Game of Stromes

New start

     I plop down onto the couch after being up for only 20 minutes.
"You done helping already?" Mitch asks.
"She's pregnant babe, what do you want out of her" Stephanie bickers back at him knowing how tired I get these days. I am currently 7 months along and it's been super rough on me. Morning sickness, Braxton Hicks, it couldn't get any worse for me.

"That's the last of it my babies" Auston says coming over to rub my belly and giving me a kiss.
I'm finally moved into Austons place, well ours now.
"Everything's moved in- but still needs to put away which will take a while and then we need to start on the nursery yet" I start to panic seeing that we only have 2 months to get it all done.
"It'll be okay, we'll get it all done in no time Pay. We have a lot of help, it's not all on you." Auston reassures me as I get anxiety about it.

It's been a couple days since all of my stuff arrived from Chicago and from my parents house and I finally got everything out away and organized. Today is the day we are going out to buy things for the nursery, which is the fun part.

     "Do you have a theme in mind?" the lady questions as she takes us back to the newborn section in the store.
     "Um.." I look over at Auston. "I do yes, I would like an animal type of theme. But, he has a way different idea."
Auston has been talking about an earthy theme for our baby. I really want to include him in choosing although he's not the best interior designer like I am, but it is our child and we're moving into his place.
     As we look around for a bit, I find a bunch of things that would make us both happy.

Instagram:
@paytonstrome

                  936 likes      181 comments
                "When mom and dad can't agree on a theme so we compromise and decorate the nursery both ways: animal/sky"
     @austonmatthews "we did amazing"
     @mamastrome "Aw! This is so cute, makes you more excited for the arrival of baby M"
     @stephlachance "turned out amazing! I can't wait to see it in person when there's a little baby in that crib."
     @willnylander "we all know P did all of the work"
     @marner  "when you said space and animal idk what I was envisioning, but this is way better then I could've thought.  Congrats kids"

     We finished this room in less than 3 days and I couldn't be any happier. I've been stuck at home alone for the most part so I've been working on that most of my day. Clothes and toys were still out from the baby shower and I finally got everything where I want it. I cannot wait for him to get here and make everything complete.
     I sit in the room, rocking back and forth in the rocking chair imagining holding my son in my arms, singing to him.
Auston got home from practice and once he showered, he came and joined me. We both sat there in silence, just smiling at each other.
A few moments go past, "so what did the doctor say earlier?" He wonders.
     "March 14th." I smile more.
     "He'll be here sooner than we know it. Hopefully he comes a little early because we have games that week but off the week before."
     "Maybe. I kind of hope so, I'm ready not to be pregnant anymore." I chuckle looking at my huge belly sticking out of my tank top.

     "We need to start thinking about names" I say.
Auston gives me his phone with no context and I was confused until I looked down in my hand and found his notes opened with the header named ' 👶🏼 names '.
     "I've been jotting them down since the first day I found out we were having a baby"
He's literally the best dad already, this is so amazing and cute that he did this.
I scroll through and recognized one of them that really stood out.
     "Oh my gosh, Auston... I have this same one written down."
     "Is that it then?  That's our baby's name?"
I shake my head yes, up and down, smiling at the phone. We just decided on our child's name.

Instagram:
@austonmatthews

273k likes 1.4 comments
"Wow, how lucky am I... baby M is going to be so lucky to have you as his mother. I have to give credit to all of the ladies who go through this, especially to my mom and Payton, you guys are warriors! I cannot be any happier to start this new life with you. March 14th, we're ready"
@stephlachance "wow! One smokin hot mama there!"
@ema_mathhews "Love you Auston. You have such a strong lady by your side, I raised you to treat her like the queen she is."
@dylanstrome "miss you and your belly here in chi town, can't wait to meet you little man"
@mamastrome "miss all of you, so beautiful Payton. You guys are going to be the best parents"
@justinbieber "congratulations man, praying everything goes safe and sound throughout the rest of the pregnancy. You got this Payton!"
> @paytonstrome "thanks Justin! We love the gift so much, can't wait for the time when you and Hailey have a little one!"