I wrote this post last week and then I had a hard time hitting publish. Weird, because I don’t struggle with that toooo much any more. Megan from Velveteen Mind wrote this and I thought it was fabulous and it gave me a little shot of courage to post on the same topic from a different perspective.
Go and get your rotten eggs and tomatoes. I’ll wait.
The last two months of pregnancy are almost pure joy for me. (Ouch, underhand throws, please.)
In some ways, it is harder to type that than it is to write about the sad times, miscarriage, fear and heartache.
Most people I meet these days open conversations with commiseration. You’re almost there. You must be so uncomfortable. I hated the end, couldn’t wait for it to be over.
I nod. Of course, I can nod, I can identify. It’s harder to sleep, I always have to pee, a weird pain shoots down my inner thigh and causes my leg to collapse a little every time the baby moves its head.
There’s a certain level of bonding that goes on around the difficulty of pregnancy. It’s not hard to write about that. Feeling uncomfortable, hating the changes in your body, disconnecting with your partner, nervousness or worry, downright terror. What if I don’t love as much? What if something goes wrong and I get sent plunging down that crashing waterfall of grief into the churning, life-changing, drowning waters at the bottom. We all understandably flock to these admissions to comfort and support, to provide the strength of solidarity.
Often, the joy is gently mocked. As in, I could choke that rosy, gently-glowing, perfectly pregnant bitch. Or, anyone who says they love this is lying.
It feels unaccountably awkward and almost wrong – gauche, insensitive – to say the opposite, which is telling you the truth.
I love the end of pregnancy. (Was that a rotten tomato?) The first three months are pure hell, but the last two months are my favorite time. I love how I feel. I love how I look. (Ducking!) I have so much energy and I am so happy and easy and purposeful, so full of life, mentally and literally.
I’m not all that uncomfortable. It’s straight up genetics and luck, but there it is, I don’t gain a lot of weight. My long torso allows the baby to grow without squashing my lungs overly much. I sleep, for the most part, when I’m not stressing over something ridiculous, which is honestly common for me, pregnant or not. I adore the way my body fills out my maternity shirts at the end, how they all fit tightly over my full moon figure.
People make sympathetic faces and cluck about the heat and being so large in the summer. I am never hot. Nothing makes me happier than when our unairconditioned upstairs is 77 degrees and all the windows are open and the ceiling fans are on and I take a cool shower just before bed so that my drying hair will cool me as I lay there, barely dressed and uncovered. Those are my favorite nights.
Matt and I giggle. He likes my body this way. We have fun. A lot of fun. Too circumspect? (Close your eyes, Dad, turn away, Uncle Ryan.) It’s the best damn sex I’ve ever had and we make like rabbits the last two months. If that is actually true about rabbits? We’ll go with it here for example purposes. I think it’s nature’s compensation because by thirty-eight weeks I usually have a soft, ripe cervix and a couple of centimeters dilation, which, they say (although they are probably all male) can be a side effect of sex.
It makes me blush and duck my head (not the sex, loving pregnancy) because in my late twenties and early thirties I was THAT one. The one that never wanted kids. The one that couldn’t do that to my body, wouldn’t give up my freedom and my career and my choices.
What can I say? And why can’t I say it? Part of me is embarrassed by my personal about face, part of me doesn’t want to hurt someone else, unknowingly, ever. I don’t want someone to visit here interested in adoption, or transracial families, or who just had a miscarriage, or had a terrifying pregnancy that consisted of bed rest and prayers and think that I caused them pain.
I know it can be hard. I know it can be frightening. I know it can be the furthest thing in the world from fun.
For me, in the final countdown, it is joyful anticipation. I want to say that aloud. I want this baby and my other babies to know how I felt, how I rejoiced in them in me. I am sad only to know that this is the final time. It is. I realize we have contributed adequately to the world’s explosive population and I can not, under any circumstances, move up to a full conversion van. I have my pride and no sex is that good.
