The Day Before

The weather 364 days ago was a little different than today. This afternoon I am sitting home from school while my two babies nap upstairs, and the Groundhog Day storm wraps up with another foot or so of snow dumped on us here in NH. The roads are passable and certainly much smoother than they were this time last year. The reason I can remember what the roads were like? Bouncing along frost-heave affected roads while laboring is memorable to say the least! This time last year I was packing up my backpack to leave my classroom for the remainder of the school year since I'd spent the morning and afternoon in light labor while teaching my last classes. I knew I wouldn't be back but never said anything to anyone; I was too afraid that my labor would stall out, and I'd have to keep waiting to meet this baby I'd carried to term! I remember the thought going round and round in my head, "Please just wait one more day so that you're not a Groundhog Day baby." And he did!

What great memories to keep me company this afternoon in our quiet house. It has been a long, hard year in many ways, and some days it felt like we'd never make it. But somehow here we are, one year later with a beautiful baby boy who brings another layer of delight to our lives. Pender Avery's squeals, cries, babbles, and milestones are mini miracles that bless us each day.