Baby on the Way
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Monday, January 05, 2009 11:00 AM
Christmas isn’t quite over - we’ll be celebrating until ordinary time starts next week after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. However, it is January now, and the new year has taken me by surprise in a way.
I’ve been so busy focusing on celebrating Christmas that I’m a little shocked to remember that I’m going to be giving birth in approximately one month.
I’m not sure what has made the difference. Maybe it’s because this is our second baby, or maybe it’s because I’m due on the heels of the busy holiday season instead of in humdrum October, but I have not been nearly so aware of time passing with this pregnancy as I was with my first one.
When I was pregnant with Camilla I knew off the top of my head how many days along I was. (This, by the way, really freaked out my brother-in-law. I’d say, “I’m 26 weeks, 3 days,” and he’d shake his head and say, “Can you give that to me in months?”) This time around, I have to recall my due date and count back to get the right figure.
Last time, I didn’t realize how much work taking care of a newborn would be. On the other hand, neither did I have real experience to make the process easier and to remind me how quickly those early days pass - and I’m counting on that experience to help me through this time!
Before we had Camilla I didn’t realize how life-changing and overwhelming it would be to meet her face-to-face for the first time; this time I am happily anticipating those first euphoric moments.
Truth be told, though, the part to which I’m most looking forward is that fact that we are bringing home “Billa’s baby brother!” It is so much fun to be preparing for a new baby with a much-delighted older sibling in the house.
I know that having a toddler and a newborn will definitely have its challenges, and that Camilla will not always be as happy or excited about her brother as she is at this moment. But right now I am enjoying her enthusiasm - her joy every time she gets to put her hand on my belly and feel him move, her interest in every detail of his arrival and care. She’s even helped stack newborn diapers in the closet in the nursery!
Our girl has certainly not lacked for love and attention, but I can’t help feeling that her brother is a lucky little guy, because he gets her to love him! What person couldn’t do with a bit more toddler love?
Somewhere between two and seven weeks to go. And counting.
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