I think that ought to be all right to say; it shouldn’t belittle or lessen the words or experiences of anyone who struggles in this time or faces grief. There is room for many stories in this world and I think that people can identify with all of the various threads in this common experience.
So, the truth is, if I didn’t want to meet this little love so badly, I might wish to go full term just to prolong the happiness and live it a little longer.
(It’s all right, I’m done gushing, you can all stop gagging now.)
Hold on, as long as I’m being all gushy. You’re funny, mom.
Really funny.
See ya.
I, too, loved being pregnant… even at the end! However, I might throw a tomato at you since you look so much better than any of us can reasonably hope to look at 38 weeks.
Sorry that I missed you this weekend… we left early on Sunday. Next year for sure: third time will be the charm! :)
xoxo
maybe it's the well (or self-confident? comfortable with oneself?) b/f pregnancy woman who can feel so alive and beautiful and wonderful the last two months of pregnancy?
nothing against anyone else – i'm sure many, many confident, comfortable, beautiful women felt hideous during pregnancy. i'm just saying – maybe your overall ok-ness overcomes those hormone-induced lies some of us preggers feel, especially there at the end.
Merideth – It could be, and I want you to know I am not negating any of those feelings. I have my own struggles with body image and I know it's not fun. I seem to get a break from the voices in my head during pregnancy, oddly.
I'll admit it…I loved it too. Yes, I suffered from the usual pregnancy complaints – heartburn, foot-in-the-ribs, short of breath, can't see my own shoes kind of stuff. Despite all of that, I loved every minute of it. I loved my body. My husband loved my body. I loved feeling the baby move, and I knew they were safe and warm and secure in there. I went through a bit of a mild funk after I had my last baby (almost 2 years ago now!!!) because I knew he would be my last and I would never again have that round perfect belly.
Enjoy every minute of it!!!
This post is beautiful.
I loved being pregnant too, partly because I had easy pregnancies in the second half. (Once the morning sickness and sciatica went away, which for me were all in the first 4 months or so.) The blessing of being long-waisted, though it's nearly impossible to find normal shirts that don't make you look like you're trying to be a teenager flashing belly skin, is that there's lots of room in there for a pregnancy–and for that I was very grateful. I have been intermittently longing for a third child, and even mourning that my husband doesn't want another, and I do realize periodically that part of what I want is that magical feeling of being pregnant again. That tautness and those kicks, the sense of strength, the magic of growing another human.
I hope you revel in these months and enjoy them. They are precious, and you should not feel guilty for loving these feelings. It's true that it's hard to know what to say sometimes for fear of inadvertently being insensitive, but you are so careful and measured here that I feel like I just want to hug you and whisper, Be gleeful! Everyone should find such joy at some moment in her life.
I think it's great that you enjoy your pregnancies so much. Anyone who would throw anything (even metaphorically) at you would strike me as merely jealous.
As always, I love the pictures of the kids; I love seeing them laugh and look so sweet. :-)
Wow. I cannot relate to this in any way :-) Regrettably, I admit. But I'm so happy for you that you feel good and – of course – you look beautiful. What a lucky woman!!
I also love being pregnant, and for all the same reasons you've so clearly and delicately stated, I also am hesitant to express just *how* much I love being pregnant. I have m/s and sciatica and back pain and aches, but I also have movement within and hopes and dreams and wishes and abundance and yes, good sex, too (good to know I'm not the only one!). Cherish it and love it and don't apologize for doing so. It is good to read this because it reaffirms that good pregnancies can and do happen.
Good for you. It's so nice to hear a woman say that.
I absolutely loved being pregnant…all four times. Yes, even when I was 17 and scared. Even when I was 36 and puking. I'd do it again in a heart beat if I thought I could get away with it. :-)
I'm very, very happy for you that you can treasure this special time.
