A year ago Scott and I moved into our home. Today officially marks a year of being able to pay the mortgage, and if you think I take that fact for granted in these times you’re nuts.
I listed a few things I was thankful for back then and, in keeping with the tradition, I’m going to do the same here this year:
1) Baby Girl Smith. Funny, I mentioned last year (not surprisingly) that I really wished I was pregnant. It would take a few months, a job change and some patience (plus, you know, a lot of fun trying), but it happened. Sometimes it feels a little surreal – especially at moments like this right now where she’s kicking and moving – and though I haven’t been the biggest fan of what being pregnant does to my body, I’m so incredibly thankful to be pregnant. We’ve been blessed that everything thus far as been healthy and easy. I haven’t gained an exorbitant amount of weight (18 pounds since May), and I’ve managed to learn that I need to take care of myself in order to be able to take care of everything else.
Admittedly I’m getting nervous, and maybe a little sad. I’m predictably entering the nesting phase, and I want to make sure everything is done and organized by the end of January. I have started to-do lists that are broken down by week, working backwards from now until her due date. The sheer joy I get from this planning and organizing cushions the blow that, for as much as I haven’t taken to being pregnant like a duck to water, this might be the last time I get to experience it.
That said? Oh I can’t wait to meet our girl. I can’t believe I get to be a Mom. Seriously. I get to be a mom.
2) My husband. I don’t have the words to describe how amazing Scott has been throughout this whole pregnancy. The cleaning, the daily foot rubs and back massages, the kind words and encouragement, plus all of the time and care he’s putting into our hypnobirthing work, I could not be a luckier pregnant lady. He literally does all of the heavy lifting around here, and could not be more supportive and loving. Plus? He’s already so clearly head-over-heels with our daughter that it makes my heart burst.
3) My best friend, Ali. This weekend, she’s taking me to register for the baby necessities. I have no idea what these things would be, but Ali does, and she’s giving me a crash course on these things this weekend. More than anything, aside from our family members, I’m pretty sure Ali is the person most excited about the birth of our daughter. It’s pretty stupendous to have that kind of support and love.
4) Our families. Especially my sister. She (along with Ali and my mom) is putting on my shower and has been working so, so hard to make the day special. Plus? She listens to me rant every day. And makes me laugh. I’m also very grateful for my sister-in-law, Jen, who took the time three weeks ago to do my hair. I know it doesn’t sound like much, and even though I’ve explained why, it remains once of the things that pulled me out of the doldrums.
5) My job. I could not be in a more different place this year than I was last. I’m challenged. I’m surrounded by nice people. I genuinely enjoy what I do. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that I haven’t felt in a long, long time. I feel as though I’m respected and it’s OK that I have a life outside of my work – that respect makes me work that much harder, much to my husband’s chagrin. More than anything, I’m just happier. It’s made the biggest difference in my life.
6) My body. For all of the things I haven’t enjoyed about being pregnant, I am so grateful that I have a body that’s able to healthfully and without (much) problem, help create life. I mean, if it’s something you want to do, to be able to is a huge ass gift, and I don’t want to ever take for granted what a blessing this has been to experience. When I consider how much can happen, and how much, so far, has not, I’m humbled immediately.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I’m really thankful for all of you, too.
