I love Thanksgiving.  I normally enjoy planning the menu, doing the shopping, doing the prep work on Wednesday, getting up early on Thursday, cooking all day, and then giving thanks and eating with my family.  Tom called me a few weeks ago and asked how Thanksgiving was going to work this year and I asked "can you just tell us where to be at what time" and left it at that.  We have nothing to do this year but show up at my father in law's house.  It's so nice.  We'll have a mid afternoon meal there with the family and then head over to Jeff and Sandi's with some Irish Coffee fixings and friend time. 

I have a lot to be thankful for overall and this year is especially a good one.  I certainly remained hopeful that we would have a child, but it was getting harder and harder to see how or if it would play out.  Showing Steve the positive pregnancy test on St. Patrick's Day and feeling that this time was "different" was the start of some crazy times.  Even with the severe exhaustion and morning sickness, I loved being pregnant.  I think that June-October will be etched in my mind as one of the best periods of my life. While Nola's birth wasn't the story that I had written in my mind, it worked out okay and I'm coming to terms with a lot of it and admitting that it was pretty rough emotionally. The past 7 weeks have gone by so, so quickly and I just can't wrap my head around Nola being here yet.  It's wonderful and tiring and I'm just so elated with her.  Watching Steve with her is one of the highlights of my day.  It's one of the most romantic things ever, this having a child together.  Nola is a bit fussy, a lot cute, and melts me all of the time.  This year has been so excellent and I love that I will get to end it while still being on maternity leave and getting to meet Nola's needs and continuing getting to know one another.  

We have a lot coming up in 2009 and it's nice to just enjoy this time. 

( Nola pictures )

Happy Thanksgiving! 

As posted earlier, Nola was born Friday morning at 3:53 a.m.  She's healthy and beautiful and all I ever imagined and we couldn't be happier.  I felt pretty close to her inside of me, but this is just amazing.  She's going to be here in the hospital for a while, since she was 6 and a half weeks premature.  She's very tiny, but her health is great and she's meeting and beating her milestones.  All in one day!  

( How this came about )
Thank you for all of your sweet, kind words.  Before the pregnancy and finally getting there, during the pregnancy, now....

xoxo

Although 6 weeks premature, she's doing so wonderful.  Steve and I are mad about her and couldn't be happier.  I have been able to spend time with her and she's a wonder.  Truly gorgeous.