Hello World

This little baby came in due time, after two weeks of pre-labor (most of which I assumed was actual labor), 3 visits to the hospital to be sent back home, and beginning to almost "roll" from place to place. My experience like most, was unpredictable. You can plan, plan, plan, but the divine appointment that awaits you (ie. labor & delivery) does not always follow suit. 

We arrived at the hospital for the 3rd time in two weeks to be told that I was still in pre-labor, and yet to begin active-labor. Amazing how long you can labor, before actually making ANY progress. Regardless of how you deliver, medicated or not, the labor intensive experience is as natural as you can get..and there's no way around it until right before delivery if you choose. The night led into day, Palm Sunday, and I was shortly admitted. Dilation resumed at a steady 4cm, but my water sac ( if this is "tmi"-skip this post- I'm not one for leaving out details ) was bulging, my cervix was way high, and little baby was way, way low, making for a complicated scenario. Not long after we were settled into a birthing suite, my nurse arrived chipper and buoyant announcing that " we're about to have us a baby! " For any of you first-time moms, you know how excited, nervous, and dumb-founded I was once we heard this news. Have a baby?? I've carried the baby, dreamed of the baby, talked to the baby, but...actually having the baby..clueless. Even after all the books (which I didn't remember one word of) and seeing my sister have four of her own, there are not words to describe the latter 5-6 hours of my life. Only that my husband was an amazing coach, my nurse rocked & at about half-way through delivery I felt like I had known her my whole life. As the doctor casually made his way in just before the baby arrived, my whole life changed, just like that. 

For thirty minutes I envisioned running up a hill at every contraction, and then descending that same hill. As a runner for most of my life, alot of my life is related to my running experiences. The gritty, the glorious ( like finishing ), and the connection I find in my spirit with my Creator. My motivation came from this place, both in persevering for 9 months and later through labor and delivery. But, paling in comparison to a run, this was the most incredible experience and rewarding season of my life.

"For you shall go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;the mountains and the hills before you    shall break forth into singing,    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." 

(Isaiah 55:12)

Springing Forward

This weekend was likely one of the last "solo" weekends my hubbie and I will have for awhile, and the fun (plus excitement of little girl on the way) laughter was nonstop. One of our destinations (after my first Japanese steakhouse dinner) was the movies & we decided afterwards to jump in the "Fun Photos" booth and strike some poses. 

We could NOT stop laughing at ourselves..and then came the surprise instant replay video of all the goofy moments in between(the 5 seconds to decide on another pose). I would have paid extra to have that memoir as well. My head and belly were so full of laughter I thought I would explode if I laughed anymore. We chose the "BestFriends" vs. the "I Love You" theme (I mean if you're going to be cheesy,go for the gusto right?) 

And..

Of course we took one morning and walked to my favorite trail, Jemison Park in Mt.Brook, and took in the fresh air, shading trees, and birds in the air.

Photo op! I seriously look like I could go into labor at any second and I'm sure every onlooker and passerby was sure that was exactly what we were trying to do. 

Music to my Ears

We visited (baby and I) the Dr. today and received great news, I'm progressing! The anticipation and excitement and crazy forms of "nesting" have begun. Yesterday I raked the yard, cleaned and contemplated painting the bathroom. The leaves were enough to give me a good dose of outdoors and "hey, you may think you have alot of energy..but you're still pregnant!"mode. So today after a fun lunch outing with my bestfriend, home from the mission field in Honduras, I raked some more and bagged the leaves. Tomorrow starts the downhill to 38 weeks, of which I was also informed today I should expect to have her before or at least right up to my due date, no later. Can I just say, I've learned so much about my body, my mind, and how utterly out of control I am of my own life. .in a good way. The Lord has been so close and intimate with me and my hubbie that all we can talk about is how thankful we are for His provision and faithfulness. While thinking about labor/delivery is still overwhelming (maybe it always will be), it's amazing to think we'll be parents, holding a wee little girl in our arms in just a couple weeks. I'll leave you with this from Matthew 21:16

and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”