A New Journey

We are having a baby in 10 days...well, we're due to have little Annabelle in 10 days but it appears these little bundles of joy don't actually come into the world until they decide. 10 months ago both my sister and I found out we were pregnant, she was 5 weeks ahead of me and we embarked upon this adventure like the blind leading the blind. You can read all the books you want, talk to every pregnant woman or mother on your block, but once you pee on that stick and then pee on 5 other sticks just to make sure you aren't losing your mind, a reality sets in that cannot be explained.

Now, 39 weeks later, still working and carrying around a small toddler in my stomach, I am just waiting for her arrival. I remember after finding out I was pregnant this feeling of panic swept over me. I didn't question our ability to be good parents, I was so excited to tell Tony the news, I wasn't worried about gaining weight (well, a little) or stretch marks or morning sickness. What freaked me out is that I realized that what goes in, must come out. However the Lord, in all His goodness, knew what He was doing making this a 10 months process because I can honestly say I no longer fear labor and delivery or words like "epidural" and "dialation." I am so ready to get this child out of me I am actually anticipating pain to prove something is happening to move this along.

Since May I have been talking to Annabelle, singing to her, reading her stories, she already recognizes Tony's voice and begins moving excitedly when she hears him enter a room. I have spent many nights praying over her, listening to worship music, asking the Lord to give her a heart for Him and a sweet spirit that will minister to people even in her earliest days. We are ready to meet her, to see those little feet that have been pushing into my ribcage for well over 2 months and actually hear those hiccups that I've been feeling late at night in bed. We are ready to be the parents the Lord has called us to be and that excitement overrides any fears or feelings of inadequacy.

I wanted to start blogging as part of my daily journaling and quiet time because I know how important the words of others have been to me in the past 2 years of getting engaged, married, and then pregnant. It is so wonderful to hear the stories of those I love and trust and see how God is moving in their families, watching families grow and sharing moments of laughter, vulnerability, and encouragement.

Tony and I are so thankful for your prayers and I am excited to document my first year as a mother with those who want to be part of this journey with us. I will need all the advice, help, and support I can get from those of you who have gone before me! Here we go, it's going to be an incredible ride...