Can't throw my tomato, you are just too dam cute. I think everyone is different. Mine is second trimster. Best time of my life, all three times. Best sex ever. Could eat anything and felt amazing. It's good to have hat few months, no matter when it is.
If you love this time of pregnancy, you shouldn't be afraid to say it. Screw em, if they can't handle it.
Never apologize for happiness. Take it when and where you can get it and squeal like a three year old just discovering wet sand between his toes.
I don't think you should ever be worried about hitting the publish button.
I'm only jealous of the awesome sex. I totally wanted the opposite of awesome sex… well, not bad sex, I surely didn't want that, I just didn't want to be touched. In any of my pregnancies. My poor, poor husband.
"I realize we have contributed adequately to the world's explosive population and I can not, under any circumstances, move up to a full conversion van. I have my pride and no sex is that good."
Mad good writing, girl. And I hated every damn minute of pregnancy but I still love this post.
I am so jealous- that sex is so wonderful for you at the end. Yo go on with your bad self- lucky Matt!!!! Overall, I loved being pregnant too. The end result outweighed whatever aches and pains I encountered along the way.
I hated being pregnant – the worry over the child's health, the aches and pains, the blah blah blah, but now that my kids are here and healthy, I would gladly do it again, several times.
No tomatoes!
This really is the best parenting blog.
Hands down.
I certainly won't be throwing any tomatoes: I LOVED being pregnant. I LOVED giving birth. If it weren't physically impossible because of medical reasons, I'd give birth over and over and over again, just for the sheer joy of it.
Enjoy these last weeks!
I am so with you. I love the end of pregnancy. I hate the first trimester and can't wait for it to get over quickly enough, but I love this part where I feel the baby move and stretch and grow, where I'm just round and full of life. It's lovely.
And you, you are so lovely. Those pictures are beautiful. I'm so glad you find joy in these last few weeks.
Oh I love this post – It is wonderful to embrace an experience and enjoy it!
I didn't mind being pregnant, I had an easy time, so no tomatoes in my hand.
No tomatoes from me, I'm more than happy to hear from someone who is actually living the myth! Because all you hear while you're pregnant is other people's pregnancy horror stories. And mine, the last two months were a horror story too.
So, keep on admitting the happiness. Because frankly it gives me hope for the NEXT one.
The last couple of months for me were always so cumbersome…I also fault genetics and my compact torso. But there's no shame in proclaiming your joy and surprisingly comfortable physical state. Especially if this is your last pregnancy. I almost wish I'd enjoyed mine a little more. Nothing compares to those flutters and prods from inside. Now the grinding on the bladder I could've lived without. ;)
A beautiful post.
I hated every one of my pregnancies, but I don't think I had considered that saying so might make women feel that they could not talk about their own happiness. Thanks for opening my eyes.
I feel the same way. No rotten tomatoes from me :)
I'm actually looking forward to those last couple of months (I hope that this time is like the last time because it's my last pregnancy too…)
I was one of those women, too. In fact, on Mister Man's due date, my doctor wanted to do a video interview of me to show other pregnant ladies. I LOVED being pregnant. I'd actually surrogate if a friend needed it… but my family is big enough.
No tomatoes here!
I'm not sure what this says about me, but I can relate to both this post and to Megan's. I LOVED being pregnant both times and would do it again if newborns didn't also come with sleep deprivation and crying and more sleep deprivation. Being pregnant though? Some of the happiest times of my life. Even the first few months.
Great post.
You crack me up expecting people to throw rotten tomatoes. I loved the end of pregnancy too since I could eat what I wanted and it was ok to be HUGE but I hated not being able to get up off of the couch without grunting and the fact that my toddler could outrun me.
This post is so beautiful and so you. I am happy that you are sharing your happiness with us, your comfort and your fantastic sex life (to the left a bit, please). Yes, of course I'm going to tease you forever, because I'm 12. Which is only 2 years older than my daughter.
Anyway, I also read Meg's post and loved it and think that as a community, we need to celebrate as much as we can. And you've certainly given us reason to do so.
