Expecting A Miracle, Part 7

• Three things you began to see differently since becoming pregnant.

1. I'm hyper-sensitive to certain behaviors. I work at an elementary school, so when kids come to to office being in trouble for various reasons I tend to take it harder than I used to. For example, when a group of 7-yr-old boys are brought to the office for bullying each other during lunchtime, my heart hurts. I can't help but think about how I would address those issues as a parent, with a side of unintentional judgement.
2. The notion of parenting; Sam found a book called The Gardener and the Carpenter that delves into parental theory and all that comes with it. I used to view parenting as a job, but I've since changed my thoughts on the matter. Since my tactics of dealing with children are fashioned mores like a carpenter rather than a gardner, I've been learning so very much about how to have a relationship with my children that is the best of what I've done previously and incorporating what I've since learned.
3. Food; I haven't always had the greatest relationship with food and eating habits. Since becoming pregnant, my body image has been on quite the emotional rollercoaster. Regardless, I have since found it more motivating to eat and be healthy because I'm helping someone else to grow. I am careful about getting nutrient-dense foods more because of the baby rather than for the sake of losing weight or being skinny. Pregnancy has made me stronger in so many ways, and I'm so grateful that I have been able to experience it so positively.

• What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I think my big picture goal has yet to change. One day I'd love to serve on the School Board. I want to continue working in a role where I can advocate for public education. I want to make my house a beautiful home and create amazing memories with my family.

Specifically in regard to my son, I hope that I can give him a sibling. I hope that I can provide him opportunities to learn and experience the world (touching a large animal for the first time, learning how to swim, listening to him read his first original poem, etc.). I dream about my little family and how I have this once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a first-time mother, and I hope I live up to expectations set forth by the matriarchs of my family line.

• Which future plans were changed because of the news of a baby?

We kept talking about traveling to a far-off places, and now I realize just how much that is going to change. Not to say that we can't still go, but traveling with a child makes it a bit harder, especially once he's mobile. I still dream of my European vacation to Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. Sam repeatedly assures me that we can still go, but I don't know how much more work it would be to try this adventure with a baby in tow.

Regardless, I think that there are several family adventures in store for us that I haven't even begun to imagine. I really don't know what they are yet, but lately we've been trying to have double-dates with other families so that we can still feel adventurous.