Getting closer to seeing this sweet face...

Well, we had a Dr.'s appointment yesterday and decided to go ahead and induce this week! I am still not even 1 cm dilated, but the baby's head is further down and my cervix is starting to soften. At this point I am a few days overdue and the baby is growing about 1/2 pound a week. The doctor said we could wait and come back next week but he does not want the baby to get too big for me to deliver. So the plan is to go into the hospital on Wednesday and they will insert some gel called "Cervidil" which is supposed to further prepare the cervix for dilation. Then the doctor will come in on Thursday morning and give me "The Pit" as my sister the nurse calls it (pitocin) in order to induce me and bring on contractions. At this point I feel a ton of different emotions: excitement, anticipation, nervousness, joy, and a little bit afraid, all at the same time. But most of all, it just feels surreal. After waiting all this time to have a baby, I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I could be holding her in just a few days. It just doesn't seem possible to me. I feel so blessed. If all goes well, by this weekend...we will see our baby daughter's sweet little face. Please keep us in your prayers for a safe, healthy, smooth delivery!

Anxiously Awaiting...

Well, as you can see, the nursery is ready to go and so are we! I'm officially 3 weeks away from my due date, which seems almost unfathomable! After our long wait of almost 3 years, it's hard to believe that in 3 weeks (or maybe less) we will be holding our baby daughter. This was such a special week, celebrating Christmas and feeling so blessed with the awaited arrival of the little miracle in our life. Last Christmas we were not even sure if we would ever be able to experience this joy. Now it's right around the corner. In a way, I'm a little sad to have my pregnancy be over, as I have loved every minute of it...even now with the swollen feet, ankles (or should I say cankles) and aching back...I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Dustin is so excited for this baby to get here, he can hardly stop smiling. Picturing him holding our daughter brings me a joy I cannot even describe!

As for any new details, I really don't have many. Baby is very active and rolls around like crazy. Sometimes I think she's doing sommersaults in there. I have not felt any contractions yet at all. Just had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all appeared well. Doctor Swanson says he estimates the baby to be between 5 1/2 and 6 pounds at this point. So for now, we just wait! Something we have become very good at! Keep praying for a smooth, healthy delivery for me and wait for that phone call...it could be any day now!

Getting ready

Well, 28 weeks along and getting more and more excited. Our baby girl is growing everyday and and so am I! As you can see, we've been in the process of getting the nursery ready. With lots of help from Papa Smith, Dustin put up the wainscoting (oh, and lets give props to Stacey's dad, Charlie, our "plumber to the rescue" for his help as well, after our slight mishap)! Dustin put together the crib and changing table...now just waiting on the armoire from the store (Mom and Dad Rosty going with us to pick that up next weekend) and the window seat/toy box that Dad Smith's wood shop class is building for us. Still pinching ourselves everyday that we are going to have a tiny little baby girl to fit in those tiny adorable baby clothes. Still thanking God everyday for his blessings and loving every minute of every day being pregnant. Can't believe we're only three months away from holding that little blessing in our arms...

Real

Halfway through my pregnancy and I still have to look at myself in the mirror everyday to really believe it. And every time I feel her kick and move around, I can’t help but smile. She’s real. She’s our gift from above. For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, my very first post talked about a book I read called, “The Ultimate Gift.” That book got me started writing this blog. You can read it by going to the side of this page where it says “blog archive” and click on “2007.” It will bring you to my first page of posts – my first one at the bottom. It’s amazing for me to read that now, knowing how far we have come. It probably sounds cliché, but I wouldn’t trade all the pain and heartache we endured the past 3 years, for the joy God has brought us today. I know how blessed we are because I still know so many couples, so many girls that I have become close to through all this, who still don’t have their baby. I pray for them everyday, as I remember that pain and heartache all too well. It’s something that will always be with me. You know who you are girls, and you are the strongest women I know.

It's a.....

GIRL!!!! The first thing I said to Dustin when we left the imaging center was..."Oh the shopping I'm gonna do!" We found out yesterday on our 18 week ultra sound. We are so so so excited and blessed! The baby was moving around so much that the lady could hardly tell at first, but got two angles that showed her it is a girl - so she said 90% sure! Let's hope she's right cause this little one is gonna have lots of fashionable girly clothes!! But most importantly everything looked like it was growing nice and healthy. And I think she's got mommy's long legs! Yay, a girl! Watch out Dustin! (who is still a little in shock, but very excited to have a "daddy's girl!")

4 months and counting...

Still feeling so grateful, blessed, and full of joy everyday!! Yep, 4 months (17 weeks) along. Had a check-up yesterday with Dr. Swanson, which went well. I've gained a total of 3-4 pounds so far and baby's heartbeat is strong at about 150 BPM! And we also scheduled the appointment for the "big" ultrasound. It's next Wednesday!! We get to see our baby's hands, feet, spine, etc...and most excitingly...if it's a boy or girl!!! Any guesses??

Thank you

Just wanted to give a quick update. We are officially in our second trimester!! Physically I'm feeling pretty good. I had a few bouts with morning sickness but not too bad. I've also turned into a very picky eater, but other than that, I'm great! It's still pretty surreal for both Dustin and I but we are getting more and more excited as each week passes and as my belly grows a little more!

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of my friends and family who have stood by our side through the past 3 years. We have truly learned who our real friends are and how blessed we are to have so many people that care about us. Thank you to those who took care of me during my surgeries...made us dinner, brought me Cold Stone, and called to check on me...those who were there for me to cry to, complain to, and just listen...those who cried and hurt with me...those who went shopping with me to take my mind off things...those who remained my friend although it was sometimes hard to know what to say...those who kept me smiling and laughing...and those who continually kept us in your prayers. You all know who you are. I wish there was a way I could repay all of you. The only way I know how is to promise that I will be there for you in any way I can. I love you all and am so happy to now be sharing our joy with all of you!