I think that's wonderful. It's women like you who make me understand why some women can be surrogates.
I thought I would love being pregnant, thought I was built for it, always knew I wanted to be a mom, but was incredibly uncomfortable.
Gained 60 pounds with both boys, while eating healthy, lost it with both, (well nearly the second time.) Most of it turned out to be water weight.
I applaud anyone who is happy and comfortable while pregnant, as I think we all so want it to be a beautiful magical experience.
Brava!
when we look at things positively … we often see more positive things.
i think it's wonderful that you shared your positives … maybe someone will take that and remember it and look for more positives in their lives too.
"Part of me is embarrassed by my personal about face, part of me doesn't want to hurt someone else, unknowingly, ever. I don't want someone to visit here interested in adoption, or transracial families, or who just had a miscarriage…"
No, please don't be. As someone in that category, I felt nothing but joy for you reading this – it is such a *blessing* to read that some of the the fear can dissipate by the third trimester, that there is, at least for one person, beauty and the joy in the impending delivery of a child…there is nothing I'd rather be right now than puking my guts out again, but there is nothing to be embarrassed about in sharing the joy of a happy, healthy pregnancy. Thank you for hitting publish!
It warms my heart seeing photos of you so happy with your kids as well as hearing how happy you are to be pregnant. A wee bit jealous of you too… maybe more.
I wish I loved being pregnant this time… I thought I'd love it as much as I did during my 2nd pregnancy (where I walked into the hospital at 40 weeks and 2 days all dolled up and in my high heeled shoes STILL smiling). Sadly, the last few months were the WORST ever… and I couldn't WAIT to get this little person out of me. I was in more pain and was so neurotic about everything that I just couldn't enjoy it. Serious bummer as it was my very last pregnancy ever.
However, I LOVED the delivery – and if I could just crap out a kid and forget the previous 9 months I'd do it again and again.
What a great emotion to share. Loving it is much better than hating it. I absolutely love being pregnant from day one through the end. Five babies, never sick and I gained obscene amounts of weight. I was fat and happy and felt great. I'd keep right on having babies, but I became afraid of dying before they graduated high school. I guess at some point I had to stop. :(
I loved being pregnant! My friends thought I was crazy – but it's the truth.
Loved the post.
( no tomatoes here- I ate them all)
I hate the first three months. I am sicker than I have ever been in my life.
But after that – I love it. I love the little kicks and feeling my little sidekick moving.
Labor wasn't even as bad as people made it out to be.
Does other people's grief deny you the right to feel joy?
If the situation were reversed (and I know it has been), I know you would not deny others joy because of your own grief.
Revel in these last weeks of this last pregnancy. Life has enough hard times; enjoy the good ones!
Please don't ever feel bad for talking about your experiences. Even if I can't relate to them, I can appreciate how wonderfully you've expressed yourself and give you my best wishes. So enjoy this time.
Love the photo of the kids running away!
I'm glad you like the end. Nothing wrong with that. I always knew they were easier to cart around while they were still in the belly so I was never in any rush.
Wow! I feel the SAME way at the end of my pregnancies. I feel beautiful and sexy and finally OK about things.
The worry is (mostly) gone because I can feel the baby move and kick with just a prod or sip of cold drink, and OH, I LOVE the belly!
I feel refreshed, like I could move mountains! The first half of my pregnancies are generally horrible, but the latter half make up for them completely. And about the rabbit thing? Us too (*blush*).
I'm actually really sad that this pregnancy won't go to term because of complications in my last labor. how weird am i. LOL.
I understand this totally. I loved being pregnant…not just the end, but all of it-even when I was nauseated, etc. I'm sad that I will never be pregnant again. It's such an amazing feeling.
