The Season of Nesting!

Dawn had a week long burst of energy apparently called "nesting" where the "to-do lists" were unending. We were busy getting the apartment ready for the baby. We went through every cupboard, nook, and cranny carefully placing everything to ensure we were organized and ready for Baby Beck. It's amazing how quickly the energy came and went but we ended up getting a lot done.

Dawn also took some of the wrapping paper from recent showers and lined the changing table drawers to help remember all the thoughtful gifts from dear friends and family.

Dawn received the glider to help with feedings and rocking the baby during her last shower. Justin put everything together and it is the most comfortable seat in the apartment! We can't wait to use it.

Another Baby Shower

Dawn's friend, Devika from work threw her a baby shower over Labor Day weekend with some old and new work friends. The decorations were beautiful and the games were creative. We received many more gifts from our generous friends and continue to feel blessed by all the love and support as we prepare for Baby Beck's arrival. We are still waiting for more pictures from the shower and will post more when we have them. Here are just a few from the party.

Week 35!

It is hard to believe that we are only 5 weeks away (or less if Baby Beck surprises us!). Week 35 includes more swelling, back aches, fatigue, and difficulty getting out of chairs. It also involves hard kicks and lots of baby movement! We are finalizing the details for Baby Beck's arrival including picking out desired names. Our birthing classes are over and we have finalized our birth plan/wishes to share with the hospital staff. Dawn is starting to begin the mourning process of not having Baby Beck inside of her while also anxiously anticipating holding Baby Beck on the outside. We had a great prayer session with our friends over the weekend and feel peace knowing that God has continued to be faithful throughout this process.
We understand that a lot of change lies ahead but we feel as prepared as we are going to be for the changes. Each day we change our thoughts about whether Baby Beck is a boy or girl, which our friends start predicting their thoughts. This will be the best surprise we have ever experienced! In the meantime, we pray for cooler temperatures and that our minds will be more calm as we take things one day at a time.

Last Ultrasound

On Thursday, we had our last ultrasound. We were a little anxious going into the appointment not having seen the baby since late May. During the ultrasound the technician was checking for multiple things. First, she was checking to see if the placenta had shifted above the baby. Also, the technician was making sure the embryonic fluid was sufficient surrounding the baby. We were excited to see that the placenta had shifted and that embryonic fluid was more than enough surrounding the baby. The technician then measured the babies head and femur bone. These two measurements showed that the baby currently weighs 5 pounds 12 ounces and is 19 inches long. 19 inches is the average size of a newborn baby so we are expecting a tall baby. Dawn has been feeling those long legs kick her often. The final thing the technician was looking for was to see if the baby's head had shifted toward the pelvic region in order to prepare for birth. We are excited to report that the baby's head is in position for birth. During the ultrasound the technician took multiple pictures and we wanted to share a few of those with you.




This picture was taken in 3D and shows the babies facial features. Looks like the baby got the Braat's nose and it seems that things are getting a little tight inside the stomach. It was hard to get a clear picture because the baby kept moving and putting his/her hands by the mouth







This is a side profile of the baby's face. We like seeing the baby's chubby cheeks. At this point, there is little room for Baby Beck to move, which is why Dawn oftentimes feels the baby's feet in her ribs and poking out of her stomach!




We looked back to the first few ultrasound pictures we received and couldn't believe how much Baby Beck had grown. We thought we would also share this with you.

This first ultrasound picture was taken on Valentines Day and shows Baby Beck as a little lima bean.

This second picture was taken in late March and shows Baby Beck swimming around with his/her little arms and legs. Baby Beck has lots of room to move around.

This ultrasound was taken the end of May and shows Baby Beck had grown quite a bit over the past 2 months. Things were getting tighter but Baby Beck was still swimming around quite a bit.

Baby Shower

Two of Dawn's dear friends, Michaela & Andrea threw a baby shower to help us prepare and get things ready for Baby Beck's arrival while Justin's friend, Nick organized a "Man Shower" to help cover the cost of some diapers. It was a great day celebrating the upcoming arrival of Baby Beck and we feel truly blessed by all who joined us. We have a very generous community of friends. Thanks to all who were involved!



