In This Moment

The macaroni pasta is boiling in the pot for our favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.

A steady drip of water is falling into our paint bucket behind the refrigerator, thanks to another leak in the line going to the ice maker. (The plumber will be coming tomorrow to repair that and replace all the plumbing under of sink. Oh, the joys of owning your own home!)

A stack of thank-you cards waits for me to write in and address. Last week, we were incredibly blessed by the  people I work with at my first baby shower.

My mind is thinking of God's provision, and my heart is trusting Him to lead the way as we seek His plan for our little family.

Dave is in the room next door playing a video game. It's his way of winding down after a day spent teaching middle school students.

Dandelions continue to grow in our yard. This year I'm not too bothered about lawncare because of other priorities (like taking care of a newborn), but next year I hope our lawn can be dandelion free.

Little Mrs. Homebody

As my pregnancy has progressed, I've read the daily e-mails from What to Expect and heard many stories from previously pregnant friends about their experiences. I knew I'd be more tired after the blissful, energy-filled second trimester. I knew soon Baby G's feet would be settling under my ribs. I'm still anticipating the nesting instinct to kick in so we can get the baby's room decorated and things organized. But what I hadn't expected was this sudden strong urge to stay home as much as possible.

I still love going to work every day. But once the clock says it's time to leave the office, all I want to do is head straight for home. I don't nap when I return. I don't feel the need to stay on the couch or recliner all night to watch TV (although putting my feet up is a nice benefit of that). I just enjoy spending another evening with my husband in our humble home.

Perhaps it's God's way of preparing me for the many days when I'll be home once Baby G is here. Maybe it's a result of, for the most part, settling in to our new, cozy home. All I know is that the thought of leaving here for any major event isn't as appealing as it used to be.

I thought I was alone in feeling this way, but I talked to a pregnant friend who is only a few weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy. She actually told her husband that from this point on, they weren't going to schedule anything else on the calendar. The next few weeks will be a time to relax and enjoy their family just the way it is before their newest member comes along.

I like that approach. I like the idea of taking the next 6 weeks or so to spend time with Dave and enjoy life with just the two of us before the baby arrives. I suppose some may see this as a time to get out and pack in as much of an adventurous, social life as they possibly can before a baby comes and cramps their style. But I see this as a time to quietly prepare for the arrival of our child and cherish the final days of just Dave and me.