't really applicable to the hospital. But other than that, this is it! Dr. Brad gave me the inside scoop on what the hospital already provides mom and baby with, so I tried to keep things simple.  And obviously this isn't every little thing I'm bringing, just a couple items I think will be important!

for labor

birthing ball - this is such a great tool for labor, but also for the last trimester of pregnancy when you're feeling really pregnant.

snacks - In addition to a few other snacks, I plan on snacking on this in particular to give me added boost of energy when I need it. Pineapple is a natural pain reliever plus gives you a little bit of added sugar to keep you going. I know I'll probably not feel like eating, but it is a marathon people and you can't blame me for trying!

Shaklee Performance - my sweet grandmother gifted this to me and pregnancy would have been a lot worse without it! This stuff is amazing and helps not only with hydration, but also with any nausea I've experienced.

water bottle with straw - on my many pre-baby binge shopping trips to Target, I got myself a cute (important) glass water bottle with a glass straw to use specifically for labor.  I think the hospital provides one of these, but I wanted a cute one?

heating pad - helps with all the aches and pains you'll most likely get in early labor. I use mine all the time 3rd trimester.

swimming noodle - yep, you heard me...Our doula gave us this to use for rubbing down the back for labor.  Take my word for it, it feels pretty darn amazing.

lotion - I use this brand.  The lotion helps for a smoother massage, while the lavender essential oils help me to relax.

your favorite pillow + quilt - so you have the comforts of home with you in a new environment

for baby

snuggly "going home" outfit - so he looks his best for meeting Gertie the Cat the first time

blanket - for the car ride home (the blanket in the photo is this one from Target).

baby mittens - so he doesn't scratch his cute lil face

boppy - for nursing

for mama

comfy robe – growing a human isn’t easy, so I give you permission to treat yourself in this department.  Plus you never know who will be visiting you! View my picks here, here, and here. 

lip balm – I'm one of those people who is addicted to the stuff.  Seriously, I can’t leave the house without it, so of course it has to come with me to the hospital.  Plus all those breathing exercises will leave your lips feeling extra dry...you're already giving birth to a baby, let's not complicate the process by adding dry lips into the equation.  Here are a few of my personal favorites, here, here, and here.

rosewater and face wipes – Rosewater one of my favorite things. It is so cooling and refreshing! I use it multiple times a day as a little pick-me-up.  It is used as a face toner in my daily routine, but I like to dab a little on my neck and wrists as a natural perfume. This is the one I use.  And then face wipes because when I'm tired the last thing I want to do is wash my face. 

nursing tanks + sweats – winning combination for before and after labor (hospital gowns are not my thing). My plan is to look as cute as possible, obviously :).

pretty socks - to keep you warm...I've already experienced some crazy hormonal temperature shifts and socks are a big thumbs up in my book.

spiritual strength – rosary (I plan to listen to a scriptural rosary on my computer), bible verses and personal intentions I wrote in my journal, small crucifix to put by my bedside, and a photo of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

christ-centered childbirth

I'll be officially 38 weeks in a few days.  This is surreal...I could be meeting him any day now and it is the most exciting, terrifying feeling.

As far as labor prep, I'm planning on having a natural childbirth.  I've been exercising and eating my veggies and taking The Bradley Method classes.  We hired a doula and she's been the biggest gift in helping me feel empowered and confident in my ability to actually do this.  But, a birth snob I am not, and totally recognize that the goal is to have a healthy baby in the end.  Labor is crazy and I honestly believe that there is no "right" way to bring life into this world.  As a couple we chose to plan on a natural birth... I know that it might not happen and that's ok.  I'm going to try my hardest not to be disappointed if things don't go as planned ;).

For me, this decision was something both Brad and I prayed a lot about.  I felt like the Lord was inviting me into this as an opportunity to draw closer to Him, giving me a chance for a lesson in redemptive suffering.  Suffering can be beautiful...Christ's Passion taught us that.  When I'm scared of any little cross I remember that the word compassion literally means "to suffer with".  If we don't learn how to suffer beautifully, with dignity, how are we going to be compassionate individuals of society? How will we understand the suffering of others if we don't know how to suffer ourselves?

Plus, I'm kinda crunchy and personally don't like the feeling of being on heavy medicine (the epidural is actually scarier to me than the pain of natural childbirth :)).  So, I'm gonna go for it! And the only thing that's gonna get me through it is Jesus. And Brad's back massages.

Am I scared? um YES. Of so many things. I'm scared of not being in control, of the pain, of the unknown, of what to do after the birth is over (like...how about all that mom stuff?!).  But then I remember "Be not afraid".  Fear is not of God. In choosing to cast out fear, I am embracing the joy of meeting my child for the first time outside the womb. I am confident in the abilities of my body and rest in the belief that I was created to bring this life into the world. I am in awe of what my body has been able to do thus far. 

Shout out to womanhood: Being a woman is pretty incredible, isn't it?!

