sorry for the long silence on my end...things have been quite, shall we say, "interesting". hah!
it was a long, challenging end-of-pregnancy and a pretty harrowing birth (particularly for her momma!), but me and the mister got the greatest gift EVER at the end of it all: our new little baby girl, poppy beatrice. she was finally born on 8/19.
it may continue to be quiet 'round these parts for a little while, as we all get adjusted to our new lives with one another. :)
thanks for all your well-wishes and kindnesses. i miss you all tremendously.