17 months ago....

For some reason today, I was reflecting on the day we found out Evie was coming.  Now, I’m not known for my great memory, but I remember a lot of the details of that day like it just happened.  It was July 23rd, 2011.  I woke up that morning and immediately took a pregnancy test.  I impatiently waited 5 or so minutes, not letting myself look at the test until the time was up.  I remember seeing the + sign and feeling my heart skip a beat.  I picked up the box that the test came in and re-read the directions, just to make that + actually meant pregnant.  I knew that it did, but I honestly couldn’t believe it.  I ran into our bedroom where Pat was sleeping and woke him up.  I know that some people have these nice, creative ways of telling their spouse that they are pregnant, but in that moment, all I could do was tell him the test was positive.  I don’t think I even said it in an excited voice, because he didn’t jump up and down or anything.  We were both in complete disbelief.  I told him that the test could be wrong and that I wanted to buy some more that day.  I can remember that my heart was beating so hard and fast that I thought it might burst.  We ended up going to the area of Columbus called the Short North that day and walking around all of the shops.  We had lunch at Si Senor, a Peruvian restaurant downtown and walked around for a few hours.  We kept wondering if the test was right, but I was afraid to get too excited in case it wasn’t.  We talked about how our lives would change with addition of a baby, we admired tiny baby clothes and toys in store front windows and we daydreamed about what our child would look like.  After a quick stop at Target on the way home to pick up more tests, we went home.  I took three more tests that day (as well as a test the next few mornings) and each one was positive.  I remember practically jumping into Pat’s arms after seeing those three positive tests.  I tried to reign in my excitement, fear, anticipation and joy, but I couldn’t.   I was going to be a mother!  One of my greatest dreams was going to come true and I couldn’t contain my happiness!
Fast forward 17 months and here I am, watching my daughter sleep and wondering how I got so lucky to be blessed with such a sweet, beautiful baby girl.  I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much.   
I will always remember the day we found out you were coming, my sweet little Evie, and how happy and excited we were.  "We loved you before we ever knew you, when there was just the hope of you.  We loved you."