Friday, September 27, 2013

planning. and a picture of the baby!

I had hoped people would be excited to hear our happy news yesterday. Expected it, really-- I mean, it's happy news! But seriously-- people (including all of you) BLEW US AWAY. My phone was basically dead (from the constant email/FB notifications) by like 10 a.m. I am so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and excitement of what feels like every single person on earth-- so thank you. I told Matt halfway through the day (when I had a mere (haha) 50 blog comments and 30 FB comments) that I wanted to print out all of them and put them in Baby B's baby book. Now there are double that many comments, plus emails, voicemails, texts...holy cow. And I still want to print them all out because if Baby B ever wonders whether she was wanted, whether she matters...I want her to know. I want to point to the hundreds of comments, to the people saying they've been praying for her, to the people excited to meet her...and it'll give me some really solid evidence to prove that yes, you were wanted. Yes, people were ECSTATIC about you. I really can't wait.

My mind is all over the place- forgive me. I've gotten about 8 hours of sleep this week. I love the people suggesting I rest up now-- WHO CAN SLEEP WHEN THEIR KID IS COOKING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S BELLY?!??!! I am far too excited, with far too many things to think about and plan, to get any sleep. Alas, I may be making a date with the beloved adrenal cocktail if my mind and body can't get back on track soon. Blech. 

We have only known about the match for a week. So no worries, people who think I've been keeping a secret/living a lie for months on end or something-- YEAH RIGHT. Like I could ever do that!! 

I want to share so much about how the match went down, about how we found out about the situation, about everything...but I'm not going to right now. Suffice it to say that this situation started out like every other situation we've had, only this time it ended with us being chosen. With phone calls with the birth mother. With joy and peace and the hope of a baby. So basically, it's been the best situation ever. :)

The baby's mom had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I was so thankful that she texted me afterwards with an update! All is looking healthy and well and Baby might be here quite a bit earlier than we were anticipating-- like, before Thanksgiving!! She'd been given two different due dates previously (for mid-Nov and early Dec) and now they're putting it even earlier, so...seven weeks should be plenty of time to prepare, right? No one really NEEDS nine months, right? Ha! That's what I'm telling myself.

I'm preparing by spending a lot of time looking at Pinterest. Ha. But seriously...it's true. Sometimes I diversify by researching baby products and registering for the ones I like best. Then I become overwhelmed and do more exciting research, like about birth announcements and how to fix baby hair. Our lawyer is busy doing the boring legal things, which is going well, and we are working on getting our bloodwork and physicals done for our home study. Sometimes I wander into our nursery, which is basically an empty room with curtains. Then I feel overwhelmed by the emptiness of it, so I go back to Pinterest and print some free printable artwork. So basically I'm a champ at this baby-prepping thing. I should teach a  class, maybe. 

SPEAKING of classes- Matt and I thought maybe we should be really awesome and take some of the parenting/infant classes at the hospital. That's a normal parent-in-waiting thing to do, right? But I couldn't make it past the class descriptions. The 'Parenting Basics' (or something like that) class promised to "teach you the identifying characteristics of newborns" and I totally lost it. REALLY? I'm picturing a diagram of a baby with arrows and labels identifying arms, head, etc. Newborn babies are characterized by looking like small humans that cannot walk, talk, or do anything for themselves. You will recognize them by their high-pitched shrieks and poopy diapers. I don't know. I just feel like I don't need QUITE that basic of a class...I always was an AP class girl, ya know.

Yesterday, after updating me about her doctor's appointment, the baby's mom texted me an ultrasound picture from that day. Holy. Crap. I was in my co-worker's office at the time and she can attest-- I FELL DOWN on the floor, crying. She (and she's five months pregnant with a girl herself!) rushed over to see what was the matter, and then when she saw the picture, she sat down next to me, sobbing with me. In about two minutes, everyone in the office was sitting on the floor in that office, crying and fighting over my phone as we struggled to discern what the heck all the white blobs on the sonogram were-- but agreeing that it was most definitely the most beautiful blob-baby anyone had ever seen.

Despite the label (GIRL) and arrow, no one could figure out what we were seeing. So another co-worker took it on herself to call up a friend who is an ultrasound tech and convinced her to come by our office so that she could 'read' the sonogram to Matt and I!!! (More tears) So she did, and here is Matt and I getting educated about the first picture we have of our baby girl. (Many thanks to Diana for thinking to take pictures of us)


The reason no one could tell what the picture is is because it is evidently an extreeeemely zoomed in close-up of our baby's lady parts. Ha. The baby's mom has not been 100% convinced it was actually a girl, so apparently this is the indisputable evidence. So there is no head, arms...all you can see (if you're an ultrasound tech, because I STILL couldn't really see it) is lady parts and the umbilical cord. So...probably not the most flattering picture the girl will ever take, but I must say that is some adorable cord and amniotic fluid, wouldn't you agree??! I mean, one of her cord thingies looks like a rubber ducky, so that must count for something.

