We are getting close to the due date on Thursday! I was reminded this morning when my small group prayed for Tim and I at church how fortunate we are that so far the pregnancy has been healthy and we have been safe. We want to thank everyone for the continuous prayers and support and even more so as we get close.
So despite the swollen ankles, numb fingers, getting kicked in the ribs, and the early months of morning sickness that kept me in bed and a vegetarian, we have had some fun (funny) times these nine months. Here is just a few to look back on....
In the beginning, I remember when I thought I was fat (even though I was just showing). If I only knew then what I would look like now. No amount of nice clothes or makeup can make you feel pretty or skinny in the end. None the less, the first time we encountered this phenomenon, the first what we call the baby break down ensued. We were packing to go Waterloo for the holidays and usually Tim and I share the same suitcase. At the time, I had just started wearing pregnancy clothes and started packing the suitcase with my things. Next thing I know I am laying on the floor starting to cry because I was discouraged and Tim walked in the room wondering what was going on. I told him I felt so fat since my clothes took up the whole suitcase leaving him no room for his stuff. As sweet as can be he told me it would be fine and that there was still room for his stuff. I started crying harder and as Tim was beside himself, I mentioned that I was not even finished yet filling the suitcase because I still had my shoes and toiletries to add. He just started packing his back pack.
When we were registering at Babies R Us, we had taken a list of things to look for to register for. Well we had decided to decorate the nursery in elephants in addition to the ABC theme (we got the idea from the elephant lamp stand). Every time we saw an elephant, Tim had to register for it. It was all I could do to keep him from registering for girl clothes that had elephants on them. I remember though talking about safety items and I turn around and cannot find Tim. He was still in the aisle over registering for baby toys. He was so worried that baby would not like him as he said, "You got the dinners, I will have the toys."
More recently, one day I was sipping my lemon water (to help with the swollen hands and feet) in my glider with my feet up watching a movie and I look over at Tim sitting on the couch. He was bundled up in a thick hooded sweatshirt with a blanket covering his legs and Maestro curled up on his lap. I guess you cou
ld say that with the air conditioning on and set to like 62, I was freezing him out. And it is only Spring! Yes, it is true we have had the thermostat set at like 59 this winter but you could say that we saved a ton on our heat bill.
These are just a few highlights of the many memories we have made. I could go on...like the time Tim thought I was mad at him when I was really mad at the pants or the time baby kicked me in the bladder or even still when Tim wore the empathy belly at our prenatal class. Then it is funny to think at our first doctor's appointment we ran into one of my volunteers (talk about awkward - if he only knew). Overall it was fun to set up the nursery with blow drying the wall border and all, going to the showers, and buying pregnancy clothes with my friends.
So thanks to everyone for sharing the many joys of pregnancy with us. We appreciate your continuous support and prayers right up to the end here as we get close. Pray for a smooth delivery and that everything will continue to be healthy and safe.
Now perhaps you can tell me your funny pregnancy stories in hopes the laughter will get this baby moving.
My name is Judah Amos Rittgers and I can't wait to meet all of you. Thanks for all your prayers and support to my mommy and daddy. It has been a long several days already for us as we adjust to being a new family and trying to recover at the same time. But God be praised (the meaning of my name) that he has gotten us this far.
Oh and I have a personality already too. I guess I get my stubborness from mamma. She knows this by the trouble I give her learning to eat. I love having my left hand next to my face though even more than being swaddled. I like to make all sorts of faces and pucker up my lips.
