Baby Love
by Heather B. Warriner

Life Changes
For years I have watched as my friends have experienced the nine month process of pregnancy. I’ve observed the slowly expanding stomachs, listened sympathetically to the countless tales of morning sickness and aching backs, and held the fragile-seeming babies that make their way into this world at the pinnacle of pregnancy. I always hoped that one day I would have my turn in that mysterious stage of life. Like the friends who had traveled the road before me, I too would walk through those nine months, slowly transforming from a basically independent human being into a mother whose every move was intricately entwined with a new little life. Last November, I learned that my turn had indeed come. As my husband and I waited the very long five minutes for the pregnancy test to foretell our future, I pondered what life would be like if a positive result awaited us.

The Waiting Game
Now, nine months later, I am very close to finding out exactly what life is going to be like with a newborn. My role as a mama is days away from being a reality. To be quite honest, this reality has seemed rather abstract for most of my pregnancy. With the exception of some yo-yoing emotions, an achy back, and a tummy that likes to make bending over a challenge, life has carried on in a pretty typical fashion. I am well aware, however, that “typical” is the last word I will be able to use to describe the weeks and months that await us. There’s definitely a sense of anxiety that comes with this fact, but the desire to see our little one’s face for the first time is doing a fairly good job of outweighing those fears. And so, we look toward parenthood, ready (hopefully) and waiting for the challenges, joys, and surprises that lie ahead.

Baby on Board
Karen Rossi Studios' Heather and her husband Dan are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little one in July.