Time to get back to work. Thank you again for all the love and support yesterday-- I tried really hard to respond to comments and will get back to it today, but please know that we read and loved and cried over every single one. You guys are incredible. Thank you thank you thank you.

43 comments:

  1. So excited for you! This is just wonderful!!!! Ah, just so wonderful!!!

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  2. I've been thinking about you non stop Erika! This is simply amazing and I wanted to say thank you for letting me share in this journey with you and Matt! Sending nothing but love your way my friend! xo

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  3. I love it! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!

    I still have my perma-smile.. despite getting everyone dressed for an AC repairman (three days in a row.. we are going for a record) but he is 62 minutes late (who is counting).. so much for being the first job of the day, eh?

    One day we can tell Baby Bates that she was long awaited... seriously this is more exciting than the Royal Baby Watch!

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  4. I have been brought to tears many times reading through the last two posts - I'm so overjoyed for you and can't imagine the joy you two are experiencing! I will be praying for you as you prepare!

    I wanted to mention an idea I had seen on pinterest I though of as you talked about all the tons of voicemails, comments, texts you had gotten. The idea was to make a Shutterfly book of all the texts/phone calls/FB posts you got the day the baby was born, but I think you should do it of all of the ones now! Use the pictures of getting ready for her and any ultrasound pictures you get. Tell her the story of you waited for her. Ah, my eyes are getting teary just thinking about how wonderful this whole story is. Our GOD is so perfect and writes such a redemptive story. Just an idea... :)

    Ok, this is getting long. Blessings to you!

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  5. I WANTED to say I thought I saw umbilical cord, but who wants to throw something like that out there if they're wrong? Not me. Also, I'm super glad you're researching how to fix baby hair. I feel that's one of the most important pieces of information you will need in the coming months. :)

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  6. My parents had two days notice for when they got me (at six days old) and my aunt and uncle found out the night before about my cousin, so seven weeks is like an eternity! And you are so going to rock this whole baby thing Erika!!!

    I love that you and Matt are all matchy-matchy in the picture of you getting the lowdown (haha!) on Baby B's picture :)

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  7. Love it!! R came home from an errand yesterday and asked how my morning had been. He didn't quite know what to do with my over the top excitement for you! :) I can't wait to hear more! So happy for you both!

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  8. @Katie Linkous (don't know your email!)-- GENIUS IDEA!!! I love it!!!!! So much better than a stack of printed paper! What would I do without you guys and your smart ideas?!

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  9. So Davis was sitting in my lap as I was reading this and I pointed to the ultrasound to ask him what it was... his response, "Tree!" Let's hope for your sake the ultrasound tech is right and he's wrong ;)

    Oh, and I TOTALLY printed out all the nice blog/facebook comments we got when I announced my pregnancy with Davis, so I say DO IT!

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  10. Crying and laughing so hard at the same time!!!

    I can't believe you have a PICTURE! But even more, I can't believe your first picture has no head, or arms, or any discernable human parts... I looked at it and thought that baby seems really small. This must be an early ultrasound. Like 7 weeks... shows how much I know! Maybe she'll send a face photo soon?!?!? I'm sure her other pics are equally as beautiful!

    Still can't believe this is happening! SEVEN WEEKS!!! Oh my gosh! This is INSANE! And AWESOME!

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  11. So after reading Alison's comment, I asked Rachel what it was a picture of and Rachel pointed at you and said, "Mommy" so even two year olds recognize the significance of this picture :)

    Either that or I need to work on her recognizing ME better!

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  12. Love the picture of the 3 of you looking at the picture!

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  13. Don't even worry about responding, you just keep reading and we will keep posting!! So excited for you guys and I just know this little girl will be quite the fashionista just like her Mom :)

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  14. Note to self: don't read beautiful baby posts while in a classroom full of teenagers. My tears have definitely perplexed them. : ) So happy for you, again! Please tell us where you're registered!

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  15. That picture of you guys looking at the sonogram is priceless. Are you planning on sharing your registry info on your blog, because I think you should consider it! :)

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  16. Oh my goodness...you and Matt in that picture - LOVE IT! Thanks for letting all of us share in your joy and excitement over cyberspace! And maybe meeting your daughter in SEVEN (7!) WEEKS! I wouldn't be able to sleep, either :)

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  17. I'm just so thrilled for you and Matt! What an exciting time after the journey you have been on for years. I know you are soaking up every moment of joy and getting ready for sweet baby girl!

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  18. These baby posts are just my favorite!!!! I am so dang HAPPY for you guys! Thanks for sharing your happy news and I will continue to fawn over post about your BABY GIRL! She is coming just in time - what a wonderful thanksgiving it will be!!!!

