One Final Pre-Motherhood Reflection

This morning, I am anxious. Not anxious like panic-y, but anxious/excited. I know all too well what I can expect from today, but beyond that I've got nothing. It's like a fog that only allows you to see to the end of the block and then keeps you blind past that until you approach.

Motherhood is my blind spot. I suppose it is for every woman the first time around. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have for it to be revealed to me over the coming years. I can't wait (tho I have) to meet Baby D. I know last night was my final chance to get a good night's rest, but it was like the ultimate Christmas Eve as a kid and I found myself more restless than ever. I'm excited to see what packaging the Lord has decided to wrap my sweet little spirit in; what she'll look like, sound like.

More than anything, I am so humbled to have been blessed with the honor and opportunity to raise one of Heavenly Father's choice spirits in these latter-days. I am not perfect, and I am not the best qualified, but my answered prayers have assured me that like every other aspect of my life, the Lord will pick up the slack when I fall short if I only ask for His hand after trying my hardest. For this I am eternally grateful.

Hopeful and Humbled,

D

Fulfilling an Awful Request

With only 3 days to go before Baby D makes her debut, I'm finding myself with way too much time on my hands. I just put 14 books on hold at the library thinking that they will fill the next three days, but I know I'll probably get through one or two before Friday and who knows after that...

My sister and her husband got me a new digital camera for an awesome baby shower gift a little while back. With that gift came the obligation of taking pictures at their request to keep them updated since they live out of state. I didn't think I would mind so much. I thought I would be excited to take pictures of Baby D and to keep myself engaged in my new found love of digital scrapbooking and blogging... Then came the request:

"Hey Dean, do you have a profile pic?"

"You mean like for my FaceBook profile? Ya."

"No like a profile pic."

"Oh, you mean a side-view of me 9+ months pregnant?"

"Ya!"

"No."

"Oh."

And so came the request. After over nine months of dodging the bullet, I had come face-to-face with my pregnancy image monster. If the request had come from anyone else this post would stay in the closet with the rest of my skeletons, but since it's from my two favorite siblings who gave me a camera for just this reason, here goes:

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So there it is ladies and gentlemen. I call this image "D35" since that's how many pounds I've gained to date. I noted that you can click any of my ScrapPages to enlarge, but I don't really think it is necessary for this one! Some women love to take a profile picture every month to document the "baby's journey of growth in the womb." Not me. I was fortunate enough to have an ultrasound just about every month once I found out I was pregnant so I could track Baby D's growth without lumping my "bump" in there with her. At least I got it over with. Phew!

Finding Catharsis in a Camera,

D

Studies and Parties and Pink, Oh My!

Life has been so hectic these last few weeks with preparing for Baby D and trying to cram finals and final projects in with three weeks less than everyone else in school. Some how, though, I was able to squeeze in a baby shower that was so graciously given by the women in my church; my extended family of sisters.

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That evening was so fun and quite delicious! I was truly blessed with great friends and wonderful memories. Not to mention, I went home with some awesome loot! I can't think of anything more that I could possibly need for when Baby D first arrives. And I think I am almost used to all of the PINK!!

With only 10 days left until Baby D's debut, I am looking forward to tomorrow being my last day of school this semester, Thanksgiving just a couple days away and few days in there to spare for nesting and relaxation.

A big congratulations to cousin Stacy, Aaron and little Jake welcoming baby Kaia into the world yesterday!

Ready to Wind Down and Eat Up,

D

Kungala!

Last Wednesday was my first choir concert since high school. And Baby D's first performance ever... I think she got nervous, because she had the hiccoughs the whole time! It was pretty fun. We sang an Australian Aboriginal song called Kungala (which means sing and shout!), a Mozart piece, a song called "In the Night" which was kind of creepy, and a Gospel song that was a lot of fun!

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After we sang, the Chamber Choir performed five other pieces and we got to watch them. It was an enjoyable hour. The choirs perform again at the end of the semester, but since I'll be finishing up my semester early (around Thanksgiving) this was the only concert I'll get to participate in.

Delighted to Duet,

D

Privilege to Pee

I took Baby D to hear her first musical on Friday. It was my school's Fall show called Urinetown. It's a really funny show about what happens when bathroom use is regulated due to a water shortage.

The drama department did a really good job of making it their own. They stayed true to the script, but did their own artistic interpretation that made it probably the funniest version of the show that I've seen.

At intermission, however, they thought it would be clever to enforce the "privilege to pee" by requiring a special ticket from one of the characters in order to use the bathroom... Not such a cute idea when you're 8 & 1/2 months pregnant and have a 4 pound baby sitting on your bladder! Luckily I got in without much delay. Whew! That could have been a disaster!

It turned out to be a really enjoyable night and on top of being entertaining, it counts as extra credit for all of my music classes! Talk about a sweet deal!

Relieved to Pee for Free,

D

Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock

Earlier this week marked 50 days until my due date! I can't express how excited I am to meet Baby D! A lot of preparation has gone into getting ready for her: baby shower, flu shot, H1N1 shot (ouch!), and lots of other things.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a Relief Society activity called Super Saturday. They offered a dozen different craft activities and I was able to make bibs from kitchen towels! I am sure they will come in very handy in the VERY near future!! It was a lot of fun to spend the afternoon with my mom and other women from our Relief Society.

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Preparing for Spills and Thrills,
D

Kick Boxing and Cravings

So as of today, I am officially in for the long haul! Third Trimester! So far I have had possibly the easiest pregnancy to date. (Knock on wood!) It’s true, other than getting dizzy maybe once a month in my second trimester it’s been the usual day-to-day. A lot of days it tends to slip my mind, but lately Baby D has been kind enough to remind me that she’s an avid mid-morning (and mid-afternoon and midnight) kick boxer!


Things I have learned about Baby D so far:

• ·         Loves Josh Groban (the only music she “dances to”)
• ·         Doesn’t like when I do breathing exercises in Vocal Technique class (and sure makes it difficult!)

It’s a short list, but not bad for not having been born yet!

To date I have gained about 15 pounds. How bitter-sweet is that? I know I'm supposed to gain, but I have never been content with gaining weight and I don’t plan on becoming accustomed to it! My doctor said I still probably have another 10-15 pounds to pack on. The things I’ll do for Baby D…

Question: Why is it that everyone asks about cravings when they find out your pregnant? It must usually be entertainment when people have responses like “pickles and cherry jell-o” or “chocolate chips and scrambled eggs”. Me? My only craving has been fruit and sweets. I don’t know if it’s really a craving, because I have always been a fruit and sweets person. I think I just allow myself to indulge and excuse it with the pregnancy. Doesn’t everyone?

Feeling Chubby, but Cheerful,

D