How Pregnancy Has Changed Me...
1.) I've learned that I cannot control everything.
Those who know me well know that I am a total control freak. These past few months have taught me that I have very little control over this entire process. To a certain extent, I was unable to control when I actually got pregnant - especially after 2.5 years of trying. This also includes my body. Sure, I can stay active and eat healthy and all that jazz, but I cannot control the fact that my body is going to grow and change.
2.) Speaking of my body, I've learned that the human body is pretty incredible.
I think it's crazy that so many people are shocked to find out that I am still running and working out 5-6 days / week (People! THE DOCTOR SAID IT'S FINE - AND RECOMMENDED! It's 2013, not 1813...). But the human body is so much stronger than we think. I once read that as a society, we tend to view the body as an instrument that is just meant to break down, like a car. Why don't we celebrate it's accomplishments instead?
In addition to my fitness, I positively LOVE that I can feel this little girl move around inside of me. It's so surreal, and it never gets old, no matter how many times/day she kicks me.
3.) I've learned that everyone has their own "pregnancy personality".
Just like all of the other major milestones in life, everyone's situation is different. When it comes to pregnancy, some women are very "by the book" - they've read all of the said baby books and follow each piece of advice religiously. Some women don't follow any advice at all, and some women find a healthy balance. I like to think I am somewhere in the middle. I stick to all of the advice given to me by my doctor, but if I drink coffee every now and then, I am not going to berate myself for it.
On a related note: I've learned to stay off the internet. If I ever have a question, I call my doctor instead. I feel like 90% of pregnancy is simple common sense.
4.) I've learned that this process will only bring my husband and I closer together.
Don't get me wrong - Mike and I were in a very happy place before we got pregnant, despite the frustrations we felt with the process. But I have to say that this pregnancy has only strengthened our marriage. We're so excited to start our little family, and I am DYING to see him as a father. I just know that our little girl is going to have him wrapped around her little finger - and he knows it, too:)
5.) I've learned that once this little lady is here, I will never be the same again. But, I won't lose myself either.
I cannot tell you how many mothers have told me how drastically my life will change. And please understand that I absolutely WELCOME this change. I know my priorities will change drastically, and I know that the things I have time for now will more than likely fall by the wayside. I GET THAT. However, I'm still ME. I am still Meghan. I will still love the same things. And if something is important to me, I will make time for it, as best as I can. I think a lot of people hold true to the mentality that "Once you have kids, your life is over." I like to think that it's just getting better:)
So yeah. That's where I'm at with this incredibly journey so far. Thanks for reading. Anything you'd care to add???
I hate it when people say your life is over. It's not over, but it definitely changes drastically. Priorities certainly change. You start living your life for someone else. But it's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I used to hate the "you just don't understand how much life is going to change" talks I'd get from friends. Truth be told, I didn't. I knew it would change, but I really didn't understand how. How can you though, when you've never been through it, right? All you can do is sit back, embrace the change, and enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're in a good place, having a baby doesn't have to change who YOU are at the core. It's important to continue to do things that fulfill you outside of motherhood. I had a hard time understanding that, but I've found that doing things that make me feel more like me, instead of just like Braden and Mackenzie's mom, makes me happy, which in turn makes me a better mom.
I absolutely love this. I'm like you, somewhere in the middle when it comes to the pregnancy personality. I listen to my doctor and I've read up on things but if I want a cup of coffee or a small bit of Dr Pepper to help with a headache, I'm going to have it! I can't wait for our little man to be here. Life will be different but I also think that it will be that much more amazing!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post and I loved seeing your cute bump :)
ReplyDeleteAww, I love this. I just can't express how happy I am for you guys that you're expecting. I just know y'all will be the most awesome set of parents!
ReplyDeleteI would be HORRIBLE about looking stuff up on the internet. I do that already every time I feel sick or in pain and somehow it always ends up with me thinking I'm dying. So not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteP.S. What do you 'Give A Cup' about? Come tell me and enter my Peet's Coffee Giveaway!
I love this post! I don't have any kids yet, but I can't wait to welcome them one day! I hate when everyone acts like your life is going to be ruined once you have kids! Oh and way to go on working out...I agree, the body is an amazing and resilient creation and can take so much more than we give it credit for.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with all of these things!!
ReplyDeleteThis was so exciting to read and I'm pumped to read all of your pregnancy updates because I definitely think you're being real and honest and true to who you are and I love that your blog isn't turning into an "only about my kid or pregnancy" thing, but you talk about it as part of your life, not your whole life! Can't wait to see y'all as parents! I'm excited to be on this journey with you via blogging! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not even close to pregnant and my family has told me it will probably "mellow me out," hint much? Lol
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It really is such a personal experience and a very cool journey, no matter how it changes you (or doesn't!). I especially agree with your last point, and I think that's very important. I think a lot of moms get so caught up in their kids that they do lose themselves, and I totally get how that can happen. I feel like I still struggle with finding a good way to balance "Me-Me" with "Mom-Me," and it's possible I always will. But it's something that is important to me to figure out. I think one of the greatest examples we can set for our girls is to have our own life, interests, hobbies and passions in addition to just being "mom", so they have a well-balanced (and frankly, SANE) woman to look up to. :) You're going to be such a great mama to your baby girl!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! And I can totally relate. So true about the different pregnancy personalities. I like to think I'm somewhere in between, too... It's all about common sense and what feels right for you and your body!
