36 Weeks

I know I should take a picture for this post (it could be the last one of the kind :)), but I haven't been presentable in weeks! And, Monday, I was all gussied up for my appointment, but totally forgot about a picture.

Anyway, here's the latest...

Bed Rest: No more!! Monday at my appointment I got the green light to do whatever I wanted! I came home and started cleaning. The nesting instinct had kicked into overdrive! I swept, vacuumed, and steam cleaned the floors! I will say that as hard as it was some days to just sit there, I'm so thankful that I followed the doctor's orders. I know now that Noah will be strong and healthy when he makes his grand entrance and that I did all I could to give him the best possible start in life.

Aches and pains: Where don't I hurt? They never end! The muscle spasms in my back and stomach make sleep pretty much impossible these days. However, as miserable as it is, I'd rather be the one suffering than to have Noah have come earlier and seen him have to suffer.

Sleep: lessness. Sweet sleep eludes me. I can't for the life of me understand why a woman in her very last weeks of pregnancy, has to be so miserable that she can't sleep. Doesn't God know that I have mere days left to sleep? I should be getting the best rest of my life right now!

Labor Signs: I'm still having daily periods of very regular, very frequent contractions. They do seem to be getting stronger, but nothing to send me running back to labor and delivery. At my appointment I had dilated a bit (from 1 to almost 3), so they are making some progress.

Mental State: Dilapidated! Half the time I can't remember why I walked into a room or what I have begun to write on my grocery list! And poor Buck...many of our recent conversations went something like this...Buck: "Belle, I'm going to get dressed, put Brady down for his nap, grab the laundry on my way out, and then head to the commissary." Me: "Okay Husband. But, why don't you get dressed before you put B down to save time?" Buck: "That's what I just said." What is it about pregnancy hormones that totally screw with your brain?! Other days, I feel like I might totally lose my mind. The weather has been HORRIBLE this winter and I have a serious case of cabin fever that at times feels like it borders on seasonal depression. The other day the sun came out for a few hours and I seriously considered lying naked on the sidewalk to absorb maximum rays. However, I didn't think my neighbors would appreciate that, and that they might call the Coast Guard to return the beached whale to the water, so instead I found a little spot on the couch where the sun came through the windows and sunned myself, much like a cat.

Attitude: One of gratitude and appreciation. I am so thankful that God has answered our many prayers and held little Noah off for the last 3 1/2 weeks. I am grateful for a little boy who is patient and loving and seemed to understand that Mommy had to take care of herself and the baby. I know it had to be hard for him, but he never let on. Every day, he was full of life and energy and laughter, which is probably the only thing that kept me laughing. And finally, I'm thankful beyond words for a husband who picked up ALL of the slack and never once complained! I know he was stressed and overworked every night when he came home. I wouldn't have blamed him if he complained every night. He'd just taken on a new responsibility with a new command. He'd come home, start dinner, play with B, get him ready for bed, put him down, clean the kitchen and pick up all of the toys. On the weekends, he'd have to do all of that plus the grocery shopping, and cleaning, and laundry! I'm so blessed to have a husband who was happy to do it all!


Now, I'm just trying to relax and enjoy the little time we have left before making some big adjustments. We can't wait to see Noah's little face and kiss his sweet cheeks! That day will come sooner that later!

34 Weeks

I thought I'd do a quick update on this seemingly never ending pregnancy journey...which now that I can't get off of the couch, seems longer than never ending!

There will be no picture with this post. Since I'm on partial bed rest, that means I don't get out of my p.j.'s and my hair doesn't come out of it's pony tail. I do, however, still brush my teeth.

Here's the lowdown...

Weight gain: Let's not even go there! I will say that since Christmas, I haven't had much of an appetite, so I haven't gained any more since then. And I suppose I should be happy with the numbers, since they're considerably lower than with Brady...at this point with him, I was gaining about 2 lbs. per week!

Stretch Marks: All I can say is I must have some awesome elasticity to my skin! I don't know how any body could expand this much (or as much as it did with Brady) and not have a single stretch mark, but it doesn't. Thanks Mom & Dad for the great genes!

Belly Button: Still sittin' tight as an innie! This makes me happier than you know! :)

Clothes: My tops seem to be shrinking! Good thing I only need to wear p.j.'s for the next couple of weeks!

