Visit from Granny

Tammy came down last weekend to move Eryn into our house (she's living with us to go to the St. Gerard House, a highschool for pregnant teenagers). It was good seeing both of them, and Jason and I truley enjoy having Eryn live with us. The first thing she does when she comes home from school is to pick up Margaret Mary and play with her. Margaret Mary loves this time and I'm excited about her having a sweet relationship with her "aunt Eryn." Here are some pics of the weekend.

Visiting Jason in the Plaza

When Martin (Jason's dad) came to town, we went to go see Jason at work and spent some time outside in the plaza. Margaret Mary loves being outside and now that the weather is getting colder, I'm more than happy to take her out.

Rockin Out the Rattle

Behold Cuteness

I took this playing around with Margaret Mary in the car. Don't worry, we were parked! We have to work hard to get her to smile for the camera, so we thought we'd take a video to capture her personality. Here she is...

First Trip to the Beach

We took Margaret Mary to the beach for the first time the other day and she absolutely LOVED it!!! She was all smiles, which made it easy to catch them on camera. (Normally she just stares at the camera blankly no matter what we do.) Isn't her dimple adorable???

3 Month Pics

Baptized In Christ- May 23

Margaret Mary was baptized in Christ on May 23 at the La Leche Shrine in St. Augustine. Her godparents are Pete and AnnMarie Hynes, but they couldn't make the trip down so Matthew and Jana Weiler stood in for them. Jason and I are so thankful to God for our little blessing; We couldn't wait to give her back to him through baptism. When Father Ligouri baptized our daughter, he threw in an extra name: Fatima, because Margaret Mary was almost born on the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima (May 13). So her unofficial name is Margaret Mary Elizabeth Fatima Craig! Aye Aye Aye. Welcome to the body of Christ Margaret Mary!

Happy Birthday Margaret Mary!

Margaret Mary was born on May 12 at 9:40pm after three longs days of labor. I was trying to go naturally, but threw in the towel out of exhaustion on the third day. They hooked up the pitocin, broke my water and gave me the epidural. Babygirl came four hours later. I don't like talking about my labor because it didn't go so well, and I didn't get to hold my girl for nine hours after the birth because she had breathing problems. But I am so thankful now that she is healthy and happy. Here are some of my favorite newborn pics...

Waiting for Margaret Mary

Eight Months Preggo and waiting for the big day!

Laughable

Many of our blog readers probably know we're...uh... pretty pro life. In fact, I think in today's rhetoric we are "extremists" or "fanatics" or something - I forget. But I honestly must laugh at how little some for left's politicians actually know about issues like embryonic stem cells. Check out this comment by Bill Clinton on the Scary King Show:

“...if [embryos] are never going to be used to be fertilized, to bring a life into being, then I think making them available for medical research is the pro-life position and I honestly don't understand -- I would understand it if we were going and raiding stem cell banks, where these stem cells were going to be used to actually fertilize eggs and have babies.”

You can't fertilize an embryo - it wouldn't be an embryo if it wasn't fertilized. Sorry Clinton, that science thing can get complicated. Despite many words employed to jump around this fact - science is unanimously in agreement that once an egg is fertilized it is a unique being. Not mother or father but unique with its own DNA. The last sentence is my favorite though; using stem cells to fertilize eggs and have babies. Wow.

My unsolicited advice: stop making promises about embryonic stem cells and learn the facts. Science is amazing. This purely political move is empty and gravely immoral.

(Click pic for larger view)

I always tell people I grew up in a castle. They laugh. Well who's laughing now? Behind me in this picture is 922 Morriss St, in Cincinnati - where I grew up....er....where I started growing up.....uh....where I lived for a while.

Katie and I are now (as I write this at least) in Cincinnati (the Queen City) visiting old stomping grounds and just enjoying a weekend together. Some call it a "babymoon" since its our last trip before the baby. I don't call it that.

More pics to come...

26 Weeks

Fraternus

Just thought I'd post a picture of Jason in one of his new work shirts. He loves his job and the people he works with. Check out www.fraternus.net for more info about what he does! His info is under the Leadership section.

March for Life

While Jason was in Colorado, the baby and I marched with the youth group to stand up for the sanctity of life. We started the cross by nailing in 4000 crosses to represent the 4000 babies the die from abortion each day. It was a long day with a lot of speeches and walking; I was so glad that I had been working out or my body would have been exhausted! It was also a sad day as the realization hit that my 11 inch, 1.5 pound baby that loves to kick me all the time has no protection under the law.

Putting Together the Crib!

Jason and I are using the same crib I used when I was a little baby. It is a simple classic crib that unfortunetly, because it was stored in my parent's attic, came with no instructions on how to be put together! But, no job is too complicated for a Craig, and within minutes the crib was assembled. I'll post more pics of the crib once I make the bedding. Mac was so excited about putting together the crib. He kept on trying to eat the screws and sit on the pieces we were trying to put together.

Mother/Daughter Luncheon

Pure Fashion is an amazing outreach to teen girls that teaches them how to change the world "one outfit at a time." By dressing modestly and fashionably, they teach girls poise and dignity and how to show on the outside what God is doing on the inside of their hearts. Maria, one of the girls in our church's youth program, and I have become very good friend and recently she invited me to one of their functions as her stand in "mom." They served a fancy lunch and helped us with our etiquette. I loved the event and learned so much. They stressed that using manners is an act of charity, making the people you are with feel more comfortable and at home. Although you can't see the belly very well, I'm about 24 weeks pregnant in this picture.