I'm so glad you wrote this! I LOVED being pregnant too, and only wish I could have done it more than twice. Seriously. I'd have stayed pregnant forever if I could have. I still miss feeling my babies move inside of me. My co-workers used to tease me, calling me a "belly rubber"…I couldn't keep my hands off myself. I loved my maternity clothes better than my regular wardrobe (I STILL wear a couple of the shirts and one pair of stretchy pants as loose sweats on the weekends sometimes). Even when my body wasn't so happy being pregnant (gestational diabetes, high blood pressure), it didn't diminish how much I loved it!
Whew – it felt good to get all that out! ;-)
Such faces of beauty in this post! Captivating!
I loved everything about being pregnant. I somehow bypassed the sick feelings in the early months, and relished each moment I felt the baby moving from the very first time it happened, and while I was always eager to welcome a new whoever was waiting for us at the end, I loved the last couple of months of pregnancy the most, too, because I wanted to hold onto the experience. I know it's not easy for everyone, and it definitely isn't without struggles, but it can be a really charming time.
I absolutely REVELLED in each of my pregnancies. I loved the feel of my body as I began to feel the weight and shape of my baby within me. I loved the end, too, swollen with anticipation and more joy than I thought I could contain.
My pregnancies were all relatively easy. I miss feeling that movement. Even now, when I have gas or a weird gurgle (nice) there is a momentary sadness that it's not a baby… :(
I LOVE being pregnant. Enjoy it…
I was not blessed with the good genes you were!! miserable and fat, but i still have many good memeories of being pregnant, i didn't have a miserable first 3 months (so maybe that helps some!) great post! i love your honesty, you always inspire me to be real!
sweet and funny at the same time!! Enjoy!!
While I can't relate – I would never begrudge anyone joy in pregnancy. I think it's the same for most things.
I love toddlers. LOVE them. I find all of the drama incredibly amusing and have the patience of a saint (if I do say so myself). I cried when I noticed Oliver's little hands not being so little anymore. Or soft, or pudge…oh well, I guess they're still pudgey (he's a moose)…but it's just not the same.
I love toddlers and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'll take the rotton eggs. (While I'm gagging over the idea of attempting sex while hugely pregnant – eeeewwww!)
I can completely relate to what you are saying and if I had started sooner….could see myself with a gaggle of children.
I love peeing on sticks and being pregnant. I actually LOSE weight when I'm expecting and labor is a piece of cake (with an epidural of course) and I feel like a million bucks the next day.
I love the stories of Mother's enjoying their pregnancies and parenting! Why can't Oprah do a story like that?
Enjoy it all, I felt very similarly through out my pregnancies, must be the long torso!
Btw, are they all yours? (tee hee) They certainly are a gorgeous bunch.
I love your posts. I think it's excellent that you shared all these thoughts – no rotten vegetables to speak of.
Both my pregnancies were good – I don't know that I can claim I loved the last two months…but I think it's awesome that you do.
I felt almost the exact same way with 2/3 of my pregnancies. The only difference was I didn't hate the first 3 months, I loved all the months. And I would have, as you say, stayed pregnant longer. Then I got burned with the 3rd. I was morning sickness 24/7 for the entire 9 1/2 months. And for that, I made a decision it would be my last kid, ha ha. That is how much I hate throwing up.
i appreciated my second pregnancy and birth and first few days with that baby so much more than my first….
love your post. so glad you wrote it.
You look at ease and comfortable and your children are happy. What more could any woman want?
I loved the end, too. I had great pregnancies and I felt very lucky about that. I can look back at that time and smile and give encouragement to my friends who still have that time in their pregnancy ahead of them.
NOT gagging over here. loved your posts and the lovely pics.
I absolutely adore the last picture as Ess(?) throws one arm out as she walks. It's like I know she is about to sashay.
Bravo for you for loving what you are doing. The long torso, good genes and all. I have great jeans, but 'genes' notsomuch. What a wonderful feeling that must be. You look so stinking adorable, which just makes me glad I will never have to stand pregnant beside you.
