2008: What a Ride

My life has changed dramatically in 2008. And that is probably an understatement! I don't process change well.
Life Changing Event #1: Mom moves back
My mother lived in Arkansas for about 5 years. She moved back in 2007. I, who was living with my dad and step-mom, moves into an apartment with her. I missed her a lot. It is hard to live so far from your parents.
Life Changing Event #2: Change of Employment
Potbelly was great for a college job. Flexible hours, great co workers, great music, awesome food (that I ate for almost 5 years!) But because of Life Changing Event #3, I needed a more stable job with benefits! My friend, Aliya, told me about her job at a credit union, working in the call center. Monday through Friday, 9-5. I couldnt ask for anything more stable! Plus FULL BENEFITS!!! Whoo Hoo!!! I'm in! I changed carrers in January of 2008.
Life Changing Event #3: Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a life changing experience for anyone, anyway. But for a single, 24 year old girl who still lives with her parents, it is down right scary! Definitely not planned, the end of 2007 was a time for decision making. What the heck am I doing? Am I ready for this? What are my options/non-options? When/how do I tell him?...but all of that (well, most of that) went away on Christmas night 2007. That was the first time I felt the baby. At that moment I realized what was happening to me. I was carrying a child. Sorry guys, but this is one feeling that you will never be able to experience. That feeling makes you realize that God is using you for something that is so much bigger than yourself.
So I watched myself grow day by day. It is amazing that women's bodies are capable of changing to such a degree in such a short amount of time. I was in awe of my belly. I was a fairly tiny girl, so to see a ball emerge from a once flat tummy was incredible. Not only the belly grew but the fingers, face, nose, legs, feet, ankles...everything. It's not all pretty and glorious, but most of it is! :)
By the time June came around, I was ready to have this baby. I was (I thought) mentally and physically prepared. I had everything I needed: Diapers, crib, (lots of) clothes, blankets. I just needed her. At my last "official" doctor's appointment, my doctor checked me out. Really she just looked at me, and asked "Want to have this baby today?" I laughed, "Yeah!" "No. I mean it. You are looking...big (meaning my face). I'm going to call over to the hospital and have them set up a room for you." My mouth just dropped. I couldn't believe what she had just said. On my way home to pack my bag, I called everyone who needed to know at that moment: my mom, Jeremy, the rest of my family, my friend Meghann, who has just delivered twins three days before and still in the hospital herself...
Lily Alexandra was born on June 10, 2008 at 6:20pm. A short, fairly easy labor for a gorgeous baby girl. She was and is perfect. You always hear new parents say this, but she didn't do anything except cry and open her eyes and I fell in love with her.
Don't get me wrong. All of this change still hasn't quite hit me yet. Lily especially. It still almost feels like I'm babysitting, but the parents left her with me and forgot to pick her up. This parenthood thing is a very surreal experience, but I would never change it for anything. I don't encourage single, 24 year olds who still live with their parents to become pregnant, but I am becoming an adult, a woman, a mother. I've become someone who is ready. Ready for anything. Ready to take on the world with one arm open! The other arm, of course, is holding my daughter.
Life Changing Event #4: Relationships
Well, this one I'm still trying to figure out. I'm sure there will be more about this section! :)