One of the many surprises during the shower involved everyone bringing their favorite children's book. We have been looking for books recently so this was a wonderful surprise. We have been reading books to Baby Beck and hope he/she continues to enjoy them after the birth. We have heard that baby's can remember certain phrases/rhymes they heard when they were in the womb. We will enjoy experimenting!

Grandma Gertie

We received a phone call on Wednesday that Grandma Gertie died. She has been ill for quite awhile and although she was on hospice, we were surprised by how quickly things changed. Justin was able to travel home to be with family for the services. We find that when difficult things happen, our first thought is "how quickly can we get back to be with our family."

As we reflect on our many memories with Grandma Gertie we can only smile. She had a lot of spunk and personality and we always knew she was boss! She was also very loving and generous. We were able to spend some time with her during our recent trip to Michigan in July and are grateful for that opportunity to say goodbye. She will be missed greatly. Holidays and family gatherings won't be the same without her and yet we find peace in the fact that she is no longer suffering.

5 Year Anniversary

On August 5th we celebrated our 5 year anniversary by going out to dinner at the Boiling Crab and out for dessert at a local pub nearby. It was a messy meal but thankfully they provided us with bibs to protect our clothes. We ordered some of our favorite fish in different spices and they deliver the food to us in bags. Without utensils we dug in and enjoyed each bite. It was fantastic! I guess after 5 years we can be ourselves and don't need anything too fancy!



Over dessert we shared about the past 5 years and all the adventures we have faced. Many ups and downs throughout the years and yet we have so much to be thankful for. We feel truly blessed and look forward to the upcoming year with Baby Beck coming knowing that our marriage will continue to grow and change.

Birth Class Number 1

Last night, we had our first birthing class. We are taking a five week course for two hours on Monday nights. The experience was both enlightening and eye opening. Justin learned three different techniques to take away Dawn's back pain. Dawn is excited for Justin to practice each one of these techniques as they all involve a massage of some sort. We also learned our first breathing method. We are suppose to practice this breathing method at least once through out the week and Justin gets to decide when and where the practice will take place. Justin will pick the most opportune time during the week to make Dawn practice her breathing. Also, part of the breathing was to find a picture to focus on. Justin pulled out his school ID, but Dawn did not want to use that as her focal point during her breathing exercise. Therefore, we will have to find a picture for Dawn to focus on during her breathing exercises. We are open for suggestions.
The class concluded with a video!!! The video showed the birth process from the first contraction to the time the baby emerged from the vaginal canal. Justin was not expecting to see such a graphic video during the first class. He thought they would gradually lead into the viewing of this type of video, but nope they showed everything on the first night. The birthing process is nothing like they show on TV. We learned so much and are excited to continue this amazing process towards the birth of our first child.

Another Friend's Wedding to Celebrate!

We were able to celebrate with our friends, Dave & Emily who were married on July 24th. They have been very dear friends of ours and Justin has enjoyed working with Dave at Ascending Lights. Dave & Emily were some of the people who first helped us move when we arrived in California and we have been friends ever since.
We were also able to spend some time with Dave's sister, Amy who Dawn worked with at the Hospice House in Holland. It was fun reconnecting and showing them around some parts of Los Angeles. It was a great weekend of friends and celebration!

Getting Ready for Baby Beck!

Last week we accomplished a lot in regards to getting things ready for Baby Beck. We have decided to stay in our place for now unless we find a great deal before Baby Beck is born. Because of this, we also decided to start getting the essentials while Dawn is still feeling okay. Last week we bought a changing table, bassinett, and a few other items off of Craigslist for about $50 and saved hundreds! There is nothing like a good deal on used furniture. We have washed and disinfected everything and it is ready for Baby Beck whenever he/she decides to arrive. Although there are a few other items on the wish list, we feel better having a few of the essentials bought. Here are a few pictures for those who have been asking.....

