Preparation and Parenting.

The past fifteen weeks have been quite the adventure. Day by day, Daniel and I have been making our journey along this uncharted path of first time pregnancy. We've acclimated fairly well, and we can't help but to laugh at my obvious hormonal changes. Daniel has learned a few things over the past few months, like keeping the pantry fully stocked with Cap'n Crunch Berries at all times and simply comforting me as I cry in the middle of Star Trek more than once. Pregnancy brain has taken full affect as I recently realized the cereal boxes were neatly placed on the top shelf of my refrigerator. I still have bouts of nausea, but I continue to munch all day long without the least bit of guilt. Almost over night my body has began to transform as well. Baby Spice has finally decided to show a little, and it's pretty exciting to be looking as pregnant as I have been feeling! Overall, compared to the horror stories often told of pregnancy, I have had pretty smooth sailing.

Yesterday, while accompanied by my darling D-Spice, we got to attend my monthly doctor's appointment. The thirty minute check-up was short and oh so very sweet as we got to hear Baby Spice's heart beat for the second time. If you don't believe in miracles, feel free to join me at my doctor's appointments. There is no denying that pregnancy is an amazing blessing and beautiful miracle in so many ways.

The recent protruding of Baby Spice and the confirmation of the heart beat has caused me to go into complete preparation mode. I have been organizing closets, bedrooms, pantries, and cupboards along with constantly adding to the ever growing "baby supply list".

The moment Daniel and I realized we were going to be completely responsible for another human being, we have been consumed with apprehensions and worries that surround parenting. We often find ourselves looking to our own parents for excellent examples of parenting. These recollections couldn't be at a better time, as Mother's Day recently came and Father's Day is quickly approaching.

My mom and dad have always been great examples of what parents should be, and have always done everything they can to make each of their children happy. My mom has shown, and continues to show, me how to be a pretty awesome mom. My dad showed me what to look for in a husband and constantly makes me smile with his hardworking, tough outer shell that can so easily be chiseled down to reveal the softest, warmest heart.

According to Salary.com, the average stay-at-home mom's task load equates to a 95-hour work week. This breaks down to 40 hours at base pay and 54.7 hours of overtime on their "mom duties". The website surveyed more than 8,000 moms to find out how much time they spend on common tasks, and calculated the pay they would get for managing the same services in the corporate arena. This equated to an annual salary of $171,824.

My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and as far as I know, she hasn't received any of these six figure salaries over her nearly thirty years of motherhood, but I don't know if it really would have meant much because my mom's unconditional love and devotion to her kids is priceless.

My mom was constantly making me and my siblings feel special. I often remember sitting down at the lunch table at Gate City Elementary, opening my lunch box, and finding a yellow sticky note filled with sweet words from my mom attached to a brand new TY Beanie Baby to add to my unending collection. My mom knew how to make me and my siblings feel like a million dollars, and I think we still secretly believe deep down inside that we're her favorite child.

Along with all of that, I know behind every stay-at-home mom is a very hardworking dad. My dad has always worked above and behind to give his kids all that they needed, and almost anything they wanted. He knows how to work hard and he definitely knows how to play hard, as his garage is chuck full of his favorite toys. My dad has always been a great example to me and my siblings.

For instance, my dad took the past years to volunteer on the local school board. He will be ending his term this July, and I look up to his example of serving our community. It's unfortunate that he won't be serving another term on the school board, as his business oriented mindset and skills have been a good asset to the difficult decisions our school district has to make due to lack of proper funding. He's tried to make a difference by letting his voice be heard, and I know that I have learned from his example. Your words and opinions don't mean anything unless you are prepared to support them with action. A few years ago, my dad had ideas about the future of our school district and instead of simply talking about it, he decided to run for the school board to actually try and make a difference. As the famous business man, Arnold Glasow, once said,"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied". Participating on the school board is a brave, time consuming decision, and my dad's voluntary service to School District 25 is well worth recognizing.

I'm so lucky, as I quickly prepare to be a parent myself, that I have such wonderful examples of parenting to look up to every day, including my equally as amazing parents-in-law. Baby Spice might have two real unprepared parents, but at least we know that Baby Spice will have exceptional grandmas and grandpas to fill in whatever Daniel and I will be lacking.