This is Now

  Being pregnant is usually not very fun for me. The sickness coupled with the later largeness don't make for a very happy Sarah. This time around, though, I've been lucky to be able to see things through a different lens than previous pregnancies. I feel more aware of myself and my baby, certainly. There is nothing better than pregnancy to make one more self-aware (and dare I say, conceited?). But, I feel more aware of changes around me, big and small in a way that seems particularly timely. The two front teeth coming in on both of my girls seem to mean a lot as I watch them squeeze into their tiny spaces a little more each day. Is it because I'm remembering their baby teeth making the same progress? These same girls learning to ride their bikes without training wheels overnight, making smart choices at school and in their interactions with others, showing amazing kindness to younger children- each little word or observance feels so big to me, and I can't help feeling immensely proud of them.

  Changes in season, tastes, smells. The way the I spend my day, interactions with others. Each thing feels big, but not in an overwhelming way. Meaningful, I should say.

  My prayers have different meaning too: "Thank you for sending that person to talk with me. It was nice being able to smile, and I was grateful that he expressed gratitude for his children. Thank you for helping me not to be sick after eating. I'm thankful that I can feel a little better today. Please help the kids to be safe at school and help us to be happy." I am far from perfection, but I am thankful for time to reflect. I'm thankful for a watchful and generous Father in Heaven. Even though I wouldn't choose to feel ill or unwieldy, I'm more thankful now for the times that I feel well- and I'm obviously thankful for the blessing of another child in our lives. And I'm thankful for you, dear friends, who help me in temporal and spiritual ways. You truly are angels on earth.

For those of you who haven't heard, our baby is due in early March.  We're excited!