"Preparing for Change"

Ashley sat on the couch, surrounded by balloons and streamers, as she watched her friends and family mingle and chat at the baby shower. It was hard to believe that she was already 28 weeks pregnant, and that in just a few short months, she would be holding her new baby in her arms. But as she glanced over at Alex, who was sitting at the table, looking restless and fidgety, she couldn't help but feel a sense of concern. The baby on the way was definitely affecting him, Ashley thought. He had been acting out more and more, and she wasn't sure how he would manage when he started school next week. She had tried to talk to him about it, to reassure him that everything would be okay, but she could tell that he was scared. And to make matters worse, Avan had been home for two weeks now, but he was still working daily, leaving Ashley to deal with the stress and anxiety of preparing for the new baby on her own. Ashley took a deep breath and stood up, trying to shake off the feeling of overwhelm that was washing over her. She needed to focus on the present moment, and enjoy the celebration that her friends and family had planned for her. She made her way over to the table where the gifts were laid out, and began to unwrap them, feeling grateful for the love and support that surrounded her. As she opened gift after gift, Ashley couldn't help but think about how much her life was about to change. She was excited to meet her new baby, but she was also nervous about how Alex would adjust to being a big brother, and how she would manage to balance work and motherhood. But for now, she just wanted to enjoy the moment, and soak up the joy and excitement of the people around her. Sarah, the woman who had helped calm Alex down at the cafe a few weeks ago, walked up to Ashley and handed her a small, beautifully wrapped gift. "I hope you like it," she said, smiling. "I wanted to get you something special." Ashley unwrapped the gift to find a beautiful silver necklace with a small charm in the shape of a baby block. She gasped in delight, and hugged Sarah tightly. "It's perfect," she said, feeling a sense of gratitude towards this kind stranger who had become a friend. As the afternoon wore on, Ashley's anxiety about the future began to fade, replaced by a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but she also knew that she wasn't alone. She had a supportive community of friends and family, and she was determined to face whatever came next with courage and confidence.