I wish you could meet this lady.
She answered a bunch of questions and gave me a bunch of materials to read over.
I walked away feeling so encouraged and glad to be a mom.
But I have to share our hard conversation:
After all the other business, before we listened to Fünf's heartbeat, Nell said, "I want to talk to you about nutrition. [DUN dun dun]
I'll spare you the details of the conversation, but Nell very kindly told me that I have to stop eating sugar.
For those of you who don't know my eating habits, I eat plenty of vegetables, plenty of protein, and PLENTY of sweets. And since sweets are habitually part of my life, I feel like the meal isn't complete without a scoop of ice cream or a chunk of brownie.
As you can imagine, this is knocking the wind out of my sails today. (Not to mention, I was supposed to have an ultrasound to learn if Fünf is a girl or boy today; but due to a scheduling snaffoo, I am still ignorant. Next Tuesday, hopefully.)
After pouting for several minutes on my way home, I suppose I started to realize that this is just part of being a mom. Moms give up their wants for their babies. The reality is, I want Fünf to be healthy. And what happens in the womb effects a person for LIFE. Mamas with high glucose levels set their babies on a path to adult obesity and diabetes. I don't want that for Fünf.
And I suppose it is our Creator's kindness that eases us into motherhood. I mean, I know I am a mama now. Every step of the way is a chance to choose selfishness or choose love--before I even meet this little one. That is true of so many relationships: friends, spouses, children. In learning to love, we learn to die to ourselves.
Perhaps if we aren't willing to give up something for ourselves, we will for another. I've toyed with the idea of giving up sweets for a few years, but never done it. But I will for Fünf. Maybe this is one reason why God brings husbands and babies into our lives--not to squoosh ME out of myself, but to give more room to grow into who I was meant to be.
Here's my new daily nutritional goal:
6 vegetables (3 green/ 3 other color)
3 fruits
60 g of protein
3 lean calcium sources
64 oz. of water
I'll let you know how it goes. If you have any great recipes you want to share, feel free. What hurdles have you leapt lately? I mean, this is doable, right? Tell me your stories. It helps me.
Here's to all our healths!
