enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Ep

On Sunday, February 3rd, I dropped Paul off in a parking lot on base so he could deploy with his unit. We hugged outside the car and I cried into his chest. "What if she comes before you're home? What if this is it?"

"Be strong, Elise." he said.

About half of me wanted to punch him in frustration. I didn't want to be strong. I wanted to be 21 weeks pregnant and not alone. I wanted our life to be normal. I wanted my husband to live in my house with me all the time.

But the rational half nodded and sniffled and told him I loved him and got back in the car. I sobbed openly and drove home.

The next day, I headed down to San Diego and saw the house we had just bought. And the next four months and 11 days were a whirlwind. I closed Escrow, packed up a house, moved to a new place, decorated it to what for us is perfection, worked on various projects, battled a mouse in the kitchen and kept growing this little baby. And, of course, I had days where it sucked and days where I cried and days where I was anything but strong.

And now, 19 weeks later, we're nearly through it. Paul is home on leave for awhile. He's here. He gets to see this house we bought for the first time (he's a fan!). He gets to sit on the chairs and eat at the dining table and live in this space that I (but really we) built over the past few months. Baby girl waited for him, so now we'll wait for her. Together.

We get to be strong together. We get to become three together.

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192 responses to “together.”

  1. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    I’m over here cheering for you both! Thank you to Paul for the sacrifice he makes for all of us. Thanks to you for being such a strong wife and mother. This brought tears to my eyes. Life just has a way of working out and I love that.

    Like

  2. Andi Avatar
    Andi

    I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Even if it doesn’t make sense when you want it to eventually it will. I’m so happy that your love will be able to experience the birth of the love you two created. And thank you for sharing this experience with the rest of the world. My mom always says that God doesn’t put you through something young cant handle:) (I must be getting old if I’m quoting my mom) ha!

    Like

  3. Sinnestau Avatar
    Sinnestau

    WOHHOOOO! YAY!

    Like

  4. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Hooray! I’m so glad that Paul gets to be there for baby’s arrival! I’m always rooting for you guys and it’s so good to see that things are turning up wonderful. 🙂

    Like

  5. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    Welcome Home Paul!

    Like

  6. Lindsay Avatar

    This was a DELIGHT to see on my blogs I read newsfeed today. Currently have a friend waiting for her main squeeze as well (and have done so several times myself too). I know it hasn’t been easy by any stretch of the imagination, but you have done it with honesty and grace. SO completely HAPPY for you;)!!!

    Like

  7. Caity Avatar
    Caity

    YAY! So thrilled for you both.

    Like

  8. Fiona Avatar

    I’m so pleased for you that Paul made it home for baby girl’s arrival! Hoping for a safe delivery and a wonderful family bonding time together.

    Like

  9. Deirdre Avatar

    Wow, the power of blogs? I’ve never met you but reading this today made me teary and oh so happy for you. Such a blessing to have the final days together, and for Paul to be present, and —even if it is silly—for him to see you pregnant in person! Hooray!

    Like

  10. julia a Avatar
    julia a

    Ok, am in tears on the train home from a hen do. Glad Paul got Home before baby appeared! X

    Like

  11. Jody R Avatar
    Jody R

    I am so happy for you guys that Paul made iPhone in time for E’s birth. As a physician I am sure he really wanted to be there for you both. Yeah for the Cripes!

    Like

  12. Angela NJ Avatar
    Angela NJ

    Oh so happy to see that little E waited for daddy! Wishing you a joyous Father’s Day weekend and praying for a safe delivery for you and baby girl.

    Like

  13. Amber Lee Avatar

    Awe so sweet! I doubt you’ll have to do much waiting, now your body will truly relax with your love by your side! You should be proud of yourself and what a great story to tell your daughter when she needs to draw on her personal strength for something. I was very much past my EDD when I pulled up the last bit of paper covering our floors from our remodel. I had one more thing I wanted to do, make a cover for my heating pad. I whipped one up, went to bed, and five hours later I was using it for “cramps” that ended up being the start of labor. I think my body knew the house was done, the to do list was conquered and it was time to have the baby.

    Like

  14. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Awesome!! Great photo!

    Like

  15. Rachel Avatar

    I got a little teary, so happy for you both! A preemptive congratulations. We are all so excited to meet baby girl, but I imagine not nearly as excited/scared as you are. Praying for you through this final stage.

    Like

  16. Hagit Avatar

    WOW!! So so so happy for the two of you! It’s amazing how involved you can get with a stranger’s life, and I was really anxious for you – I wanted Paul there when the baby comes!!! So so happy for you guys, and can’t wait for that “baby’s here” post!!! :-)))

    Like

  17. Alysia Loerch Avatar

    Oh Elise! This brought tears to my eyes. So HAPPY for you!

