37 Weeks and Waiting

I thought this would be a great way to keep those interested updated on Clara's life. Please feel free to comment and post. We would love to hear feedback.

Here is some back story on this pregnancy.

April 30 2010: My alarm woke me at 5:15 am for my usual morning run. For some reason that day, I decided to skip it (which hardly ever happens) to take a pregnancy test. Not thinking much of it, I placed the test on the counter and started getting ready for work. When I happened to glance back at it a few minutes later, a VERY faint line appeared. I flipped on the brightest light (which happens to be in the closet) to refocus, and sure enough, there was the line! I needed immediate reassurance, so I ran over to a sound asleep Andrew, knelt beside him and not so quietly shook him awake. With the stick in hand, I kept repeating, "it's very faint, it's very faint." Once he realized what the heck I was talking about, he leaned over and hugged me. I couldn't contain my excitement any longer and needed to share the news with my mom... who happened to be staying the night in the next room over! I quietly walked in her room and sat on the floor next to her. I think my crying woke her. She knew immediately what I held in my hand and began to cry with me. My step dad awoke to 2 women crying the floor of his room holding a stick full of urine, which gave us all a laugh. Each day that followed, I took another test and watched the line get darker and darker. I think I carried on like this for 3 months!

The rest of the pregnancy has been a bit difficult, although thankfully normal. The baby's kicks and movements make all the hard times forgettable. And she has received a healthy report from every doctor's visit!

At 37 weeks, I'm anxiously awaiting her arrival. I continually shift from being terrified and anxious to feeling empowered and excited. Today is the first day of the winter break, which couldn't come sooner. I have been able to start walking and doing yoga again. It's nice to focus on getting mentally and physically prepared for labor and for bringing home this new little life, who I can't wait to meet.

A note about my husband. Andrew has been my rock throughout this experience. I couldn't dream of a better partner. He cooks every night, runs around to get me Tums, Sprite, water, groceries, whatever I need, massages my back each night, and always tells me how wonderful I look. He has been so cute with this baby as well. He started a list of projects he plans to do with her when she gets old enough. He kisses my belly every night and says, "goodnight, little one." This baby is so lucky to have such a loving, strong, intelligent, happy, giving daddy. And I am beyond lucky to have this man in my life.

Looking forward to the next blog post, which will hopefully be about the wonderful, pain-free birth of Baby D.