It's official!

We're going to Hopkins. :) It finally hit me when the perinatologist's assistant called today to list off the numerous appointments I have the 2nd week in October. That's after driving John Mark to the airport and saying goodbye, with the expectation of not seeing him for possibly 3 weeks. It's going to be a long month.

The good news is that our friends who live outside of B'more have offered to house Jack and I until we deliver the baby! Wow, what an answered prayer! (Particularly after seeing the prices of extended-stay hotels in the area.) It will also allay my fear of bringing Jack with me to the hospital while I'm in active labor. To know that someone can watch him until John Mark and/or my folks arrive, brings infinite comfort! It's hard to accept such generosity, but I know that it's time to humbly say "yes" when others offer their help. I only wish I could repay them in some way.

I'm going to miss my home...I honestly don't really know how I'm going to handle being away for so long (probably 3 months or more, I suppose?). I wasn't too impressed with Johns Hopkins in the way of hospitality - there is no place for Jack to run around (which he needs to do on an hourly basis in order to stay sane), the food stinks, and there are a gazillion people going in every direction at all times. I hear that parents even have to pay for coffee on the pediatric floor. At many hospitals, I've heard of parents receiving free meals while their kid is receiving treatment. Looks like I'll be packing a lot of peanut butter sandwiches! I also really don't like that the hospital is surrounded by sketchy neighborhoods. Hopefully, we'll be able to find a trusty public library or playground to allow Jack to spread out a bit. :)

So, I'm in the process of getting my life in order...figuring out a winter wardrobe for Jack and I (winter is coming much earlier for us this year!), stocking our freezer with meals for John Mark, transferring files to the lap top, buying plane tickets for John Mark and planning our drive north. Making sure I pack everything I need w/o having to rent a Uhaul. ;-) This is so not a small task, considering how tiny our car is. Jack's stroller takes up half of the trunk! lol.

So, please continue praying for our family. We are so excited to have the opportunity to receive treatment from Dr. Gearhart and his crew. We pray that our little one stays warm and cozy in my womb until we are safely in B'more.

I'll keep you posted!
Michele