2020 in 36 Photos / H O M E
Blink. Another 365 days have passed. What a freaking year.
It’s wild to look back (2018, 2019) and see how much things have changed, how different things have been and the memories. I cherish this.
I’m learning with this project that challenge and joy will be weaved in every month and every year for as long as I’m lucky enough to walk this earth.
2020 hasn’t been any different. The longest year at times and yet here we are, the end of December. I’m looking toward 2021 with stars in my eyes, hoping that it’s filled to the brim with family.
As we’ve known all along, it’s what’s most important.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Inhale. Exhale.
Bring on 2021. We’re ready!
Here to Stay
It’s been exactly two years since my first DSLR landed in my hands.
Since the initial click of the shutter, things have been a whirlwind of change.
So much growth, so many questions.
My camera has been with me as I’ve learned, stumbling, how to be a mother.
It’s been there as I navigate being a wife, caring for a family.
It’s been the lifeline that grasp so tightly, not lose my sense of self.
I don’t know where I’m going yet, all I know is that I’m here to stay.
Mikko James / A Year in Photos
And, well, here I am. Posting the last picture for Mikko’s monthly updates.
I’m a blubbery mess, rattling off cliche after cliche wondering how it all went so fast.
Mikko James, your family loves you so very much.
I also documented Thomas George through his first year. Two years, 24 photos. I’m so grateful for these memories.
Love these two little boogies until the end of time. <3
The BUMP -- Mikko James
B U M P
From Hawaii to Arizona to Minnesota -- I've been on a mission to document my bump progress every two weeks. It's been so fun to look back and see the growth each and every month!
I think 22 weeks is where I really “popped” but I can’t tell for sure!
8 Weeks
10 Weeks
12 Weeks
14 Weeks
16 Weeks
18 Weeks
20 Weeks
22 Weeks
24 Weeks
26 Weeks
28 Weeks
30 Weeks
32 Weeks
34 Weeks
36 Weeks
38 Weeks
“40 Weeks” — holding Mikko James (one week old) on my due date!
I gained a total of 31 pounds this pregnancy… it sure felt like more! My hubby likes to remind me that I lost all of my muscle tone… lol. It’s true!
Oh well, I’m too busy with baby snuggles to think about any of that right now.
Busy with baby snuggles and grateful beyond measure for my body that created this miracle.
Transverse to Breech to Head Down :: Our Story at 37 Weeks
Transverse to Breech to Head Down - Our Pregnancy Story
I went into my 34 week appointment feeling good. Big, but good.
We had our appointment routine down and it was typically the same. I made our appointment for 8am. I met with the midwife. They weighed me, asked me questions, gave me some paperwork and away I’d go.
Week 34 was a little different.
“Well, it feels like baby is transverse.”, my midwife said as she was palpating my stomach.
My head quickly flicked her direction. “Wait, what?”
“Transverse.”, she said, explaining his positioning within my womb.
That wasn’t what I was expecting but after she said it, it made sense. I felt his kicking in different places, it was extremely uncomfortable and what I thought was a round little butt I was feeling when I put my hands on my tummy was actually his head.
Well, darn. I needed to know more!
She said it wasn’t a big concern at 34 weeks and he’d most likely flip head down in the coming weeks. I was given a Spinning Babies website to check out and she advised me to start doing some exercises to encourage him to flip.
As some of you know, I was really set with Thomas George’s birth plan. Although empowering and perfect, it didn’t go the way I’d wanted at all. This time I was going in with the same birth plan — my number one goal of experiencing an unmedicated birth.
This? Transverse? This threw me for a loop.
I jumped online and read different articles. I did my spinning babies exercises everyday. On the couch, upside down, stacked pillows, inverting, ice packs.. Tom even talked to my pubic bone a few times!
36 weeks
We went to our 36 week appointment and I was hopeful. Two weeks had passed and he moved around so much that I couldn’t really tell what end was what. I felt a little lump I prayed was his butt in my ribcage but didn’t want to make any assumptions.
“Breech.”, was all she had to say this time.
He had made his way from transverse to completely breech.
My heart sank. That wasn’t the news I wanted to hear at all. She assured me that it was good he was moving and that he still had time to turn.
I wasn’t feeling confident but she let me know I was a great candidate for external version. She gave me a card to call and schedule an appointment with the OB downstairs.. we were going to try to manually flip this baby.
Before the consult, they wanted to gather as much information as they could for the OB. They had me schedule an ultrasound at 7:00am the morning of Halloween.
I went to the appointment without much thought, got home and Tom headed into work. When they called with the results, it was the last thing I was expecting.
They told me that my amniotic fluid was low, really low. They thought maybe my water broke and had been leaking. The mentioned cord compression and I started to cry. I wasn’t feeling the best anyway. The nurse said they wanted me to pack a bag and get there ASAP — they needed to monitor and check me. She told me to prepare to stay for a couple days.
I should have taken a couple deep breathes before I called Tom but I called him right as I hung up with the nurse. All of the emotion came up when I heard his voice and I could barely talk between the sobbing. Poor Tom! He came straight home.