Visit www.purefashion.com for more info!

21 Weeks

Merry Christmas Baby Craig!

Christmas at the Craigs

This year we hosted our 2nd annual "Christmas at the Craigs" party for all those involved with the youth ministry at our parish. Only like 15 people RSVPed yes, so I was expecting a small crowd, but about 40 people came! Our little house was packed to the limit! The picture of Jason and I was taken at the very end of the night. Most everyone had left and I had been trying to clean some new stains out of the carpet for a while. Thankfully, most of them came out, but man are hard wood floors so much more practical!

19 Weeks

I love this picture of Jason showing off pictures of Baby Craig at our 19 week ultrasound, the first with our OB. He is going to be such a great father!

17 Weeks

Here is a belly shot of me at 17 weeks. I'm not very big, but I was so proud of my little baby bump and couldn't wait to show off my first pregnancy dress! This picture was taken the night of a dinner party with people from Jason's work.

Our First Couple of Ultrasounds

Seeing Baby Craig for the first time was so amazing. We had had so many ultrasounds with my endometriosis surgery that it was unreal looking up at the big screen and seeing a tiny baby there. The first ultrasound was done at 6 weeks and the baby was so small that we could barely see him/her! It was done to make sure that the baby was healthy, had implanted in the uterus, and to see how many babies there were. We conceived naturally and so the chance of twins was very low, but I was still hopeful! :) We were so thankful to see a tiny little heart beating on the sonogram. The next sonogram was done at 8 weeks where we got to hear the heartbeat, and then the final sonogram was done at 10 weeks where we saw our baby dancing! (Watch video in lower post). I love the pictures below because they capture my joy at being pregnant. We saw our infertility doctor for the first ten weeks of pregnancy for closer monitoring of our pregnancy because those with endo in their past have higher chances of ectopic pregnancies (meaning that the baby implants in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus). It was so amazing to go to the infertility clinic and not be upset about infertility stuff. I still can't believe we are pregnant. Our baby is such a little miracle!!!

Adventures in the Maternity Store

So the adventure begins! These pictures are from when I was about 10 weeks pregnant. Not really showing at all, but my curiosity peaking, we decided to go try on maternity clothes for fun. At the store they had these funny, misshaped pregnancy pillows that make you look more pregnant than you are. They freaked Jason out because of their odd shape but I had fun trying on clothes and getting a sneak peak of what I would look like in a couple of months. Jason, being the comic genius that he is, thought it would be funny if I put the pregnancy pillow on my back side. So the second picture is just for laughs. It is what we hope WONT happen during pregnancy!

Our Celebration Dinner

Last year when my dad was in town visiting, he told me that when I became pregnant he would take me to The Columbia, one of the nicest restaurants in St. Augustine. As month after month passed by and no baby came, I began resenting the restaurant. I had to drive by it everyday to pick up Jason from work would wonder if the day would ever come that I would be able to celebrate the conception of a child. But God is so faithful, and here we are below, six weeks pregnant, celebrating the arrival of baby Craig! Jason celebrating with an alcoholic drink and me with a big glass of milk! :) The dinner was great and we had a great time. Thanks dad!

MY BIG FAT POSITIVE!!!

So, I know I'm very behind posting pregnancy pictures, but here they are starting at the beginning with my first BIG FAT POSITIVE!!! I took the test at work (the St. Gerard Campus) at the end of the day. I was one day late for my period and my temperatures were still high. When the test came back positive, I was in shock, it was like I wouldn't allow myself to really believe it. I went immediately to go pick up Jason from work and showed him the positive test. When Jason saw the positive test he almost threw it he was so fired up! We just hugged, looked at each other and laughed because we couldn't believe the good news. We then went to the Church and just thanked God for our precious gift. I still keep the positive test beside my bed because sometimes I wake up and still can't believe I'm pregnant!!!

My wife is awesome

If you've ever read or heard about the book "The 5 Love Languages", you know what I mean when I say that Katie's love language (or the way she receives love) is "words of affirmation". Well, she's done a lot of work on the house and this blog, prayed for me consistently, been consistently and constantly beautiful, and been agonizingly fun to be around these past couple of years we've been married. So, Katie, when you get to the Internet and see this post, hear these "words of affirmation":

You are an awesome wife, friend, and now mother.

When choosing a spouse, its important to ask yourself if this person will be a good mother. Well I don't think Katie will be a good mother. I think she will be an awesome mother. Her way with kids and her presence comforts me beyond measure because I know I have more than a "keeper". I have a virtuous mother that I trust to raise my children. These words are so true:

"Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;

A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life.

A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;

Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face. "

Sirach 26 1-4

What a time

Its truly amazing to see the life that is growing in Katie. What will the child be like? What's the sex? These questions become more real and exciting when you can see the baby moving during an ultrasound.

Last week, we got to see baby Craig again. During this time of Advent, when we meditate on the coming of Christ, its amazing to imagine the anticipation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she held in her womb the very Logos or Word of God. Its different this year with a child in the womb within our own family - its even more amazing! The thought of God's humility to come to us in the helpless form of a baby in order to set us captives free. How scandalous. It was disappointing for many then, and hard to believe for many now.

In advent, the typical Marian antiphon to finish the day is the Alma Redemptoris Mater, which I will include with the post of our latest picture of baby Craig (like I said, things like this have a new tune now):

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Translation:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

Yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners.