I am really starting to notice the weight of her, but am so thankful that it took 31 weeks for me to actually start to feel pregnant. Here we are, with about 10 weeks to go:
Last night we had the hospital tour and brought along both kids. They were FABULOUSLY behaved, even as the host spoke in a tone juuuuust above a whisper for 40 minutes in a small auditorium. I am serious, those kids were silent and sweet and occupied themselves by drawing and playing with a few small toys.
When it was time to see the birthing rooms, I almost cried a little. The things that keep me up at night regarding labor aren't anything to do with pain, they're things like unnecessary intervention, routine procedures that don't fit with my ideas about how a laboring woman should be treated...and as the woman spoke about the philosophy of the hospital (an all-women's subsidiary located within the larger hospital), she put my fears to rest.
I went into the tour with a list of slightly defensive questions, but came out feeling like our baby is going to get the best entry into the world possible, free from unnecessary drugs and separation. Of course, should anything go wrong, we're right in the middle of one of the two largest hospitals in the state ... but if everything in labor goes as naturally and smoothly as this pregnancy, I am confident that our wishes will be respected and even encouraged.
Ryan especially seemed to like the end of the tour when we got a chance to see two newborns in the nursery. She is such a gentle girl, and I know she'll be a wonderful big sister.
All of this on the heels of such a special mother's day: Wesley's teachers allowed him to make an extra set of gifts for me, and I got a little choked up when I saw the special bag with my name on it, sitting amongst all of the other mothers' gifts. The fact that his teachers recognize the special family and love that we have meant so much to me, on a day that is traditionally a bit difficult for stepmoms.
Ryan made me a card that said "100% mom, I love you" with a perspective drawing of our house! Her real mother's day gift to me, though, was when she pointed out a missing apostrophe in a Wendy's sign as we drove past. Be still my heart!! And Shannon took me to a fancy mother's day buffet downtown on a cloudless Sunday, followed by a movie and a nap.
All in all, life is pretty darn good. Happy spring!!
"Her real mother's day gift to me, though, was when she pointed out a missing apostrophe in a Wendy's sign as we drove past." I love it. You look wonderful, and I am so happy for you and your family. You are going to be a great mother, especially if your lullabies are sung like Cartman... I miss you!
Posted by: Kara Kostiuk | May 11, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Haha, that cracks me up, too!
You are awesome, and I am so glad the kiddos' teachers were so great!!! I had a student once who lost her mommy a few years before, and that was tough.
I am so glad you are comfortable with the hospital and feeling positive about delivery. I so feel you on this one...like that I was so worried about an IV, ID bracelets and weird, weird stuff that shouldn't matter that much.
Love and prayers! I hope you had a great baby shower! I was very sad I missed it. And I am working on a present for baby Daphne. What a cutie pie she is going to be!
Posted by: Amanda | May 15, 2011 at 01:10 PM
The baby shower was wonderful. I am still laughing about my little talk with Wesley when he said to me, "So are you Aaron's mom?" To which i replied, "No silly! I'm his sister!" ummmmm . . . wait, no, that's not it either. He thought it was so funny when i finally said, "I'm Aaron's girlfriend". That started him teasing me, "You're Aaron's girlfriend, you're Aaron's girlfriend, you're Aaron's girlfriend". The kids were so good and I know that they will be wonderful big brother and sister to little Daphne.
Posted by: Rachel Heitman | May 16, 2011 at 11:33 AM