A lesson in patience

It's technically still days before my due date (4 days). I want her to come when she's good and ready, but the anticipation of knowing it could be any moment is making me very restless. We've been preparing for this little beauty for months. And now that it's coming to a close, every little moment is carefully marked with a back-up plan & attentiveness. A week ago yesterday (March 18th), the doctor measured me at 2 cm & 50% effaced. At the time, I was thinking within days, so my excitement and anticipation was amped up a few notches. When will she decide to make her entrance into this world? Only time will tell. Until then, I am trying to make my "normal" passes through time and not think of how it could be any moment. We've done our part, now we live until she does her part. :) Surely we will keep you posted when baby name-yet-to-be-announced comes into the world.

With this on the horizon, everything else seems to be so small. We have had gorgeous weather the last few weeks and it's only going to get more gorgeous! It's been in the 70s and 80s. We have that to be thankful for-- especially while we see everyone back 'home' is experiencing storms and flooding. The birds are singing here and spring has arrived. Saturday Matt will be judging a chili cook-off and we have Zoe's Fun Sports parents meeting. That's also my dad's 60th birthday. If the baby decides to come that day, that's kind of cool.

The miracle of life never gets old to me. It is overwelming to think of the entire miracle involved and how God decided that love and life to be so closely related. I love it! And I praise God in it. And I thank God for it. It's a beautiful thing.

I'll tell you a little about naming of a child. Matt & I both agree that in chosing a name, it is important to choose a name that isn't trendy... instead to chose a name that has held through the test of time... and better yet a name that has a significant meaning behind it. Something that is more than pretty-- but has depth. That is what's in a name. :) (We are holding off in revealing our name until baby is born :))

Our little Zoe Mae is quite the nurse. She is so tenderhearted and wonderful. She is often taking care of me when I'm not feeling well. She will get me bandaids or towels or rub my back. If my back hurts or I am tired and need to lay down for a while, she happily plays quietly. She is a great little wonder and we love her.

Time to eat some pasta rasta. Until next time.

FORT TIME

I just tucked Zoe in to a state of the art fort, built right in the cozy of her own room. Okay, it's not state of the art. But nonetheless any fort for children (and some adults) is a wonder not to be underestimated. She gets to sleep in there tonight. It is her reward. You see, she has had this "thing" lately. She had been coming into our room at 2,4,6 in the morning and crawling into our bed. Some days I would roll over and every living thing in our house was sleeping in our bed (me, matt, zoe, chart and the baby in my belly). I do not know what was waking her up. All I knew was that with the baby coming soon, this couldn't keep up. So I devised a plan. 10 days where she sleeps in her bed the full night until at 7a & she gets the reward of sleeping in the fort. It worked like a charm. Mom and Dad have been sleeping better, Zoe gets her rewards, and we're more content knowing her cuddling ins't a strong habit. Good stuff.

The baby is due in 12 days. I had my check up this morning. I am presently 2 cm dialated and 50% effaced. I'm trying to remember that even though things are progressing quite well, the baby will come anytime she pleases. We shall see. Meanwhile, the bags are packed, childcare is in order, back-up plans are prepared... I think we're ready.

And if the baby doesn't decide to come this week, we've got plans. Tomorrow night, we have a basketball game followed by a concert (featuring new frontman of newsboys: mike tait), Friday is the next Mile 124, Saturday Matt flies on a WWII bomber... and Sunday... we rest. :)