Pondering A "New Normal"

Although another "new normal" is just around the corner, (I'm 29 weeks along today... wow) the current "new normal" has been surprisingly interesting. I am used to rising at 5 (at least attempting to) and heading to school around 6:45 to return home again between 5-6 perhaps. The school season meant rushing home to a quick dinner, MAYBE dishes, some grading, reading for school, laundry or whatnot, talking to Dustin or running an errand together, maybe home group, and then hitting the hay. My days of teaching were pretty full. I have been surprised that there are some of those things that I miss, but overall, I've really enjoyed being home. I tutor 2 days a week, and tutoring kind of "scratches the itch" I may have for teaching. And, it's good money and flexible. :) Overall though, I've enjoyed this big change of life/season. But with it, I find myself thinking a lot. Maybe too much sometimes. Lots of introspection. Lots of time. Some questions (below...)

Dustin has a "new normal" now too, going from the seminary life to being Mr. Butts, high school Geometry/Algebra teacher. He's a busy guy, that one. He's enjoying his classes so far though! I'm really trying to figure out how to best help him, especially since I have the time to do so. I'm trying to be a better iron-er, lunch make-er, e-mail encourager and help with things like finances or even grading. And, sometimes I feel like I'm just waiting for that "nesting" instinct to kick in. I mean, I want to clean sometimes, but nothing like what you hear about pregnant women doing. Ha! Either I'm just lazy or it hasn't kicked in yet. So, I'm hoping to get organized and get some projects going.

What does it mean to prepare for your first baby, I wonder? Does it mean cleaning everything spic and span? (It's hard for me to want to scrub floors or tubs with my new belly, but I guess that's what we pregnant women are supposed to do pre-baby? Kick in, oh nesting instinct!) Does it mean stocking your freezer and pantry? Does it mean reading a lot of books? Always hanging out with people? Addressing your Christmas cards months early?

I wonder if it's kind of like a wedding. You can get so distracted with planning the wedding, you forget you are stepping into a marriage. Similarly, you can get so distracted with baby, you can forget you are stepping into a ministry - namely, motherhood! So, I'd like to prepare for the latter and not lose sight of that in all of the hustle and bustle (or sometimes in the quiet solitude) of all of the other things.

So, what do I do to get ready to be a mom? To parent? To discipline? To sacrifice? To share? To be home? To be sleepless? Stretched? To love well? To not neglect Dustin even though the baby requires so much attention? Maybe I'm thinking too hard. :)

I guess my big question is... and I'm not sure who I'm asking it to. What does this season look like pre-baby? Especially with your first baby, when your hands aren't full with other kiddos. I know certain tasks I need and want to do each week - whether it's schedule a few things with friends, some hospitality, laundry, some chores, some house things, some church things, ministry to others. But, what else can I do with this huge chunk of time? I could schedule to do so much that I miss a special season to grow spiritually or prepare practically. I could schedule to do so little that I grow selfish with my time, lazy, etc. I guess it's all about balance once again...

Any suggestions are welcome! :)