    Like

  18. Denise M Avatar

    So incredibly happy for you!!! And even more happy she waited for her daddy! Wishing you all the best!!!

    Like

  19. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    Awesome. Beautifully said!

    Like

  20. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    Pure happiness. Cheers 🙂

    Like

  21. Tashya Avatar
    Tashya

    Yay!!!!! So happy he gets to meet little miss with you!

    Like

  22. sanchone Avatar

    Soooo good to see you together ! You were strong, Elise, you are strong ! I am so happy for you !
    Take care ! I wish you all the best !

    Like

  23. Ashley T Avatar
    Ashley T

    Cheering, tearing, and saying prayers of thanks that you two are together again, and will be together to greet baby E. seriously wanted to punch my fist in the air and dance around my house this morning! Tell Paul thanks for his service to this country, and thank you as well for being the strong, brave wife who allowed him to protect us. Enjoy these last few days as a family of two.

    Like

  24. Cathy Avatar

    Yay!!! I am so happy that Paul is home. C’mon baby girl, make your appearance soon! xo

    Like

  25. Samantha - Fluffyland Craft & Sewing Blog Avatar

    HURRAY HURRAY HURRAY! Oh I am so glad he is home and she waited! So wonderful! This is the best news. So happy for you guys.

    Like

  26. Jillian L Avatar

    Yay!!!! So happy for you all!!

    Like

  27. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Elise, I’m so happy for you both! For being together again and for baby girl be waiting for dad. It’s so inspiring to follow your story, I really admire how brave and strong you are. You made it to this day and now you’ll be rewarded with Paul being there for you and baby girl. This post made me cry tears of joy for you. I hope baby girl comes out soon and you have a safe and fast labor&delivery. All the best for your family!

    Like

  28. melonie Avatar

    Together…the best place to be:)

    Like

  29. Kris Avatar

    Awesome!!!! God’s timing is perfect! 🙂

    Like

  30. Rianne Avatar

    I’m so happy for you two… hopefully soon three. Let baby girl cripe come into your world.

    Like

  31. Tinkster Avatar
    Tinkster

    I’ve been reading your blog forever, through the wedding and the moves and this is hands down my favorite post ever. I’m so excited for you that you get to start this journey together, that P gets to see that gorgeous belly in person and that you have his support for the most amazing time of your life. Can’t wait to see miss E.

    Like

  32. Viki Avatar
    Viki

    So happy for you both:) Makes me teary happy…enjoy the wait and experience together.

    Like

  33. Iara Avatar

    so happy for you Elise and Paul. God bless you and your Little Girl.

    Like

  34. Miranda Avatar
    Miranda

    I got a little choked up reading this. You’ve let us all feel like we know you personally, and as such, I am so happy for you that Paul is home. And so happy for your family as you start this new chapter.

    Like

  35. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    Quite possibly my favorite post you’ve ever done – for so many reasons. I shed a few happy tears on this one. Cheers to going from two to three together. This baby is one lucky kiddo. Sending best wishes. Thank you for allowing us to read along your journey.

    Like

  36. Carole Avatar

    Hooray! And the story continues to unfold. 🙂 We are ALL waiting for baby E girl… together. So glad Paul is home. I can’t imagine the combined feelings of peace/excitement/rest/joy you feel right now. Still a whirlwind as this chapter isn’t over. Continue to be strong!! Enjoy THIS MOMENT! So awesome.

    Like

  37. Kathyb Avatar
    Kathyb

    SO happy that you can ‘journey on’ together!

    Like

  38. Sherry Eckblad Avatar

    So excited to see your blog today and to see that Paul was home with you where he belongs while you wait for your little ‘E’ girl to arrive.
    Can’t wait for that next post that announces her arrival.

    Like

  39. Natanya Avatar

    Indeed, hooray!! So wonderful to see you and Paul together. And really to see the 3 of you together 🙂 how fabulous that little E knew to wait for her Papa.

    Like

  40. Jessica Rodarte Avatar

    I am so happy for you, Paul, and your little one. I said it on instagram, but it is worth repeating. 🙂

    Like

  41. Ali Avatar

    More tears. Love you guys.

    Like

  42. Kelsey Avatar

    I am so incredibly happy for you two (three!). Your attitude is truly inspiring Elise, thanks for sharing your family’s journey so openly with us!
    Wishing you all the best for your baby girl’s birth, she is blessed to have such a strong woman for a mother!
    – Kelsey @ Time Stand Still

    Like

  43. mich Avatar
    mich

    so happy! so, so happy.

    Like

  44. Cathie Avatar

    So happy for all of you. Way to go on holding out for daddy, baby girl!

    Like

  45. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife Avatar

    Hooray togetherness !
    Big hugs all the way from Australia.

    Like

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