re: The Bump's First Annual Holiday Giveaway!

Looking forward to our Little Dictator!

Posted by Mike&Alex    Monday, December 08, 2008 9:36 PM

re: The Bump's First Annual Holiday Giveaway!

Thanks for this!

Posted by carolpie    Friday, December 12, 2008 10:57 PM

re: The Bump's First Annual Holiday Giveaway!

I had a hard time replying to the posts, so I am writing my entry here. I hope that's okay...

This year I had a myriad of moments that I was sure at the time were the best moments ever...The first time I saw that pink plus sign on the pregnancy test was glorious. The joy of telling my husband was indescribable. The excitement of telling my parents was unbelieveable. Then more moments came...being told that we were having a baby girl made me weep. Hearing my daughter's heartbeat for the very first time was ethereal. All of us moms can relate to each of these unbelievably perfect moments of sheer bliss. And then of course, the big day arrives and it is truley the best day thus far of your humble existance. Sept 26th was that day for me. However, it would also turn out to be the scariest day of my life. My daughter was born nearly 2 months premature. To have my water break so early was terrifying. I am an adopted person myself, so my mother had never gone through labor. This was my husband and my first child so everything was new and just so scary. There was a sense of panic and disbelief. The joy of labor became tangled in the fear that your child is in serious danger. I wish I could say that Sept 26th was the best day of my life, however I would be lying if I said it was. And to be honest-everyone who enters will tell you of the joys of there miraculous pregnancies and the beautiful moments of giving their children life. I do not mean to imply that those are not sincere entries or that those women don't feel that their babies are their greatest blessings! Heavens no, that is not my insinuation. I think,perhaps,that I really have a moment that just might top that...believe it or not. When our daughter was rushed to the NICU I waited in fear. I spent 2 very long, harrowing, and tear filled weeks in that hospital as my daughter fought to be strong and make her way safely into the world. In 2008 I experienced the very worst day of my entire life....the day I had to check out of the hospital and leave my Estella behind. I would never wish that pain on anyone. It was as if my heart was ripped from my chest. I proceded to return to the hospital and spend a minimum of 18 hours a day, just to be by that incubater in the hopes that she would see my face and love me and hear my prayers. It is absolutley my belief that in order to have truly the best year EVER I think you need to have felt what the worst feels like. How can you know what the BEST is without ever experiencing the WORST? To see and feel the feelings of what happens in a NICU is a religious experience. And the day the doctor's said..."Mrs. Valverde, your worries are over. You can take your little girl home." Wow. That is the best day I can ever tell you about. After the roller coaster we had ridden together-mydreams and joys during pregnancy, and the shattering delivery of a premature baby, to see that she is alive and well but to cry for the fight ahead- to have it end with a beautiful, strong little girl is indescribable. The word HOME never meant more. The day I took my girl HOME was the best day of my life. I was scared for many hours and many weeks that that day might never come. So when that day did come around I held my husband a little tighter, smiled bigger then I ever have before, and during that drive to pick her up I swear the skies were bluer and the grass was greener. My house never looked more like a home until she came through that front door and into the arms of the family that had prayed for her health and happiness since the moment we knew of her existance. 2008 was a year of love, sorrow, hope, prayer, humility, excitement, joy, fear, and love. It was the most amazing year of my humble little life.

Since we got our sweet little chicky home I have had to be so careful, and with her coming early it was hard to get everything ready for her. We are still busy filling in the gaps, because we really weren't prepared that far in advance as far as all her "gear" was concerened. The last thing on my mind while I waited around in that hospital was "Do we have a stroller?".  And we still haven't had a need for one yet (it's way to cold to take her out , especially with her prematurity and it's complications), and the thought that maybe we could win one to debut our girl in the Spring? Wow. What a perfect end to an incredible year. Please pick Estella...she EARNED it:)

Posted by meowington    Sunday, December 21, 2008 2:20 AM

re: The Bump's First Annual Holiday Giveaway!

Hi meowington!

Thanks for entering the contest; I'll be sure to keep your entry on file. If you have any problems entering in the future, please contact me at kstanford@theknot.com and we'll figure out what the problem is.

Thanks and take care!

Posted by Bump Kaitlin    Tuesday, December 23, 2008 3:07 PM

re: The Bump's First Annual Holiday Giveaway!

My New Year's resolutions are to open my business, spend more time with family and become financially stable.

Posted by Naddez    Monday, January 05, 2009 9:47 AM