the excitement of firsts

This morning during my morning swim, I was doing some thinking. My swim time is normally the time when I work a lot of things out. My plan for the day, ideas for my department, prayer, conversations I need to have or should have had are all worked out during my mile swim through the pool. This morning was a little different though. I was thinking about the fact that I am eight months pregnant for the first time. Also, for the first time, I am starting to get really tired from regular activities. As my pace started to slow down, I tried to thinks of things that are are firsts that are full of excitement and energy to help me get through the workout.

I started to think about:

The electricity of a first kiss...You know the way someones lips feel when then press against yours the first time. ELECTRIC.

The thrill of putting the car into drive for the first time when you first got your driver's license. Should you turn on the radio? No one will know how loud it is right?

The last 25 meters of a championship race when you are finger to finger with the girl in the lane next to you and you touch the wall first.

The accomplished feeling you have after you conquer something difficult.

Travelling alone to a foreign country for the first time. No language skills required.

The euphoria you feel when the person who you have fallen in love with, but haven't told yet, says they love you too. (I had to swallow a lump just thinking about that.)

The awesome feeling you get when you see the positive sign on a pregnancy test. You know, the butterflies, the tears, the fear, the excitement, all at once.

The first time you see your tiny miracle.

The first time you hear your child's heartbeat.

Every time you hear your child's heartbeat.

The first time you realize the tickle in your tummy is really a tiny foot or a tiny hand making their presence known.

The first time you see your tummy move and wiggle.

So many wonderful firsts. So many wonderful feelings. I wanted to write them all down to remind my self how I felt when each one of them happened. Also, to remind myself that every time I experience something not so pleasant for the first time, (which, I really have not had that much of), that there is one major first still on its way.

Holding your newborn, pink, created out of love, brand new and so innocent, baby for the very first time. (BIG GULP)

I bet it tops it all! That is enough excitement to keep me dragging this heavier by the day belly through the water for seven more weeks!