Tuesday, April 5, 2016

pre-parent life




As we get closer and closer to our little one's due date, I find myself reminiscing about our life as two. Attempting to soak up these last few weeks together while they're here. Of course, we couldn't be more excited about our growing little family but the truth is that I have loved the season we're in right now- the people we are right now...pre-parent Waldi & Ruth. 

It's interesting to think that we will never again not be parents. That's certainly how life is- things move forward and change, often in a way that lingers on though many months and years. So I guess we are simply trying to enjoy our last pre-parenthood days. Because the fact is that everything is about to change. It's a good change- the best kind, even. It's the change we've talked about and longed for and planned around for months and even years. And in so many ways, we couldn't be more ready for it. 

Of course, it's already begun. We've found a new place to live that has space for our growing family. Our decisions are already being made as parents- what we do with our money, how we spend our time, what I eat... so much of this is now done with baby in mind. But soon this change will be final and complete and that will be that.

We will not be Waldi & Ruth anymore- or at least not only that. 

Since we found out about this pregnancy, we've been trying to intentionally enjoy moments together. We've been on day trips to neighboring cities, gone for brunch, and tried out new-to-us restaurants here in Marburg. We've been to the movies and the theatre, and spent weekends wandering through the Flohmarkt (flea market), coffees in hand. We even took a little mini-vacation back in December. These are all simple things, and probably even things we'll do after the baby is here, but it will be different. We will be different.

And for now I want to remember how it feels to be pregnant and together and excited for what is to come. I want to remember slow Sunday mornings, cooking breakfast at home with all the time in the world. I want to remember walking to our doctor/midwife appointments together- talking about our baby, stopping at the Farmer's Market or the bakery for a snack and just generally taking our time. 

Because in just a blink (or 2 months...) this time will be over and we'll be up to our necks in a brand new season. And while we'll be gaining so much as our family grows, it still feels like the end of an era. 

And that's always a little bittersweet. 

8 comments:

  1. It feels so familiar to read your words. It feels like the end of an era and it feels so bittersweet. Parts of us want this baby right now and we can't wait to meet him or her, but other parts are hesitant and scary to meet this baby and meet this new life. We'll be parents and fulfilling a totally new role in our life and can never go back. In two days we'll be going to Zeeland, our last trip together as two. We've been very hesitant to book this trip as I'm now 36 weeks and exhausted by the end of the day, can't do much anymore. Enjoy your last moments together with Waldi, even the very small ones, like the Sunday morning breakfasts and so on. I wish you the best in the last months of your pregnancy!

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    1. Oh, I'm so glad you resonated with this post Ine! It's such a mix of feelings isn't it? Taking a last trip together as two sounds like a lovely idea and I wish you safe travels and a wonderful time together. Enjoy your last few weeks!

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  2. It definitely will be a change, but I hope you will still find time to do things together (without your little one) after. My children are 9 and 11 and my husband and I try hard to have at least one date every month or two. It is so important to have that time as a couple, even if it's just drinking a coffee together.

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    1. You're so right! I'm hoping this is something we can remember to do as well, though I'm sure we'll need some time to find our rhythm when our little one first arrives. And you're right- the time together is important, even if it's just doing something small and simple.

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  3. You're so right; I think you have to try and enjoy every phase that live brings. My two boys are now 7 and 9 and I'm slowly getting more and more me time back; looking back it was also exhaustIng and great fun when they were little; all them mornings we spent at the playground as early as 7 a clock, so we wouldn't wake up the others in the house; now we're slowly getting back to having a lie in; gotta try and enjoy life every day; have a great few weeks till your new family member arrives and I'm sure then he or she will bring you great joy day after day!

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    1. Thank you! I love it how every season has something wonderful about it, you're so right- it's worth it to try and enjoy each phase!

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  4. I read somewhere that when you birth your baby you birth yourself as a mother too and you will never again be the person you were. It was a revelation to read that and i wish i'd known that earlier in my parenting days, because i remember being shocked about how things were so different and trying to get back what i had been, rather than releasing into what i now was.

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    1. oh that's such a lovely idea. Thank you for sharing! You're so right- things change and that's okay. As someone who doesn't always embrace change easily, I'm definitely going to try and keep this in mind!

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