I try to imagine what life will be like in around a month. We will have a little soul added into our daily life and no matter how hard I try to wrap my head around this idea I just can not seem to convince myself of the reality of it. I want to see her like I feel her move, I want to hold her as she hiccups, and kiss the back of her head instead of just feel it through my tummy. I treasure her nearness but to be honest would love to sleep on my tummy.
I don't want to hold onto her due date, I want to be ready everyday for her to come and I want to be ready everyday for her to stay warm and cozy and grow. I want to embrace it, each moment, hour and day so that when she comes I am in good practice of embracing each moment and each day.
As of late I have been so distracted by her impending arrival. I just want to do things that get ready for her because I am so excited for her. But really there isn't much left to do around here. Everything is ready for her little body to come into our home, her bed is perfectly set up, her changing area with all her diapers lined in a row, our rocking chair is ready with blankets near to snuggle, feed and wrap up tight, my sleeping schedule is about on too as I wake up every 2-3 hours each night wide awake as if my body knows it will be time for her to eat soon. We think we are ready, but know that nothing will prepare us for all the newness ahead, and that is really the very best part.
A few weeks ago I got two sets of maternity pictures taken. I will be honest, yet again, and share that I was adamant about not getting any done before I was pregnant. Even after I found out I was unsure if that was something I was interested in. I knew I would have plenty of shots from photo journaling on Instagram and that was good enough for me. But a dear friend of mine, a fellow photographer, shared a bit of her heart with me on them and I was convinced it was something I needed to do if not only for little miss to look at later in life in her baby book. The first set was at 30 weeks with my sister and me, just some practice for her with morning light and a quick 20 minutes in the cold at one of my favorite parks. The second was done by a dear friend at a local apple orchard weeks later, I wanted something that captured this time of year, and B came along for the afternoon. He always rolls his eyes when we do sessions, but is always so perfect during them. It makes my heart happy.
So here are my very favorite shots from both. Shots that I know I will treasure because this time is so precious, new and valuable as she is in my tummy, I know now that is what these photos are, that they don't capture just me or just B, but instead our excitement and wonder at this little life that is growing inside me. They are to be treasured just as this time is to be, not overlooked or rushed through. I will embrace each moment and I will continue to remind myself of this these next weeks, no matter how long they start feeling...
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