My daily inspiration

Can you stand how cute those little shoes are? My dear Aunt Kathy sent these as a shower gift for my boys (her GREAT nephews). Since my shower was postponed indefinitely when I was admitted to the hospital, Mom brought her gift over when I got home from the hospital. I was leary to open it. Something about that "jinx" factor that I've been hung up on since the beginning of this pregnancy.

But I'm glad I opened it. I can't get over how cute these are. After I opened them, I asked her to put them in the nursery and she adamantly refused, stating that they were going to stay here in my room with me to remind me that all of this is so worth it - and to keep me focused on the final reward to keep working toward. It's working. I stare at these shoes each day (all day actually since they are right next to the tv) and imagine what the boys will look like with them on their little feet. It reminds me that about a year from now, when they are wearing them through the summer, we'll hopefully look back on this and remember how challenging it was, but also how worth it it was. Anything for my boys.

It's important to keep the big picture in mind. Although, sometimes that gets a little overwhelming. Day by day, and week by week seem to be the best way for now; and we're slowly marking off the days on the calendar. My belly is growing bigger by the day now - and it's getting a little more uncomfortable to sleep. But I've always said, I couldn't wait for the day that my belly got so big it hurt. Or my belly was so big it was hard to get around. I welcome these days with open arms and only hope that we can hold out for many more weeks to come. We've got a few more weeks until we're over the big hump (24-25 week viability mark) and after that, every week will be a plus.

The cribs have arrived - but they aren't here at home yet. They are residing in Grampy's office for now, along with the dresser and glider. I'm not quite ready to bring them home yet. Hopefully in another week or two it will feel "right" to bring them home and finish up the boys little room. I guess I'll have to recruit some of my favorite men in the family and get a case (or two) of beer and some pizza's to bribe them to help set things up. Crib set up is a known nightmare so it might be a hard sell...then us girls can do the fun parts and get the bedding in and start putting some things away in there. So much to do - but not in a hurry yet to do it. Although I continue to think positive and believe that we're going to get these kids here safely, my realistic side stays in the forefront and it's just not time yet to let my guard down. But we're getting there.