Being a mother is a huge responsibility that involves mega sacrifice. I never realized how great that sacrifice was until becoming a mother myself & life for the Owens' changed dramatically [and Jori isn't even here yet!]. The first realization I had - my body will never be the same. Selfishly I cried about it for about twenty minutes after we realized we were pregnant, instead of doing a happy dance. I'm over that now... mostly. Then, it occurred to me that I am no longer eating food solely for my own health, but for the health of a seed-sized baby without any means of giving itself the best nutrition for growth & development. I've written before that I started hearing things like "you're pregnant! you can eat what you want! enjoy your cravings!" & that bothered me a little. Sure, I CAN eat what I want... but SHOULD I eat what I want? If I had it my way I would eat Reese Eggs with ice cream for every meal. It's not just food that I considered, but how active I stayed even when I was tired & the kinds of things I put into my mind & soul.
I think of it this way... God has entrusted me with the innocent, tiny life of HIS daughter. He has given her to us as a gift & that is not something to take lightly. Like the parable with the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, to the one God entrusted much, much was expected. I want to do the best with what God has given me - that being the life of my daughter.
What does it look like (to me) to be a good steward of my pregnancy & little Jori girl?
-Healthy Diet: Bye caffeine [which is safe in low amounts, not as much in the first trimester, but why give a 3 pound person an energy rush?], Bye sugar [as much as possible... I still LOVE my ice cream & Reese Eggs], Hello veggies, fruits, whole grains, & protein. This should be part of a normal diet, but is even more important for my growing lady. Do the research, see what babies needs, & see what foods are best for that - i guarantee McDonalds is not on that list.
-Regular Exercise: This is a little bit more for me than Jori, but an active body just feels better. The weeks I have been more lazy with exercise are the weeks where my body is achier. Exercising during pregnancy helps promote steady & healthy weight gain [good for mom & baby], helps with labor, helps shed the pounds post-partum quicker, & will be VERY beneficial when I'm carrying a growing girl up 4 flights of stairs. yikes. Our bodies were meant to MOVE, even if it's just a 20 minute walk. Or some push-ups & squats a few times a week.
-Spiritual Growth: I am responsible for the spiritual development & growth of my babe. I want to be an example of a godly woman to my tiny lady & that means I need to be more absorbed in God's Word & living out the life He called me to live. When she is old enough to ask questions regarding faith & God, I want the knowledge of God's Word to be so engraved in my heart that I can answer confidently & correctly to whatever she may ask. I want her to see her parents loving God & living a Christ-centered life so boldly that she desires the same.
-Emotional Stability: Full disclosure: I've cried. multiple times. & not about cute babies on tv commercials but full on laying in bed crying because it can be so dang hard being pregnant! [if any pregnant woman says this did not happen to her, she has to be lying. I don't care how strong you are.... pregnancy is SO hard! and amazing]. It can also be so dang overwhelming to know that things will be changing for our growing family once our Otter arrives. [to make myself feel better I sometimes blame hormones]. I recognize that the first few months of being a family of three will be so difficult, exhausting, overwhelming, & unpredictable. I want to be as confident in myself as a woman & mother during those times that I am still emotionally strong for our girl. Even when my body is recovering from labor & I don't have my glorious 6 pack [if I ever get that back] & I haven't done my hair in weeks, I will want to feel confident in myself. When she is crying all night for no reason other than she is just needing a good cry [who doesn't need that sometimes!?], I want to be confident in myself that it's not because I suck at being a mom. As she gets older, Jori needs to have a mom who is sure of herself, happy, laughing, & positive. I haven't quite made a plan on how to be all those things to her [I'm sure just being around her will make me feel that way] but it's a goal.
I guess 50% of this blog is written for myself - to remember what I truly desire to accomplish & be during this pregnancy season & beyond. But also 50% for my pals who are also growing little cuties in their belly to try & make the most of it. Your child depends on you for everything so why not give them the best? Be a good steward of your own life & of your unborn, but soon to be born, baby.
Jori Update:
-this little girlfriend is a kicking machine. especially in my ribs. I sure love her. But I don't love when she does that. Future soccer player? :]
-I'm up 23 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. Average weight gain the last two months is a pound a week - putting me at 31 pounds gained [if i stay on track] & hallelujah that is in the 'ideal range' of 25-35 pounds.
-She is HEAD DOWN!! no breach baby here! She is facing forward, so eventually her little tush needs to be along the front of my belly, but she has plenty of time to get switched around.
-Jori weighs around 4 pounds now. whoa. & could be around 20 inches long. whoa. Although she is measuring at 30 weeks when I went for my appointment Monday & I was at 31 weeks & 4 days [a little on the small side]. Midwife Erin says she could be a 6-7 pound baby. again, Hallelujah.
-Officially starting my 8th month of pregnancy, 2 months to go!
Looking Ahead:
-Vaccinations
-Quick [HEALTHY] lunch ideas
