Now that I have reached the halfway mark (or just over), I thought it was important to dedicate at least one blog to “enjoying the journey” that is pregnancy. That is, there are a lot of great things about the 40 weeks of growing a baby that should be celebrated. So, this week, I have compiled my list of the 10 things I will remember wistfully once Elwood has entered the world.
1) Having a secret – although we wished the time away, it was a pretty exciting feeling for Ash and I, having a secret that we couldn’t tell anyone else about. The feeling is even better though when you get to finally share the news with everyone and be on the receiving end of endless congratulations.
2) Naps - when the doctor confirms you are pregnant, I believe the diagnosis should come with an automatic prescription for a 30 minute nap, taken daily. At no other point in your life will napping feel so good, if only I could squeeze them in during work!
3) That rosy glow – probably more of a myth than anything, but at no other time in your life are you rewarded with such compliments. I’m not sure if I have really seen the “glow” in another person, but I do think all that happiness and anticipation has to show itself somehow, and that usually translates into people telling you how beautiful you are.
4) Food, food, food – this is the one time in my adult life when I have enjoyed just about every kind of food there is. And people are almost throwing it at me, convinced I need to eat for two. The best part is, if I make it through breastfeeding, the calories consumed alone during that process ensure I am still able to make my way through mounds of dark chocolate.
5) The anticipation – there’s nothing like trying to imagine what Elwood will look like, who she / he will grow up to be, and just how in God’s name it is going to get itself out of that tiny space in October.
6) Feeling special – everyone around me still seems awestruck by the idea there is a baby in my belly – it means they go out of their way to make me feel special, almost like it’s the first time it’s ever been done.
7) The shopping - new clothes for me, new clothes for baby, new furniture, new gadgets, new everything! The shopping is fantastic, unless that it is, you are married to someone like Ash who insists on spoiling the fun by being practical (BORING) most of the time.
8) Tiny hiccups and big kicks - there is simply no substitute for the wonder of feeling the baby move. Ultrasounds are amazing, don’t get me wrong but, it’s that first squirm in your belly that signals a bond between you and baby.
9) Being taken care of – being pregnant means you are led to the front of the line, the door is cheerily opened for you, and Ash can even be cajoled into bringing me a snack and rubbing my back. Isn’t this the way life should always be?
10) Having pregnancy as an excuse - forgetting where I parked? That’s OK — I’m pregnant. Need to walk slowly? That’s OK — I’m pregnant. Being 15 minutes late to work? Well, you get the idea; behaviour that raises eyebrows in “real life” seems universally excused for now.
This weekend we celebrated the impending arrival of Daniela’s little one with her baby shower. The afternoon was terrific and I made the most of it, with three slices of ricotta rice cake. Seems not such a great idea now, that it’s time for another belly shot – see if you can count the chins!
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