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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
Things have been busy lately. But how this one got by me, I’ll never know. I’m pregnant! And almost two months along, at that! With our class schedules and my job at the restaurant, my husband & I hardly have any time together as it is. I guess somehow we made what little time we have, count. God, are you sure about this? I may be 21, but all the sudden I feel younger than ever. I have no idea how to be a mom. This was not in our plan for now. But, it must be in Yours.

Last night at the basketball game, I told my two closest friends that I’m expecting. Their squealing overpowered the pep band, for just a moment. None of the couples that we hang out with have taken this particular endeavor on, just yet. I can’t believe this is happening. My emotions are all jumbled. One moment I’m excited and the next, I’m freaking out. I know I’ll settle into a balance. However, this baby is about to change everything I know to be familiar. I’m good at singing, drawing, & laughing with my husband. Will I be good at being a mommy?

Our families seem awfully excited about the upcoming addition to the family. Maybe I can talk with some of the women and get an idea of what to expect. Is everyone this apprehensive when they learn that they about to receive one of the coolest gifts that God ever passes out? Oh, my sister-in-law put a congratulatory note on our windshield today. I think I’ll save it to paste into a baby book. It’s all beginning to feel real!

A friend dropped me off at the store today, as my husband & I share a car. There is so much stuff here that I don’t know where to start. What do infants need, anyway? Ah, here are some bottles with cool decals on the side. Which do I choose, pink or blue? Wow. I haven’t even thought of that. Will we want to know the sex of the baby, when the time comes to peek, or do we wait to be surprised? I’ll put that decision on my to-do list (which seems to be growing longer everyday). There are aisles & aisles of cribs, bedding, and décor. I think I like that bunny family print with the white eyelet trim. That can go either way, for a boy or girl. I head to the register with a soft bunny-covered comforter. College students don’t make that much money & we’re no exception. So, this one purchase will have to be the beginnings of an “add as we go” nursery.

Back here, in our apartment, I have homework to do. My lap is covered with paper, but I can’t seem to concentrate on my assignment. Right now, my days are filled with early classes, scattered hostess shifts and seeing my friends whenever I can fit it in. My husband and I stay up late together & fall into bed around midnight. I wonder how different things will be in seven months.

My husband just left to go back to class. He brought me a large cookie that says “I love my pregnant wife”. I think he may be just as overwhelmed as I am. I showed him the new blanket. He seemed to like it, I guess. Neither of us have stopped talking or smiling when we are together. Soon, this comforter will be wrapped around a whole new little person. I don’t yet know who this precious person will be, or how to be all the things to them that a mommy should be. But, I will learn. And I will love this baby. I think I already do!
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This article has been read 1191 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
cindy yarger
03/08/07
This was a good journey through your thoughts. Well done - thanks for sharing!
terri tiffany
03/08/07
I can just feel your burst of excitement come through your story! I have to tell you this story ministered to me - my own young daughter who got married in last May found out she is pregnant and was not happy - scared and wished it was later in life - to see that you totally have accepted God's blessing in your life is tremendous! My daughter is getting there but now I have a glimpse of the excitement soon she will have and that fun world of babies. Keep writing as you can see that you know how to add the emotion to your piece. The only suggestion I would have is to spell out the word and. :)
Jacquelyn Horne
03/09/07
I could see as you began to grasp the fact that a baby would make changes in your life. Good writing. Keep it up.
Clyde Blakely
03/09/07
As a Grandfather this was refreshing. I have only "viewed" the other side of the equation and wondered. Thank you.
Oh, and the squeal at the basketball game, believe me everyone knew what it was about.
God bless and keep writing.
Phyllis Inniss 
03/10/07
I like the way you journeyed through your thoughts about your baby-to-come. You gave us a sort of update of your emotions to your acceptance of the new life that God has gifted you with. Thanks for sharing.
Marilee Alvey
03/10/07
This was a talented story in the way you wove your apprehension with the upcoming excitement as well as the knowledge that this is a lifetime event, something that will color your future...and change things...forever. Speaking as one who had her first at 22 and had to interrupt college to do so, I understand. In the hospital I got frightened. What did I know about taking care of a newborn? In a day they'd be sending her home with me! Well, I just picked up my Dr. Spock book and read it. It empowered me. If she's wet, change her. If she's hungry, feed her. If she's tired, put her to bed. Yep. Can do. There's plenty of time, later on, to sort out: should kids have play guns? Should we own a t.v.? How old should she be to date? What's her curfew? Congratulations on a new baby and a good story!
Martha Ford
03/10/07
Took me down memory lane. Your rapid, short sentences and flight of ideas through the full range of emotions produced a viceral story. Fun to read. Thanks for your story.
Paul Potenza
03/13/07
I just wanted to say BEFORE I read the other comments attached to your story that I think that you will be a great Mommy and your husband will be a great Daddy.

I am a guy so what I have to say next MAY sound kind of "sissy" but your article made me weep. It was right on the money with the subject but with just enough "Ummph" to make it personal.

Now If you'll excuse me, I have to go wipe my eyes, blow my nose, and read what others have said about your piece.

Pauly
Loren T. Lowery
03/13/07
Writing is more than just about chosing the right words, but in telling an interesting story as well.

You've done both. Great job
and God's blessings on the expected new arrival!
Donna Powers
03/14/07
I can feel the wonder and excitement in your words. How wonderfully you have conveyed your feelings. Well done
Deborah Porter 
03/20/07
Karen, this was delightful. There is nothing like that first amazement of finding out that you are expecting a baby. I loved the way your friends reacted when you told them at the game. At your age, you would be one of the first to have a baby, and so your friends are going to love this time with you.

Your excitement bubbles over in the way you write each sentence, but I love the way you show how everything is completely new and amazingly foreign to you. That's what made this so delightful.

From a Challenge point of view, you probably missed out a bit because you only touched on the topic of "shopping" so lightly. The judges on duty each week rate the entries in nine different criteria (you can find out more about these by visiting the FaithWriters Message Boards). One of the rating criteria is how well an entry fit the topic, so because "shopping" wasn't the central theme of the article, that would have let you down. But don't let that stop you. This was a joy to read, and brought back a lot of memories for me.

Keep writing, honing your skill, and rising to the Challenge. Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator and Editor, FaithWriters' magazine)