Pain With Help and Love

Since getting my pregnant the infection on my left foot was getting worse and worse. It was beginning to be incredibly painful to walk.  My podiatrist and I had made plans earlier in the year to treat the infection after baby Clara was born.  He was afraid it would be too much to handle while pregnant.  One day after work I had had enough. I called my doc and told him to schedule me for the procedure.  Of course I would have said no had baby Clara's life been in danger but she was so close to full term that he felt it would be OK to do.  Honestly I was limping so badly that I knew it would be dangerous to carry an infant up and down the stairs. Sometimes my left leg would go numb because of the pain! So although this has been very painful and difficult to endure while in my last month of pregnancy, overall I feel good about my decision.

Now I want to talk about how wonderful my husband Jon has been.  Those of you who know me are aware of what an incredibly attentive man I married. I mean, seriously I can write never ending sonnets about Jon's kindness. Since day one Jon has been amazing! I have to soak my foot in a gallon of Epson salt for 20 minutes twice a day and then I have to reapply fresh bandages to my wound. Of course the "I" here refers to Jon. Not only does he take care of my disgusting (I once peaked at my foot and almost threw up- instead I cried like a big baby!) foot but he scrubs it and cleans it and sometimes blows kisses at it in hopes it will heal quicker.

I am couch bound :( That has been the hardest part for me as the need to nest has taken over my body. I cry at times because I wish I could do so many things to prepare for Miss Clara's arrival.  So, in comes Jon who spent hours washing her clothes, cooking 3 MEALS A DAY for me, sanding things (more on that later!), going to the grocery store, cooking for the missionaries, organizing, cleaning our 2 bathrooms (ladies this is huge!), re-grouting our bathtub, and lots lots more. And the thing of it all, he is so incredibly patient! He only cracked once when I couldn't stop crying about how useless I was.  He gave me a stern look and told me I am doing the most important and hardest job right now which is providing a home inside my body for our little daughter.

My parents have also been an amazing support to me.  My father accepts all of my teary filled phone calls and uplifts me in a way that only a father can.  At one point he wanted to drive to Gainesville, load me up in his car and drive me to his house so he can watch over me.  I told him no (he was so serious!!) because Jon is taking care of all of my needs- I simply wanted to hear his strong comforting voice :) My mom has had her bags packed for days now until I give her word that she can come up to help.  I am finally at that point this week and she is coming! I warned her I am as good as a lump of potatoes but she said she would love to help clean and organize my home. My mom is the best cleaner in the world! She gets into this zone and by the end of it you're in awe at how clean she has left everything. It's one of her many talents in life!

One of my favorite breakfast items are crepes. One morning Jon took 2 hours to make me fresh crepes from scratch!