This entry is dedicated to Stephanie Quick. 🙂
So, my pregnancy is at that stage where it’s getting old. Israel was telling me this morning as he dropped me off at school that he thinks the baby is never going to come out. I’m more thinking that if the baby doesn’t come out soon, he’ll just grow and grow until…I don’t know! I can definitely tell that he’s growing at a more rapid pace now. I’ve also developed my first battle scars around the lower periphery of my belly. My skin just couldn’t take it anymore! The baby likes to play this game where he tries to see if he can cram himself on one side of my uterus…either the right side or the left. My tummy often looks lopsided. He doesn’t really kick as much since he’s running out of room in there. It’s more like he slowly turns into different positions to find one that’s the most comfortable, not thinking of his mother whose skin ends up being stretched like a drum. It’s not really all that bad though. The kicks and movements are not painful at all. He’s never kicked at or stuck his limbs into my ribs or jabbed at my lungs. Nothing like that. I think the worst part is when he’ll move into a certain position and suddenly, I have to pee and unless he repositions I must be on a toilet within 1 minute! That’s embarrassing AND uncomfortable. When I lie down and feel my tummy, it’s easier now to get an idea of the different body parts. I’ve been trying to pay attention when the nurse practitioner feels the baby and tells me how he’s positioned. I can feel the head pretty well and the back is pretty obvious as well. That’s been neat.
I think my biggest struggle has been trying to stay positive and not let my emotions get the best of me. For those of you who haven’t heard, my grandmother passed away last week and I attended her memorial service and funeral. It was a very painful time and I have many regrets. She always wanted me to visit her. She would always ask my mother how I was doing and why I hadn’t come to visit her yet. I took her for granted, thinking she would always be there. So, I put off visiting her. I would pray for her pretty much every day…but she wanted me to visit her. I would often think how neat it would be that my child would have a great-grandmother still living. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until Heaven. It’s so difficult to grapple with the idea that how I feel and what I’m thinking affects the baby. It’s forced me to depend on the Lord to help me overcome my weaknesses and to help me in times of temptation…for the baby’s sake. Everything I do, I want to make sure it’s in the best interest of the baby. Love is a powerful thing. By God’s grace, it can bring our carnal natures into submission. That has been one thing that I’ve experienced as a pregnant Christian. If I am so willing to change areas of my lifestyle – devotional life, sleep habits, diet, demeanor, attitude, for the well-being of my child whom I don’t know, how much more should we be careful with our thoughts and deeds knowing that the King of the universe desires to dwell within us? Are our bodies fit to inhabit our Lord? I often pray for myself, that God will help me to love Him more and treat Him better. God is so merciful to us. I’m so grateful that we serve a God who loves us so much and entrusts to us the responsibility of raising His children…because I know that in doing so, He is trying to save us as well.
Amen. I’ve always liked that thought… are you planning on returning my phone call sometime soon, or will I have to be content to rot it out? =) And I’m sure the baby will come out. Someday. Can’t wait, either!
PS. It made me so sad to read about your grandmother. I felt similarly when my grandmother passed away. I know I definitely wanted to have treated her better… it pains me to know I could have. But I know that she is resting peacefully for the day she talked about so often… when Christ will come to take her home. I can’t wait either..!
Judy, Your pregnancy is NOT getting old. It’s a novelty item to me, cooler than a Pez dispenser, more wonderful than home-made vinegar/baking soda volcanoes. Keep giving us the dish. I’m taking good notes.
I am sincerely sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. Umoni and Apagee Lee were here this past weekend and shared this sad news. I know that losing grandparents is hugely difficult. One day, we may be the grandparents being taken for granted, and we have to hope that the legacy of love that we leave will be as *great* an imprint as those made by our own grandparents.
Be well, my Judymuffin, and give Israel and Ramosito a hug for me.
I’m so sorry about your grandmother… what a perspective you’ve been able to gain from this experience, though. Every new experience in life has a lot of potential to help us grow spiritually. Your attitude is very encouraging! Keep your chin up! I’ll be praying for you.
Judy, I heard about your grandmother. I remember her from long, long ago. I am so sorry.The last portion of your xanga entry was absolutely beautiful…love IS a powerful thing…You’ve asked some valid questions…questions that we all need to ask ourselves…Continue to let love shape you…God is merciful and He is good…
was going to call, sorry. And I was going to try to make it to the memorial service, but work kept me late. =(
judy,i pray God brings you comfortloss makes us long for heaven and i hope hope for the day you will be reunited with your grandmother
i miss you!!!i’m praying for the safe arrival of little boy ramos 🙂
Judy,Thanks for the dedication.It is much appreciated! 🙂
I enjoyed reading your post–such deep thoughts!I had never thought about pregnancy as an analogy for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit(perhaps because I’ve never been pregnant).It’s a perfect analogy, though!Thanks for the post–that I’m sure came straight from your heart.I’ve been blessed.
In the meantime, I’m praying for you and Israel.And I’m still working, working, working on the blanket. :)I can’t wait to give it to you guys.(I think I should have just emailed you. This was too long.) 🙂
my deepest condolences…judy, i’m praying for you…nothing we can say will bring you the comfort you need, so i’m gonna pray that the one who can give the truest comfort will be right by your side for me.=) *muah*
grandmother? georgia grandmother?
Sorry to hear about your loss. It’s definitely humbling to think of all the things you could have done better and it also puts a whole new emphasis on your current relationships. Powerful analogy between God dwelling in us and pregnancy.
Your note about your grandmother was touching. How true for all of us! We take so many people for granted! And those of us who are not pregnant–how much we need to watch our attitudes too! Such a blessing to read.