Sleep: Not so much. Although, this has improved since getting the Ambien.

Labor Signs: Unwanted, painful, much too regular contractions that have sent me to labor & delivery twice in the last week. Apparently, my body wants to expel my child. Thankfully, he's stubborn and isn't coming just yet.

Baby Movement: Oh, yeah! This kid thinks he's on Soul Train!

Cravings: Like I said, not much of an appetite. I have worse cravings when I'm not pregnant.

What I Miss Most: It's a toss up. (1) Living without burning stomach muscle pain and searing back spasms. (2) My waist.

HE Will Take Care of Us

I really don't know how to start this one.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant with Noah, I had concerns that I would go into pre-term labor. Brady was born, healthy, at 36 weeks, but 36 weeks is still considered pre-term. I knew that there was a greater risk with this pregnancy that my baby would come early.

Yesterday, at 33 weeks and 1 day, that almost happened. I started having contractions in the morning. They were irregular, but more frequent than they should be, and I started paying attention. Shortly after lunch, they were 4 minutes apart and I was having some serious back pain. I called labor & delivery, knowing what they would say, and after throwing a few things into a bag, just in case, we were off to the hospital.

After they got me hooked up to all of the monitors the midwife came in and talked me through what the treatment plan would be and did an exam. She also spoke of the "worst case scenario" and told me not to be too concerned, that 33 week babies usually did well after a few weeks in the NICU and that if labor couldn't be stopped, some one from the NICU would be up to talk me through everything and answer my questions.

Those are things that no mother wants to hear or talk about.

Next, they ran two bags of fluid to try to hydrate the contractions away. That didn't work...at all. Two hours later, the contractions were MUCH more intense and my back was hurting so bad that I was white knuckling the bed rail.

They gave me a shot of something, I can't remember the name of the medication, and within 20 minutes the contractions were much less intense and my back was starting to relax for the first time in hours. After about an hour they had completely stopped. They did another exam, just to make sure that my cervix hadn't changed with all of those contractions, which I was sure it must have, but it didn't!

After going to the pharmacy to pick up some medication we were on our way home! My baby wasn't coming today!!

I'm not on strict bed rest, but I was told to stay off of my feet and sleep as much as possible. No cooking, no cleaning, no housework or errands of any kind, and NO more picking up Brady.

Now, I really just said all of that to say this...

From the moment I realized what was or could be happening I was uncharacteristically calm.

I began to pray and to keep my focus on the only One who could protect me and Noah.

"Be still, and KNOW that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10

God placed that scripture in my heart and that was what kept running through my mind.

Sure, there were moments that I let myself "go there" and think about the what ifs of a baby born at just 33 weeks, and then I remembered something I read on a friend's blog who was doing a Beth Moore bible study.

"If __________ (insert your greatest fear into the blank), then _____________ (insert what you would do here) ____________."

If, Noah is born today and whisked off to battle it out in the NICU, then I would bawl my eyes out, wonder what is so broken about my body that I can't carry my children to term, maybe feel a little sorry for myself, then suck it up and do everything they told me to do in order to help my child survive. And, I would thank God for every day that I could watch him grow stronger.

The point of the exercise is this: No matter the if, the then is really always the same...

If, my greatest fear comes true...

Then, God will take care of me.

Then, God will take care of Noah.

And so, I held on to those two thoughts and never had a doubt that we would be okay.

The same God who created the universe...

Who calmed the storm...

Who walked on water...

Who gave me life...

Who formed my precious child 33 weeks ago...

The same God who has already ordained the day, the hour, the very second that he will enter into this world, was still God.

He was in control.

And He would take care of us.

And that's exactly what He did.

I don't know how much longer it will be before Noah makes his appearance, but I know that when he does, he will be okay.

My long term goal is to get to my 36 week appointment on the 4th of February, but until then I will thank God for every day that He allows Noah to stay put.

Every day is another day that Noah grows stronger, healthier and becomes more ready to make his transition into this world.

Every 24 hours counts!

So today, I'm thanking his Creator for the answered prayer of another 24 hours.

And for the peace He has given me in knowing that He is God, and He will take care of us.

Insomnia

Oh, sweet sleep...Why do you continue to elude me?

At this point I should be sleeping as much as possible. In just a few short weeks, I won't be able to sleep through the night...even if I could.

