Pregnancy

Also see Pregnancy Pages, Childbirth and Baby Memorial Albums.

A Mother's Joy

A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside...
when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time
and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.

The Shape of Things to Come

(Georgie Starbuck Galbraith)

A very new mother, she happily goes
In her cute little size-ten frocks,
But knowingly store her maternity clothes
In a clearly labeled box.

Maternity

(Elizabeth Stone)

Making the decision to have a child -
It is momentous. It is to
Decide forever to have your
Heart walking around
Outside your body.

If Men Got Pregnant:

Maternity leave would last two years...with full pay
There would be a cure for stretch marks
Natural childbirth would become obsolete
Morning sickness would rank as the nation's #1 health problem
All methods of birth control would be 100% effective
Children would be kept in the hospital until toilet trained
Men would be eager to talk about commitment
They wouldn't think twins were so cute
Sons would have to be home from dates by 10:00 PM
Briefcases would be used as diaper bags
Paternity suits would be a fashion line of clothes
They'd stay in bed during the entire pregnancy
Restaurants would include ice cream and pickles as main entrees
Women would rule the world!!!

Finally We'll Meet

(Sharon A. Blevins)

I love you, little baby
You're such a part of me.
Can't wait to hold you in my arms,
And hug you tenderly.
No matter what you look like,
You're beautiful, my love,
A precious gift bequeathed to me,
From heaven far above.
Each time I feel you moving,
My heart is filled with joy,
To think that very soon I'll hold
My little girl or boy,
I'm counting every moment,
Til you're mine at last, my sweet
It won't be long until your birth,
Then finally we'll meet.

Baby's Choice

(Colleen M. Story)

Did you ever think, dear Mother,
As the seeds of me you sowed,
As you breathed new life inside of me
And slowly watched me grow,
In all your dreams about me
When you planned me out so well,
When you couldn't wait to have me there
Inside your heart to dwell,

Did you ever think that maybe,
I was planning for you, too,
And choosing for my very own
A mother just like you?
A mother who smelled sweet and who
had hands so creamy white,
A tender, loving creature
Who would soothe me in the night?

Did you ever think in all those days
While you were coming due,
That as you planned a life for me
I sought a life with you?
And now as I lay in your arms,
I wonder if you knew
While you were busy making me,
I was choosing you!

Baby on the Way

It is important to me
that I spend a part of
the next few hours here
alone with you in the darkness

You and I will never
be this close again
by morning you will be
a tiny person all your own.

No longer the kicking
demanding bulge
in my body that
I have grown to love so well.

I pray that God will safely
guide you in your journey
And I ask Him for the strength
to help you all I can.

Again - you signal
your impatience to be free
time to wake your daddy.

Pregnancy Q and A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Grandma's Prayer

This little soul that we are more
than dreaming of,
Got its start from God above.

Now, if he turns out to be a boy,
Like his father, will bring us joy.

And we all know to Whom to turn,
When for guidance in rearing, we yearn.
There will be times when only God above
Will know what we are thinking of.

Or like her mother she might be,
Oh, so trusting of God and family.

And we all know to Whom to turn,
When for guidance in teaching, we yearn.
Oh, may our hearts ever upward reach,
So by our examples, we can preach.

May this little "Gift" from God above,
That we are more than dreaming of,
On loan from You above,
Be filled with God's redeeming love.

With Love, Grandma Carol
(aka, Carol Runyon, written May 12, 2000)

Pregnancy Announcement

They were on vacation in Yellowstone and she did a home test on the way home (positive!). Once it was official, they took a photo of themselves each holding a sign that said, "By the way..." on one "WE'RE PREGNANT" on the other. Then when they showed their photos to their folks after vacation, they slipped it in there.
It went over really well and there is a whole page in their son's baby album with those photos and the story plus grandma-to-be's reaction!

Plea from an Unborn Kocur

It's time to have a sonogram
So Mom can find out what I am
She hopes that I'm a little boy
Such news would bring her lots of joy!

She'll shop the stores for denim blues
And little bitty tennis shoes
And trucks and trains and Lincoln Logs
And balls and books and puppy dogs

And if, by chance, I am a girl
My Mom will shout to all the world:
Another girl to laugh and sing!
Oh, all the love and joy she'll bring!

And then she'll order custom smocks
With matching bows and lacey socks
She'll know, come August 23rd
Unless my Dad --this is absurd!--

Insists he wants to be surprised
You see, he doesn't realize
That find out now or find out then,
It's still a surprise, no matter when!

Mom only knowing makes no sense
You know she'd drop a million hints!
She'd start referring to him or her
And inside an hour, you'd know for sure!

My sister, Dani, wants to know
I know, because she told me so
And as for me, I feel the same
I want to hear Mom call my name

So dear ol' Dad, it's not too late
To change your mind and celebrate
By buying me stuff that's gender specific
I know Mom agrees--that sounds terrific!

Stacy Kocur wrote this poem to her husband when he said he didn't want to find out the sex of their unborn baby at the sonogram.

He responded with this note: "Okay, I give. It's up to Bubba. If he wants us to know, we'll know. And if he doesn't, he can just be 'modest'!"

Pregnant Pauses

During her first pregnancy, our only daughter moved in with us while her husband was stationed overseas. At first, things went fairly smoothly. But before long her demands on my time began to get on my nerves. On numerous occasions we exchanged harsh words. After one such quarrel, she left the living room crying and I was upset for having lost my temper. Needing sympathy, I looked over at my husband, who had sat through the battle without saying a word. Strangely he was smiling.
"How can you sit there and laugh?" I asked, nettled.
"Well," he said, "now you know what it's like to live with a pregnant woman." (from Reader's Digest)
"My sister Kate is big with child".
"Helga, I hate to break this to you but, Kate was big even without child." (from Hagar the Horrible)
The best thing about being pregnant is that you don't have to hold your stomach in!
Man to wife on returning from the doctor: "Free at last! I can scratch! I can sleep! I can take a bath!! Why are you smiling?! You've never had to put up with what I've just been through! I've just spent 6 weeks with a cast on my foot. You don't know what discomforts like!!"
Wife's reply: "Try being pregnant for 9 months."