I've taken some slack for my blog lately - even from my own husband. I know it isn't great; I just honestly don't have much to say. I've been grading papers furiously for the last several days to catch up at school, and my evenings have been spent being productive around the house. For the first time in months, I woke up this morning to a clean house, NO dirty laundry anywhere, NO extra school work to do, and... consequently, NO stress. It was glorious!
Exams start tomorrow. All that stands between me and the SUMMER now is one full day, three half-days, a teacher work day, and graduation. The end is in sight. It is close enough to touch.
Which brings me to my point today... Reality.
Today, one of my students said: "Mrs. Chapman, do you have any fun plans for the summer besides having a baby?" "Nope... I think that will pretty much fill it up!"
It is setting in. In six weeks, I'm going to have a baby. Maybe sooner.
On Monday night, my friend Lea delivered a healthy baby boy. Of course, I'm excited for her - thrilled even. I finally got to see some pictures today of little Jonathan David Jr., and I love him already! Lea was made to be a mom. I'm so proud of her and happy for this new season for she and Jon (the daddy). We've texted a little, and I'm staying up to date on her blog; but I am DYING to talk to her.
In a lot of ways, her delivery has kind-of rocked my world this week.
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| Born May 30, 2011 at 8:17PM |
As you've probably noticed, I've had a lot of friends have babies recently. But, unlike any of the other ones (who always seemed way ahead of me), I've felt like Lea and I shared this pregnancy. We have walked through this season together -- even hundreds of miles part. This time last year, we cried together over our desires to have a baby and the "wait" we kept getting from the Lord (and our husbands). Then, back in September when she told me she was pregnant... I cried tears of joy - and jealousy - for her. I remember feeling so thankful that we are the type of friends that can be honest when even the good things in life hurt us just a little bit. She got it. And then, in November, she was one of the first phone calls I made with my own "positive" news. I probably will never forget the two hour conversation we had that day, outside of the conference center in Disney World where I was supposed to be attending meetings on literature and writing. In many ways, I felt doubly blessed. Not just because I was going to have a baby, but because I got to do this little part of my journey beside one of my very best friends.
Lea was six weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy. Every little step she took - having the first ultrasound, feeling the baby move, entering the third trimester - I knew all along I wasn't far behind her.
Then, she had her baby. Wow.
It's here.
Late last night, Jeff and I sat on the floor in the nursery playing with Addy and talking about how much our life will change so soon. We talked about being seniors in high school nine years ago - going to prom, graduating, getting ready for college... How we never in a million years imagined ourselves sitting in the floor of our house, married, waiting for our first baby. (It sounds kind-of like a country music song doesn't it?) And, we talked about the late-fall morning - that doesn't seem too long ago - when I woke Jeff up with the "Pregnant" stick. We've come a long way since even then.... And, we're ready. As ready as you can be.
Little one,
You are SO loved and SO wanted. Thank you for making your home in my tummy and in our hearts these last 34 weeks. And, in the grand scheme of things, thanks for being an "easy baby" already. We are SO excited to meet you!! I don't really know WHAT to expect, despite all the books I've read and plans I've made... But, I know God picked you especially for us; and, He doesn't give us what we can't handle. You are a gift and a blessing.
Love,Mom
Sorry for being mushy and sentimental today... You can probably see from my last posts how crazy and all over the board I am these days. It's just where I am. Reality.
This may continue for the next six weeks... Consider yourself warned.
I'm posting a yummy recipe for my "famous" cheese slaw tomorrow, though. No baby talk. Stay tuned.
Dude, your life will totally change, but in an awesome, crazy, way that you can fully grasp once that little boy is HERE and in your arms (and once you leave the hospital, haha). Seriously? There will be hours that are long, but the days are short. It's an amazing, fun, and emotional time. Can't wait for you to experience it for yourself!
ReplyDeleteHonestly E, you should really print this post. And put it into an evelope in a drawer. In a special drawer in the nursery. And one day...like when he goes to college...give it to him.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes by the time children are old enough to understand, their parents no longer talk about how wanted a child was. Not a failure on a parent's part, just something we assume is understood.
This post will never let him question how much he was wanted. Even before he existed :)
xoxo,
T
I was just thinking recently about those weeks before my husband and I became parents. I remember sitting on the couch, watching TV, and thinking, "None of this is ever going to be the same." And that's true, but it's SO much better than I could have imagined! Parenthood is such a gift - you will love it!
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