I'm 33 1/2 weeks. If this pregnancy is anything like the last, I only have 3 weeks to sleep!!

Wait...I'm not very good with Math...maybe I miscalculated...(counting on my fingers)...

Nope. I'm right. 3 weeks! Holy Moly!

Brady came at 36 weeks. I'm praying that Noah holds out until at least 37. For his sake.

Not that Brady had any health problems, but he could have. We were blessed.

Knowing how little time I have left freaks me out just a little.

Now I won't sleep because I'll be making mental notes and lists of all of the things I've procrastinated and how I need to get crackin' just in case he does come early.

I need to pack our bags.

First, I need to buy diapers to put in his bag. I remember the ones they had at the hospital were way to big for Brady.

Then I need to pack his bag...

And mine...

And Buck's...

And Brady's. Can't forget B. He needs an overnight bag too this time!

We need to get the car seat installed.

And the Boppy washed...

And all of the other laundry piled up in Noah's room.

At least the furniture is together...

Although we have to make a few minor adjustments to the cradle, because the bedding didn't fit quite right and the bumper won't tie on, so that presents a problem. I can't simply leave it that way and hope that my child is still enough to not knock it out of place and suffocate himself.

I don't want to be in the same situation we were in with Brady.

After I finished straightening my hair and applying my makeup I was literally throwing things into a bag as Buck frantically tried to figure out how to install the car seat in the dark, 5 minutes before we left for the hospital.

Don't judge...he came a month early. I thought we had plenty of time!

As for the hair and makeup...

I walked into labor & delivery convinced that it was false labor and that in an hour or two I would be going back home. I wasn't trying for a home birth.

48 hours later we walked out of the hospital with a tiny 5 lb. little runt.

I was in the same clothes that I walked into the hospital wearing, because in my haste, I forgot to bring an extra set. Okay...and because I REALLY thought I'd be back in my bed that night. I only packed a bag because my husband insisted.

So, I suppose that, just in case, I should have things in place a bit early this time.

And, maybe, just maybe, being prepared will take a little worry off my mind and help me sleep.

My Boys

As I was looking through my pictures, trying to organize them, I came across these...the pictures from my 20 week ultrasounds.

The first is Noah...

The second, Brady.

I see similarities in them. The turned up noses. The puffy lips. Both of them with one hand raised and clenched.

I wonder how much they will look alike...or how much they won't. I wonder how closely their personalities will mirror one another...or how different they'll be.

And I get so excited!

I can't wait to see my little Noah...

To get to know him like I know Brady...

To see his precious face...

To hear his little cry...

To kiss his soft cheeks...

I know that he'll be wonderfully unique...

And that's what I want most.

As much as I love and adore B, I don't want Noah to be another Brady. I want to watch him grow into the precious little being that God has created him to be. Perfect in his own way. Wonderful in his own right.

32 Weeks

Brady got these little capsules in his stocking. You put them in water and watch them slowly expand into some foam shape...a fish, a dinosaur...

As I was looking at this picture, I realize I'm kinda like those capsules...soft and expanding...only not so slowly!

Rapid Expansion: 28 Weeks

(I'm actually 29 weeks today!! :))

I know, it's blurry and the lighting is bad, but you get the idea!

2 in 1: 26 Weeks and Thanksgiving Eve

I'm now 26 weeks and 2 days! I can finally get by without the Zofran! I still suffer from occasional waves of nausea, but the horrible sickness is gone...

As is my waist!
As you can see, Noah is growing and thriving in his little home!

And Brady becomes more of a ham every day! He raided my jewlery box as I was getting dressed and was showing off his loot.

Today, the DFAC served the annual Thanksgiving meal. One Army tradition that I really think is cool is that all of the senior NCO's and officers wear their blues and go and serve the soldiers and their families dinner. Buck went before Brady and I and served dinner and then we all met and ate dinner together.

I was pleasantly surprised with dinner! The food was wonderful! Kudos to the cooks who worked so hard and prepared a special meal! I was expecting something like bad cafeteria food. Instead, we had a fantastic, home cooked tasting, Thanksgiving meal, complete with all the trimmings and then some!

As you can see B was pleased with the food too! We all ate more than we should have, but hey, Thanksgiving is only once a year, right?

It was a lovely evening and a tradition that we plan to continue as a family.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

22 Weeks (Almost)

Here's the 22 week picture! We'll almost, I'll be 22 weeks in 2 days, so I figure it's closer to 22 than to 21.