Our changing table



Our Bassinett




It is hard to believe we are close to 10 weeks away before Baby Beck makes his/her arrival (that is if he/she is in line with what the doctor says). The time is flying by and we are trying to soak up every last day of our freedom and sleep! The doctor thinks Dawn will gain 1-2 pounds now every couple weeks until the baby is born, which is a bit overwhelming for her to think about as she already feels huge! AND, with the summer heat around the corner, it is also a bit exhausting as her energy is fading with each new day. The baby won't be getting much longer at this point but will continue to gain fatty tissue and develop his/her organs. This past week the baby's head grew bigger (hopefully not too big) to make room for his/her developing brain and the baby is the size of a butternut squash.



The Baby continues to communicate through kicks often and Dawn is beginning to think there is less and less room in there because every kick seems to be much stronger than the last. Dawn is also finding herself having to move the baby around when his/her foot seems to get stuck and sticks out. We continue to be amazed at the baby's reaction every time Justin touches Dawn's belly. Without fail, the baby will start moving and kicking around as soon as he/she feels Justin's hand. What an incredible experience! We have learned more about God and His detailed work throughout this whole process and have grown so much in ways we could never put into words. We also realize this is only the beginning......

Celebrating Mark's Birthday!

Our friend (Justin's college roommate) turned 30 last week so we went to San Diego to celebrate. It was great catching up and celebrating such a milestone! Mark & Michelle welcomed us with a warm welcome and homemade apple pie with a heart cutout in the crust. We laughed so hard and enjoyed a day at the beach. The boys wrestled on the sand, we played wiffle ball, ran around like little monkeys, and enjoyed the sunny, beautiful, California weather! If you would have asked us 5 years ago where we would all end up, we never would have guessed that all of us would have ended up in Southern California!



We have yet to meet someone who has as much energy as Mark (even Momma Beck couldn't keep up with Marky) and are pretty sure Baby Beck was unsure of what was going on! We will see when Baby Beck gets around 2-3 years of age if Mark can keep up with him/her. It will be a fun test!

Trip to Michigan!

We were blessed with the opportunity to fly to Michigan for Justin's sister, Alina's wedding and we had a great time seeing family and friends. The wedding turned out to be a beautiful event (the Beck's always throw good parties) and it was wonderful catching up with family we haven't seen in awhile. Baby Beck got pretty excited at various times throughout the trip hearing all new voices and sounds. Many were able to feel Baby Beck communicating through kicks and punches, which was also fun! Besides swollen feet and feeling tired, Mommy Beck also did pretty well.



While we were in Michigan we also caught up with friends from Young Life and Immanuel and Dawn had her first baby shower with some of her closest friends and family. Lindsay and Erin put on quite a party and it was fun getting some new baby onesies along with necessities for Baby Beck. Baby Beck had fun meeting Great Grandma, Grandma Braat & Warnes, and all his/her Aunties at the shower! We have a feeling Baby Beck may be a bit spoiled!





We are so grateful for all our friends in Michigan and feel that no matter how long it has been since we have last seen you, it still feels like we can pick up where we left off. It is hard to find friends like this and we realize how blessed we are because of you all. As usual, We ate well, laughed a lot, and enjoyed the company of those we miss dearly. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to see us, you were all truly a blessing and we can't wait until our next visit together.

Week 26 = Cankles!

This has been a week of new adventures for us. Dawn now has swollen ankles (aka, cankles) and is adjusting to not always seeing her feet due to the large bump in the middle of her body! Our baby was also able to enjoy his/her first (and second) Tiger baseball game this week and it was perfect because his/her ears are now fully developed and able to recognize familiar sounds. We are pretty sure our baby will find comfort in Rod & Mario's (Tiger commentators) voices just like Dawn did with Ernie growing up!

Last weekend when Dawn picked up Justin after being gone a few days the baby started jumping/kicking around as soon as he/she heard Justin's voice. It is unbelievable how much this baby knows without ever spending one day out of the womb. When Justin touches Dawn's belly, the baby responds with a kick pretty consistently unlike anyone else. The baby is communicating in his/her own language already and it is pretty incredible.

