Anticipation

Ever since I was in fourth grade, each year I would go to Valley Fair amusement park at the end of the school year. At first it was a reward with my Aunt Denise. In middle school we began going for our band and choir trips. In high school we went with church youth group or on our own. I’ve been there a few times after I’ve graduated, but the memories of childhood outweigh the grown-up experiences.

Each year it became a ritual of preparation for the big day, not unlike the preparation for a baby to join the world. Guaranteed I would wake up in the middle of the night with my stomach full of eagerness for the day. Now that I’m pregnant, I wake up with my stomach actually moving, from the little one inside. During the weeks leading up to my trip, I would meticulously plan what I would wear and what would I bring. Now I’m thinking about packing a hospital bag and wondering if I will find time to make a new playlist on my iphone of “welcome to the world” music.

Of course there are differences between this anticipation of my youth and the waiting period for our new addition. At Valley Fair I’d eat junk food all day and get sunburned while walking from ride to ride. When the baby arrives, I need to keep my healthy eating habits and keep applying the sunscreen. Thankfully Baby Felber is arriving in May and we will get to go for a lot of walks. This time period of waiting is much longer than the week or so leading up to Valley Fair, but the event is going to last a lot longer. Baby Felber is a life changing addition to the family. Our life is going to be one giant visit to an amusement park.