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. Ana Avatar
    Ana

    I’m here crying. I’m so happy for you!! I think you are so brave! You are an inspiration.

    Like

  2. Tiffany C Avatar
    Tiffany C

    So happy for you both! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this exciting time.

    Like

  3. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    SOOO fabulous!!! xoxoxo

    Like

  4. Nita K. Avatar
    Nita K.

    So happy for you!

    Like

  5. lee Avatar

    There is only one word for this – AWESOME!!
    I’m so happy that you will have Paul there for a little bit longer while it’s just the two of you – and thrilled that he’ll be there with you when Baby Girl arrives.
    Sending so many blessings and hugs to you both as you enjoy this gift of time together! =)

    Like

  6. Martina Avatar

    This post is so beautiful – congratulations to you both – now come on baby girl this is your moment!!
    Martina

    Like

  7. Brooke Avatar
  8. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    So very happy and excited for you guys! Can’t wait for the blog announcing your little one’s arrival 🙂

    Like

  9. Em Avatar
    Em

    I’m so happy for the both of you! Happy Paul is back and happy he’ll be there for the birth. This must be the universe’s reward for your being so brave in his absence. 😉

    Like

  10. Gina c. Avatar
    Gina c.

    So happy for you both! This will be quite an exciting time for you. I wish the three of you all the happiness in this world! I would like to thank your husband for his great sacrifice and may god bless your family with this most lovely journey!

    Like

  11. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    So glad

    Like

  12. Tracey Avatar
    Tracey

    I am so happy for you both Elise! So glad Paul gets to see you in your pregnant glory and gets to be there to welcome baby girl when you do. Seems to me your story is working out exactly right.

    Like

  13. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    I’m so very excited – I cried. I wish I knew you in person so that I didn’t feel like a crazy, blog stalker who cries over random families – but REALLY, this is just amazingly beautiful. Prayers for a smooth and awesome labor! 🙂

    Like

  14. Deneen Cook Avatar

    So very happy for you both!

    Like

  15. kim Avatar

    So very Happy for you!

    Like

  16. Donna M Avatar

    That’s a beautiful post! Wishing you all, all the best.

    Like

  17. Marissa Avatar

    Sobbing while reading this. A little nervous that ill have to go through this too. I’ll have to bookmark some of these posts. You’re somewhat of a hero to me 😉
    So happy and relieved he’s home! (Although I adored the post explaining that you’d introduce baby E to her daddy and getting to have that memory forever).
    Waiting on you, baby E!

    Like

  18. laura kate Avatar

    That’s all just wonderful.

    Like

  19. carrie Avatar

    So happy and excited Paul gets to be home for the birth! Was hoping and hoping for you. Now let that baby come safely and happily!

    Like

  20. Sue May Avatar

    Very excited for you. Despite your concerns, everything came together in the end. Many blessings!

    Like

  21. Cathy A. Avatar
    Cathy A.

    Hooray!!!! Great news

    Like

  22. Chrystina Avatar

    YAYYYYY!!!!!!

    Like

  23. Valerie Avatar
  24. Leigh Anne Avatar

    Happy tears for you guys 🙂

    Like

  25. Kristine Avatar

    Youpeeee!!!! He’s home :-)))
    Happy for you both as you wait patiently for babycripes

    Like

  26. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    I’m so happy for you I could cry!! I love reading your posts and wish nothing but the best for the Cripe family! 🙂

    Like

  27. Jody Avatar
    Jody

    So happy he made it home…now it’s time for a birthday 🙂

    Like

  28. Mandie Avatar

    I’m so, so happy that he made it home before baby girl came!! SO excited for you guys.

    Like

  29. Judith Avatar
    Judith

    As soon as I logged in this morning and saw the photo of you together I smiled. He’s home 🙂

    Like

  30. Amy Avatar

    You have me in tears — I am so so happy for you.