Development this week:
He/she is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his/her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he/she is born and takes that first gulp of air. And he/she continues to put on baby fat (not too much we hope). The baby now weighs almost 2 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel and is similar in size to a head of cauliflower.



Only a few days until we head back to Michigan for Alina's wedding on July 1st. We are excited to be with family and friends again even for a short time to catch up. We can't wait!

Justin Graduates from Fuller!

Justin graduated from Fuller mid-June and although has one more class to take online this summer, he is happy to be done with his busy, hectic schedule. He decided not to take part in the graduation ceremony because most of our family isn't here to take part but still celebrated well with friends over a nice BBQ and toasts. Justin continues to work with Ascending Lights, which is an organization that mentors and tutors college-aged students throughout the Summer and the job will continue into the Fall if he wants. For the next month, Justin plans to enjoy some downtime and will be helping get things arranged before the baby comes and our schedules get too crazy.

It is hard to believe we have been out here long enough for Justin to graduate. The time has flown! As we reflect back on the past year and a half, we are amazed at how much God has blessed us with a great community of friends, steady employment, great memories, time of growth, and now a baby on the way! We couldn't be happier about all the blessings we experience each day.

Week 24

Today we saw the doctor and were given good results. Everything looks and sounds normal! The baby's heartbeat is strong and steady. When the doctor put the microphone on Dawn's belly the baby started kicking it as if the microphone was interfering with the baby's space. We aren't sure if the baby was just trying to say hello or if the baby was upset because he/she was being bothered! Again, our active baby took the time to make sure we knew he/she was there. Never a dull moment! The baby is as long as an english cucumber and is gaining about 4-5 oz each week for awhile. The baby's brain is developing quickly and his/her taste buds are continuing to develop. The lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and producing the substance that will help his/her air sacs inflate once he/she hits the outside world.



We are continually amazed by the growth that happens each week and all the small intricate details that are coming together while the baby is inside Dawn's body. Everyday is something new and exciting! One of our favorite things to do is poke on Dawn's belly and watch as the baby responds with kicks. It is as if the baby is connecting with us and can't wait to say hello. Pretty amazing!

The Frens came to visit!

Mark and Michelle came from San Diego on Sunday for a visit to celebrate Justin's graduation and catch up on life. It is always great seeing good friends and enjoying good company.

Week 23

Week 23 has been pretty significant for many reasons. Dawn's belly has officially gotten larger and is more noticeable. The baby moves around all day long and Justin has been able to feel the baby kicking through Dawn's belly. We now believe that we have the busiest baby ever because it is rare that our baby doesn't move throughout the day. The baby doesn't recognize night vs day and we fear that our baby will never sleep or sit still once born! We definitely feel the baby has Justin's genes in this department from the Norris clan! The baby's ears now recognize our voices and we have started listening to a Mozart cd from our friend, Jill to help soothe the baby. Dawn often taps her belly while listening to music with hopes that the baby will come out a music genius. We hope the baby has Dawn's musical gifts! Everyday is turning out to be pretty incredible.

Sunny California has been beautiful and we enjoyed some time at Huntington Beach after seeing some old youth group girls from Hudsonville. We are enjoying each moment we have together while still able to go out as we wish without any distractions or other responsibilities. We sat outdoors reading our books and enjoying some coffee before taking a walk on the pier and enjoying the beach performers. It was a beautiful day! It was a nice break from the busy weeks involving work and school life and was a good time to catch up and begin planning our next few months.

Erin came to Visit

Our lives have been going through some transition but we continue to find ourselves grateful for great family and friends who have been supportive. Dawn has switched jobs and although she continues to do hospice care, she started with a new company the end of May with hopes of a less stressful work environment and better support from leadership. She now works for Vitas Hospice, which is a national company with more resources and better benefits. The decision to change jobs during the fifth month of pregnancy was difficult but thankfully Erin came out during the time of transition to help out with extra support.

Because Erin has been to California a couple times prior, this trip was more relaxing and more focused on refreshing and just spending time together. We went for walks, sat by the pool, ate at some of our favorite places, and enjoyed a Dodgers game.



