fewer than 48 hours

It's the name of my new movie...

and suddenly I discovered why it is better that few people know the exact date and time of birth plans.

I went to work today against everyone's advice. Coworkers, that is. I had work to complete to make sure my classes run smoothly and that I actually want to come back when my too brief maternity leave is up.

Obviously if there were an option, I'd have propped my feet up at home with the last of my French vanilla ice cream and chilled the day away. Instead, I rushed in to the job to finish (begin!!!) lesson plans for my 10th graders and to meet my substitute for a face to face.

It seems like every colleague I passed expected my water to break as I passed them and had horrible visions of birthing a baby in the Panther Den. Yeah, right. No one remembers that Friday marks exactly 37 weeks along... so technically, MYD is 3 weeks early. I could have been offended by the

"I'm surprised to see you;" "Wow, didn't expect you'd come in;" "What are you doing here?" and "Go home; don't stay too long!"

I heard all day. So this was my last day at work before our big day, and I'm not sure if the concern was in love or fear of somehow catching the pregnancy virus that is going around the building. Yep, I'm huge... but nothing is swollen and I thought I looked pretty cute in my dress and with my freshly pressed hair. They should be showering me with "glow" comments and wishing me well.

I sure better get a warmer reception when I return, or I'll know the commentary and advice was not from concern for the health of this pregnancy...

Could he be only two days away?

Our countdown has dropped and so has Yadon! Over the weekend my tummy has lowered so much that walking without the waddle has become difficult. Sitting is awkward at best... unless I lean back. This downward movement is comforting, because it means he's ready to make an entrance even if it is before his original Sept. 19, 2008 projected due date.

So it's one more day of work for Mommy, then tomorrow is the last doctor's visit before the surgery. I'm anxious and excited and luckily the fear of last weekend has been replaced by a calm resolve to trust in HIM to make our newest addition's arrival a blessed event.

Scared

Things have been going really well lately.  For nine months it's been a virtually unremarkable, healthy pregnancy with a conscientious and proactive doctor.  My family and friends have prayed for this baby since they've known of his existence.  My daughter is elated to count down the days to his impending birth.

But this morning it hit me... I'm going into the same hospital for the same procedure I almost died from in 2002.  I'd love to say I'm confident - that I am checking in with absolute faith in a timely and routine check out.  But I'm not.  Suddenly fear and sadness have taken over and I can't stop crying.

I don't know why suddenly the mood has swung, but I know where it's coming from.  I have a fabulous little girl.  She is my world.  I have watched her grow into a beautiful young woman with talent and dreams.  She wants to study gymnastics and "Kay-ra-tey" (as she says).  Maybe even take a class in dance (she likes interpretive jazz).  She thinks she'd like to go into the circus to walk on the big rotating ball (a glorified hamster ball in mesh form),  but only if mommy can live and travel with her.  She wants to be married (wants mommy married, too, but that's a different topic entirely).  She thinks adopting a baby would be a great alternative to labor (already she gets it).  And she is preparing herself for First Grade.

In the forefront of my thoughts this morning is that I don't want to miss any of it.  If something goes awry with this birth, is my little girl gonna be okay without me?  Is she gonna remember her momma as she grows up and gets to accomplish all the things she hopes to do? 

I know God is in charge.  I know He has a plan for me and my family... and I really hope that plan is to increase...

Marques Yadon is set to enter the world on August 28, 2008.  The operating room is booked for 1 p.m. (which coincidentally is when Chi has to be at First grade orientation).  It's so easy to expect things to go without a hitch... but what IF?

Mommy's "Servant"

Chi decided to up the helper status to 'servant' and has for the last few days tried to do everything she can for me. I suppose I could consider it a sign of things to come with baby brother only 7 days away, but the magnitude of her help is a bit... dangerous. This evening, she made me dinner: dark toasted bread with butter and cheese, grapes and a pink lady apple. And for drink? I asked for a 7Up, trying to convince her that lemons were healthy... instead, I received orange juice "healthy for the baby" drink.