I think my belly looks deceptively small in this picture. I tried standing a hundred different ways to make it look bigger and this was the biggest I could get. Maybe it's just that I FEEL like a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I don't actually look like one!

Noah and I are doing well. He better than I! He's moving quite a bit throughout the day now! His favorite time seems to be at night when I'm relaxing on the couch or first lay down in bed...just like big brother, Brady!

I've tried weaning myself off of the Zofran several times, and occasionally I have a day where I can make it with no vomiting and others like yesterday, I vomit all day! I suppose I'll be one of those women who are sick their entire pregnancy.

Oh well...those beautiful babies are worth it all, aren't they?

Baby X Becomes Baby XY

Beautiful boy!

Just like big brother Brady, our little Noah likes to suck his thumb!

This kid has got some legs! Not that it comes as any surprise considering the sperm source! He measured in the 91st percentile in length!!

Today our little Baby X became Baby XY, or little Noah Allan! Brady will have a little brother to toss his favorite football to!

I've had a feeling that it was a boy, but wasn't sure if it was mother's intuition or me just wanting another boy. Not that I wouldn't have been over the moon for a beautiful baby girl, but I've always said if God took orders, I'd place one for two boys and then a little girl! So, I feel awfully blessed that He's fulfilled 2/3 of that "order"! ;)

It was a very special day for Buck and I. When I found out that Brady was boy, Buck was 10 hours away at Ranger School. It was bitter sweet because I didn't get to share that very special moment with him. In fact it was about two months before we got to truly celebrate.

But today couldn't have been sweeter! He was right there beside me holding my hand and smiling when the tech told us we were having another little boy! And, thanks to my dear friend Monica, who always comes through for me :), we were able to go out to eat afterwards (just the two of us) and pick up a few new tiny baby things.

These are my favorite pictures from today. Our tech was awesome and sent us home with about 10 pictures, but I thought these three were the best!

Now we're just praying for the continued health of this little miracle and anxiously awaiting our beautiful boy's arrival!

19 Weeks

Baby X is growing... 12 days until we call it by name...

Baby XX will be Andie Victoria...

And Baby XY will be Noah Allan... Stay tuned...

A Few Pictures

Brady has seemed to grow into a toddler overnight! As I look at him now, I no longer see my baby boy, but my little man. Of course he'll always be my baby!

This is his "smile" face...
In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have taught him to smile...Now every picture we take for the next 4 years will probably look like this...

These are his favorite boots...actually they're his only boots and he often goes to his closet and brings them to me so he can wear them around the house...

And this is just a silly boy being a silly boy...

16 Weeks

I thought I'd put up a new belly shot. Baby X is growing and thriving as evidenced by my burgeoning belly!

I'm growing rather fond of my little round shape. Which if you knew me at all during my pregnancy with Brady, speaks volumes!

I'm still on Zofran, but feeling so much better!! I have much more energy, I'm keeping all of my food and drinks down, and I can carry Brady up the 3 flights of stairs again, without gasping for air at the top! I feel like I've made a breakthrough!

Tomorrow, I go for my 16 week check-up, so check back soon!

13 Weeks And Growing

Finally! The much anticipated "belly" photo! I was 13 weeks in this picture (15 weeks now). It was the first time that I actually felt good enough to get dressed and smile in a photo in 2 months!

It hit me at 7 weeks. It was all I could do to get out of bed and half-way manage to care for Brady. I was like a pre-adolescent teen who wasn't too keen on personal hygeine. Brushing my teeth produced an unwanted response of hurling into the toilet, washing my hair made me feel like I had run a marathon while sick with mono, and getting out of my p.j.'s, which I had worn for 3 days straight, and putting on clean clothes was out of the question! Trust me people, it wasn't pretty! I couldn't keep down ice chips!

My sweet little Baby X was sucking the life right out of me! Of course, all of the time I spent on my knees bowing to the porcelin throne sent me to the emergency room one night with pretty severe dehydration. But, boy am I ever glad that it did!

