Playing the Waiting Game

Well. This pregnancy is quickly coming to a close. At this point, the only thing I'm not really enjoying is that an estimated due date is just that: estimated. It would be awesome if things were more definitive than they are. So I'm counting down to a day that I may or may not get to, or even pass for that matter. I like to have things to look forward to with a certain day in mind. When I was little, I liked to make those chain link things that you tear one off every day until the day is there. I would count down the days in my school planner until Christmas or summer break. But I can't do that with this and it's driving me nuts that I don't know exactly when it will happen! I suppose I can look on the bright side and at least know that it's going to happen. And soon! (I hate "maybe" and "we'll see"... just ask my husband.)

Thankfully, things around here are starting to get a little more ready for the arrival of a little person. Our car seat came this past Monday, and I love it! It's still sitting in our front room, but at least we have it. The nursery is 98% done! And I love it, too! I'll post pictures once all of the final touches are added. My bag is packed, and I keep getting "Leaving on a Jet Plane" stuck in my head every time I think/say that phrase. I feel ready and prepared to go into labor anytime. (You hear that, baby? Anytime!)

Perfection

Ryan and I took a tour of the birth center where baby girl will make her debut. As we stood in the room where I will labor, deliver, and recover (yay for not moving rooms the whole time!), it kind of all hit me. I am going to sit in that bed and feel the worst pain of my life. And then that pain will lead to the birth of our baby. And then I am a mom. Wow. And it could all happen in as few as 3 weeks.

Ryan is so excited. I am so grateful that he isn't nervous about the role of "dad". I know that he is going to be a wonderful father to all of our children. When I think of how much he is going to love them, it makes me love him even more. I suppose that is part of God's plan in becoming a parent - strengthening the bond between the mother and father, because heaven knows that raising kids is a huge challenge!

After I wake up in the middle of the night to make a potty-run, I then find myself in bed thinking about the coming weeks. I imagine the whole birth process (going as smoothly as possible, of course), holding our baby for the first time, dressing her in the little outfit we bought to bring her home in, tucking her in her car seat and not even having it bother me if she screams the whole time because I already think she's the most perfect person ever, bringing her home with us, and spending the next few weeks as a family enjoying our first Christmas together. Obviously my fantasy is a little jaded because it is only filled with moments of perfection. I know that things could go wrong in the hospital. She could poop all over her first outfit. We could find ourselves not enjoying Christmas at all because we are just so tired and my hormones are going completely berserk.

But you know what? As long as she is born a healthy and strong tiny person, none of that will matter. Ryan and I have gotten to participate in the miracle of creating and bringing a child into the world. Somebody who was, just moments before, in the pre-mortal life. In just a matter of seconds we will go from just two people, to two people in charge of one of God's sweet spirits. And that is perfection.

Baby Shower

On Saturday I had my baby shower in Fort Collins! (I also had one in Erie with ladies from church.) My sister, Holly, and sister-in-law, Erin, put it together for me. They did a great job! The food was great, the games were fun, and the company was wonderful. I love celebrating the incredible miracle of a new baby coming, and it was maybe a bit more fun that it is MY baby this time! As one friend put it, "You finally get to join the mommy-club!" Yes, I do! And I couldn't be more thrilled!

 

One of the games: "How well do you know Chantal?" 

The guests wrote down advice for me, and then Erin put it together in a cute little book.

The other game: "Guess what is in the paper bag." I opened the bags and got to keep the stuff inside!

Everybody was so generous with their gifts - Ryan and I are very blessed to have such great friends and family to help us start this whole parenting thing.