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  19. I don't read blogs for a mere 48 hours and I come back to you being like almost full term "pregnant". Maybe I should stop reading blogs more. ;) Congrats, friend. No couple deserves this more than you and Matt. Seriously.

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  20. Ieeeeeeee!
    That's all I got.
    Ieeeeeeeeeeee!

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  21. How amazing are your coworkers??? Love that y'all are so close and they are sharing in the joy of this news!!

    And girl - you can totally plan in 7 weeks. I once had an adoptive family get approved and then 2 days later were selected by a birthmother who just had her baby (one day prior) . No lie. They had NOTHING. They had 24 hrs before taking their baby home. Their friends rallied together and basically started and finished their nursery in 24 hours (purchasing & assembling everything for them). It truly was amazing to watch. So. . . 7 weeks. . . you totally got this!!! :)

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  22. I have really got to stop reading your blog when I'm in public. First it was the laughing out loud during student teaching and now I'm crying in my classroom. At least my kids have gone home for the day, but I will not be attending faculty meetings with some puffy eyes! But they're worth it! Still so excited for you. I've felt the need to announce you're expecting to people like I know you and we're besties. :) No wonder people think I'm special.

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  23. Amazing... Simply amazing. The picture of you guys looking at the u/s picture took my great away :)

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  24. The picture of you & Matt looking at the sono is my favorite of any you have ever posted.

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  25. Your expressions while getting the u/s lesson...precious! Thanks for the tears...you're becoming a pro :-)

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  26. I seriously cannot stop thinking about you guys and smiling. This is seriously the best surprise ever and a much prayed over child. Precious little baby and VERY MUCH wanted. YAY!!!!!

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  27. I just want to say... I hope you know how much "YOU" come through on this blog. How genuine you are. How awesome. It should come as no surprise that the entire world is so excited for you because I am 100% sure that everyone else feels the same way. You have such a gift... for self-expression, for accurately describing emotions, for making us feel like we're all right there and sharing this amazing life event with you. I never met you, but I definitely feel like I know you, or at least would love to be friends with you IRL. Because you are so clearly amazing! It's funny how each blogger has their own personality and the ladies who choose to stay anonymous look a certain way in our head based on the way they write. But even if you never said your name or posted pictures, I swear, your soul shines right through. THAT'S why everyone is so happy for you. THAT'S why it's so easy to share in this joy with you. Because we all feel like we're part of it, even in a small way.

    I just wanted to tell you this. Sorry for the apparent girl crush! But seriously, you friggen rock. I can't wait for this happiness to happen for you. What a beautiful baby you have right there.

    P.S. I think Pinterest was the logical place to start. Who wouldn't?

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  28. ditto the "please let us know where you are registered" comments.

    I just think this is a miracle and am brought to tears thinking about God's love.

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  29. Don't forget that list of classes I suggested a couple of months ago- I would be happy to teach you the condensed version via webcam if you'd like :)

    But for real, y'all will do a great job and she'll have everything she'll need because she'll have YOU! (But you still might want to have some diapers on hand... ;)

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  30. Like you said to me Yahoooo for baby girls! Check out Baby Super Mall that is where we found a wonderful deal on Charles' bedding/ nursery stuff. I have no idea where to tell you to get furniture. I can't wait to see the nursery.
    It is so nice that she thought to send you an ultrasound picture. The people in your office sound like sweethearts.

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  31. Please frame the picture of you and Matt in this post for the nursery. This picture shows so much love and excitement.

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  32. Wow....so exciting! I'm so happy for the two of you. The Lord does answer prayers!

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  33. So happy for you guys! When we were asked about adopting our daughter, the birth mom was 31 weeks pregnant- then she delivered 4 weeks early....so 5 weeks was all we had to get ready! All that baby needs at first is a car seat, bottles, formula, and somewhere to sleep. All the rest can wait!

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  34. So happy to hear your sweet little girl is growing healthy! I still can't get over how excited it made me to read your post that you're going to be a mom. And of course, why would you be able to sleep? I mean seriously? It's like you just found out Christmas was moved up or something and who doesn't get excited about Christmas?! Praying for continued favor in thie situation and a healthy "end" with a baby girl in your arms!!

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  35. Oh my god I am going to cry over her cord and lady parts!!! So glad you had this moment!!

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  36. This is SUCH wonderful news! Yay! Congratulations! :)

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  37. That last picture is such a sweet picture!! So happy for yall!

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  38. I love that picture of you guys looking at the ultrasound picture! OH MY GOSH CRYING AGAIN.

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  39. This is just the best thing ever. I see the rubber ducky so glad i can at least see that part of the ultrasound, even if that's not exactly what's in there.. Do babies get toys while in the womb? Haha, just SO happy for y'all!!! I need to follow you on pinterest, 7 weeks away!! WOW!!!! You can totally do it!

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  40. What a beautiful little blob baby!! That's your baby girl :)

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