Humble Beginnings

The purpose of a Baby Shower, common knowledge suggests, is to provide a setting in which friends and family can essentially "shower" the mother-to-be with gifts of the baby variety. I experienced just such a Shower three days ago and I must admit that in the time leading up to this I was quite focused on the presents and goodies I might receive. Being a first time mother, I rationalize that this is perfectly normal and expected. Before the shower our stock of baby supplies were limited to a few hand-me-down sleepers, after the shower we now have a good size pile of new baby necessities. More importantly, I am left with a feeling of absolute humility (the good kind). I am both humbled and amazed at the uninhibited generosity and love I felt from the friends and family gathered there for me and my baby. My own love and gratitude toward these, and all the wonderful people in my life, has been swelling exponentially as I ponder on the blessings I have received through them. I can only hope to somehow help and bless others as I have been helped and blessed.

A few other events have taken place that I would deem mentionable. On Friday I found out how much I weigh. Still in the healthy weight gain range, but the bubble is popped! However, since that time I have heard a few accounts of mothers gaining up to 60 pounds in their pregnancies! I am by no means judging or making fun of these women, but I now feel that I have nothing to complain about.
Besides the Baby Shower on Saturday I was also able to share a couple of wonderful hours with my dear little sister and our family. I won't say much about it, but it was special, and I can't believe she will soon be gone on her mission! She spoke on Sunday, along with Wyatt and Dad, so John and I called in absent for Nursery so we could hear them, and I'm glad we did! It was amazing to see and realize how much they have grown and matured in the gospel. I love my family! And am so grateful to have such wonderful parents who taught us the gospel and continue to share their testimonies with us.
Our most recent adventure was taking a tour of the birthing facilities we will be using, when the time comes. The labor and delivery area is newly renovated and very impressive, the recovery rooms are somewhat small, but we will have it to ourselves! The most important thing I found out was that the baby will stay with us at all times! I love it! The whole idea of physical pain comes up to give me a fright every now and then, but then I think about the end result--a precious little baby, with little hands and little feet and little ears and little lips, needing to be loved! It's amazing how much we can love him already, no introduction required!