So, here we are, this baby and I … counting down the final days of a pregnancy that—I don’t know, maybe it’s just me—feels like it’s gone on FOREVER. (Or maybe it’s just the fact I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair of pants with a zipper :) )
I had a friend share that when you’re pregnant, you’re prone to thinking this. That you’ve been (and will be) pregnant for the rest of your life. But then the baby comes and you think, “Wait, was I really pregnant? How on earth did you get here?”
I continue to be so grateful for all the friends and family who have shared their advice and kind words and love with me in this home stretch of these nine months. It’s been such a wondrous time. Though, I must admit, I wish my brain would shut off and let me enjoy it more than it has this last month or so. Whereas my husband is nothing but giddy excited, I can’t help but feel nervous and anxious for what’s ahead, from the labor and delivery to those early newborn days, which I hear can be one of life’s greatest challenges—and blessings, too, of course.
I read a wonderful book during this pregnancy wherein the author talks about how it’s not just the baby that needs those nine months to develop into the miracle of a little human being. It’s the mother as well. And I can’t help but think that’s true. For so much of this pregnancy, I felt unprepared to be a mom and, if I’m being honest, unsure of whether my maternal instincts would live up to my (or society’s) expectations.
But now that I’m ticking things off that to-do-list of mine, nesting up a storm (a cliché that is so true!) and getting ever closer to my October 11 due date, I see how that viewpoint has changed in just the past few weeks alone. And while I can’t predict the kind of mother I’ll be, I’m holding out hope that, through trial and error, I’ll reach that point where, if someone were to ask, I could respond back with “A good one.”
In the meantime, let me just share that through the heartburn and the sleepness nights, it’s been encouraging and wonderful to share this journey with you. Here’s to meeting the little boy who’s ready to greet us on the other side of it all ….
See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.
I love you, G! So much! Can’t wait to meet your little man.
So exciting!! I can’t imagine the nervousness and excitement!! I am sure he will be perfect!!!
So very excited for you, Gail. You look beautiful.
Beautiful photo and post! So, so true, mommas need that 9 months to grow into all of this!!! You will continue to grow and change, but you’ll still be you deep inside! (Even if you find yourself buying tacky plastic plates with DIsney Characters on them like you never thought you would! Ahem….I never thought I would!!) Much love to you!
Gail, I have never met you, but from all I’ve seen and read, you are going to be an amazing mom. The care and love you put into your photography and your words show the kind of person you are…the mother you will be. And as a still new mom, I can tell you that you are in store for the greatest adventure of your life. You don’t have any idea how much love you have in your heart until you hold that precious baby boy for the first time. Congratulatioins, Gail!
You look amazing! Just a sweet belly!! You’re going to be a great mom, and even if you feel like you are floundering (we all do sometimes) your little man is going to think you are the best thing in the entire world!
SUCH a beautiful photo.
This is so beautiful. You can just tell you’re going to be a great mom. And you are literally one of the cutest pregnant women I’ve seen! Congrats on being so close!!
Gorgeous and touching photo of you two.
You’re a momma already, Gail :)
Praying for you as you prepare to meet your little miracle face-to-face! Thanks for sharing your journey thus far with us.
i agree…. you’re a mama already. sooooo, so beautiful, gail. this photo took my breath away. <3 enjoy every moment. xo.
Absolutely beautiful, Gail. You make me re-think why we’ve been waiting so long to start expanding our family. I thank you for all your honesty:) Good Luck and tons of prayers for you!!
So, so excited for you! I can completely relate to all of your thoughts that you just wrote about becoming a mom. I am almost 6 months into this motherhood journey, and it’s wonderful! My last month of pregnancy I felt lasted FOREVER (and I went till 41 weeks)! But then he comes into the world and it goes by at lightening speeds. I know it’s hard, but try to savor the sweet moments as they come, in between the challenging ones. I can hardly believe Caleb is 6 months, bc I feel like I was pregnant yesterday. I’m praying for a quick, safe birth. All the best to you in the last few weeks!
Gail. This is a precious picture that captures your last few days of carrying your son. You are going to be an exceptional mom! :)
It’s so close! And I love you both so much already :)! Can’t wait for you to realize the most precious gift you’ll ever be given. And for this baby to realize how loved he already is!!
This photo and write-up is so amazing.. I was a bit teary by the end! Thank you for sharing your journey with us so all your girls in LA could follow! :) Can’t wait to meet him!
Beautiful photo and you’re gonna be a great mom! Try to enjoy the time you have left to be pregnant, because it’s a very special time and you will later realize that it was such a small portion of your life. Can’t wait to meet your little guy! When you get him home and you’re rocking him to sleep, you’re going to think your heart might bust open with all the love you feel!
perfection! Can’t wait to see photos of that precious boy!!
This post could not be more beautiful! I love your words and insight, and I can’t wait for baby to arrive! You are so lovely!
You make my heart melt.
You are all baby bump and so cute too! You are going to do great at all of this! Remember, labor and delivery is really just one bad day and at the end there is a baby. How often do we have a bad day with no baby at the end? You will rock the newborn phase too, you will both learn it together and your baby will love you for it. I wish someone had told me, but I eventually figured it out myself, that sometimes babies just cry. After you have eliminated all the obvious causes, wet, wind, hungry you can usually settle on the fact that they are either tired or pissed off and they are letting you know. It makes it easier to deal with when you know that! You are already a fantastic Mum, everything you are, everything you have to offer is everything your baby needs. Enjoy this last part!
best self portrait yet!! ;) thinking about ya during this final phase!! so excited for you! xoxo
This photo is stunning. Congratulations, almost there!