We arrived at the Maternity Care Center in Woodbury midday and they had my room ready. Right away they hooked me up to an IV and started to monitor baby.
When I met with the OB Dr. later in the evening he had very few options. He said even if my amniotic fluid went up, there is no way it would get high enough to be in normal range. If it didn’t change at the morning ultrasound we’d have to get baby out via c-section.
Our other option, if the fluid went up a bit, was to attempt the version to flip baby. If it worked, he wanted to induce me so that we could get baby out of the low fluid. If it didn’t work, he still wanted to do a c-section.
Worried about the baby, the compression, the c-section — I was a mess. Thank goodness for my midwife who brought me tissues and promised me I had options. She said to wait until morning before I get too concerned and we’ll go from there. One thing at a time.
Going to bed that night, I was almost 100% positive we’d be meeting baby the next day. From the way the morning started to how the day was ending just wasn’t what I was expecting at all, I just tried to go with the flow and believe it was all playing out as it should.
Tom arrived the next morning at 6:45 and we headed to our appointment downstairs.
I laid on the table, they gunked up my belly and she started the ultrasound.
Instantly the tech looks at me and says, “So you did have the version.”
Tom and I locked eyes, “No, no we didn’t do the version.” I quickly responded.
“Well baby is head down. Yep, there is his head, far down into your pubic bone.”, she said.
With angels singing her words rang through my ears and I couldn’t help but smile the biggest smile in the world! He flipped in the night!
We were so happy knowing we didn’t have to do the version. There were still so many things up in the air and we didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves but the fact that baby was head down meant a lot and it just really set the tone for the day.
When we got the final results from the ultrasound we couldn’t believe it. My amniotic fluid levels went from a 2.3 to a 7.9 overnight. (We were hoping to get them to a 4 or 5). The nurses and midwives celebrated with us in our room and when the OB walked in that morning he said, “It’s magic!”
Magic, prayers or the will of baby boy Jokinen — we got discharged a few hours later.
With baby’s head down, I’m so much more comfortable. I’m feeling so ready to knock out the final weeks at home and prepare for a water birth. (Hey, anything is possible and I believe that even more now!)
So grateful for all the well wishes and prayers from family and friends all over the US! We love you guys so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Read more of the Pregnancy Diaries:
Documentation of The Bump, from 12 weeks to 40 weeks!
And Mikko’s Birth Story!
September in Review | Let the Settling Begin!
Sweet September.
Warm days, cool days and the wind down of summer.
It was the first full month in our new house and as you can tell by the tardiness of my post, it was a busy one. (Will I ever not say that?)
We took the time to really settle into this place and dang that felt good. It was the first time we’ve had a chance to do so since we were in Hawaii at the beginning of the year!
All of our boxes are unpacked and I actually organized my kitchen! There are still so many projects to do, I’ll putz forever, but as of now, it feels like home.
One of the things that made September was going to the Renaissance Festival with my aunt. It has been so long since I’ve had a chance to go and it’s so fun to get lost in the magic. My all time favorite festival for sure!
My hubby picked up a work car which has made life so much easier already! With my appointments increasing to weekly, this felt so necessary!
The start to our 5 weekend of visitors began this month and it was everything I hoped it would be. I love being close to our family!
32 weeks pregnant!
Soaking up every minute before the summer fades to fall.
We’re here, in Minnesota. Settling in a house. Preparing for baby and just taking a big exhale.
I almost feel ready to start reflecting on the year, what a year it’s been, but we still have a little living to do. Hope you are all enjoying the small moments and taking time to exhale in your own way.
Thanks so much for reading,
Elyse’
Baby J -- GIRL or BOY?
Second pregnancy. Girl or boy!
When we first found out we were pregnant, we decided that we didn't want to know if we were having a girl or a boy until labor and delivery.
Ok, well, yes, that didn't last. Anyone who knows me knows I surely don't have the patience for that. As soon as we could find out, I wanted to know.
For our first, Thomas George, we did a big reveal party. It was so much fun, but I knew I didn't want to do that again.
So at our anatomy scan we had them write the gender down for us and put it in an envelope. We got home that night and decided we'd open it that weekend. Just 48 hours later we were holding a photo in our hand. I reached down and touched my belly but this time I knew....
My second little SON!
We're having another boy and I have to tell you, we're pretty darn excited.
There it is! Another little BOY bump!
Now, to be honest, when I found out I was pregnant with Thomas George I really, really wanted to have a girl. I grew up with two sisters and just couldn't imagine having a son.
This go around though, after knowing my little dude and the heart bursting love I have for him, I felt SUPER cool either way!
A boy. Bros. Boy mom.
Dad cried, I cried.... all the grandma and grandpas cried.
What will he be like? What color will his hair be? Will he look like mom or dad? Tall like his brother, er, I mean whole family?
I just don't know and that's the most exciting part of it all.
In just 11 short weeks we'll be meeting our second son and I am pretty sure we already have his name picked out! A family of FOUR!