love in tough times

I have the BEST parents. EVER.

Maybe you have fantastic parents, and you think yours are the best. That's great for you. But they are not MY parents. And right now I know that I have THE BEST PARENTS IN THE UNIVERSE.    

Why? I'll give you a little glimpse.

This morning I called my mom to see if she and my dad had dinner plans. Because I am going stir crazy. Unfortunately my dad is working late, and my mom was going to head to the library for a little volunteering. I was really just looking to spend some time with my family, out of my house, because I'm running out of things to do around here.

I started getting all hormone-emotional and teary talking with her about how I've had two bouts of consistent contractions (10 minutes apart for 2 hours) then... nothing. About how I hate all this not knowing whats going on inside of my body. About how Griffin's labor and birth were so quick and I had no idea what was going on and I want to aviod that happening again. About how I *need* to do something outside of the house, but can't justify going out and spending money when I don't exactly have any coming in at the moment :p

In true mom fashion, she consoled me with understanding words and a change of subject, making me laugh and feel much more light hearted by the time our conversation was over.

Belle and I brought Griff to the bus stop. I came home and started a load of laundry in the basement. I heard the dog start FREAKING OUT upstairs, and judging from the amount of paws tip-tapping across the kitchen floor and squealy-barking she was doing, I knew it could only mean one thing. "Nan" was here :)

Sure enough, I made it upstairs and my mom was babying the dog in the kitchen, allowing her to lick and squirm and almost-pee-on-the-floor before finally giving the little thing a treat (which is why the dog has an absolute fit every time my mom comes over).

She has brought a few pumpkins and gourds from the trip to New York my parents took over the weekend. We laugh because one is all wrinkly like the dog :) Then she hands me some money and tells me that she talked with my aunt this morning, and that I now have a lunch date for the afternoon. Whatever money is left over is to be used to take my boyos out for dinner. She hugs me and tells me I need to relax, that stressing out about silly things is NOT what the baby needs (duh).

It's not about the money. It's about the time she took to listen to me. It's about understanding and compassion and wanting to help. It's about being a MOM.

After she left, I noticed I had missed a call on my cell phone. It was my dad. He was calling just to say he had passed by my road on the way to a job, and that he was thinking of me. That he loves me and hopes I'm feeling ok.

REALLY.

I felt like I had been hit with a mom-and-dad tag team :)

And then there is my husband. My husband who let me cry for NO REASON AT ALL last night... just let me fall to pieces while he rubbed my back and told me it was ok. He understood the tears without me having to explain them - not that I could have anyway. My husband who made me take a nice long walk, bought me a hot cholocate, snuggled me on the couch. Kissed me on the forehead this morning before he got out of bed, and took a minute to rub my belly.

And the boy. My junior high school aged son who got my shoes out of the basket by the door before we went to the bus stop. My son who checks on me the minute he gets home from school every day. My son who told me how fast he feels school is flying by, and how he likes it so much better than last year. My son who tells me he loves me every night before he goes to bed.

And my friends. The ones who casually check in with me on facebook to see if there has been any progress with "Bean Watch '09". The ones who call because they left their cell phone at home and want to make sure they aren't missing any important developments. The ones who make me laugh and forget real life for a while. The ones who send me text messages about "brett michaels on behind the music on thursday - what what?!" :)

Right now I am feeling love. When I am feeling helpless and waiting for the right time for this little babe to turn my world upside down. Love is what makes everything ok.

Comments

[EJ]

Oh once again you have made me play hunt the tissues. So wish I was closer as I would be knocking on your door by now to help ease this waiting period sending you lots of love and (((((hugs)))))

[erin]

um, this made me cry. and high five for brett michaels ;)

[Janice]

Life is good!

[janet m]

you have to write!! a book, newspaper column, magazine things..... you have such a knack for telling a story (and touching peoples emotions!)
that bean of yours is certainly getting ready to come and meet her wonderful family! best wishes

[Joan Mowers]

Ummmm....
I, too, have been searching for the tissues....
I feel for you, babe!
This, too, shall pass...and very soon you will have a baby girl bean to occupy your time and love.
By the way...you missed your 'due' date that I guessed. You were supposed to have her yesterday morning! Too bad!
Rub the beanbelly for me, and hang in there!
Thinking about you.
HUGS
Joanie

[sj]

I feel all warm & fuzzy now... :)

[breanne and madelyn]

yea. tears here. way to go. thinking of you all. hope the appointment went VERY well today....