The waiting game.

I've been dreading tomorrow.

Starting Monday my calendar is stark white, save a few noted doctor's appointments and pregnancy milestones. The baby shower has come and gone faster than I can believe. Christmas, too. Tonight is me and Jason's sixth anniversary, but after that celebration it's just a game of waiting. Waiting for Adelyn, contractions and water breakage. I've stocked up on books and movies and things to do to get ready for arrival, but essentially all I'll be doing is twiddling my thumbs. And patience is not--and has never been--a gift of mine. Deep down I still sometimes feel like the same tempestuous little girl I was growing up. "I want it NOW!" used to be a motto of mine (sorry, mom and dad).

But this whirlwind week has been wonderful. I got to spend time with my best friend Meagan. My baby shower was above and beyond anything I could have asked for. It's amazing to know that my little girl is already so surrounded by love. We got everything we need and stuff we didn't even know we needed, and after many hours of work yesterday it's all been put away and organized in her nursery (pictures to come soon of that finished project--we're just waiting on one last component).

My sister and another best friend, Morgan, were able to make it in from New York just in time, too, despite the blizzard. My sister got me and Adelyn way too much stuff, including a onesie that says "My Crazy Aunt Lives in Brooklyn." Too perfect.

And spending real time with Meagan--and on this visit, since I'm, you know, pregnant, we did more sitting around and just talking than we usually get to--really reminded me of who I am and wanted to be before this whole baby thing started. She's already so successful and we've always shared the same ambition and drive, so it was great--and necessary--to voice my fears and wants and hopes for my life outside of this baby to someone who's known me since I insisted on spelling my name "Sara" (I thought dropping the "h" individualized it a bit) and had a habit of making up the most grandiose lies to impress my peers. (Meagan decided to continue to be my friend in the second grade even though I told her I had an art studio in my closet at home and a dog I'd taught how to play Nintendo.)

And the baby shower was a chance for most of my good friends to come together--even ones I hadn't seen in years.

Here's my good friend Jasmine feeling Adelyn kick and looking a little afraid.

Me in front of the landslide of gifts. I truly could not put into words how blessed and grateful and overwhelmed I am from everyone's generosity.

A group shot of the girls. From the back left: Melissa, my oldest friend (we met at Girl Scout camp the summer before the second grade), who just graduated from the University of Indiana with two degrees in Voice and English this past Saturday. Peeking her adorable head out in the back is Mary Rose, another dear friend who was an editor with me at Sidelines and now lives in Atlanta. She knit Adelyn a blanket with her name on it that I will honestly cherish forever. In the front from the left-- Swapna, who is actually sort of responsible for this whole shebang since she introduced me to Erin (Jason's sister) back in the 8th grade. Swapna is a Harvard graduate who, as it turns out, is still the exact same acerbically hilarious girl I befriended all those years ago. Next to her, Crystal. One of my best friends since freshman year of high school. And then there's Meagan, my husband friend since the second grade. On the other side of me is Jasmine. Kneeling on the floor is Erin, my sister-in-law to be and Adelyn's aunt. And, also, one of my favorite people in the world. And on the far left, a newer friend, Alisha, who just moved here from New York.

And here they are in all their unposed glory.

And last, me with my big sister and my mother. And, I guess, Adelyn's in that picture, too. Hiding behind the massive bump.