Reminiscing

Yes, it is true, my sweet baby boy is turning one on Sunday. I am in denial of sorts. How can this be...ONE year old! For about the past month I have been doing that whole reminiscing thing...when you ponder what was going on a year ago. So on this Wednesday morning a year ago, I was most likely sitting in my office chair, the comfy leather one, not the one I sit at now...because my belly was too big and my back hurt too bad to sit anywhere else besides the comfy leather chair. I was probably wearing one of Ben's pairs of athletic shorts, probably the really comfy and CUTE yellow ones because they didn't cut circulation off from my waist and one of his large t-shirts that showed my potruding belly button. I was most likely drinking my decaf coffee (because I didn't want to caffenate the little guy), while the little guy pushed up on my ribs and stretched down on my bladder. My computer probably sat perched somewhere atop my belly and I am sure Gus was curled up next to me in the very tiny space that wasn't filled up with my over sized pregnant rear. And I am sure I was editing my dissertation proposal which at the time, was due in 2 weeks. I was planning to go to Dallas to do observations for my dissertation the following week. Ben was probably still sleeping and the house was somewhat quiet and peaceful. That afternoon we would head to the OB for the first of my weekly appointments. What I wasn't doing was expecting to go into labor in 3 days...that would have been 5 weeks too early and I was convinced I was going to go past my due date.

So today on this Wednesday morning I sit at my computer chair, the comfy leather one puts me to sleep now. In my own pair of boxers and t-shirt (okay the boxers were a gift to ben, but he never wore them, so i took them), my belly button has since receded, although it is not the same as before...a reminder of the child that grew inside me. I am still sipping on my decaf coffee...a)because I am still nursing and b)because after a year of not drinking caffeine, it doesn't really do well in my system. Gus and Lori are relegated to their own chair and are no longer the center of our world (although we still love them immensely). And I am still writing, only this time, I am working on chapter 4 of my dissertation...which was due last week, but I am way behind. We have plans to travel, but this time we are headed to Louisiana for our family reunion to introduce the little guy to the family. Ben is still sleeping, so nothing changed there. But the house is a little less quiet, but no less peaceful as my sweet son crawls around, pulling up on everything in site, smiling at his momma, singing songs, and talking up a storm (although completely unintelligible). I haven't seen my OB since January, the pediatrician will be the next doctor we see...for Eli's one year appointment nonetheless. And I am planning a first birthday party... a party 70 people have rsvped for. What can I say the little guy is popular.

My how things have changed...but I wouldn't trade it for the world. This has been one of the hardest, but by far the BEST year of my life. I thank God daily for His many blessings, for His continued provision, for His thoughtfulness in giving me such an amazing child, and for teaching me more about His love throughout this experience.

Elisha, one year ago, in my belly (34 weeks pregnant)

Elisha, at 11 months and 3 weeks. Enjoying some lasagna.