Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Home Stretch
Well, here we are. I’m 37 weeks, 2 days pregnant and very much ready to give birth to this child. Time has flown by up until this point and now I feel like it’s standing still. We’re pretty much ready. We are waiting on the rocking chair for the nursery as well as the window treatments (which we’ll be waiting a while for as I ordered them on Saturday). We have to install the car seat bases in both our cars and then tack down the FLOR tiles in the nursery.
All the tiny clothes are washed and folded. Both my bag and baby’s is packed for the hospital. Bill is reading his labor coach book. I’m finishing up the last couple pages of Happiest Baby on the Block. Our freezer is stocked with yummy meals.
But, as excited as I am to meet this little guy or gal, I’m scared. I’m scared that I won’t be a good mother. I’m scared that my relationship with my husband will change. I’m scared my career will suffer. I’m scared that I’ll change. And, I know that change isn’t bad. I know that in some ways we will change as a couple and that I’ll change as a person. But, will I still be me?
What about you? Did you feel this way toward the end of your pregnancy? How did you handle it?
Comments on this post
You, my dear, look amazing! You’re all baby! And I’m going to guess you’re having a boy based on your belly and it’s very basketball-ness.
Now, you have no reason to be scared! You’re going to be AWESOME! And yes, things will change, but they will be GOOD changes! You will still be you! But you’ll be a better you!
Love you! Can’t wait to meet BoB!!
20. October - 10:57 amKristabella´s last [type] ..Brotherly Something
You are going to be an incredible Mom. You (and Bill) will bring all the best parts of who you are to your child’s lives. You love each other and your relationship will surely change, but for the better! I just know it. :) Can’t wait to meet Baby C and am so glad I get to be a part of their life!
20. October - 11:18 amKaleigha´s last [type] ..Week 7: This is the bird that never ends.
You’re going to be a great mother! It’s definitely not easy adjusting to having a new little person in the family, but it’s worth all the sleepless nights and emotional breakdowns, I promise. Little BoB is going to love you and Bill soooo much!
20. October - 11:30 amAudrey´s last [type] ..And Then There Was Alexander
I got much more worried about all that stuff after the baby was born. Just remember that it’s ok to take your time to process it all, to take your space, and remember that you’re just going to be a little bit tender about it all. But the changes, while huge, are worth it. And the biggest thing I had to repeat to myself was that it does get easier.
20. October - 11:44 ammjb´s last [type] ..County Fair
Some change is really awesome. I’m betting this is one of those. :-)
20. October - 12:19 pmLike the Johnson & Johnson commercial says, “Having a baby changes everything.” And it’s true. But it’s not bad change.
Yes, your relationship will change: it’ll get sweeter and have a whole new dimension added to it. You’ll fall even more in love with Bill watching him father. And he with you. Yes, your career will change: you may find your loyalties shifted, there will be times you have to call in sick for your baby. You may even feel that your career isn’t as important as you once thought. Yes, YOU will change: being a mother flat out changes you; how can being responsible for the health and well-being of another being not? And the fact that you’re worried about being a good mother is proof that you will be (or so I was told).
Once piece of advice I will give you that I learned the hard way: Nurture your marriage. Don’t put your child ahead of your spouse. Spend the night away occasionally. Go on dates alone, even if all you do is talk about the baby. You will need the break to refresh and renew your spirit and your marriage. The best gift you can give that baby is to love his/her daddy and keep your family together.
It’s gonna be great, Rhi. I guarantee it. :)
20. October - 12:46 pmHonestly, I didn’t freak out until after the baby was born and then I was like, “What have I done??” I think it’s normal whenever it happens. It’s a major change, but you’re going to be GREAT. Enjoy the last few days/weeks of your pregnancy.
20. October - 1:42 pmMama Bub´s last [type] ..Where we are
Oh, I remember those days so clearly. Yes, things will change. Your relationship with your husband will change, and your career will probably suffer. It is soooooooo worth it, though. You will be you, but a whole new you that you never could have imagined before. I can’t really explain it, except I assure you the first time you look into your baby’s eyes, you won’t be able to remember what your life was like before, and it won’t matter. :) You’ll be a great mother!
20. October - 3:55 pmJimmie´s last [type] ..Adventures in Eating
I was CRAZY scared. Scared of having the baby, not having the baby, messing her up…etc. I think it is totally normal to be scared. In fact, that’s what I think prepares you to be a mom. As a mom, you think of the baby ALWAYS; their well-being is paramount. The thing is, you never stop worrying. Your worries will just change as your child grows. Motherhood-welcome to a lifetime of worry!
20. October - 5:37 pmelz´s last [type] ..Friday Favorite- State Fair Fried Deliciousness
Part 2 (sorry)- Yes, everything changes. The funny thing is, you won’t be able to remember what life was like before because it is so much more after the baby. Life is better and worse and more fun and scarier and everything all at once. It’s a great ride.
*As far as business goes, I think having a child actually makes me better at my job. Some of what I do is basically mothering-I set boundaries and teach my clients how to act, I basically use the same skill set! Ha.
20. October - 5:40 pmelz´s last [type] ..Friday Favorite- State Fair Fried Deliciousness
I never had a chance to have those thoughts with Annalie because she was born a month early!
Everything will change, and there will be parts that are really hard, but it gets better and better from the moment the baby’s born. You guys are going to be great parents.
20. October - 7:46 pmbethany actually´s last [type] ..how to win at quesadillas
Oh man, I had ALL those same thoughts, but trust, you’ll be fine. Great! I promise.
Work for me has been a hard transition, I think because I feel like OTHERS feel like I’ve changed or something, so I’ve had to work extra hard to assert my authority/”prove” I can still do it all. But, I think that might be me projecting more than anything else.
Anyway, it’s a change, but such an awesome one.
20. October - 8:56 pmOh Rhi…you look great. I’m getting so excited for you guys!
I loved Kate’s comment. She totally hit the nail on the head. Yes, everything is going to change. Everything. You won’t look at anything the same way. But it’s good. Having babies and families and people to love is the basis of what the Lord wants for all of us.
Things will work out wonderfully. They always do.
21. October - 6:44 amIsabel´s last [type] ..In which we take our kids to Germany
I’ve been struggling with some of the same questions and I’m not even pregnant yet! I was sharing this with a friend (who is a great mom) and told her, “Maybe I’m not cut out for motherhood if I’m so riddled with doubt?” She said that asking these questions and acknowleding that I don’t have all the answers means I’m probably more ready than I think, because motherhood is full of questions, but at the end of the day, you just have to make a decision and trust yourself. You guys will be great!!
21. October - 9:27 am