A post of lists

Things I'm looking forward to doing once I'm finished being pregnant:
1. Jazzercise....I really want to go back to class and jump and stretch myself back into shape
2. Putting on a cute summer dress and going to dinner. Let's face it, at this point all dresses look like moo-moos.
3. Being able to bend down to do simple things, like buckle my shoes, putting on my pants, or picking up something off the floor. Also being able to roll over in bed and not feel like I'm about to suffocate mid turn.
4. Not having to explain to every cashier I encounter at a store when I'm due and then listen to them tell me about their mom/aunt/sister/cousin/any other female relative who is also pregnant.
5. Putting on hip hugger jeans that don't come up to my boobs or a shirt that doesn't tie around my back.

Things I will NEVER say to a pregnant woman
1. I will never share my labor and delivery story, no matter how pleasant it might turn out to be, without being asked
2. I will never utter the words "oh just you wait....you're life is about to change"
3. I will never tell a pregnant woman that once they have kids they have to let go of their current standards of living
4. I will never make comments about how much sleep they are about to lose. I'm sure they are well aware of that fact, as am I.

Things I have loved about being pregnant
1. go with me on this for a moment...but I've realized just how strong my antiabortion stance is. Having never been pregnant, I never knew the personal reasons behind the arguments for and against it. Now, after housing this little boy in my tummy for 9 months, I realize just how ludicrous the argument is women have the right to "my body". If anything, it's the other way around. For 9 months, I'm Calvin's body and all decisions I make have nothing to do with me and  my rights, but they have everything  to do with him and his right to live.
2. Experiencing God's creation first hand. His creation miracle happened inside me. Amazing
3. Guilt free eating. Enough said.
4.Baby clothes...they really do make me happy
5. Growing closer to my husband as we prepare for this journey together.

Things I'm looking forward to about being a mother:
1. I know there is going to be that one moment when I can see in Calvin's reaction that he recognizes me as his mother. I remember when a child that I babysat in high school recognized me for the first time and came to me with open arms to be picked up. It was a pretty cool feeling. I can only imagine how it will feel when that child is mine.
2. Watching Dave interact with his son. He's a great uncle already....he's going to be a top notch father.
3. Picking out special occasion outfits...like an Easter Sunday baby suit, birthday clothes, clothes for pictures, etc. I guess this goes along with #4 from the list above.
4. Watching Calvin grow to love his cousins
5. Learning what it truly means to put someone else's needs before my own.

Things I've learned while being pregnant
1. God really does give us graceto handle every situation.
2. God provides for everything. Everything. There is nothing I can need or want or desire that He cannot provide for.
3. I give myself excuses to be a wimp when it comes to comfort, feeling good, and anything that has to do with the doctor. But, in reality, I'm one tough cookie. I've gone to work when I've felt less than stellar, I've put on a happy face when all I wanted to do was cry, and I've allowed myself to be stuck, swabbed, poked and prodded repeatedly without having to call my mom each time to congratulate me (yes...I still do this as an adult).
4. I have an amazing husband. He is exactly everything I need, is the perfect person for me to go through life with, and without a doubt, will lead our family on a path that will glorify God.

In a few days check back for the virtual nursery tour!