You’re such a talented writer! Love the turn of phrase and the imagery, and the sense of humor.

Amazing that you come through this long journey, and exciting for the adventures to come!

I’m thinking good thoughts of you and the little one, and cannot wait to hear all about her arrival.

Sincerely,

Christina, a twin from Providence…

So I went back to check the blog and realized the dates were all a year earlier (2009) and that for some reason you were still posting these posts of pre-baby/baby-prep, even though you’d already had your daughter and were well on the road of motherhood. Very strange! Anyway, you were both well and happy, and she had curly blondish hair. Sweet kid.

Also, this struck me: “I know this from my years on the water, when I learned that I can feel more pain and push through more pain than my mind was ever interested in acknowledging. So I’ll be counting.” You’ll be fine. Sounds like you’ve been able to go to the place beyond your body. That is a very useful tool sometimes.

I look forward to hearing more, and hearing about the birth, and I wish you the absolute best. You’ll be great and powerful and wise. Keep me posted!

I thought of something when I read your Mom’s comment. A few weeks before my little one was born, my wonderful supportive Mother asked “are you sure you are ready?” Looking back, she may have been asking about supplies, etc, but at the time I took it as a probing query about my “cognitive, emotional, organizational” readiness and I think I replied “No, I’m not ready.”

Even after books, childbirth classes etc, there is this feeling of “yikes”… but the good news is that I figured out how to balance most things (not all of course), and my little one is healthy and happy at 6 months.

Remember, your Mom can do the laundry! In fact, they say “have other people do chores, let housekeeping go, etc” for a little while after baby is born. Just give yourself time to enjoy the baby (and Mom’s company) and rest.

I’d venture that there may be plenty of laundry to do during your mom’s visit. Although, maybe not. Max was a big spit-up-er, covering every outfit with the stuff, but the new one is (so far) keeping it down. And I suppose with a girl you don’t have the “pee fountain” issue.

I’m thinking happy thoughts for you. Enjoy this time, and take photos, at least for yourself, so you remember what you look like this pregnant!

… and good luck with the tests – not what you need right now, no doubt… crazy about the mom – it’s hard to not see that as divine intervention – hee hee… You would have been bored anyway I bet…

We are thinking of you and sending warm thoughts from Michigan (and it IS warm here today – Billie is moving very slowly) – I sure wish we were seeing that belly in person… but this helps a little… love always, l & c