Reflecting

I figured that I better do my last "Reflecting" post since I am nearing my due date in just another day. You can read all about my past reflecting posts on each trimester here and here. Since Friday when I went in for my weekly checkup and found out I was dilated to 3 cm, I have felt a lot of pressure, intense cramping and contractions, and have been spotting quite a bit. There have been moments this entire weekend that I really thought "this is it, get the bags ready", but then nothing progressed so that is where I'm at this morning. Scot has been working all weekend for one of his major accounts, but at least he is in town if I need him. I will say this has been challenging to keep Ryder entertained as I'm having such strong contractions, but it's also keeping me busy so I'm not analyzing every single cramp or contraction.

I can't believe that it has almost been 40 weeks since finding out we were pregnant! I happened to see these pictures Scot and I took at our pregnancy confirmation ultrasound appointment back in January and it really put things into perspective for me. Time has really gone fast this time around in a lot of ways, and yes there have definitely been a lot of days that I had harder days with my morning sickness, heartburn, back aches, pelvic floor aches, hip and leg pains, and just being more exhausted than I ever remember being with my pregnancy with Ryder. But, it has also been such a blessing to be carrying this sweet baby girl and I already feel so much of a bond and I love her SO much! I can't wait to hold her and stare at her and welcome her into our family. She will be so loved by so many people! I can't wait to dress her and put bows on her and have my sweet little girl to take everywhere with, and to become my little shadow. From watching me put on makeup, to playing barbies and baby dolls. There are so many moments I can't wait to share!

I can't wait to see Scot hold her and to see the bond that they will develop, and to see her become "Daddy's Girl". He wanted a baby girl so badly and it melts my heart to know that God filled his desires of his heart. I know that she will have him wrapped around her little finger in no time. I am excited to see him hold her gently and treat her so fragile after being used to throwing Ryder around and playing rough and tumble with him. It will be funny to see how they react to one another, and to see him holding her baby dolls and purses!

I can't wait to see Ryder interact with his baby sister. In the few weeks that he has started tending to "baby" the penguin in the same manner that he would his baby sister, I know that he will be the BEST Big Brother that I could ever ask for. I pray that they will become best friends one day and that he will always look after her in the way that my older brother still looks after me. There is a bond between a sibling that is shared between just the two of them, and I can't wait to see the two of them play together! My prayer is that they will always love one another and be there for one another, even when Scot and I are old and gray! I am reflecting on all of these desires and I am so excited to meet my Brynley Bug in just a few days (or less).