Are we excited? YES!

As one of three girls, my sisters and I have always made comments to each other about having babies. Girls dream early on about being mamas. And, of course, being sisters, we know each other’s true personalities and quirks. Sarah and Lisa always told me I’d be that mom who wears around head phones on her belly to stimulate the baby’s senses in the womb. Although it was a joke, it didn’t seem like a bad idea. I knew I’d be thrilled and fascinated by pregnancy. I knew I’d want “the best” for my baby. And I do. But I haven’t worn headphones. I haven’t read to baby. I haven’t kept track of my weight or size or taken weekly photos of my growth. I don’t avoid a good, cold sub sandwich (GASP!) I can sum it up this way; my personality hasn’t changed a bit with pregnancy. Daniel and I have remained the easy going people many know us for. This is not in any way to say I’m not excited about our child. Daniel and I are also academic achievers, so our “excitement” has manifested itself in studying. I’ve made it a point to research how to best take care of myself so I am in turn taking care of baby. That’s also been a trial and error process. (Did you know that dehydration leads to pre term cramping and too many cupcakes before bedtime means puking all over myself in bed?) I’ve made a notebook of good magazine/internet articles for reference. I’ve read the “Baby Bargains” book inside and out to research “the best” and “must have” products. I enjoy meeting up with other moms and getting as much on-the-job advice as possible. Our calendar is scheduled with prenatal classes and pediatrician interviews. This was no small feat, given football season consumes each Saturday.


Daniel also shows his excitement in the best way he knows how--taking care of me! He loves greeting his girls after work. He frequently mentions how he can’t wait for some future event to happen (reading to baby, singing with baby, watching how she learns and interacts with others, etc). Baby Rodda has grown to be part of our every day vocabulary. He eagerly reads the weekly prayer for baby out of a very good book we have. He’s not bothered by my collection of books and articles that remain strewn around the family room or frequent trips to Babies r Us. He was satisfied with the “cool lavender” color for the nursery walls and the inflow of many gifts of pink outfits. He even questions me when I buy neutral clothing for our daughter. I’m thinking the economics of reusing with our next child while he’s thrilled about the upcoming little girl! Daniel knows he won’t be able to attend every Bama home game this year and seems OK with that. He loved attending the Breastfeeding for Couples class. OK, you got me there. But he didn’t put up a fight.



What we enjoy the most is her kicking and moving. I love feeling her little legs up at the top of my belly or her fingers wiggling down lower. Crazy to think she’s head down, ready to make her appearance in several weeks. Daniel gets to feel her move and kick most nights. Those tangible signs make us realize how blessed we are and how tangible parenthood is!