relish these moments

With a baby on board, there tends to be a mountain of things to worry about. My ultrasound this past Monday set my mind at ease. Babe is growing well—a robust 2 pounds 15 oz! The lil’ one also showcased tremendous flexibility with a leg and foot right by the head. (Perhaps practicing a soccer bicycle kick???) And this tiny being had a bout with hiccups, a fascinating display captured on the monitor. Yes, babe proved to be in tip-top shape.

Mommy is enjoying her ever-changing shape too. Skirts and stretchy pants have navigated out of their hiding places in the closet to adorn my growing physique. Pregnancy feels really beautiful at this stage. I’m not overwhelmingly huge to be waddling or blind to the tips of my toes. And I’m just far enough along to surpass the “No, it’s not a beer gut. I’m actually expecting,” quips.

When folks find out a baby’s on the way for me, the abundance of positive responses is my lifejacket at times. Sometimes the doubt of whether I’ll be a good mother creeps up on me unexpectedly. But the affirmation of friends and family helps sweep those qualms under the rug.

A patient’s mother that I worked with for several days bestowed a heartfelt card to me upon leaving the hospital, saying…

Wow, where do I start. You have a heart of gold and your baby is going to be one of the luckiest people in the world! Your caring and compassion made me feel as though I wasn’t doing this on my own. Thank you my beautiful princess!

How can these words not tug at one’s heartstrings? It certainly establishes what I’m engaging in at work on a daily basis, and hopefully I can carry this home during motherhood.

Seventy-nine days to go. Plenty of time to rest, reflect, and relish these moments…

5 weeks and counting...

The countdown continues at

28 weeks and 5 days...

Side view at 35 days...

Baby's home at 201 days...