As the days wind down. . .

As we get closer to the anticipated arrival of Easton there are so many thoughts going through my head.  First and foremost I'm so excited for this little boy to join our family.  I am sure that he will be the perfect last element to complete our sweet little family.   Matt and I feel so blessed and look forward to all the adventures that this little addition will create. Matt can hardly wait to indoctrinate Easton into the world of baseball, Hawkeye supporting, etc.

While we are SO very excited, I also am feeling a little bit of sadness about the closure of the "Brooklyn Only" chapter of our lives.  This little girl has been our sidekick for the past 5 1/2 years. . . we don't have family nearby so when Brooklyn isn't at school or after-school care she is nearly always with us.  She and Matt have shared a very special bond from the time she was born, but it became even deeper in Belgium when Matt stayed home for 3 years.  We also had such wonderful travel experiences as our little family of three. . . probably spoiling Brooklyn a bit too much, but rejoicing in the fact that our little girl is one of the brightest, happiest, little people I've ever met.

I know that Brooklyn and I will still have plenty of opportunities to cuddle, share special moments, etc. . . but to pretend she won't have to share my focus would be naive.  Life as we know it is soon to be over. . .and soon we will have another little side-kick joining in on our adventures.  Please don't take me wrong - I am absolutely thrilled with the new experiences that await our family. . . I just will need some time to get used to the small adjustments that will have to happen in the relationship between me and my best girl.  My kids are fairly far apart compared to "normal". . . I have had 5 1/2 years of being a mom to an "only child".  This will definitely be an exciting adjustment for all of us :)

For the past week(ish) I have been having some terrible problems with my rib cage on the left side.  The pain began the day that I took the Christmas decorations down, so there is a possibility that I actually strained or cracked a rib. .but I don't remember any single event feeling painful.  I've also read that at this point in pregnancy all my bones are softening to allow for Easton's arrival. . so that it's possible that when my ribs were softening that Easton (or the relatively large cyst on my left ovary) pushed a rib out of place.  It's been an interesting experience.  I've learned that I cannot sit on our soft / comfortable couch so I've had to resort to sitting on the floor in the evenings. . .and nighttime sleep is difficult. . not only do I have to sleep on my side b/c of pregnancy. . .but neither side is extremely comfortable to sleep on at this point.


The doctor requested to see me on Friday because I had some high blood pressure combined with the rib pain.  Fortunately the blood pressure has gone back down. .and unfortunately there is nothing that can be done about the lovely rib.


I still need to post pictures from Christmas / New Years.  I promise they are coming soon.  If you are friends with me on Facebook you've already seen them.  But, I still want to get them posted.


We are winding down on the Easton check list with just a couple MUST DOs before he arrives.  We got my car cleaned out and carseats swapped (Brooklyn now sits behind me, and Easton's seat is behind the passenger seat). . .and I almosted finished packing the hospital bags.  I have some other miscellaneous "to dos" for his nursery. . but he will be sleeping in our room for a couple of weeks so that isn't as urgent.


Life is good. . . cannot wait to meet our beautiful boy, but looking forward to another 2 1/2 weeks with my beautiful girl. :)