BIRTH day eve!

Yes indeed, it's BIRTH day eve here at the G house and I keep thinking the day should feel so different with such a big event looming. But thankfully, it feels sooooo totally normal! I think I need the normal so that I don't turn into a basket case about tomorrow!

In normal Monday style, I was awakened by the sound of cute hubby getting ready for work and the sound of little Tay in her crib chucking her bottle over the side and jumping around on her mattress shouting, "milk, milk please" just like she does every single morning! I went in and played peek-a-boo with her through the crib slats, just like we do every morning. I heard Kaiya a little later, waking up and reading her books in her room. Her voice sounded so perfectly sweet just like it does every morning. I took the girls grocery shopping -- in my sweats, of course -- and the girls were so, so good. It was actually FUN! Bless them. Then, we went on a drive and came home to play. We had lunch with daddy, a highlight of our day, just like it is every day! There were naps for all of us (myself included -- I need all the rest I can for the work tomorrow), a doctor's appointment to check one last time on baby girl, and then the evening to spend together as a family. Picked up some Cafe Rio and just enjoyed playing together and hanging out. Then jammies, teeth-brushing, stories read, prayers said, just like every night. But the hugs were a little bit longer. The kisses a little more smothering. The feelings a little more sensitive, knowing I won't be seeing these two cuties for a few days and the next time I do, we will have someone new to introduce! As the hours ticked away and the day passed all too quickly, I found myself feeling so grateful for my "normal" day. I love the life I have. It's monotonous at times. There are groundhog days for sure. It has moments of frustration. But it is also beautifully simple and sweet. Today, I found myself especially loving the routine because I know tomorrow, the routine will be gone, the "normal" I feel now will be gone and it will be time to adjust to a new normal! And I panic for just a minute, because I'm not sure if I'm ready for life to change so drastically! No turning back now!! Today, I also found myself feeling pretty emotional. There are all sorts of feelings swimming around, of course. There's that nervous anticipation for what tomorrow will be like. Even though I've done it once now, I still feel just as nervous, hopeful and anxious that all will be well with our little baby and that she will arrive safe and sound. There's the getting everything ready so that the girls' lives feel as normal as possible while I'm gone and so that the house is ready to welcome our new baby home. But the dominating emotion for me today is surrounding my other two little babes. I feel those familiar and very sensitive feelings about what is about to happen for THEM. How will they react to a new sibling? Kaiya has a bit of understanding and I think she is pretty excited for the most part. But Taylor, she has no idea, and she's still so young and I worry that she will feel insecure about the change. I worry about how my arms will have the time to hold all these girls enough, to give them each enough of my attention so they feel secure. I just want them to be sure that my love for each of them only grows when a new life comes to our family. I know I am probably worrying about this way more than I need to, but the worry is still there and it has brought me to tears a lot today. I just keep thinking, wow, they have no idea what's about to happen! Thank goodness they are so resilient and quick to love. I'm sure it will not take long for them to fall in love with their new sister. It will just take some adjusting for all of us!

So, I get ready for a night of probably not much sleep, mixed with anticipation, and a lot of tender feelings for the two sleeping beauties, warm in their beds, and prayers that all will be well for all THREE of my girls tomorrow! And much gratitude for the "normal" wonderful day I was able to spend with my family, as it is now, before it changes tomorrow! How I love each of them so deeply! And happy updates to come in the next few days and one more little G girl making her debut! Here we go!