After a few bags of IV fluids they pushed some Zofran through the IV. I had never heard of it and usually I'm totally against meds, especially if I'm pregnant, but that night they could have pushed crack through that line and I wouldn't have cared! Within minutes I was feeling like a human being again! Once they were satisfied that me and baby were okay they sent us to the pharmacy to pick up some Zofran to take home with me. At first I was having to take it 3 or 4 times a day to keep food and liquids down, but after about 5 or 6 weeks on it I was down to just one pill a day, in the morning, before getting out of bed. I thought, "Hey, I'm almost 15 weeks now, and finally over the ALL, DAY, SICKNESS!".

Wrong again! Last Monday I took the last of the pills. I truly thought I'd be fine. Tuesday morning I woke up wishing I had a refill! Once again, nothing I ate or drank would stay down. NOTHING! Brady had been sick with a viral infection, so I thought maybe I just got his bug. I decided to give it a day.

Wednesday morning I woke up and same scenario. Only with one other problem...Brady woke up unresponsive and limp. I was terrified! Somehow, I managed to stop heaving long enough to get him to the ER and find out what was wrong. Luckily, it was only dehydration and after about 5 hours on IV fluids, he was back to himself.

On a side note...I was totally proud of my little man! He handled all those needles and people poking him like a champ! He's one tough cookie! After they started his IV he actually thanked them!! Totally unprompted by Buck and I, he looked at them with tears still in those beautiful, blue eyes and said, "Tay-Tou". Too precious! Then he continued to thank them every time they came in the room to check on him. The nurse said if they gave awards he'd be the patient of the month.

So...back to my predicament. Since we were there in the hospital I walked down to the OB clinic to see if I could get a nurse to put in for a refill. I was told I'd have to wait for a TCON (telephone conference) and that it could be up to 72 hours. Are you kidding me? Did this woman not hear me? For almost 3 days I haven't kept down any fluids...and I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant! Anyone else think that's kind of risky?! And, a 4 day weekend was coming up. If I didn't get the Zofran by Thursday at 4:30, I'm back in the ER sometime over the weekend, cause I don't think I'll stay hydrated puking this much for the next 5 days!

I leave and go back to my baby, who at this point is ready to go home. We finally get Brady discharged and go home. The rest of the evening I was praying for that phone call and no luck! Thursday morning rolls around...still terribly sick. I wait a few hours and when no nurse calls, I call the clinic again. Again, I'm told I'll have to wait for a TCON. When no one has called me by 2:00 that afternoon and the leg cramps are starting, I call again. This time I refuse to hang up without hearing from a nurse. Finally! Results!

The nurse agrees to put in for a refill, but...I have to wait for a doctor to sign off on it, which may be a while. Great. Our pharmacy here closes at 4:30 so that would mean if the Dr. doesn't give the O.K. soon, I'm driving 40 minutes to the hospital pharmacy to pick up the meds. Luckily, all ended well and at 4:15 (just in the nick of time), my meds were in my hands!

Once again, the miracle drug is working and I'm functioning like a normal human being. I just wonder how much longer this will continue? I thought that by 15 weeks I'd be past this mess. The things we go through for our kids, huh? Funny thing is, I'm already talking about and planning for number 3! I need serious therapy don't I?!

All I know is that our children (even the one we're waiting on) have brought more joy and love into my life than I ever could have imagined! I want a house full! I love dancing to the music of little feet!

Baby's First Pictures

"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb...My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. " Psalm 139:13, 15-16

Last Tuesday we were able to see our little Baby X for the first time. It's a squirmy little thing, much like it's big brother. Everything looks great with the baby and we're expecting another healthy pregnancy.

It just amazes me to see our precious little ones heart beating, and to make out it's little hands and feet. You might have a hard time making anything out of these pictures, but I see a perfect miracle...a beautiful life growing inside me, formed by the hands of our Creator.

Much like when I saw the first ultrasound pictures of Brady, I feel more than ever an overwhelming desire to nurture and care for this child. As I read the words of Psalm 139 I feel a great responsibility to raise our children to know and to believe that those words are true. I want them to understand that although there will never be anyone else on this earth who could love them as we do, they have a Creator who loves them even more. He loves them so much in fact that He not only created them, but that He has already written their story. He wrote it knowing before they ever came to be, exactly what they would need.

I need to remember that. I became a mom and all of a sudden I started this senseless worrying. I mean well. I believe that I worry out of love. But, I need to remember that whatever tomorrow holds, for our children, for us, that He loves us. I need to remember that I don't have to worry about tomorrow, because He has already written that page. All I have to do is read it and follow His will, His wise counsel, His plan.

