Your First Gift

Dear Soybean,

Yesterday out of the blue I get a text from my friend Kristi.  She wanted to meet up to talk at Starbucks.  Cool enough, but guess what?  She brought with her your first gift!!  Well, make that gifts.  The fact that one of of them was a book melted my heart. 

Your first book is "I Love You Because You're You" by Liza Baker and the title couldn't be more true to how I feel about you.  On the inside of the front cover, It says "This book belongs to: Baby Nall with love from Auntie Kristi."   Awwww!!! 

The second gift was a Soothe & Glow Seahorse.   Explaining the gifts, she said jokingly that she needed to make friends (with you); I told her that if you end up being anything like me, presents will definitely be the way to your heart. Kristi later said further that years ago a good friend of hers had bought her a baby gift as soon as she found out she was pregnant.  She thought it was a very unique and sweet gesture and wanted to do the same for me. 

Speaking of the way to one's heart, there's a popular book out listing the "love languages" that humans "speak."  My primary ones are gifts and quality time.  Your dad's are physical touch and words of encouragement. I don't know how you'll best feel and express love, but don't worry-- you are sure to get lavished with all five "languages" as you grow. 

Kristi and I talked for almost two hours; it was just what I needed for some outside perspective to make some tough decisions I knew I needed to make regarding such things as your childcare and also addressing some of my first-pregnancy/miscarriage fears.  I feel much more grounded and at peace about everything.

Today I got my offer letter from the company that is buying Praxair Healthcare out, so I felt "safe" enough to tell all my coworkers at last that I am pregnant.  And, boy, I don't see how you, not even being bigger than an inch, made me so darn hungry today.  I simply couldn't get enough food!  I was begging fiber bars off of my coworkers and rummaging through the breakroom fridge for fruit cups I had brought weeks ago.  At least the hunger is better than the nausea that's been dragging me down the past several days.

Your poor dad is a bit overwhelmed today.  He took your Grandpa Nall to the doctor earlier this afternoon for a scheduled visit; the doctor listened to his lungs, didn't like what he heard, and told Grandpa Nall he needed to go to the hospital.  They've been there ever since.  Your Grandpa Nall has taken very poor care of himself through the years and is too stubborn to change; he'd rather continue abusing his body and have everyone pity him--in stark contrast to your Grandpa Scheffler who firmly believes he will make it to the 120 the Bible says is available.  It makes me sad to think you may not get to know all your grandparents--Grandparents are such special people that I sincerely think they should live forever.  I'm thinking about my own Grandma Scheffler--you're great-grandmother.  You still have two great-grandparents that are very much alive and I'm sure your great-grandma Scott will love to "rooster fight" you with her arm bent into a viscious, flapping wing once you're old enough to show some semblance of being able to fend for yourself... lol.   She shows no mercy as she hoots in delight, beating you to death.  She's great.  I will have stories to tell you about her, like the time she helped me win the Easter egg hunt at her house when I was a girl (your Uncle Stephen has still not healed from the incident.. haha).

Well soon enough, in about 7 months, I'll be able to lavish you with big wet kisses and for a while your world will be all things soft and cute... apart from the occasional diaper rash (God forbid!).    I'm hoping that even as you grow up and you discover this world has more than it's fair share of thorns, that overall you'll be glad you were born, and not only that, but born into this crazy little family that you will make complete.