What I didn't know...

Tonight is the first night that I have had anything at all like contractions or what they call Braxton Hicks. My mom, Chas and I were walking around Ikea and I started to feel the tightening and surging as they call them but didn't pay much attention because we were on the hunt for a cheap, practical and esthetically appealing form of shoe storage. Luckily we found most of what we needed, but had to leave early as Ikea can be an all day affair and Chas had to get off to school. After he left, while my mom and I were eating a yummy dinner of orange roughy, brown rice and green salad with Annie's Poppy Seed Dressing, I started to inform her of this tightening in my now bulging stomach. Throughout dinner and my dessert of chocolate milk (which has become a favorite in the last couple weeks) we realized that although I may not have the baby for a few more days things are definitely happening.

I figured that tonight may be a good night to get some thoughts out about this pregnancy because things may get a little crazy very soon. I wondered what would be important to me in years to come if I read this blog again and what would be interesting to posterity as well. The things I didn't know before I got pregnant came to mind, so here are a few of them.

I didn't know...
-I would be so happy to be having a baby girl (even though I had to wait to get confirmation from a doctor who spoke English as his Native language. The first person who told me was a Korean nurse who hardly spoke English.)
-I would be so curious to see what color eyes she has
-My belly could possibly get this big and then continue to get even bigger
-That I would have to have Chas tie my shoes almost everyday and he would do it so lovingly each time
-I would see and feel her kick for the first time on a bus in Korea and that Chas would see it too
-I would be so lucky to have absolutely no complications and enjoy such a comfortable pregnancy
-That I would like being pregnant so much
-I would choose to have the baby at a Birth Center and feel so peaceful about it
-I would have no cravings
-I would walk on the Great Wall of China at 4 1/2 months
-I would cry when I heard her heartbeat for the first time
-I would look forward to hearing her heartbeat at every appointment after (it is so reassuring)
-That Chas would sing to her in my belly

So little Olive these are the things that I remember so far from this pregnancy. I am so excited to meet you and kiss you and play with you. Come when you're ready and we promise to take care of you and love you dearly.

Chas took these pictures January 28th 12 days before my due date which is February 9th. Thanks love for having such a wonderful talent.