Big, Beautiful Life Update
My new favorite title: mama
Ever since I was a little girl I dreamt of becoming a mom. I would carry my baby dolls with my everywhere I went and took great pride and joy in tending to their every need. From becoming a big sister to two precious real life babies, to spending summers and weekends babysitting, and then many years in the classroom - I am forever delighted by the joyous gift that children are to this world.
And thus, we couldn’t be more excited, delighted, or grateful to be bringing one of our own into the world. We are overjoyed to share that we are expecting our first little love this October.
I truly believe motherhood is my life’s calling and I am so tickled that God has chosen me to be this sweet boy’s mama. It is amazing how much your heart swells with each given day and how much I love this little boy already.
There is also something so incredible about seeing the man you love take on this new role. He was already the best dog dad to Finn, but seeing how much he loves this little man and the ways he cares for us both is truly the sweetest. I am in constant amazement of him daily. How he never misses a goodnight belly kiss. How the last thing he does each night and first thing he does each morning is talk to the baby. How he bought out the English muffin section of the grocery store when that was all I could eat. How he makes sure to be at every single appointment. How he doesn’t bat an eye when my Kindle or phone light blink on at 1:33 am like clockwork every night. How he holds me when I cry about how much I love Finn’s mom for making the sweetest boy he is. How he calms every nervous thought that pops into my head. How he finishes most of my thoughts when my brain can’t think anymore. How teary he got when we found out our sweet baby was a healthy little boy. How deeply he loves us.
And it is so sweet to see how excited Finn is. His favorite couch position is with a paw on either side of my belly.
Things I am Loving
Paper Chains
Isn’t this the cutest paper chain you have ever seen? We grew up with paper chain countdowns for beach trips, birthdays, summer… So my sweet mama made us the most beautiful paper chain countdown of the weeks leading up to meeting our little love. Every Friday we delight in taking one apart, putting it in my journal, and marveling at the shrinking chain bringing us closer to holding our boy in our arms. TOO precious!
Poetry
It often feels hard to put pregnancy and motherhood into words, but my dear friend Rachel Beachy and her beautiful poems do so so beautifully. I truly love each one and as much as I loved them before this pregnancy, the words resonate so very deeply with me now.
Pregnancy Journals
As much as I love Substack, the last few years most of my writing has been on the computer or making to do lists in my planner. Being intentional about writing about this journey has been so very helpful for both my mental health but also I know for my future self.
The Peachly is so great for tracking the big milestones, symptoms, planning for nurseries and names…
Peachy Pregnancy Journal The Duncan and Stone has been great for posturing my heart towards faith. As my grandmother put it, “Motherhood is the greatest act of faith.” If that isn’t true I just don’t know what is and have enjoyed leaning into these prompts each week to help guide me with peace and joy, and to help me savor every moment of this blessing.
Lastly, I want to conclude this substack with a gratitude and a prayer.
Gratitude: for my own incredible mother, my amazing grandmothers, and the fabulous second mom’s who first showed me the beauty and tender care of motherhood. For the village we have now full of incredible mothers to aspire to be like and for the endless wisdom they share. To the wonderful friends and aunties who have already poured so much love into baby boy Divine. They say it takes a village and ours is shaped with so many incredible people who have loved on, supported us through every step, and I know will do the same for our boy.
Prayer: My prayer is for those hoping to have a baby in their arms soon. May you find comfort in knowing the exact baby that was meant for you is on their way. May you know that every night I hold you in my heart and pray that your hopes and wishes and dreams are answered soon. May the days of waiting grow shorter and the days that bring answers come sooner. May you always know you’ve got an ear to listen and arms open for a big hug.
With love,
Tate
P.s. LL waving to you all - his future favorite people!
