Pregnancy Perks

I'm the first to tell people that I do not love being pregnant.  I'm just not a happy, shiny, preggo person.  That being said--I really am enjoying this part of the pregnancy process.  My bump is still small enough where it's "cute" (and not yet laborious), I can still be mobile and active, and my energy and sense of motivation are magnified by the sunshine and pretty weather we've been having.  One of the BEST parts of pregnancy at this stage is preparing for our baby's arrival.  In hopes of narrowing down items we need to purchase, Adam and I went with my mom to several baby stores to check out the goods.  Our experience boiled down to: Babies 'R' Us is incredibly overwhelming and overflowing with waaaaaay too many pregnant people, The Right Start had excellent customer service and we love the items they carry, and Giggle was cute (minus the children's nursery rhymes playing on a loop throughout the store).  It was a lot of fun shopping (without spending) and testing out items.  I loved watching Adam get fitted for a baby carrier, and my mom be amazed at all the products out there for babies these days.  Speaking of my mom, it warms my heart that I can share this experience with her.  I know she's been itching for a grandchild for ages now, and it's such a blessing to see her excitement.  It occurred to me that our miscarriage last year was almost as much a loss for our parents as it was for us.  We didn't get a chance to celebrate that baby and plan for its arrival.  We didn't get to know it and name it and talk about all the places we wanted to take it.  Needless to say, I am so incredibly grateful for this time--the time I get to share with my mom, with Adam and with this little one fluttering inside of me.

We all had a lovely time shopping and eating ice cream and just enjoying each other's company in anticipation of our child.  I dreamt of car seats and strollers and bouncing zoo animals, but I woke up to the peace of knowing that God gives us each day to celebrate and be joyful in the creation of life.