A 9 Month Wrap-Up

Only a few more days left of sharing a body with my little one, and Kelly and I are getting more and more excited....and nervous to meet the little guy! Calling the last 9 months an "adventure" would be a gigantic understatement. It has been so challenging, yet so amazingly wonderful. It's one of the only times in my life that I will get excited about having an expanding waistline! I am in such awe at this amazing act of growing a little human being inside of me, and sharing literally everything with him! I've gotten a small taste of his temperament and personality, and despite the downs of pregnancy, the ups have been extraordinary!

We found out that we were expecting on our one year anniversary, and I don't think we actually believed those 3 pee-sticks, 2 blood tests, and ultrasound until about 2 months later!

I have perfected my sprint to the toilet in a desperate attempt to spare the carpet, and learned to eat things that I can manage the taste coming UP, as well as going down. I have also taken on a new look, sporting my hot new "cankles". (For those who are unaware of this phenomenon: The official definition, "1. having no defined ankle so that it appears that the calves are directly joined to the feet. 2. Fat ankles.")....yes, they are as sexy as they sound!

The migraines have been furious and have come with a vengeance. They truly have been out of control, and Kelly has been the most amazing in helping me manage the pain, nausea, and frustration of dealing with them. I praise God for a husband who has had so much compassion and love for me! I know that watching me deal with chronic pain is just as hard on him as it is on me. Thank you Kell. We have been to Labor and Delivery 3 times already this year to seek relief for my dreadful headaches, and needless to say, I'm pretty sure we're ready and well-acquainted with how to find our way around the maternity ward! (Kelly knows exactly where the snacks, drinks, and blanket warmers are!....he's willing to give tours if anyone's interested!)

Despite all of the woes of pregnancy, feeling and watching my belly roll around has brought so much joy to both Kelly and myself. Noah can knock an open book straight off of my belly with one fierce kick, and an "ouch" from me!

So...as I finish up with the last few days of pregnancy, I praise God for keeping me and Noah healthy for these past 9 months, for a husband who has comforted me, held my hair while I hovered over the toilet, and most importantly loved me unconditionally, for a family that have done SO much for us by pouring out wisdom, love, and endless gifts for the arrival of our son, and for friends who have joined with us in our excitement and the journey we are about to embark on. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing network of people for my son to be born into!

Here's to a great 9 months, and an even greater lifetime for our little boy!

My talented dad took some last pics of my prego belly. The next pics will be of baby Noah himself! (Sorry, I have no intention of posting post-baby-belly pics! You're disappointed, I know!)