The Waiting Game...

We spend a lot of our lives waiting. Waiting in line at the supermarket, waiting in traffic, waiting for retirement, etc. While waiting is often a negative notion in my mind, tonight's wait is wonderful.

Tonight we wait for Harper Grace.

Her arrival into the world has come as quite a surprise to us all. In fact, we all assumed this "waiting game" would start eight weeks from now. But no, as any princess would...she has her own timing. After a sudden bout with preeclampsia, Beth and Blake learned this morning that sweet Harper needed to come soon. She needed to come today. So here we are....praying that the past 32 weeks of growth are enough. Enough time for Harper to breathe on her own, enough for her to regulate her body temperature, and enough to prepare her sweet life for early entrance into the world.

There are a number of things left incomplete. And for those of you who know my sister, this is a major concern. Harper's room isn't perfect yet. Her walls do not display the artwork Beth and Blake envisioned. Her rose-printed nightgowns are not yet clean. And her little diaper bag is not yet packed.

But our hearts are ready. And that is enough.

Beth and Blake are already wonderful parents. Sweet Beth has spent the past week laying flat...obeying her doctor's orders to keep their baby girl in the womb as long as possible. Blake hasn't left Beth's side and I am pretty certain he hasn't slept in a week either. They are worried. They are tired. And already, they are in love with their girl. And as any mother would, Beth is preparing Harper's world as best as she can for when Harper arrives.

Early ultrasounds have shown hair on Harper's sweet head. So Harper's tiny hats and bows are here at the hospital: waiting for the little darling these hats were created for. Beth called me a few days ago and wanted to make sure Harper's NICU bed would be ready for her princess. She asked me to make some signs for baby girl's bed. The signs are waiting to warm the temporary home of baby Harper. Like a mama bird, Beth is preparing her Early Bird's nest.

It's eight hours into labor and the doctor assures us we have a long haul ahead of us. So we wait patiently. Because good things come to those who are patient.

And a new baby girl? Well, that's about as good as it gets.