A Royal Anniversary

One year ago today, Royal came home to live with Bobby and me.

When we rescued him from the Humane Society, we had no idea the joy he would bring. We have had such a fun year getting to know him. He's got spunk, our puppy, and he seems to love life.

And, his backyard...and opossums...and chasing shadows (or, flashlight beams)...and waking Bobby up in the morning when he races inside to jump on the bed.

The living room is his playground, and he runs circles around the sectional, begging to be chased while he holds his rope toy or tennis ball. He'll take a running leap and dive into "his" couch in the other room. (It was a compromise. "Stay off the new furniture and you can lay on the old couch." It's a nice understanding we have, and it seems to be working.)

He's learned what it means when he hears "you wanna go on a walk?" or "you wanna go for a ride?", and he loves sticking his head out the cracked window on a drive. (Although, really, a crack is all he gets since he tried to escape months ago. We can't risk that again.)

Royal knows the sound of Bobby's truck, and begins to look out the window in anticipation of his coming home from work every evening. It's precious to watch him go to the door, waiting anxiously with his tail wagging vigorously until his Master walks in the door. He knows that "Dad's home!" means happy times. (I can relate.)

He's grown-up considerably in recent months. (We haven't had incidences like those documented here, here, here, and here in a while. Or, perhaps we've just grown accustomed to his antics. It's possible.) He's worked through some of his jumping-on-people tendencies, and is learning the difference between "friend" (i.e. my parents) and "foe" (i.e. the UPS man, or other presumably harmless strangers). He seems to be maturing into the role of "family protector" and we love that, because...

...in a couple of days? weeks? who really knows?, Royal is going to become a big brother. We think he's ready, and I'm so looking forward to seeing how he reacts to a baby in the house. He'll always be our furry, four-legged firstborn, and I'm so thankful for the all of the "parenting" lessons he's taught us in this pre-human baby year we've spent together.

 He's a good boy. He's part of the family. He's home.

Pre-BaByQue

Invitation by cocodot.

I can understand why hosting a large gathering two weeks before a new baby joins the family may sound unappealing to most. But, as much as Bobby and I enjoy entertaining, we decided to do exactly that! And, in our opinion, it turned out to be a great idea. Everyone seemed to have a good time!

I should mention that there was an added, largely-unforeseen bonus to the gathering. I was able to capitalize on the nesting instinct to get the house in great shape for the party, and everyone knows that cleaning house is more "fun" when company's coming. 

Fun social event plus really-clean-house two weeks before my due date...win, win! 

And, if we can maintain the house in its current condition (as is the goal!), then we'll get to bring baby home to an organized, clutter-free space...which will make for one very happy new mama.

It was such fun for us to spend time with some of the people who have helped make the past nine months such a special time, and who will undoubtedly make the first days of our little girl's life that much sweeter by being a part of them.

37 Weeks

As of yesterday, my pregnancy is officially considered "full-term", which means that baby could conceivably come into the world safely anytime.

There were days when this point seemed so very far away. But, like time has a habit of doing, it does go by, and here we are!

I'm not miserably uncomfortable, by any means. I'm not hoping she makes her debut anytime soon. In fact, honestly, I know I'm going to miss being pregnant, and I'm not in any rush for it to be over.

But, I am growing increasingly anxious to finally meet this little one, to call her by name, and to introduce her to all of my favorite people.

I'm ready.

Her nursery is complete. Her clothes are washed. My bags are packed.

And now, we wait.

Miraculous

One of my favorite habits throughout this pregnancy has been checking on baby's weekly growth. Thanks to Pampers' "Hello, Baby" iPhone application, I've been able to get a glimpse of what she might look like each week as she develops.

The changes blow me away. What began on a cellular level is now a nearly fully-developed human, ready for life outside the womb. Wow, wow, wow.

It is a fascinating progression, and nothing short of miraculous. Truly, it's mind-boggling to think about all of the intricacies of the development process that God designed.