Pregnancy is quite the phenomenal thing, that clearly displays God and all of his creativity and intention for our lives. Experiencing it first hand has blown me away, I am fascinated to learn of the baby's progress each week! I always thought I'd have an easy pregnancy. One filled with luscious hair, the continuous "glow" and lots of energy. I planned to work out throughout my pregnancy to stay active, and because I had heard it helps with labor. Unfortunately, this was not the case for my pregnancy. Getting out of bed and getting dressed for the day, going to work or running errands became huge accomplishments. It's funny how quickly life changes!
Although the physical ups and downs of pregnancy were more than I was expecting, I wouldn't trade it! We found out we were pregnant at 3 weeks, something just felt off and we thought..."well maybe?", and we were! We were so excited and slightly shocked, we had just started trying and expected it to take a little while to become pregnant. Right from the start I felt exhausted, sick and food quickly became the enemy. I could not even go in the kitchen because the sights and smells of the food would bring on a slew of gagging. So un-ladylike! My husband would struggle not to laugh when my batch of gagging would start, sometimes for no apparent reason. I learned to always have mints or hard candy on hand so when I felt the gagging coming on I would quickly put one in my mouth. My choices of food that my body decided were acceptable dwindled down to: toast with butter or peanut butter, most fruit, apple sauce, and apple juice. It's amazing what growing another human being does to your body!
I am so thankful that I was never sick to my stomach, and that it was only that most food was repulsive. I spent most days (when not working) on the couch fighting nausea , just getting dressed for the day was a huge accomplishment. The second trimester that people promise will be the one where you bounce back and feel like yourself again, never really happened. Thankfully I was able to eat mostly like a normal person again, but energy was still avoiding me. The third trimester has come along with intermittent spurts of energy and a ever growing belly! I am still exhausted most days, but almost feel like I have had more energy than the second trimester.
While being pregnant and working at a place that involves children, parents, and especially mothers has been really fun! I am learning that pregnancy certainly bonds you together and is a great conversation starter. From advice, funny stories, product recommendations and guessing to what they think I am having; have made my work days more entertaining. It seems everyone has a different method to "predict" the gender of a baby (carrying high, low, big, front only, egg shaped, basketball shaped, leg hair growth...). So here are the predictions people think I am having a boy because it's basketball shaped, or maybe it's a girl because a lady said since I am all front and belly. So it's settled it's a boy...or girl! Time will tell! :)
The comments from children have been the most entertaining. From enduring to hilarious comments from the honest mouths of babes has made my love for children grow even more. Some of my favorite quotes are:
-"why is your belly so fat?"
-"what's in there?" (pointing to my belly)
-"you're having a baby!" as the little boy quickly runs by me and pats my ever-growing belling
-"is there a baby in your belly?" "yes there is!" "awwwwwe cute" (said by a 3 year old little girl).
These are the little things in life that make an exhausting pregnancy so entertaining and a privilege to be apart of. My time being pregnant with this little (or not so little) one is coming to a close and part of me is getting a little emotional about it. Being pregnant is such an amazing experience, feeling life grow inside you! This baby is still very active, despite running out of room! The kicks, punches and movements are becoming slightly painful, but they still make my heart swell. Pretty soon life will always be measured as "after baby". We are trying to savor our last few weeks of just the two of us. Our freedom and alone time is about to be interrupted by this tiny being, but we are ready for it!
The miracle and gift of life has not been lost on us, and we feel honored to be this baby's parents! Here is a picture of our growing family! I'm 32.5 weeks, and yes I know my bump is huge! But I am totally okay with it (as is my doctor), and no its not twins (regardless of what my mother in law tells you ;) ).
