One More Day...

I can’t believe that it’s almost time for us to meet our little baby girl.  The moment that I have been anticipating and dreaming about for the past 9+ months is almost here!

My due date is actually March 18, 2012.  However, due to my continuing low platelet count, my doctor decided that it would be a good idea to induce me a little bit earlier (before my platelets had the chance to drop any lower).  I definitely did not expect to be induced, but as long as the baby is born healthy, I honestly don’t care how she gets here.  We are going to the hospital tonight at 8pm so we will probably be meeting our little baby girl sometime tomorrow (unless - as my doctor put it- “she is an extremely stubborn baby”).

 It all just seems surreal.  I mean, I feel really good.  I’m 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant and I’m not desperate for the pregnancy to be over.  I have been incredibly blessed to have a smooth pregnancy (minus the low platelet count) and I have loved being pregnant.  I’m going to be a little sad when this pregnancy is over.  Is that normal?  Pat thinks I’m a little crazy for feeling like this, but I can’t help it.  This is the only time in my life where I will have my little one with me all the time, every second of every day.  This is the closest we will ever be.  Even though I am looking forward to seeing my baby’s face and seeing what kind of a personality she will have, I still don’t feel quite ready to give up this closeness to her.  But, if I’m honest with myself, I wonder if I would ever be ready.  I’m anticipating this baby’s birth with more than a little anxiety and fear.  I know that childbirth is a natural process, but I’ve never gone through it and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m scared.  And then there is the even more daunting task of bringing the baby home and raising her.  I still can’t believe that we are going to be allowed to bring this child home!  Shouldn’t there be some kind of background check?  Fingerprinting?  Home inspection?  What if we screw up?  What if we do this whole parenting thing wrong?  Is it any wonder that I’m not in a big hurry to end this wonderful pregnancy and enter into an area that is completely unknown to me?  I’m known for being a worrier so it’s no surprise to anyone that I feel like this.  Thankfully I have an amazing husband that is a lot more calm and level-headed than I am most of the time.  He has continually assured me that everything will be fine and that we will be the best parents that we can be to this little girl.  I am so grateful that I will have Pat as my partner in the whole new world of parenting. 

The next time I post I will hopefully be sharing a picture of our baby girl…and finally announcing her name.  I am so nervous about tonight, but I am also filled with excitement.  Our baby girl is almost here!!

Here are a few pictures of my pregnancy journey:
                                                               

19 Weeks - Halloween

23 Weeks - Thanksgiving

27 Weeks - Christmas

                                            

31 Weeks - 1/15/12 (First Wedding Anniversary)

33 Weeks - Baby Shower

36 Weeks

39 Weeks - 3/13/12

Baby Showers....

...or should I say Baby Monsoon!

If I’ve learned anything while I’ve been pregnant, it’s that almost everyone is excited about the arrival of a new baby.  Colleagues at work stop by my desk on a daily basis to ask me how I am.  Strangers smile at me when I pass them on the street.  People hold doors, offer advice and tell me how excited they are for us almost every day.  And on top of all that, friends and family surround us with more love and support that we ever thought possible.  It truly is wonderful!

I was incredibly lucky and blessed to have THREE baby showers.    Our first shower was hosted by my aunts at my Aunt Lisa’s house.   It was a beautiful January day – not a snowflake or icicle in sight!  My aunts really went all out.  The baby clothes decorations were adorable and the food was fantastic!  Well, I think the food was good – I realized once everyone began to leave that day that I hadn’t really eaten anything.  It was at that point that I positioned myself at the dessert table and sampled at least one of everything.  So I can tell you with absolute certainty that the desserts were scrumptious!  What can I say – I’m my father’s daughter and I love sugar!! It was such a magnificent day and I really enjoyed seeing and talking to our families.  Living away (even if it is only two hours) means that I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like so it was really nice to chat with everyone and catch up.  I was overwhelmed by not only everyone’s excitement about our upcoming arrival, but their generosity as well.  We received so many gifts for Little Miss and we are so grateful!  Pat especially like the OSU stroller and outfits :)

My second shower was hosted by my sisters at Holly’s apartment.  This was a special shower because I was able to see all of my friend plus my awesome neighbors/extended family, The Buechel’s!  Holly and Shannon did a fantastic job with the decorations (I loved the ‘Ready to Pop’ popcorn bags!), the food and I really liked the Onesie Station.  I can’t wait to dress Little Miss up in the adorable onesies that everyone made!  Between the onesies, the UK outfit (thanks MA!) and all of the other adorable outfits we have received, Little Miss is going to be one well dressed little baby!

Our last shower was given Grandma Rita :)  Pat’s cousin Sarah, Aunt Julie and some of Grandma Rita’s friends came to shower us with gifts and well wishes.  The food was delicious and everyone was so kind and generous.  Little Miss wardrobe increased exponentially and we can’t wait to have a baby fashion show once she’s here!

The generosity of our family and friends has been absolutely overwhelming and it is hard to express just how grateful we are everything that we have been given - and I don’t just mean the material gifts.  The outpouring of love, support, excitement, and genuine happiness for us during this time has been amazing.  Pat and I always knew that we had incredible families and friends and we feel so lucky that our little girl will be surrounded by such kind and loving people.