When will she arrive?

It's week 40 of the pregnancy. When will Sophie arrive? Today is the American due date; November 29 was the German due date. Today's doctor visit showed a healthy heartbeat and no signs of contractions. Sophie was sleeping. Sigh. Only she knows when she wants to come out....

Neither Dan nor I can quite grasp that in a matter of days we will be parents. Parents! That seems like a tremendous responsibility. We still eat breakfast in bed, read the comics (albeit on-line) and enjoy snuggling together for hours. "Parents" sounds so grown-up and organized--not the kind of people who spontaneously go biking or book a cheap flight to Spain. "Parents" can be the folks who teachers both love and dread. They check on homework, volunteer in the classroom, insist on excellence...or not. "Parents" impact their child's life in profound ways. Some for better, some for worse. I hope that we'll be in the "for better" category.

I know that Sophie will bring us so much joy, for she already has. Dan's eyes sparkle a little brighter, and his smile is a little deeper. Our hearts are open and warm. I also know that there will be challenges--we've made it through countless hormonal mood swings (preparation for adolescence?), middle of the night bathroom trips, and lethargy. Is all this preparation for the new arrival?

Looking beyond all these questions, I feel a deep excitement. A little one will join our family. A sweet spirit will be part of our lives forever. We're going to do our best, and we'll grow together as she teaches us what she needs to thrive and we provide the support for her to do so. She's part of Dan and part of me, yet she is greater than the sum of her parts. She is Sophia Marie Rolles.

We're going to be parents! :-) Whenever you are ready, Little One, we are ready for you.

Our song for Sophie:
"Come Sophia, live your vision. Share your wisdom dwelling deep within."