Learning to Let Go and Say No - Month 3

written September 21, 2011
week 10

I think most people who know me see me as this bubbly, energetic person who takes on a million projects at once. I remember having dinner at Olive Garden with my friend Meegan (who I totally admire since she's a mother of FOUR kids) a few months ago. The thing about Meegan's kids...they are probably the most well-behaved kids I've ever met. I keep telling her she needs to be my mentor when the time comes because I have never seen kids like hers. And well, I want kids like that. I don't want the kids who are running wild everywhere, punching and screaming on the top of their lungs. Supernanny anyone?

Anyway, getting back to Meegan. She told me that once I become pregnant I will not be able to do it all. I will have to give up some things - I will have to make sacrifices. At first I looked at her with my superhuman powers and thought... Ha! I'll show her. But, I take that back. I wish I could just say "no" right now to some things. Frankly I'm tired. I just want to work a job and write and raise a family. That's it. Oh, and play volleyball. :) I'm entering a new stage/phase of my life and am ready to focus more on family stuff.

Things I currently have going on/participating in:

1. Full-time job
2. Querying my 320-page book
3. Writing another book
4. In a critique group - critiquing five other women's fiction work (usually 60 pages a time) once a week
5. Blogging (personal - baby, writing and food recipes)
6. Blogging (Star Tribune)
7. Community reporter (KSTP)
8. Weekly reporter/writer for AOL Patch (three articles a week)
9. Writer for Examiner.com
10. Freelance writer/graphic designer (designing website and marketing deliverables for uncle's new invention)
11. Volunteer for Young(er) adult group at church
12. Health Cabinet volunteer at church
13. Sunday greeter at church
14. Organizing dodgeball at church
15. Playing in a volleyball league (playing only one night a week)
16. Work out with a trainer (right now I'm failing miserably since I can't even get to the gym).
17. I'm the 'Member at Large' on our Town Home Association Board

Lots of thoughts and feelings going on in my head right now. Just curious what other people do when they are asked to do something their heart is just not in at the moment? Does the moment present itself to challenge us - something bigger might come from it, or is it more of a test? How does one balance everything???

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Words of Wisdom for Moms-to-Be - Month 3

written September 21, 2011
week 10

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. (info found on www.babycenter.com)
My awesome friend Jaymie sent me an email this morning and I wanted to share it for anyone else who may be preg and wondering how life is going to change dramatically. I think of that quite often. Jaymie had her baby girl, Brighton Kay McGrath, back in July (in like the easiest delivery ever) and wanted me to know some things. The best part is today is her 32nd birthday so this is just very fitting. Here they are below. I love this!

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices. (if you would have told me this 3 months ago, i would have said you are out of your f-ing mind. i was so scared of the sacrifices...especially the sleep one. but, here i am...at 7:19am...sitting at the computer...just waiting for my daughter to wake up. i can barely believe it. and it doesn't bother me one bit. it takes all i have not to wake her ass up right now because i miss her.)

3. You respect your body ... finally.

4. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

5. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

6. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

7. Your heart breaks much more easily.

8. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

9. Every day is a surprise.

10. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

11. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

12. You become a morning person.

13. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

This just makes me smile!!! I love it. Does anyone have anything to add?

Hold fast your dreams! Within your heart. Keep one still, secret spot. Where dreams may go. And, sheltered so, may thrive and grow.

- Louise Driscoll

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