ReplyDeleteYour little lady is a lucky one!
I like this post! The little comic cracks me up :) I didn't have a baby, but I did just all of a sudden have a kid. When we first got married, I totally lost myself in M&M. Did everything they wanted. Made no time for myself. And after a year or so, I was just beat and grumpy. I had lost myself. I was a LOT happier when I started doing things for myself again. It IS possible to be a good wife and mama and still have a life!
ReplyDeleteYou are allowed to remark on the things that happen during pregnancy. It is amazing and something to be enjoyed since you only get to experience it rarely! Having had a child, I know that pregnancy is such an experience, and women love to share their stories about it. And, we are drawn to those stories of others as well. Once that baby is born, it will be a whole new bag of experiences!
ReplyDeleteSuch a heart-warming entry! I am still years away from babies (and finally finishing grad school, argh.) but I hope if I ever am in the same situation as you to handle it with as much grace and charm as you do ! Also I am not pregnant and wish I exercised 1/6 as much as you do! just saying.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. IT made me excited for the day that I get pregnant
ReplyDeleteI think the people who are shocked you are running are probably like I was during pregnancy. I wasn't able to do anything for more than 20 minutes without getting extreme back pain. It sucked. I thought ok, let's walk around the mall. WRONG IDEA! I was in so much pain afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI love how balanced you are :) it seems so American to drop everything and put the child first.. But what happens to the relationship with your spouse or yourself? The people at work complain about their kids, their marriages and makes me sad for them that they've let their lives get like that. I LOVE the last sentence of this post- you will make time for things that are important, and that your life is going to change for the better with your new addition. Can't agree with you more!
ReplyDeleteI liked reading this and I can see how I relate to some of these as well. I think the last point is an important one. When my husband and I first started dating (and then got married), we made sure that we didn't lose who we were when we became a couple. I think the same will apply to the baby (although in a much different sense, of course). It is important to still be true to yourself and who you are even though things around you may have changed. Love following your journey so far. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of you wrote...it's like as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I felt like I changed (although not noticeable to anyone from the outside except for my growing belly!) I truly am amazed how our body handles pregnancy and I'm so surprised I'm still running and working out as well as I am at 29+ weeks! I think a lot of people could do it, they just use pregnancy as an excuse to take it easy and eat whatever they want for 9 months.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks that people are bothered by you working out while pregnant, but you seem to be taking the criticism well :) Our bodies can do all kinds of amazing things, it is just society gives us the green light to sit and eat cupcakes for 9 months so many take advantage of that.
ReplyDeleteI love #5!
What I learned the most while being pregnant was that people are incredibly judgmental. About everything. For example, the people who think you shouldn't work out and criticize you for it. But then, on the other side, you have the people who criticize women who "take it easy" and don't work out and who gain a ton of weight. And then the cloth diaper and breast feeding gestapo and the co-sleeping vs. crying it out. It never ends. And people are mean. And I had no idea and it really shocked me. And it still shocks me. But becoming a mom made me stronger in a sense and I am *mostly* confident that i am raising my son well - so it's easier to ignore the whispering voices.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't find that my life changed drastically after having a baby. I have found it challenging to continue a lot of my hobbies, but definitely not impossible. I would never say that my life is over now that I have a baby. I feel like Evan has enriched my life so much and made everything so much more fun. I just don't clean the bathrooms that much anymore. :-)
I'm also a control freak. I'm sure 2.5 years of trying taught you that you can't control everything. You won't be able to control the birth or the baby or your hubby. I think the most important thing about being pregnant is to enjoy it and not complain. You are doing a great job of that! Try not to wish her out early. I made the mistake of thinking contractions and being dilated meant he was coming early. I was miserable the last 19 days. I wish I had enjoyed that time.
ReplyDeleteBeing a control freak might make keeping your me time to yourself tough. Let mike put her to sleep. Give her bottles every once in awhile. Let her stay with your parents or in laws. Then you can get away for a few hours or a day or overnight. We still haven't left Chase overnight. I'm ok with it but if you want those things you have to kinda work at it. You are going to love her more than you can imagine. It is a scary obsession over every breath. It's hard to trust other people with something so precious.
love your honesty meghan. you are going to be an amazing mom and i can't wait to see the first pic of your daughter :)
ReplyDeleteI am SO excited for you and the things that are coming for you!
ReplyDeleteYou have a great mentality about it, no doubt things will change but for the better for the most part. You are still going to be Meghan and like you said, if it is important to you then you will do your best to be there/do it, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to be a great mom!
(And yes, it is 2013 not 1813!!)