How much longer will this pregnancy last????????

Well, we have officially entered the last leg of pregnancy. I am growing impatient and would like to carry Amelia on the outside now! I somehow thought I would be different than those brave mothers who have gone before me.  I had envisioned a painless, uncomplicated 9 months of pregnancy. HA!  It has been anything but...!

Be warned all of you out there who have not yet experienced the joy of growing a life inside you.....pregnancy is anything but a simple nine months of looking cute in maternity clothes.  It is in  TEN MONTHS of watching yourself morph into a person that you yourself no longer recognize, as this sweet little bundle takes over your ENTIRE being...body mind and soul!

My pregnancy of course has been challenging.....pneumonia, kidney stones, yadda yadda!  I am now in "nesting" mode about to send my poor husband over the edge of sanity!  The nice thing is, our house looks great!  We even re-did the bathroom! 

I do however live for the times I can lye quietly on the bed and feel her move inside of me!  Amazing! There is a new life growing in me that is only possible because of the Lord, Rod and myself!  No one else could have made her! 

 All and all, I know that this 10 month experience will all become a far and distant memory when I gaze into my daughters eyes for the first time.  I can hardly wait to examine every detail of her tiny little form, or to watch her Daddy's eyes light up at the very sight of her.  With this child comes so much joy, love and even healing. I can't help but be humbled by the blessing of being  her mommy!  I am undeserving of such a gift, but will treasure her for a lifetime! 

Well.......the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived....the results are in!  Drum roll please.......

IT"S A GIRL! 

Rod, myself and Big brother Alan are pleased to announce that we are expecting a beautiful baby GIRL sometime in early September.  It is all becoming so real to us now. I have been feeling her kicking me for weeks now, but nothing brings home the reality of parenthood quite like seeing our baby girl moving and squirming around on that ultrasound monitor!  Not to mention actually being able to see her face....eyes, little nose, mouth and CHUBBY CHEEKS!  We can hardly wait to meet her face to face.

Rod said the most beautiful thing to me last night in the way home from Columbus. It went something like this....

"I wonder what God has planned for the life of this baby girl to have brought us through so much to get her here."  All that he went through in California only to end up back here in Newark to meet and marry me.  How God changed his heart about wanting more children.  How Rod new from the start that our baby would be a girl. Not to mention what I have come through to get to Rod, and our struggle even to conceive a child at all.

It is such a beautiful thing to see what the anticipation of our daughter's life is doing in Rod's heart as well as his spiritual journey.  Amelia Kaylene Anderson is already enhancing our lives even now. I can hardly wait to see what she will bring to this world and how God will use her to do great things. (not to mention that pink is the greatest color EVER and I get to shop for lot's of it!!!!!!)

I guess it is about time to update, as it has been months since my last entry!

Well, I am, of course still pregnant.   It seems as if I have been and will be pregnant FOREVER!  Rod and I are so looking forward to meeting our child.  What an adventure it will be!

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a parent.  I have the good fortune to have a beautiful and wonderful 20 year old stepson named Alan.  Becoming pregnant with my own DNA related child has really changed how I handle my relationship with Alan.  It has actually been quite an amazing journey of both joy and heartache.  I have discovered a love for Alan that I never thought possible.  I never had the joy of knowing him as a baby, toddler, child or even as a preteen.  I met the Alan of 17 years, when he was just beginning to discover who he is and what he wanted to become.  Over the past three years we have had our share of struggles, but what a privilege it has been to see him evolve into the man he is becoming.  Alan has had to overcome a lot of struggles and adversity that would have broken even the strongest of adults.  It instead has made him stronger. I am so very proud of him.  I can't imagine loving him more if he we my own flesh and blood.

Motherhood, I have found does not always come as we expect it.  It can sneak up on us, and before we know it, we find a love like no other.  If we look back, the most surprising motherhood experience gave us the Savior of the world!  I often wonder if Mary had any idea what her surprising motherhood experience would really mean to her or the rest of humanity.  I can hardly wait to see what my children (Alan and our new baby) will become.  How will there lives impact our world?

I pray God's most wonderful blessings to all Mothers this Mothers day!

Currently Reading 45,000 + Baby Names By Bruce Lansky see related

OMIGOSH!  I never knew that pregnancy would be such a complete roller coaster ride!

I have learned that pregnancy truly is a "Total Body" experience.  The total nausea (BTW "morning sickness" is a HUGE understatement.  Be for warned....it would be better named "all day sickness"), the bowel issues, the exhaustion. Not to mention the extreme mood swings (and I am moody anyway......poor Rod!).  I can't even watch diaper commercials with weeping.  Oh, and.....guys you may wanna skip this part......what the heck is going on with my breasts????????  I knew my belly was gonna grow.....

Don't get me wrong,  I don't mean to complain.......I just imagined that MY pregnancy would be beautiful and glamorous.  Just like the ones on tv.  Hah!!!!!!!  why can't I look like Heidi Klum?

Anyway, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little one.  September seems like an eternity from now!  But, those who know me, know I am a planner......so we are already planning the nursery and how will deal with our "two working parent" issues.  Not mention the getting to the hospital plan when our little one decides to make an appearance.

Over all, life is good.  I am living my dream......great husband, nice place to live, baby on the way, family and friends who love and support us.  I couldn't ask for anything more!

Currently Reading The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy By Vicki Iovine see related

Well......we have be technologically challenged lately! Our computer is down and I am borrowing my parents PC to update.

A LOT  has been happening in our lives lately.  We have much to be thankful for.  We moved into a new (to us) house over the holidays.  It is a darling little brick Cape Cod near Newark Catholic High School.  We love it there!  It is cozy and just the right size for three.  Yes, I said three.  For those of you who have not yet heard, Rod and I are expecting our first baby in September.  We are truly excited and blessed as we eagerly await the arrival of our little one.

I am currently 6 1/2 weeks pregnant we have already had two ultrasounds as my Doctor wants to monitor my progress closely because of my history.  We saw the baby's heartbeat on Friday. It was good and strong.  Doc says all looks good.  I feel like dirt (morning sickness is a huge understatement....it seems more like "all day sickness").  I will not complain.....I am thankful for every nauseated moment.  Frankly, I would shave my head bald for nine months if it meant we would have a healthy baby at the end!  Rod is being wonderful as usual!  I can't wait to see him as a Daddy!

It is still a little hard to believe that tiny heartbeat was inside my body!  We are so amazed by God's miraculous blessing of life!