So, stay tuned for more of the story. There will be many more posts and pictures from this precious chapter.

With Every Beat of My Heart

It seems like only a few days ago that I was sitting in my Grandmother's rocker and telling her that although I wanted another child, and the sooner the better, I couldn't imagine that I could love another as much as I love Brady. My fear was that somehow Brady would always be my "favorite". My heart was already so full, I didn't know how I could make room for another. I was so concerned in fact, that a few tears fell during our conversation.

Now I realize how foolish I was. I don't know anything about this little one yet. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl. If it will be our little prince or princess. I don't know what it's name will be. I don't know what it will look like...the color of it's eyes, it's hair, the shape of it's little lips, if it will have Buck's nose or mine. I don't care. All I know is that from the moment I found out that I would be a mom again, I have loved this child. And, I love it just as much as I love my little Brady. I guess that love just comes automatically with being a mom. It's a love that God puts inside us, and with the first news of that little miracle it starts to unfold. With each new phase of your child's life, the first ultrasound, the first kick, the first moment you hold that baby, the first smile, the first time that chubby little one crawls across the floor, the first time those wobbly legs take a step, you love your child more. Each time you look at that perfect little face you fall in love all over again.

So, my little Baby X, rest assured that your mommy loves you more with each passing day. There will never come a day that my love for you will lessen. Though change it will, little one, for I'll love you more with every beat of my heart.

4 Weeks -- The "Before" Shot

22 JUN: I was 4 weeks, 2 days when I "officially" found out that I was pregnant. I had Buck snap a few pictures that afternoon to document the "before" the big belly days.

When I was pregnant with Brady, I took a picture nearly every week to document my growing belly. It's fun to look back at them, so I'll do the same with this one too. Here's the first in the series...

As of now, I'm feeling great...a little tired some days, an occasional headache, and I've definitely noticed a decrease in my energy level, but that's it. Certainly nothing to complain about. It's funny because most days, I wonder if I really am pregnant! This is just a weird stage where you don't look pregnant and don't feel it quite yet either. I've been trying to remember and I think it was around 6 weeks that I started feeling sick with Brady... It'll be interesting to see how this one goes!

Flashback Friday

After receiving news of our little Baby X, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my pregnancy with Brady and those first few days and months we had with him. As I look at him now, it's easy to overlook how far he's come and how quickly he's grown. Today, I was looking back at pictures of him the day he was born and of those first precious days. The first picture is of the first time we attempted to lay him in his crib. That little 5 pound body was lost. He could have swam in that crib! As you can probably guess that moment lasted long enough for me to snap a picture and then he was back in my arms...

The second photo was taken last week. Now he seems almost too big for that very same crib. Tugs at my heart just a little...

We parents say it all too often, "They grow up so fast!". But it's absolutely true! At least we have pictures like these to remind us to slow down just a bit and live in the moment.

Little Miracle

We just got home from the clinic where they confirmed that I am definitely pregnant! (The picture is of the home test that I took yesterday.) We are beyond thrilled! This precious little miracle is an answered prayer. For months now, we have been wanting to expand our little family. We just needed the other part to the equation...

With Brady, I wasn't so excited when I found out. It was my first pregnancy. I was scared, sick and didn't know what to expect. Honestly, vanity played a big part in my poutiness. I just knew that I would gain 100 + pounds and spend the rest of my miserable life trying to desperately fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Much to my amazement, I did not gain 100 pounds, and what I did gain was gone in less than 3 months and I was quickly back into my jeans! Now, I'm ashamed that I ever felt that way. How could I? Why didn't I take the time to realize what a blessing I had been given?

However, when they put that precious little bundle in my arms, I could have cared less if I ever lost the baby weight. Nothing in this life could ever come close to comparing to that moment. I was holding a miracle!

So, this time around I vow to cherish every quickly passing moment. I will love watching my body change and grow and shelter this precious little one (which for now, I'll refer to as Baby X). This time around instead of wishing away the next nine months I'll, as Irma Bombeck so elequoently stated, "realize that the wonderment growing inside me [is my] only chance in life to assist God in a miracle".

Wow...That's hard to wrap my mind around. Not once, but twice, God has chosen ME to assist HIM in a miracle! I don't feel worthy of that honor. To HIM goes all the glory!