As the early morning light filtered through the curtains, Alex stirred awake beside his eight months pregnant wife, Emma, who was peacefully asleep beside him. He glanced over at Lily, who had snuck into their bed in the middle of the night, her small form curled up between them.
Careful not to disturb them, Alex gently slid out of bed and tiptoed to the washroom. He splashed his face with cool water, the refreshing sensation helping to chase away the remnants of sleep.
Feeling more awake now, Alex made his way to the kitchen, the soft padding of his footsteps echoing in the quiet house. He flicked on the light switch and the kitchen bathed in a warm glow, casting a comforting ambiance over the room.
As Alex busied himself in the kitchen, he reached for the bag of cat food and scooped some into Mittens' bowl, ensuring their furry companion would have a hearty breakfast as well.
"Good morning!" Emma greeted, her voice still laced with sleepiness as she made her way into the kitchen.
"Morning!" Alex responded with a smile, glancing over at his wife fondly.
Emma settled into a seat at the dining table, rubbing her eyes tiredly as she waited for Alex to finish preparing the coffee.
"Here you go," Alex said, placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of Emma.
"Thanks," she murmured gratefully, wrapping her hands around the warm mug.
As Emma took a sip of her coffee, Alex leaned against the countertop, his expression serious.
"So, we have another appointment with the doctor today," he informed her, his tone gentle yet concerned.
As Emma gradually awakened from her drowsy state, she mumbled, "Ya! The doctor appointment is in the evening."
"So we have time till the evening?" Alex inquired, his voice tinged with anticipation.
"Ya," Emma confirmed with a nod.
A glimmer of excitement lit up Alex's eyes as he suggested, "Well, how about we go shopping for the baby then?"
"Really?" Emma's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Let's make the most of it," he replied with a wide smile, his eagerness palpable.
Lily emerged from her slumber, her eyes still heavy with sleep as she approached the table.
"Good morning, Papa! Mama!" she greeted, her voice tinged with drowsiness.
"Lily, your papa is taking us baby shopping today!" Emma announced with a smile, hoping to rouse her daughter's excitement.
"Really?" Lily's eyes widened with excitement as she fully woke up.
"Let's get ready! We don't want to be late," Alex chimed in, already feeling the thrill of the day ahead.
"Yay, shopping!" Lily exclaimed, her drowsiness dissipating as she eagerly joined in the excitement.
As they arrived at the furniture shop, Alex ensured to hold Emma's hand securely, understanding the strain her 8-month pregnancy put on her body.
Descending from the cab, they entered the store, greeted by a myriad of cribs in various styles and designs, each promising comfort and safety for their soon-to-arrive bundle of joy.
Lily's eyes lit up with excitement as she darted from one crib to another, exploring the features of each with curiosity. "Papa, look at this one!" she called out, tugging at Alex's sleeve to get his attention.
Alex joined Lily by her side, his gaze following hers to the crib she had pointed out. "This one swings!" Lily exclaimed, giving the crib a gentle push to demonstrate its motion.
Intrigued, Alex reached out to test the swinging mechanism, his movements a bit too vigorous for Emma's liking. Sensing her concern, Emma gently squeezed his hand, a silent reminder to be mindful of their surroundings.
But Alex, caught up in the excitement of the moment, continued to swing the crib with enthusiasm, until Emma intervened with a playful yet firm pinch on his ear.
"Ouch! Sorry! Sorry!" Alex winced, rubbing his ear with a sheepish grin. "I will be more careful," he promised, realizing his overzealous behavior could potentially cause harm.
After exploring various options and deliberating over different designs, Emma, Alex, and Lily finally settled on a classic yet adorable crib that caught Lily's eye. It was sturdy and well-crafted, with intricate details that added a touch of charm to the nursery.
With the crib selected, they proceeded to gather other essentials for baby's arrival. They carefully chose a soft and cozy mattress, ensuring it met all safety standards. Lily eagerly picked out a set of colorful bedding, her eyes dancing with excitement at the thought of dressing up her little sister's crib.
As they made their way through the store, they also picked up a comfortable rocking couch for Emma to nurse baby, as well as a stylish changing table equipped with ample storage space for diapers, wipes, and other essentials.
With their shopping list complete, they made their way to the checkout counter, their hearts full of anticipation and joy for the new addition to their family.
After finalizing their purchases, Emma, Alex, and Lily arranged for the items to be delivered to their home, ensuring everything would be ready for baby's arrival. With a sense of excitement and anticipation, they left the store and made their way to the doctor's appointment.
As they sat in the waiting room, Emma's hands instinctively rested on her swollen belly, feeling baby's gentle movements beneath her touch. Alex and Lily sat close by, offering words of encouragement and support as they waited to see the doctor.
When their turn came, they followed the nurse into the examination room, where Emma was greeted by her obstetrician with a warm smile. The doctor performed a routine check-up, carefully monitoring Baby's growth and development to ensure everything was progressing smoothly.
"And now for the moment you've all been waiting for," the doctor continued, a twinkle in her eye. "Based on my calculations, Olivia's due date is in 50 to 55 days."
A chorus of excitement filled the room as the significance of the announcement sank in. Emma's eyes brimmed with emotion as she realized that she would soon hold her precious baby girl in her arms.
As they arrived home after the doctor's appointment, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the neighborhood in a soft, golden glow. Emma, Alex, and Lily stepped out of the car and made their way to the front door, their hearts still brimming with excitement from the news of the baby's impending arrival.
To their surprise, they found several large packages waiting for them on the doorstep, illuminated by the warm glow of the porch light. Lily's eyes widened with excitement as she rushed forward to inspect the parcels, her curiosity piqued.
"Looks like our baby gear has arrived!" Alex exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the packages.
Emma's heart fluttered with anticipation as she joined him, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for one of the boxes. Together, they carefully carried the packages inside, eager to see what treasures awaited them.
Once inside, they wasted no time in tearing open the boxes, revealing a plethora of baby essentials – from diapers and onesies to a sleek, modern stroller and a plush rocking chair for the nursery. Each item was lovingly chosen with the baby in mind, a tangible reminder of the love and excitement that surrounded their impending arrival.
Lily squealed with delight as she helped unpack the boxes, her enthusiasm infectious as she imagined all the adventures she would have with her future sibling. Emma and Alex shared a tender glance, their hearts overflowing with gratitude for the blessings that lay ahead.
As they tucked away the baby gear in preparation for the baby's arrival, their home was filled with a sense of warmth and anticipation, a tangible reminder of the love and joy that their growing family would bring.