An Open Letter to My Husband

Photo Credit: Robb Davidson
www.robb-davidson.com

Dear Dan,

You and I have been together for over nine years and in those nine years I am still in awe of how much God has blessed our relationship. To this day, I continue to thank God for bringing you into my life. You bring so much joy into my life and I am honored to be your wife and the mother of your daughter.

Our journey to become parents hasn't been an easy one, by any means. Now, here we are, just days (?) away from meeting our daughter face-to-face and being able to hold her in our arms. As we anticipate her arrival and do our best to remain patient, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for making this significant part of our marriage extra special.

While infertility was never part of our plan, you have stood by my side every step of the way. Since we discovered that our struggle to have children lies completely within my body, not once did you place blame on my shoulders. Instead, you saw our situation as an opportunity for God to work an even greater miracle in our lives and you encouraged me. You remained positive with each and every prayer; yet you held me close and cried with me when the burden felt extra difficult to bear. Thank you for never losing faith in God's plan for us.

Your excitement and enthusiasm for our daughter's arrival absolutely melts my heart! Your willingness to make special crafts and the countless hours you've put into each and every feature of her room is very much appreciated. While my ability to assist with certain projects has been limited during my pregnancy, again, not once did you complain. Instead, you poured your heart into each and every opportunity to make her first room a place where she can feel safe, loved, and adored.

Lord knows I haven't been feeling very confident about my appearance these last couple of months. Thank you for making me feel beautiful and for expressing your feelings towards me -- not because I'm seeking your approval, but because you simply feel the desire to tell me how you feel. Your kind words have boosted my mood many times and I am grateful for your sweet and tender heart.

Registering for gifts and attending baby showers can be quite girly (especially when you're expecting a baby girl), so I'd like to thank you for your willingness to be a part of these events. Thank you for wearing pink so proudly and holding up tiny dresses and baby booties with pure excitement and joy. Sharing these moments with you have been so special for me.

While labor and delivery of our baby girl is completely on my shoulders, your willingness to attend various baby classes at the hospital has been greatly appreciated. Your interest in learning how you can better care for me during this difficult (and painful) phase helps me feel more confident about what's to come.

Dan, I really can't thank you enough for all that you've done for me and our baby these past 9+ months. You've done extra work around the house, given in to special treats and goodies just to make me smile, surprised me with gifts, made extra trips to the grocery store to ensure I was eating healthy, called the insurance company several times to work out various details... and the list goes on! Your desire to play such an active role throughout the entire pregnancy has made me feel so loved. Thank you for being such a God-fearing, hard working, loving, and honest husband. Our growing family is richly blessed to have you as our leader and provider.

With much love and respect,
Karolyn

Almost There

Photo Credit: Robb Davidson
www.robb-davidson.com

For several years, even before I met Dan, I've had dreams that I'm pregnant. I'd place my hands on my round belly and feel so much joy and excitement. Now, here I am, 38+ weeks pregnant and I find myself dreaming about being slim and fit. I guess it's one of those situations where the grass appears greener on the other side.

As my due date rapidly approaches I thought now would be a good time to reflect on the past several months and document what I've experienced and what I've learned throughout my pregnancy.

To be honest, I've had a rather easy pregnancy. The first trimester flew by -- and it may be because I slept through most of it. I didn't throw up, I didn't have any weird cravings, and I didn't gain any weight (I lost weight!). More than anything, I was tired. When I came home from work I'd nap on the couch and Dan would wake me up to see if I wanted dinner. After dinner (if I felt hungry) I'd go back to napping. Later, Dan would wake me up so I could go upstairs and go to bed -- and I never struggled falling back to sleep.

The second trimester was almost just as easy. I craved "real" orange juice (like Simply Orange), ice cream, pancakes, fruit, and Pepsi. The only thing that was out of my norm was orange juice -- we had to keep at least two containers of Simply Orange in the fridge at all times. Pepsi was a little weird for me (I usually drink Diet Coke, if any pop), but I didn't crave Pepsi like I craved orange juice. I also started to slowly gain weight and got a little pooch in my belly. My energy levels came back to normal and I felt great.

My two biggest complaints about my second trimester was a pinched nerve on my left side around my hips/lower back and lots of acid reflux. There was no rhyme or reason to when the pinched nerve would strike, but when it did I was paralyzed with pain. I'd be out and about and suddenly I'd have shooting pain up and down body that would make me freeze in my tracks. It hurt so bad I couldn't move a muscle. Then, as I slowly attempted to move, it would go away -- like someone flipped a light switch. This awkward pain lasted for about a week and then it went away. The acid reflux, on the other hand, hasn't gone away. In fact, I keep antacid supplements on hand virtually 24/7.

Once we entered the third trimester I felt like someone slammed on the breaks and we're now moving in slooooooow motion. At about 30 weeks I really started to feel big and uncomfortable. Almost every morning I'd wake up with back pains and as the day progressed I'd feel like my belly weighed about 50 pounds -- or more. Daily tasks became more and more challenging. Putting on socks, clipping my toe nails, shaving my legs, and getting in and out of cars take more effort then usual these days. My pinched nerve made a not-so-glorious return around week 35 (this time on my right side) and it stuck around for almost a week. I've also been introduced to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) when I'm trying to sit still and relax. Still, I don't feel like I can complain because (1) I wanted to be pregnant and (2) I know many women have experienced much worse while pregnant.

During weeks 37 and 38 I got a nasty cold. I don't get sick often, so when I do catch something I usually just suck it up and go about my normal activities -- I just don't like anything to slow me down. However, considering my condition, I decided to give my body some much-needed rest. I ended up going home sick on Tuesday, November 26th and didn't even make it into work on Wednesday the 27th. I slept virtually all day and had next to nothing to eat. Thankfully my Thanksgiving was pretty normal. My nose wasn't stuffed up and I was able to smell and taste everything I ate.

Now, here I am, waiting for our daughter to arrive. While pregnancy has been quite a fun and exciting journey, I am very anxious to see what the next chapter has in store for me and Dan. With each passing day it makes me smile to think that we are one day closer to holding our daughter in our arms.