On Memorial Day we hosted a pool party and BBQ at our place with our many of our favorite people. It was a great turnout. This is a picture of our friend, Dave enjoying some time in the pool. Dave is a dear friend of ours with many Michigan ties and works with Justin at Ascending Lights.

Week 19!

Well, the baby bump is alive and real. It can hardly be missed these days (at least in Dawn's eyes). Here is just a preview of the bump.



Today we had a doctor appointment and were able to see more pictures of the baby. It was another amazing experience and we are continually in awe of how beautiful this process is. The baby is twice the size as last ultrasound and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds. Everything is normal thus far. Today we saw the baby's spine, ribs, kidneys, 2 brain hemispheres, and more. Here is a profile of the baby's face. We are thinking the baby has my nose, anyone else have a thought?



When the doctor mentioned she was going to count the baby's fingers the baby raised a hand and gave us a thumbs up! Then the baby started sucking his/her thumb before showing us each finger one-by one. It was pretty amazing. She then said she was going to count the other hand and sure enough, the baby lifted the other hand, gave us a thumbs up and showed us all fingers. We have the smartest baby ever and he/she listens to directions which is even better! His/her legs look like an athlete's feet, which made daddy proud. Good bone and muscle structure so far! Lots to look forward to.



Thanks for enjoying this journey with us! Every moment is pretty exciting.

The Baby Is Moving!

Tonight was the first time Dawn was able to feel the baby moving! She said it felt like butterflies in her stomach. We look forward to many more moments like these. Thanks for celebrating in these milestones with us!

17 Weeks down, 23 to go!

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

It has been almost 18 weeks since our baby was conceived and 14 since we found out. We are amazed at how much we have grown and learned over the past 14 weeks about what is really important and what we value most. It has been an exciting journey. Our baby weighs about 5 ounces and is the size of a turnip.



He/she can move his/her joints and sweat glands are starting to develop. We are hoping the baby gets Justin's sweat glands and Dawn's joints! We also learned that the baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone. Pretty amazing!
We are also starting to look into all the "equipment" our baby is going to be needing once he/she arrives and at times it can be a bit overwhelming. For now, we are taking things one day at a time and enjoying each one.

Every Pregnant Woman's Dream!

Dawn and I attended the Grilled Cheese Invitational on Saturday in LA. We had a blast sampling different grilled cheese sandwiches. Dawn's favorite grilled cheese of the day was a cheddar, bacon, fried egg, and tater tots on shepherds bread. While Justin couldn't decide between the one with Chinese barbecued pork, pickled onions, and provolone on egg bread or the one with mozzarella, strawberries, bacon coated with brown sugar, cayenne, and chocolate reduction drizzle. The later was an explosion of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.


During the Invitational a random band decided to parade through the center of the festival. The parade was filled with people on stilts and a variety of people in costumes playing random instruments. Only in LA would you experience this type of parade. Dawn really wanted to join in, but I held her back since she has a "condition."

This was one of Justin's top choices, the one with Chinese barbecued pork, pickled onions, and provolone

The sandwich pictured above is the one that made the Grilled Cheese Truck famous around LA. The sandwich is mac and cheese with pulled pork stuffed between sour dough bread. This is an epic sandwich that is a party in your mouth.

Doctor Appointment

Today Justin and I met with our Doctor to listen to the heartbeat. Again, good news! The baby's heartbeat is steady (still pretty fast, which is normal) and very strong. No ultrasound today but we can look forward to another one in a few weeks, which will show our baby "much bigger than last time." She also told us our blood test came back normal meaning the baby has no known birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities. All good news for us today! Dawn is slowly gaining weight and the Doctor also said she is right on track. Our reports this week say that our baby is about the size of an apple and is now breathing in the amniotic fluid to help develop his/her lungs. His/her legs are now growing to be longer than the arms and even though cannot open his/her eyes can sense light. They even said that if we put a flashlight up to my belly the baby would squirm to the other side to avoid the light. Too bad we can't feel the baby too much yet, otherwise we would try. Maybe in a few weeks.

