Weekly Gratitude #46 – slowing down and celebrating

You know that feeling right before you walk down the steps on Christmas morning? Right before you board the plane for the vacation you’ve been looking forward to for months? Right at the top of the largest climb of the roller coaster, staring down the tracks?

That moment where anticipation meets reality. Where you can firmly place feet in both worlds – the before of excitement and the after of everything you’ve waited for finally arriving in the here and now.

I’m there. Days, maybe hours, before our little boy comes into this world, bringing with him so many things we’ve been looking forward to and talking about and planning for.

As I had hoped, the busy-ness has calmed down. So I’m sitting more and resting and watching the acrobatics taking place inside my belly. And I’m soaking up more time with my girl. We’re coloring and taking fall walks to the park with our cameras in tow to capture trees that really are finally changing color now. So many reds mixing with greens and yellows all in the same tree. So stunning.

This week, I am thankful that I got to enjoy this slow-down. This time. This miracle.

So grateful that I’m reluctant to get this moving.

Despite the aches and the pains that worsen each day and the awkward feeling of being on the brink for so long and the pity stares from teachers who are so surprised to see me at drop-off each morning and my poor mother who has been here, waiting it out with me for over a week now, I’m in no rush to get this moving any faster than it is. I’m reluctant to eat the spicy foods that we all swear got things moving the last time and I am thankful that my doctor planned my induction date for over a full week away. As much as I know life will be wonderful and amazing and that I will feel so blessed when he arrives. As sunny and beautiful as I know the road ahead will be. As ready as I am to meet him. I am sad to leave this place.

This place where I can I look down at my belly. Full and round and moving gently above his stretching and turning. This moment is so precious.

So that is my mission for the days (or hours) left. To enjoy this moment. To breathe in my girl and this time with her. To relax and rest. To dream about my little man and all of the things I wish for him. To prepare for the things that will come and be here before we know it.

To be pregnant. For just a little bit longer.

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As we prepare for our boy, we’re also preparing to celebrate our girl. The birth of a big sister is a very big deal. And we’re celebrating with a beautiful locket from Raising Humans’ newest sponsor, Origami Owl.

These beautiful lockets are custom designed. We picked the charms, the words, everything right down to the chain. For our girl we chose the word ‘love’ and the sister heart, as our girl already loves her little brother and the idea of being his big sister. The little boy has his birthstone and the little girl, hers. It was so much fun to page through all of the options and settle on what meant the most to us and our blossoming big sister. To top it all off, it all came in a charming little package.

Of course we also got some stickers and toys to complete the big sister gift. But this locket? This I know she will keep close to her heart long after the stickers and toys are gone.

Visit Debra to learn the lovely story behind Origami Owl and create a locket to celebrate a special moment in your life.

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Happy weekend, all. Hoping for a little bundle here before Monday rolls around!