Doctor's visit

We saw the OBGYN today who assures me that the delivery date is solid and Yadon is large enough to be brought into the world early... We'll be at 37 weeks exactly when he is born, which makes him full term. One more doctor's visit next Wednesday to detail the birth plan and then Thursday is the grand entrance into the world. Chi says "Whoo hoo, baby brother!"

Today's visit discovered that were this a natural birth, Yadon would be in it until the end - if not longer. I am no where near showing signs of imminent delivery. His heart rate has slowed to 131 bpm and he continues to punch at any ultrasound equipment that nears him.

This is a horrible, horrible place

We finished up Chi's registration for school yesterday with a visit to the pediatrician. YIKES. After the half dozen immunizations before Kindergarten, I was sure that this trip was nothing but a physical and form fill out. Instead, Chi was given a vaccine for hepatitis. The nurse, Marsha, talked Chi through the process, but all it took was one look at the needle sitting on the tray and Chi was through with doctors. She'd already braved the "strip to your underwear" request... and with recent modesty ideals in tact, it took some coaxing. It might have been better if we'd had one of the female doctors in the practice, but none were available for this appointment (scheduled a month before!). She measured in at 44 lbs. and 44 inches and has perfect vision and hearing. Pretty impressive for my not-so-little baby girl, huh?

Regardless, we left the pediatrician with forms for Yadon and a request that we tell the hospital who our pediatrician is so someone can see the baby after birth. And Chi left with a sticker and sore arm saying "This is a horrible place. Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrIBLE, HORRIBLE!"

Nearing 10 days...

Aunt Cheryl arrived on Saturday with a very beautiful wooden cradle. It rocks gently with a single touch and will make an awesome sleeping spot for Yadon during his first few months. She was quite ambitious with preparing this gift having had a battle with a glue gun and thread as she made the cradle bumper pad. Surely this is a family heirloom we'll be passing around for years.

We assembled the new stroller and have the car seat ready for installation in Marq's car. The debate continues as to whose outfit will be worn home from the hospital (an important decision even if the hospital is only 4 minutes away).

Can we be any more ready?

Before I knew you, I loved you... MYD we are so excited to welcome you into this world.

finishing touches...

I added the last few adornments in my Jungle that will soon be Yadon's first home... his covey (a Tigger we think he'll love), diaper station set, first backpack (which is a bit early, but oh well), and a spare blanket for cold nights in our rocker.

Of course I have frames galore for future pictures he'll be featured in... and I've added a few pictures of his mom, dad and sister to the mix.

I think the room is complete...

Finally!

the shower pictures!

Above(L to R):

Nickea, Rachelle, and Rose
Mom (Laura) and Dad (OJ)
Chelle, Laura, LauraChioma
Tyese and Nadia
Marques and James
Rod and Ms. Georgia
Iyana
Megan and Tara
Mommy Rachelle and her Chi

not pictured :( Linda, Dayle

Below (L to R):

ID that Poo (eww)
the favors
the cake
Guess how big she is...

18 Days...

Yadon's birthday is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with a Baby Shower? Marq and I both invited our friends and family to join us in welcoming Yadon into the world.

Mom, who like me is no fan of parties and great gatherings, donned her hostess hat again and made the arrangements to get everyone together. Despite a minor setback (Olive Garden does not do reservations and will not set up tables until the whole party arrives), she set up a beautiful table! The little favors (it's a boy boxes) were just precious.

My girlfriend Nickea, who expects her first born -a son - in December, came up with some fabulous games. My favorite activity, though, was the blessing notes she had each guest write to our little family. Yes, they made me cry, but it'll be a treasured memento for Yadon when he's old enough to understand how much he is loved. There is so much strength in those prayers for him!

