2006 B.C.-- "Before Caroline!"

As this weekend nears its end, I am trying to comprehend that this is our last weekend before Caroline arrives! All week I have felt like I should be doing something "historical" or monumental to mark the end of an era and the start of a new one.... It was a good, peaceful weekend, and Scott and I spent a ton of time just reveling in Luke and how amazing he is. He is so smart and seems so old to us now-- and I'm sure even older once we see him next to Caroline!

I have pretty much accomplished everything I had on my to-do list before we go to the hospital. I spent time today working on her baby book and the journal I am keeping for her. I looked back through Luke's stuff, too. It is so amazing how far we have come from being brand new parents without a clue! I am really looking forward to somewhat knowing what we are doing this time around. At least the "fear" factor of feeling out of control and not knowing what lies ahead will be lessened-- I hope! I'll never forget feeling so depressed that my life was over, that things would never again be normal, and that I wasn't sure I was doing anything right! Yes, I am sure some of that was the leftovers of a traumatic delivery, two blood transfusions, anemia, lack of sleep, and hormones-- but it was also just an entirely new experience that I wasn't really sure how to cope with at the time. Now I know what "motherhood" is about-- I know my life will never return to "normal", but that's just fine-- it becomes even better than you can imagine.

So, we head into the hospital at 5:30 am on Tuesday, February 28th. Caroline Mae Westerman will make her debut sometime soon after 7:30 am. Please keep us in your prayers! We are very anxious to meet her-- finally! This pregnancy has seemed much longer than Luke's-- probably due to all the anxiety, stress, and two months of bedrest. I don't think I will fully realize what a miracle she is until I see her, hold her, hear her.... It is just SO hard to even take in. Also, please pray that we don't have any complications this time around. I'm not afraid, but I just pray that I don't end up having the same blood loss after this surgery. Thanks to all of you who have continued to cover us with prayer through this entire pregnancy. It means more than you know!

You know me-- I will post photos of Caroline as soon as humanly possible! I can't wait to have her first pictures uploaded into my computer!!

We live for monumental moments like this, don't we? Graduations, engagements, weddings, births... Moments in time that will forever shape and change our worlds as we know them. It is such an incredible process, isn't it? I know the Lord and His angels rejoice with us in these times.