Husbands and Pregnancy

This past week in Family Relations we talked about what we can do to keep our relationships strong even after the first baby is born. This has been a big topic for me because right now I am 6 months pregnant and as we have gone through the lessons I realized that I have been so blessed with  a wonderful husband who has taken such great care of me! And seeing as how I am the wife going through the pregnancy, who better to talk about what husbands can do than a pregnant wife!

 I came up with 5 things that have made a huge difference in my pregnancy and our relationship. 

1. Comfort your wives. The first three months were awful for me. I threw up everything I ate, I felt like crap and I was an emotional wreck, and despite all of these unpleasantries my husband was by my side the whole time. He was the one holding my hair back when I was puking my guts out, he was the one at night who held me because I was in so much pain and everything smelled horrible and every time I moved I was worried about losing my food, and at the slightest movement from me at night he would wake up and check on me. He was awesome and through every disgusting vomit he never stopped loving me!!

2.The second thing husbands can do is talk about the baby and what life will be like after. My husband was great at this he would talk about what life will be like, what changes we will make, and  what kind of parents we were going to be. It meant so much to hear him talk about our little one with such a loving tone. 

3.The third thing husbands can do is get involved with all of the new baby things and nursery. Babies need a lot of new things (things you would never even think of) and I know that for most men shopping for baby things is not the most appealing thing to be doing. Through this whole process my husband was a trooper. He dedicated family nights to go over what the baby needs and even though he was done by the time the hour hit he patiently and excitedly went through the endless baby sheets and toys with me carefully choosing which would be best for our little Liam. *Wives be sure to set a time limit and keep to it.

4.The fourth thing is keep the compliments coming! Women's bodies go through a lot of changes and despite what others see, the cute pregnant belly, women see their own bellies and panic a little. I didn't start to show until around 4 and a half months and when I did I started to get really self conscious. One of the most tender moments for me was one sunday morning, I was getting ready for church and had out grown most of my skirts so I put on a dress, and I felt horrible in that dress. I felt big and gross and I wanted nothing to do with it. Sean came in told me how beautiful I looked and hugged me while I cried about my changing body. He was so kind and so sweet! It was a moment I will never forget. We arrived at church twenty minutes late and yet he was still telling me I was beautiful and didn't even mention that I had caused us to be late.

5.And last but not least, husbands be EXCITED about the baby. My favorite moments during my pregnancy were seeing his face during the first ultrasound (as soon as he saw the baby flip around he knew we were having a little boy), then seeing his excitement when we found out we were in fact having a boy, and hearing him say every day that he just wishes Liam were here already so they could go play. 

He has been the best husband any woman could ask for and I feel so blessed! I can't wait to have our little Liam and to see him spend time with him and be a dad. Liam is a very lucky little boy.

Mother's Day

To all of the wonderful mothers and future mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day! Mothers are so important in all of our lives and on this day in particular it makes me really appreciate my mother and the sacrifices she made for my family. My mother is amazing, she does so much in so little time I don't know how she does it! My mother was always so willing to take on the big projects that nobody else wanted and she was always busy. I watched her work one day and she went from the topic of planning girls camp to planning grad night in as much time as it takes to close a book. I don't understand how she does it but I know that I hope that I can get at least some small portion of her amazing skills! My Mother can do anything, that includes round off back handspring back tucks and running half marathons. She has a wonderful ability to become friends with anyone she meets and talk to them as if she has known them for years. All in all, my mother is wonderful and I love her so much!

This year is the first year that being a mother is actually tangible. Last year I newly married and having a baby was on hold for a while; this year I am 5 months pregnant with my little boy due in just 4 short uncomfortable months. Mothers play such a huge role in a child's life that I sometimes (always) stew over (worry, agonize, distress) over whether or not I will be a good mother. I worry about the roles I need to take on and I wonder what I need to do. The best description of a mothers role that I have found can be found in The Family; A Proclamation to the World. I love the way that mothers are described and "Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children". This may seem out dated and short but I can't think of a more important job than being a nurturer to your child and in my opinion that is the greatest calling that we as women we can ever be given. At times it may seem daunting and difficult but I know that if I put my family first, turn to the Lord at all times, and teach my children the importance of being their best version and teaching them of their Savior then I will be able to be a good mother. I know it is going to be tough ( I have heard it from every woman I have ever talked to while pregnant) but I know that if I do these things and put them before myself then my children just might turn out all right. 

To Liam, Love Mom

To my baby Liam,
I am so excited to meet you! And even though for the first three months I spent more time over a toilet bowl then anything else and now you insist on curling up on top of my bladder, sending me to the bathroom every hour, I still love you and I cannot wait until you get here!

I don't know if it's because you're my first baby or if this is normal but I can't help but worry about the world that you are coming into. I'm sure you would be so embarrassed if you saw the things I cry over and worry about, but I look around and things have changed so much in the past three years since I graduated high school that I can't even imagine what life will be like when you start school. Family value is diminishing and I worry about the things you will see and that you will see your friends go through and it breaks my heart. I know I can't protect you from everything but if there is anything that I could arm you with before you go into the world it would be the knowledge of the importance of families and the importance of building a strong relationship with your Heavenly Father and your family here on earth. I know that we aren't perfect in any way and I am sure that there will be times where all you will want to do is hide because lets face it, your dad and I can be pretty embarrassing in public, but I hope that we can teach you and prepare you to be strong in your values.

Liam I want you to know you are loved and I promise you that we will do our very best in teaching you and I will take all the time I can to teach you and spend time with you to help prepare you. I also promise that I will get out of the car in my pajamas, with no makeup, and curlers (which I will wear only to take you to school) and yell to you how much I love you. Just think only 18 years then you can leave us to go on a mission and serve the Lord.
See you in 4 months:)
Love,
Mom

Introducing me...

This is my crazy wonderful family! My Husband is my biggest support and the most perfect person for me! The growing tummy is my son, he will be born in September and we can't wait for his arrival! I still can't believe I am going to be a mom! A little bit about myself; I love crafting, sewing, decorating, teaching, cooking and I have a terrible habit of over using exclamation points:)