In attendance were my colleagues whom I adore - the ones I run to on good days and especially on bad and whom I share more than a career with. I'm thankful for Rose, my friend from the 'Bridge, who is expecting a beautiful baby girl in November. She took photos as only a former yearbook advisor can! And dearest Tara, who left her fabulous team of menfolk to spend time with the girls. (We're praying that one day we'll be celebrating a baby girl for her household, too.)

Two aunts, a cousin (whom I am grateful for joining as she is a bit under the weather) and her lovely girls, and my Daddy also joined the festivities. It was good to see Marq's best friend (and proud papa) James, his brother Rod, and his beautiful mom, Georgia.

I must admit that I am blessed to have such great people in my life. It makes me feel like Yadon's world is enriched with faith, family, and friends even before he enters it.

Practice...

Laura creates a balloon baby girl (my grandkid!)

Waiting It Out

Chi and I were lucky enough to book a session with a  maternity photographer who STAYS booked.  Go figure.  If I wanted WalMart or JCPenny, I'd have my pick of times... but decide I want something different, and it's begging and pleading and complimenting to get a date set.  Then once I get my session in it's the waiting game of yesteryear (remember when they said "come back in two weeks" and you had printed pictures to choose from?).  Two to three weeks for digital proofs then another two or so for your order.  I know I'm supposed to be patient, but come on... how long are we gonna test me?

Some photographers do sneak peaks...  but then they don't want you to share the images they've taken.  I get that... but seriously, it's not like people are printing the things out and selling them!  Or maybe the unscrupulous are?

23...22?

Countdown continues...

I'm sitting here perched in front of my computer, which seems to be my primary location these days. Yadon is moving a bit more infrequently, but when he stretches an arm (how uncomfortable!) or flexes his legs (that is not an exit!), I am reassured.

I'm reluctantly taking my iron pills in the morning and my prenats at night. Finally the sleep schedule has readjusted and my body is okay with the "speed" (as Marq calls the iron pill) that it apparently lacks.

We had a long conversation today about our son, as Marq shared that he found a multi piece suit Yadon just had to have. He is vying for a baby sling and continues to talk about how he and little man will travel around together chest to chest. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever see my son! It's kind of weird to experience his growing excitement and to know that this man is wholeheartedly looking forward to being a Daddy. What a blessing.

Chi told her dental tech today that mommy's baby was a "brother" but that she wants a sister. This is a big switch from the previous hope of a brother... and she insists the sister should be the next one in the works. Hah! That'll be a few years down the road, if at all.

Our unisex Baby Celebration/Shower is this Saturday. I'm hoping it'll be a reasonable turnout and that each guest will be willing to write a small note to Yadon for his scrapbook. I also hope that our registry is being used for any purchases being made, but I'm grateful for anything we receive.

So... the obsession with photographs continues and I have my eye on a new Nikon D3 or the D700. Ten years from now, I might actually be able to afford it! In the mean time, I'm content with adding to my lens collection for my D50. I think I'll also read the manual to find out about why I'm getting these muted colors in my pictures of late. Oh, and Tav (and Megan) stopped in yesterday (following a promise of gas money for the trouble) and put up my shelves for my pictures! Now if I could just bribe Dad to put the crib together...

27

Usually around this time of year I am counting down to my birthday... I'm not yet at the age when I dread watching the numbers go up and, perhaps, I never will be. Considering where I've been in the twenty nine years of mine (and where I hope to go), I'm pretty proud of aging. Maybe it's because I have an awesome family that likewise celebrates each year they are blessed with (and that looks GOOD adding them up!). When all is said and done, I've done some pretty amazing things with my life and I expect a whole lot more to come.

This year I'm not counting down for Yadon in front of Marq (because he's a nervous new daddy ::smile::), but Chi (the anxious and excited big sister) insists I know exactly how many days have to pass. She decided that anything in the 20s was "not that long," so she's getting ready now.

Alas, the crib is still in pieces...