We went out for a nice dinner to celebrate and start talking about names, how life will change once the baby is born, and how thankful we are for such a healthy baby. Any advice or information you can offer us about parenthood we are open to hearing as we learn what it means to travel this new journey together.

Thanks to all for the continued support and prayers.

Lindsay came for her Spring Break

Our dear friend, Lindsay came for a visit and we were able to spend some quality time with her catching up and enjoying good food, weather, and conversation. She looks beautiful and is always nice seeing people from "home." Here are a few pictures from our time together and we can't wait to hang out again when we come to Michigan for Alina & Rick's wedding this summer. There is something special about being around someone who can finish your sentences and can read your mind without you even speaking. We welcome all other visitors! One of our friends asked Dawn if she knew Lindsay because "you sound the exact same when you talk." Dawn was happy to know that she still has her Michigan accent and was proud to hear that she hasn't conformed to any new lingo/vocabulary just because of the move to California. We are trying to keep our Michigan roots while living our new adventures in California.

Baby Bump

Earlier this week our baby decided to make a new appearance by way of the "bump." Dawn can hardly fit into her pants and people are now noticing our little one just by looking. Here is a picture taken at around 14 weeks. We plan to go buy some new clothes in the next week or so to make things more comfortable for Dawn. Every little bit of growth is a blessing as that means our baby is continuing to grow. The baby is about the size of a woman's fist, which is hard for us to imagine and already has most all of his/her working organs. This week the baby will begin blinking and growing eyelashes and eyebrows. Pretty amazing. We just hope the baby is born with a full head of dark hair like his/her mommy and daddy.

Uncle Dane and Aunt Lorrie Came for a Visit

We had a wonderful visit from Uncle Dane and Aunt Lorrie. They drove up from Arizona to spend a few days touring around Pasadena and enjoying all our favorite food and drink spots. We watched the basketball tournament, discussed life, and talked about what the future holds for us all. It made us a little homesick and we were wishing that our parents, siblings, and Draker & Dru were here too but we were thankful for time with some of our favorite people. We also took them on a few walks like this picture below at the Rose Bowl and Uncle Dane fit right in with his cowboy hat. Later we went to Santa Monica Beach where they experienced some street performers doing some pretty crazy talents. We laughed, cried, and had a great time reconnecting.



They also gave us some gifts for the little one and I think Mommy Beck will be excited to see the baby will be sporting Eaton Rapids colors. If our baby is a girl all we will need are some pom poms and the baby will be on her way to becoming just like her. Lots to look forward to!

First Trimester

We had another doctors appointment this morning. At the appointment we were able to see our little one. The doctor kept calling the a baby, a he, which made Justin very excited. It is hard to put into words all the emotions we were feeling as we were gazing at the screen and seeing a person growing inside of Dawn. When the doctor first placed the ultrasound instrument on Dawn's belly, the baby woke up and started moving all around. We were amazed to see the baby moving around. We are continually thankful by how smooth everything has gone thus far. The doctor said everything looked great. The baby is a little smaller than Dawn's pointer finger, which is the normal size for the baby at this point in the pregnancy. Also, the babies heart continues to race at an astonishing rate of 159 beats per minute, which is normal, but is a contributing factor to why Dawn is tired often. The Beck genes carry a lot of energy. Therefore, we should expect nothing less than an extremely fast heartbeat.

The doctor took some pictures of our little munchkin, which we wanted to share with you.


This one shows the baby all curled up and back to sleep after being woken up by the doctor.


We can see little arms and legs forming in this picture


The doctor said this one shows the babies legs crossed, which made Dawn think the baby is a girl, but Justin was quick to remind her how often he crosses his legs. I guess we will have to wait and see!!!


The last picture is a close up of the babies head, which was a little scary for us, since the baby looks like an alien, but the doctor was quick to remind us that this is very normal. However, we had a good laugh at the picture.

Thanks for continuing to share in this process with us. We are so excited and can't wait to welcome baby Beck into the world. The first trimester is complete. One down and two to go.