Oh…Gail you are such a beautiful person, and your words are so sweet. You will be a great Mom. Hope all goes well as you welcome your boy soon. Love to you friend and your little boy<3
Oh Gail! I am so excited for you and your Nick. May God bless these last few days as you anxiously await the arrival of your little one. I don’t think you can ever really be prepared for motherhood. With all the resources that are available to us you can attain book knowledge, but once you get those little guys in your arms, your whole brain turns to mush anyways. You were created to be a mom, and specifically to your baby. God will give you the ability, knowledge and community to turn to to raise up your son into the man God created him to be. I pray for these last couple weeks are not too uncomfortable and that you can take time to enjoy being selfish.
What a beautiful photo! You will really treasure it and the memories of this special time as the years go by. I worried if I had enough “Mothers Instinct” when I was carrying Neil. Within a very short time you start to wonder “How can I love someone this much?” Your greatest adventure is about to begin. You will cherish it all your life. My love to you sweetheart.
Can’t wait to see what this little man’s nursery looks like:) You’re gonna be an amazing momma, I can’t wait to hear all of your stories – love ya!!
Best wishes Gail! I loved this post! October babies rock (ahem, I would know I am one!)
Can’t wait to see photos of him.
Beautiful! You look so incredibly gorgeous. Can’t wait to hear the news of his sweet arrival. :)
Followed you on your blog during your pregnancy and I LOVED all your pics…but this one takes the cake….good luck on labor and delivery, I pray it will go smoothly for you. I am sure you are so excited about meeting your little one….nothing like holding your little creation for the first time and hearing that huge wail, my one and only child was born 20 years ago and I have never forgotten that moment. The days and years seem to pass by quickly enjoy and embrace everyday with your child. Many blessings to you and your family!
Awe Gail this post is so sweet. I’m not a Mom (yet) but reading this brought tears to my eyes. Enjoy your last week(s) before your baby boy arrives. :)
gorgeous! pregnancy suits you.
Great photo! I can practically SEE him curled up in there! Just know that the only person who has any doubts about your mothering skills is you. All of us who know and love you know that there is no question. . . whatever kind of mom you turn out to be, it will be a good one. Love you!
This is so beautiful x
Pretty new blog! Best wishes to you this week. I’ll praying for a quick and easy entry from Mr. Werner! May your hips be wide enough, and may his head be smaller than average!!! Love you guys!!! You are going to be great! And the love…I wish there were words! Enjoy!
Dear Gail,
Well, you are in the homestretch now. It is a time of swollen ankles, an aching back, heartburn, frustration, emotional overload, joy and anticipation. It gives new meaning to the phrase “Enough Already”. It seems the pregnancy will never end. But take heart. It soon will, and all that went before will be of little significance. One look at that sweet little face and your brain will be mush. You will experience more love than you ever knew you were capable of. I can vouch for that having had 4 children myself.
I am wondering if your child will have some of the same characteristics as his mother. When a one day old baby still in the hospital, will he raise himself up on his forearms, lift his head and look at you? You did, and Aunt Mary and I almost went berserk. I am glad I had a witness to that. No one would believe it. I wonder if at 6 months and 1week old he will walk across the family room by himself. Once again, freaking me out. I hope he has your love of books and being read to. I bet he will. How could he not with parents who love the written word.
I hope for your sake he likes wearing clothes more than you did. As many times as I would dress you in a day, that is how many times you would undress. You loved to be naked. Thank God you got over that by 3. Of course you then became a little fashionista who loved to pick out and put on her own clothes. That was a trait that carried over all through school. Oh the high heeled shoes and boots. How did you walk in those things? I will say you do have great taste in clothes.
I wonder if he will call you mommy or as you called me, Mother Dearest. I would say, “Can’t you call me mommy?”
“No, you are Mother Dearest”. It sounded so cute coming from a 2 year old. Do you think when he is 4 he will sit by the hour and copy words out of a book? You would call it doing your “business”. No wonder you became a journalist. Again, with parents who are journalists, it could happen. I think he will have the kind of parents who will support him in whatever endeavor he chooses. I am sure he will be a wonderful, loving little boy, and you both will be great parents.
I can’t wait to meet and hold him. All your family is sooo excited. We love you so much. Mom
Gail, I wonder if the baby wants out as much as you want him out. He has to be so cramped up in there. They say if you have heart burn it means he will have lots of hair. You said when you were inside my belly you could hear me talking. And if I laid down, you would fall over. You told me this at 4. Better watch what you say and do. Someone is listening. Ha. Actually, they do recognize your voice. I am betting on next Friday or Saturday. We will pray for that.
He better hurry up. I’m not getting any younger. Just teasing. I think he is almost ripe. Pinch him and see. Well, he will decide I guess. Hopefully soon. Love you bunches. Enjoy the quiet while you can. Sleep a Lot. Xoxo mom.
Hi Gail! Love love this photo! You look absolutely beautiful!! I think by now you’ve had your baby boy. Congratulations!! Can’t wait to see him up here.