I'm a little obsessed with birth stories, and could probably talk about birth all day long. 
Here's what I'm currently reading to help me prepare:

Natural Hospital Birth
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Breastfeeding Made Simple

Here are a few Scripture verses I've been meditating on recently to help me spiritually prepare:

Joshua 1:9

Philippians 3:14

Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 40:11

Psalm 31:5

Nehemiah 8:10
 

And I'll leave you with these powerful words by St. John Paul II on the message of Divine Mercy:

It is a message that is clear and understandable for everyone. Anyone can come here, look at this image of the merciful Jesus, His Heart radiating grace, and hear in the depths of his own soul what Blessed Faustina heard: "Fear nothing. I am with you always" (Diary, 586).

And if this person responds with a sincere heart: "Jesus, I trust in You," he will find comfort in all his anxieties and fears. In this "dialogue of abandonment," there is established between man and Christ a special bond that sets love free. And "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 Jn 4:18).

fossier fais do-do

Where do I even begin?! Our trip home was filled with oh so many wonderful things I don't even know how to process all the fun.  There were ordinations, and dance parties, and nuns, and weddings, and swimming, and walks down memory lane.  But most importantly, there was the food (just in case you didn't realize, eating my way through Louisiana is one of my favorite things to do).

First up, Baton Rouge.  We celebrated the ordination of our BFF Fr. Brad Doyle into the priesthood at St. Joseph's Cathedral, and then had one heck of a party after his first mass.  I may or may not have danced way too hard but Rodie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars were playing, so could you blame me?  They were the band for our wedding and I just couldn't help my little 9 month pregnant self. Seriously, I couldn't get off the couch for 2 days after this (and it was totally worth it). Here's us with Roddie...

And here's me with my sweet nuns at the ordination....the Missionaries of Charity! They are with Bl. Mother Teresa's order, which is why their habits might look familiar to you.  I worked with them a lot during college and they are so much fun (and a beautiful witness to the Catholic Church).  I, however, am ridiculous and totally bring out the silly in them.  We giggle way too much when we haven't seen each other in a long time! Who am I kidding, we giggle way too much basically every time we see each other.

See what I mean?

And here's the only photo we took with Fr. Brad on his ordination day at the spontaneous after-after party at the Benton Home...whoops! Friend and photo document fail.  Try not to look too excited to take a picture Fr. Brad ;)

After all the ordination activities, we spent some quality time with our people -- I had lunch with Mary Claire, Brad and I went swimming with our adorable nieces, and we even made a day trip to see my grandparents in Lafayette! How beautiful is my grandmother?!

Then we said good by to Baton Rouge (and LSU) and were NOLA bound!!!

the fossier's take new orleans

We did a good thing and started our New Orleans vacation as any good start to a New Orleans vacation should... beignets!

Then we were ready to take on this magical city...

We were in town for our good friends Jonathan and Kat's wedding -- Brad served as the best man and it was a blast getting to be there during such a special time in their lives. 

Jonathan actually lives at the rectory of St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter, but since he was getting married he needed help moving out.  Which is where we came to the rescue (and meant that I got to see all the secret things!) Well, it's not really that secret, but I still felt super cool...I mean, check out that elevator!? It was kinda like a dream for me to frolic all around the building.  It was built in early 1800's and filled with all sorts of historic holy goodness!

While Brad did best man things I got to have a girls day with my mama and two of her adorable sisters.  We went out for lunch at Baru, then got ice cream at Creole Creamery (my fav), and went shopping (of course).  There's this awesome eyeglasses shop called Art and Eyes that is so much fun! We were a mess trying on all the glasses..I had trouble parting with them.

Before we knew it, it was wedding time!!!

There's nothing like a New Orleans wedding...

We love you New Orleans! And next time we see you, we will have a baby in tow.  Can't wait to show him all of my favorite stops...including these cupcakes.  Brad and I couldn't leave the state without stopping for lunch at the Cake Bakery in the bywater district.  Come to mama, you beautiful vanilla cupcake you. 

year one (part 2)

And now we celebrate!  Bradley surprised me with the most incredible anniversary trip.  We love to have little adventures together, so we decided instead of giving each other presents for Christmas and anniversaries, we will go on a memorable trip instead.  But this year our anniversary coincided with our Louisiana vacation, so I didn't think we would be doing anything special...

All that changed Sunday morning (!!!!) Because I have the best husband EVER and he wanted to make sure we did something special for our first anniversary. 

After a beautiful Pentecost mass at our parish we packed our bags for a quick night stay at the West Baden Springs Hotel in French Lick.  We were greeted with a bottle of wine (which I didn't drink) with a cheese/fruit tray in our room. I was allllll about that (minus the me not being able to drink the wine part... definitely not about that). Here's the view of the inside of the resort from our balcony.  The building itself was built in 1902 and had the most incredible architecture.

The grounds of the hotel were glorious.  So many beautiful flowers (including PEONIES!!!). 

PEONIES!!!

And here's a little 35-week bumpdate for your viewing pleasure ^

How cute is my hubby?!

As beautiful as the gardens were, our favorite part about the hotel were probably those green chairs...

#twinning

The next surprise included a hiking trip to North Carolina!!! I kid, I kid. We were actually in Hoosier National Forest hiking fun things.  But you could have fooled me by the looks of these photos! Seriously, did you know Indiana could be this pretty? Me neither.  Also, it's really entertaining watching an 8 1/2 month pregnant woman hike cliff things in case you were wondering.

We had such a nice time! It was the perfect way to start off our road trip down to Louisiana.  See you in a few, LA!!!!