How We Fell in Love

I have not told you much about your father and I before your arrival into the world.

So today let's travel way way way back to when you were a zygote. Do you remember? Do you remember implanting yourself in my uterus? Any memories of growing your heart? Or head? Or hands? Or spine? Or fingers? Or toes?

Your father and I remember the first time we knew you were there.
Your father and I remember the first time we saw and heard your heartbeat.
Your father and I remember the first time we saw your head, fingers, toes, 4 chambers to your heart, the details of your spine, your perfect kidneys...
Your father and I remember the moment we were told you would be a girl.
Your father and I remember the moments you would kick and move under my belly.

Your father and I remember you from the very beginning.

We went to Homer, Alaska for cousin Marta's wedding. It was a hectic trip because we were flying directly from Homer to Minnesota for Aunt Kaethe and Uncle Peder's wedding and then a week at Great-Grandma's farm in Wisconsin.

You made me exhausted. I was irritable and tired. Your father and I had our suspicions about your presence. We finally took a test while at the farm.
Your father who was looking at the test said, "Well, you're pregnant."
We told Great-Grandma before we left in July 2008. She was the first person to know about you, besides your father and I.

It was August 8, 2008 when we went to the Ob-byn for the first time. After filling out the endless paper work, our doctor told us that we would go for an ultrasound.
They took us into a dark room and had me lie on a table. The technician took the cold wand and started to look for any sign that you were in my belly.

All of a sudden out of the whooshing sounds in my womb came this thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Then, we saw it. A murky oval going in and out with the thumping.
"There's the baby's heartbeat," said the technician, "it looks perfect."

Your father and I did not move or say anything to each other or to our technician. We just watched and listened, mesmerized by your rhythm.

It was at that moment Nora that your father and I fell in love with you. A love so deep that words simply fell short.

We told our families later on that month. Nonni and Nonna, Grandma and Grandpa and all your aunts and uncles. Everyone was excited about your arrival. Your father and I got to see your beautiful body at 20 weeks gestation. I remember your spine and heart the most. I remember seeing the spine and being in shock at how complex and perfect it was! We saw the blood being pumped through your heart and the four chambers and the valves. It was incredible. Nonna came with me to my last ultrasound a month before your birth. We saw you open and shut your eyes. Your wonderful nose.

We had baby showers, so many of our friends and family were so generous. Jessica came to help set up your nursery, Nonna washed all your clothes, Grandma painted your room, Grandpa set up your crib. We picked out bedding, strollers, bouncy seats, high chairs, all for you.



But no moment could be better than seeing and hearing your heartbeat for the first time. No matter where life takes you Nora, you will always be our baby.