    Like

  31. Jenny Lynch Avatar
    Jenny Lynch

    So very happy for your family! One word…Magic!:)

    Like

  32. Tanya W Avatar
    Tanya W

    I open your blog and the first thing I see is a photo of you and Paul and I just say YAH out loud, so so happy for you that hes there now and your little one has waited for her daddy to get home….I look forward to seeing the first photo of your little girl….

    Like

  33. Lizzie Avatar

    Yeah I’m glad:)
    Our baby is due soon and my husband is a semi-driver–so NOT the same but I’m just praying baby doesn’t come before his scheduled time off because he’d likely not be home.
    I was very happy to read this today!!!!

    Like

  34. Debboe Avatar
    Debboe

    Crying happy tears for you!

    Like

  35. Amanda Avatar

    Hoooray!! So excited for you guys!

    Like

  36. stephanie Avatar
    stephanie

    So happy for you and Paul. Thank you for letting all who reads your blog follow along in your life journey. You are such a great inspiration, I’ve been excited about Project Life, quilted two baby blankets and painted three abstract paintings all from being inspired by your blog posts. Enjoy your time with Paul and your new little one.

    Like

  37. Mindy Avatar
    Mindy

    so happy for you all! there is no greater love than seeing your child for the first time & i am so very happy that you both will get to meet your daughter together!!

    Like

  38. Benedicte Avatar
    Benedicte

    So SO SO hAppY for you & Paul!!! I was just telling my hubby about you guys the other day. He should be leaving anytime now (merchant marine) back to his tanker boat and I am due very beginning of September. He told his company he had to be home by mid-august but I know that he could as well be somewhere in the middle of any ocean then and no where close to a land & an airport! I started asking him ” what if baby comes early” “what if you don’t make it on time”, he told me that it is well known in his job that babies wait for their daddy to be home…….Your little one just proved him right and I love her for that !!!! Thank you baby E. You rock.

    Like

  39. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    So glad for you. Very special.

    Like

  40. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    Wow, 4 and half months in that short few paragraphs but such a story. I feel your pain of not knowing what will be when a military husband deploys. Well done though you’ve made it through and your little girl is almost here!! You write so honestly and I totally relate to your emotion. All the best for the next chapter of your lives!!

    Like

  41. Stefhany Avatar
    Stefhany

    what wonderful news! hip hip hooray! i admire your strength and am so happy for the THREE of you! yay!

    Like

  42. karen keiper Avatar
    karen keiper

    Now just dont let him go anywhere without you!!!

    Like

  43. Adelaide Avatar
    Adelaide

    Yay! 🙂 I’m so happy for you (and a little teary! Lol)
    Big smiles for Paul being there for the little one’s birth 🙂

    Like

  44. Jaque Avatar

    So happy for you three!
    It is the first time I cry because I’m glad God listened you, me, all your readers!
    It is the first time that I close my eyes after see a photo in a blog and say “thanks, God!”

    Like

  45. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    I know I don’t know you or Paul, but I remember being overdue and waiting and I had to check in to see where you were at. So glad your man made it back in time. Enjoy the next phase. I now have a 13 and 11 year old and it really goes by in a blink. And the part that I love the most is that the guy who started this journey with me 26 years ago is the one still by my side. Many happy thoughts coming your way.

    Like

  46. Stephanie Harmon Avatar

    Elise, in the many years I’ve read your blog, this is the best blog post. Ever. So happy for you three!

    Like

  47. Sarah Stäbler Avatar

    What absolutely fantastic, wonderful news!! I am so happy he made it home in time! Now baby girl can make her arrival any moment now!
    SO happy this worked out for you.

    Like

  48. Melissa Avatar

    That is wonderful!! I have been following your growing bump and I am getting quite excited to hear about her arrival. Much happiness to you all 🙂

    Like

  49. Yvonne (Queen B) Avatar
    Yvonne (Queen B)

    YIPEE!!! I am so happy for the three of you.

    Like

  50. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    I hope she will be a fathersday gifty ❤
    Love, Renee & little Djay

    Like

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