And then there were two,

I honestly can't believe that I am going to have a daughter later today! I still sometimes can't believe that I am a mom at all! Despite the fact that William is now 2 years old, he is still my baby boy! I often feel that I can not believe how big and grown up he is and at the same time that he still is a baby! My mom says that this feeling never really goes away when you look at your children. The past two days have been tricky and stressful. Will has had his first ever bought with croupe and additionally tonsilitis. I suppose that it is Murphy's Law that he would need me most right before I am forced to leave him. I lie awake listening to him breathe and think about how I never will again only have one baby to worry about. I don't remember life before my brother...even though I was 3 (a year older than Will) when he was born. In fact, my first memories are centered around his birth..taking my mom flowers, and other random eventst that are definately associated with his arrival. I have always as long as I can remember been a sister, it is your longest relationship they say...how strange to think of Will and Lauren as life long members to the same family. How strange and wonderful. She is expected to arrive today at 1:30 PM. We are naturally nervous and excited. Welcome to the Rich's kiddo, we've been waiting for you.

final appointment at the clinic

Off to see Dr Hwang again today. The ultrasound indicated that Lauren is becoming more and more anemic. This is not a surprise given that she has not had a blood transfusion in 3 weeks. There are apparently risks with every transfusion but they become too great after 35 weeks, I am 36 weeks pregnant now. The doctor felt like it was still worth waiting until next Friday to deliver her in spite of the anemia. He prepared me again for the fact that she will probably go to the NICU and probably need a blood transfusion, and that she will be jaundice. I am a little disappointed in that I hoped we were going to avoid the NICU, but at the same time I tell myself that she is in the best possible hands. We all hope that her lungs are adequately prepared next Friday because it seems she will have to be delivered regardless. So I will spend the next week thinking about what Will needs at my mom's, and what Joe and I need at the hospital, and what our dog Sam needs here, and hoping that the one person I can't help prepare, Lauren, hangs on with the help of a wish, and many many prayers.

Waiting for Lauren...

Only 10 days now until Lauren's scheduled arrival! We couldn't be any more ready to see this baby into the world! Her dad has finished her room, and while Will seems to think that her name is going to be "Belly", he seems ready also. I am so greatful to our friends and family who have made the wait as easy as they could, and who continue to help us plan for our absence from home. Our neighbors who are willing to watch the house, and let the dog out, our moms who are willing to take on a two year old, our friends who repeatedly ask what we need, all are so special to us. I am going back to the hospital on Friday to double check Lauren's health and to be certain that she does not need another transfusion, and then the wait is on for the following week. They will check her lung development through amnio centesis, and if all is well, she will be born February 12 at 1:00 PM in Des Moines Iowa.