Preterm Labor Joys

I am not one to complain or constantly look on the negative side of things... I try to always see the positive in every situation (sometimes easier said than done). I am also one of those people that actually enjoys being pregnant. I love knowing a miracle is growing inside of me and I love being able to bond with that miracle in a way no one else can. It's an amazing feeling :)

While pregnant with Liam, I embraced every aspect of the pregnancy - the good and the bad. I was just relieved to be pregnant and that this baby was healthy. When we found out we were pregnant with Claire we were stunned to say the least, but overjoyed to be able to go through this process again. Even with all the changes we were going through - moving, drive across country, new duty station, new house, etc. - Claire was making this pregnancy pretty easy... until 29.5 weeks when I first went into the hospital with preterm labor. Ever since then, things have been pretty rough.

It's hard enough being pregnant and being responsible for a toddler under 2 by yourself all day; it's even harder to hold this responsibility when you're constantly having symptoms of preterm labor. I can't go up or down the steps in my three level town home without having contractions, I can't carry a laundry basket of clothes without having contractions, I can't sleep through the night without waking up with contractions or cramping, and the list goes on... I'm trying to stay upbeat and I look forward to the time Tim comes home every night so I can get a little relief. However, for the rest of the month Tim is in a training course at Fort Meade so with traffic he doesn't get home until after Liam is in bed... so my relief for the day comes after I've gotten Tim's dinner on the table and both of us settled for the night.

I know my daughter is strong and a tough cookie like me, so I know whenever she decides to grace us with her presence she'll be ready and healthy. I'm ready for the sleepless nights and the crazy days, I just want the pain to go away. I'm also eager to see Liam with Claire - that thought is what makes me smile through the pain. I'm so glad that we're bringing a playmate into the world for him and that he gets to be the big brother. Two kids under two with a husband who's schedule is all over the place - I know things are about to get crazier in this house, but I wouldn't have it any other way! At least my days won't be boring or uneventful :)