discomfort and baby things

For most of my pregnancy, people have told me how small I seem for how far along I am (not that I'm complaining...I'd much rather hear that than how huge I am). And really, I have felt great the entire time (minus the four days of being sick in Mexico, which I don't think was pregnancy related). But alas, this time must come for every pregnant woman...the home stretch that everyone told me would come....the final month where you're ready for the baby to be here and not inside anymore. Mostly, I'm just excited to see and hold my baby and to know if it's a girl or boy! But today I had the first thought that I may be ready to not be pregnant anymore, which is a big deal for me because I have loved being pregnant. But the belly feels bigger (which is good) and it seems to be in the way. I need to lean back when I sit, I can't really get out of bed very easily or bend over, breathing has become more difficult, and the heartburn is pretty painful (until I pop a couple Tums). Overall, I'll take these minor discomforts, considering I've had 36 weeks of joyful pregnancy before this.

Most of my family and friends are on the edge of their seats, waiting for the phone call that I'm heading to Good Sam Hospital. I am also on the edge of my seat. All of the baby things are assembled and ready to go. Now we just need a little one to use them all!

Assembling all these battery operated, vibrating and music playing things for our baby does make me think of Maribel, my friend who lives in the Neza garbage dump outside of Mexico City. She's raising 3 kids without a crib, a pack n play, a bouncer, a changing table, and enough onsies for weeks. And believe it or not, without all this stuff, her kids are still healthy and happy. I'm not thinking of selling it all and moving to Neza, but it just makes me think. And believe me, I am incredibly thankful for all of these gifts and the people who so generously gave them to us because we could no way have bought all of it ourselves. And they will be a huge blessing to our baby as well. It just makes me reconsider the word "needs"...it gives perspective. And it makes me wonder if it is possible to live simply and raise my kids living simply while living in such a society of abundance.