This past week has ambled on by with the get-up-and-go of a college frat boy. But here we are, a week past micro’s due date and on the very eve of his birth via scheduled c-section, which I now consider a blessed deliverance in more ways than one, as I am wholly uncomfortable and entirely drained and finding it exceedingly difficult to walk more than a few blocks without needing a long sit. This, after all my hand-wringing about not wanting another c-section, and then discovering he was no longer breech and fretting over the unknowns of a vaginal birth: now we are back here, facing a c-section. As my SIL and three-time-c-section-warrior put it, after I unloaded some of my anxieties about the procedure: “There’s no getting around the bear of a surgery like this one, and it sucks having that knowledge the second time around. But your body has an imprint from the first time, so the adjusting will be less of a shock.”
Such is life, such is parenthood: God laughs when you make plans.
And so here I am, less than twenty-four hours away from meeting micro, flitting around my neighborhood, running last-minute errands (an extra pack of toilet paper, just in case), re-organizing my pantry (…?), enjoying a blow-out, and, oh, all the things that do not matter but that fill my day and afford me a sense of progress.
When I slow down (and maybe I should for the remainder of the day), I find myself weepy. Weepy with relief, with anxiety, with excitement, with exhaustion, with affection. Mr. Magpie had some ultra-generous, ultra-sweet words to say to me over our lunch date today and — oh! — I was a puddle in the middle of Bar Boulud, too happy and hormonal and wistful and to-hell-with-onlookers to care. It’s a strange thing to know that our lives will forever change, again, in a matter of hours. Who is this boy! What will our life be! How will I feel!
In between such musings big and small, I also had to share some scattershot thoughts with you before I dash off–
- Thank you. For all of your words of encouragement via comment, email, and direct message. I feel so lifted. You are too kind and I am too lucky. I’ll be toasting with a full glass of champagne one day in the near future, clinking glasses with all of y’all in my mind.
- I have pre-written a number of blog posts for the next week or two — so do not fear! I will be here. It may take me a minute to update you all on how we’re doing post-birth, but I dedicated a lot of time to writing over the past few weeks so there is lots to come.
- There are some very good — dangerously good — sales going on right now. I did a roundup of my to picks from the memorial day sale here, but now Nordstrom, Neiman’s, and Bergdorf’s are running incredible discounts, too. A couple finds below:
HAD TO HAVE THIS FOR MICRO
HAVE EYED THESE ODLR EARRINGS FOREVER
A CLASSIC ONESIE FROM MY FAVORITE INFANT SLEEPWEAR BRAND
TIE-DYE LEGGINGS AND COORDINATING BRA ($33?!)
A SWEET PICK FOR AN FOJ OUTFIT FOR A LITTLE ONE
LOVE THE COLOR OF THESE HUNTERS
SOMEHOW (POSSIBLY THROUGH CLERICAL ERROR?) THIS LA DOUBLE J TOP IS ONLY $44?!?!?!?!??!
Best of luck with the birth and CONGRATULATIONS in advance! Praying for a healthy baby and healthy mother!
Thank you!! Reading your messages here brought me such joy and encouragement 🙂 Thank you!!!
oh happy day!
Yes, it was!!!
Good luck and God bless you and your family of 4! Praying for you!
Thank you for this sweet note! I loved all these messages heading into his delivery! xxx
Best wishes for a happy and healthy delivery (and a smooth recovery as well)!! Another wonderful change in your life – can’t wait to learn Micro’s name (and see pictures!)
Thank you, friend! xxx
Wishing you all the best! I had a planned c-section and recovery was no big deal. Will be wishing the same for you! Can’t wait to hear the good news!
Thank you Sarah! The recoveries for both of my c-sections have been challenging, but this one is going much more smoothly! xx
Wishing you and Mr Magpie THE BEST!!! You are amazing parents and micro is so lucky! You will do great and I will be thinking of you throughout The day sending you wishes and extra special blessings. Love, Love and more love!
Thank you, Cynthia! I felt the love 🙂 xxx
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow!!! Wishing you a healthy and happy delivery. How lucky he is already- he is born into such love and care! xx
Thank you!!! Such sweet sentiments. Can’t tell you how much they meant to me heading into the hospital! xxx
Congratulations on your baby boy bundle coming tomorrow! Prayers for an easy c-section and quick recovery!
Thank you! God must have heard you — things have gone very smoothly 🙂 xxx
Sending all my prayers and best wishes for a safe delivery, a healthy baby, and a quick recovery for you! I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. Love! xx
Thank you, MK! I felt the love!!
Wish you all the best! Lot’s of love from Portugal
Thank you, Mariana!! xx
Thinking of you and sending best wishes for a safe delivery. I had my son 8 days ago via a second C-section and like your SIL, I agree that the recovery is so much easier the second time around – you’ve got this! Can’t wait for the news! Xo
Yes, Katie! This was so reassuring to read on my way in. I’ve had the same experience this go around — a lot smoother, I think because I had my expectations properly calibrated. xx
Wishing you wonderful things in the coming days! After a “successful” VBAC that landed me in physical therapy for many months I would 100% agree that God indeed laughs at your plans. Also turns out there isn’t an easy way to get an entire human being out of your body. The good (the best!) news is that by this time next week you’ll have been holding that precious baby boy in your arms for 6 whole days. Watching my first son meet my second was easily one of the happiest moments of my entire life. I still tear up remembering it years later. A “golden moment” for sure.
You are so right on everything. No easy way out — and God laughs when we make plans. Grateful that all went smoothly, and watching Emory meet Hill (and many of their interactions since) was easily one of the best moments of my life. xxx
Will be thinking of you tomorrow! Wishing you a safe and swift procedure and as smooth as possible a recovery. I would also wish you the best possible support system for the days and weeks ahead – but no need, as I know you have that. xoxo
Thank you, Leah! God must have heard your prayers — the procedure was straight-forward and the recovery relatively smooth. Thank you thank you thank you for the good vibes. xxx
Looking forward to the good tidings of Micro’s arrival! My due date was May 27 but my little one arrived three weeks early and I’ve been waiting for your announcement! Best of luck to you.
Oh wow! Early congrats. What a huge moment coming up.
Thank you!!!
OMG! Crazy — a three-week-early arrival! That must have caught you by surprise. Thanks for the best wishes 🙂 xx