Blessing

My wonderful sister-in-law came down to DC from Philly to take my maternity pictures. The results were amazing! I could not stop looking at my own pictures. Even after being pregnant for 9 months, whenever I look at my big belly I still feel like the baby won't ever come out. I still can't believe that I am pregnant and will be having a baby in less than a month.
Now that my belly is so noticeable (well people at church didn't even know I was pregnant until my 7th month. That's how small my belly was), random people smile at me when they pass by.

Wow. I do look like a pregnant woman!

I am so grateful for the last 9 months of my pregnancy. I am not saying everything was smooth and picture perfect. However, I learned so much from all the challenges, it brought so much happiness. July 11th was when I found out that I was pregnant, I was initially worried than happy. I wasn't sure if I was ready, or more so if I'd be good enough to be a mom. I felt so inadequate and grateful that a baby carefully chose me to be his mom. I always wanted to have babies of my own. I used to go to baby stores and spend hours looking at baby clothes. I would visit friends who had babies more often than those who didn't have babies. But when I saw two lines on the pregnancy test, I did not know how to react. My first trimester was horrible. I could not hold any food down at all. The smell of rice irritated me and made me gag. I was tired all the time. I hated myself cause I couldn't do anything on my own and needed help. I was nervous about everything and just about anything would freak me out. I would tell my husband that I wouldn't have another child every night. However, after seeing the doctor for the first time, after hearing my baby's heartbeat, after feeling my baby move from subtle flutters and now these painful thrusts, getting ready for his arrival, buying everything he'll need, after all those tears of joy and pain; I am so grateful to become a mom to my little baby boy. I know I don't know what the blessings of having a baby are quite yet, but I know it will be incredible. Becoming a mom isn't easy but definitely worth it. Worth every second.

I am so grateful that I haven't experienced severe problems or difficulties thus far. I am so happy that my baby is healthy and happy in my stomach. Looking back, one of my favorite things to do during the  whole pregnancy was listening to hymns in a warm bubble bath and put both hands over my belly and talk to my baby. My worst part of being pregnant? It would be the restriction to certain foods, especially sushi and coke.

I will post more maternity pictures soon!