Building An Ark

It has rained. Four days in a row. Cold, puddly, achy baby days. Yes, now I measure things in baby days. Like dog years. Except baby days are like riding a roller coaster, parts of the days speed by, others seem like the next 20 weeks may be 20 years.

I was thinking about building an ark after 4 straight days of rain, but just as I got up from the couch to start, I looked outside and it has turned to snow! I would like to blame the non-stop rain and the chilliness for my recent lack of ability to accomplish anything when I get home. Well, the rain, and the fact that working a full time job and also growing a baby is exhausting! 

It's still unreal to me, even after the ultrasound last Wednesday...AND looking at my constantly growing belly. (Not to mention lugging that belly around all day.) You'd think the kicking feet inside would also jolt me into reality, but it's just not happening.

Our ultrasound appointment was surreal to me. I could see little arms and legs and lips and hear a healthy 153 beats per minute heart rate. As I looked at the screen I felt such a sweet testament of God's love and blessings to see such a perfect little miracle growing healthy and strong.

After what Nate believes was the equivalent of 1 million baby days, we finally heard what we were waiting for. The baby is healthy, and it is a GIRL! I knew it! Her name is Emerson... now that it has been officially approved by Nate. A lot of people have told me they don't like it, and I started having doubts about her name, but I feel like that is what her name is supposed to be! Her name means brave or powerful, and in this increasingly crazy world, who doesn't hope for a brave and powerful little girl?

And it doesn't hurt that I love Ralph Waldo Emerson. I have started to go through some of my favorite quotes to find one or two to put up in her room. 

A few of my favorites:

"Always do what you are afraid to do." 

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."

"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience."

And this one won't go on her wall, but it is one for me to put up at work. "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."

Nineteen more weeks! I can do it!