Ten Great Things About Pregnancy

After my nerve-wracked last blog I realize that there's been entirely too much worry and not enough joy this week. Meanwhile, despite the pre-baby jitters and now the summer heat (more on that in the next blog), life's pretty darned good and I'm grateful. Hence this supplemental blog on the things I've found pretty awesome about being pregnant. I doubt I'll ever be one of those women who exclaims, “I love being pregnant!”. This ride's been a bit of a rough one and I can't help but be realistic about that. Nevertheless, it's hard to deny that there are some pretty sweet upsides to this state of being.

1. The second trimester: Hallelujah! It’s almost true what they say – that you feel worlds better in the second trimester than you do in the first. I ALMOST feel at least one world better and that, honestly, is enough for me. I’m not greedy. I don’t need all the energy in the world. I just need enough to get through the day and Mother Nature has come through for me and I thank her for that. I only wish I had more than just a few weeks left of this "honeymoon period". I hear the third trimester is a doozy.

2. Fabulous Fingernails: It’s all the vitamins and supplements for sure but I’ve never had such healthy fingernails. Usually, I’ve got the paper thin variety that peel off at the slightest suggestion of pressure. To actually have nails these days I have to CUT is pretty cool - and a brilliant excuse to go get a manicure!

3. Special Treatment: Everyone loves a pregnant lady, or at least, everybody seems to love this one. I've really been touched by how family and friends have gone out of their way to treat me so sweetly, thoughtfully and tenderly. Some of my drinking buddies have even gone cold turkey with me in solidarity and that's really touching. While I admit I'm not looking forward to strangers wanting to touch my belly and other sorts of freaky things that people do when they are excited about a pregnant lady, being the pregnant lady who gets special attention is still pretty fun.:)

4. Ice Cream: Need I say more? I spent 35 years avoiding this stuff as not to get any fatter than I already was. A trip to Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone for a single scoop used to be like a minor holiday. Now, Johann and I debate for ten minutes in the frozen food aisle trying to pick the most ideal flavored half gallon for this week. When it’s time to take the baby weight off, I think we’re both going to go through withdrawal…

5. Exemplary Health: When you’re pregnant there’s a constant drum of guilt tripping over how uber concerned you need to be about your health. Some might look at this as being harassed but I see it as a golden opportunity to really focus on my health. In addition to all those vitamins I’m chugging daily, I’m also flossing regularly, doing my yoga and moving as much as I can. Green veggies are also back in my diet in full force. Yum! Sure, all this getting healthy has a purpose – to produce a healthy baby – but it also benefits me, too. Good health is also good for the soul and I'm grateful for this reminder to take care of myself at this stage - and every stage - of life.

6. No “Gut Guilt”: It used to be that I knew it was time to seriously get myself to the gym when my gut, the last part of my body that ever gets fat, started squeezing against the waistline of my pants. Nowadays, I have to admit that there is something incredibly freeing about busting out of my pants and not having to give a hoot about it. There’s a baby in there, after all, so getting a grande gut just comes with the territory. Waistline – and gym - be damned!

7. Spoiling as Necessity: I’m not much for spending money on myself. Ever since I started working freelance several years ago, my “indulgence” budget got cut to about $5 a month which usually goes to a well-frosted cupcake or a half-decent cocktail. But during pregnancy, indulgences such as new clothes, pedicures and even massages become downright necessities. Granted, I still go for the budget-conscious versions of these things because I just can’t bear the thought of paying full price for anything but there’s something wonderful about finally having a good excuse to spoil myself.

8. The Cheap Date: In all my life I never thought I’d ever say this and I certainly never thought I’d be proud of it but I've become a cheap date. With a distinct lack of alcohol in my pregnancy diet my bar tab no longer rivals my food tab at restaurants. As a result, going to all the hoity-toity, gourmet places I love so much is more justifiable when all I’m having is a $1.50 club soda with dinner. Fancy meals and no hang overs? I should have gone teetotaler years ago…

9. Justified Laziness: Much as I dream of being the queen of lounging I still sort of feel a certain obligation to be doing “something” around the house or work-wise in my free time. However, being pregnant and having things like swollen ankles offers an absolutely golden opportunity for laziness that simply must be taken advantage of. When else in my life am I going to be able to nap whenever I like or prop my feet up on a giant, puffy pillow like a diva? That's right - never. Never, ever. When it comes to laziness during pregnancy, ‘carpe diem’ is definitely the rule and I'm so all over it.

10. Marriage is Magical: Even during the most monstrous of morning sickness, my relationship with Johann has been more loving and meaningful than ever before. There is something magical about this time of preparing for and anticipating a baby that I wish I could bottle and capture forever. I will always remember this time and cherish my Johann for being as wonderful as he is to me - now and always.