Good for you for being happy!!! You should be. Yes, pregnancy can be VERY uncomfortable, but there is something beautiful and joyful about the whole experience. I hope you enjoy every moment of it!
You are so lucky! I am in love with the idea of pregnancy…the dreaming, planning, getting pregnant, findingout, telling people, planning nursery's, buying clothes, first breath's, the bond between you and your husband, the first precious few days, I can swoon over all of that forever! But I hate to say the last part did so wear on me. Oh how I wish I felt like you!
Good for you! Enjoy:)
I just came over from rainbow kids. Your costco shocking experiance left me just laughing! I have never got to have the joy of being pregnant other then an early loss after doing 5 series of IVF, but I have the most perfect little daughter now adopted from Guatemala.
Lovely post! I am so glad that you have such exuberant pregnancies(even if I don't exactly feel that way about pregnancy–my torso is way too short and I am uncomfortable for the last 20 weeks haha). I wish it were easier to talk honestly about all the feelings pregnancy brings–I remember feeling so guilty that I was complaining about a slightly surprising pregnancy given that others have a hard time conceiving (I was not ready–but it ended up being perfect timing in many ways–ah, life is funny!)
it is good to be happy.
i like the very last couple of weeks myself…i've never carried much past 36 weeks but there's something kind of amazing about it to me…and it's the only point at which i'm not scared shitless.
though i don't sleep. i envy you the sleep. now rest. :)
I actually enjoyed being pregnant too. Except for the leg cramps and sore hips. Otherwise it was glorious.
Sometimes I think the problem can be feeling jealous of someone else's joy and having a tough time remembering that although we may struggle in one area there are others where we derive so much happiness. Ouch. I think I just got hit by one of those tomatoes too
Precious…congratulations. I can't wait to see this little one :) You are very blessed!
Cool photos. And very cute, hope to see more from you.;D Hope you all have a great day.;D
Travel and Living
Job Hunter
Hey, I tried to leave you an email, but I am on my husbands work laptop(shhh no telling his boss it is being used for personal reasons ) I can't access email. So I tried to message you on twitter, but you aren't following me yet. ANYWAY. . .all this to leave a comment here wher it is unrelated really, and one of 65 at the moment, so I am not sure you will ever ever see it. But I had to tell you, I read your article yesterday, and I rarely read them, because of time(5 kids) But I loved. . . loved, LOVED your honesty and open-ness about such a gut wrenching subject. I was crying and applauding you at the same time. What you did was the bravest thing I have ever heard of. And writing about it was just as brave. Thank you for sharing. And my name on twitter is Hezra. My email is hezra_at_home@yahoo.com my blog is home_in_the_woods.blogspot.com I would love to hear from you!
I loved it too– and it made me concerned for the Hubby who married a size 8 girl and yet couldn't keep his hands off of my BIG (please, no sizes) body. I never felt more "right" than I did when I was pregnant–hormonally I finally felt balanced and I loved that little life wriggling around. The last pregnancy felt heavy and I was tired,but still loved it. Enjoy this– you deserve it!! Glow away, no tomatoes will be thrown.
How totally wonderful to read. I was the same way with my pregnancies in the last few months. It's like Christmas Eve
You are just too fucking awesome. And I mean that in the most sincerest possible way.
And go YOU for awesome pregnancy sex!
Yeah, I would have been one throwing tomatoes until my last pregnancy. The one I thought would be the very worst cuz of the terror and worry. I even had a surgery during that pregnancy and it was still the very best one. I loved every minute of it but mostly the last few months. Hell, when I hit 35wks I was freakin' estatic – I'd never been THAT pregnant before! So I'm glad you are loving it, too.
Now, THOSE pictures didn't look one bit awkward or staged smiles. They look precious. And you're stunning too, by the way.
I am lovingly jealous of your beautiful arms. No flapping wings there, girlfriend! My face is going green with envy.
And, you are so blessed to have experienced all that you have, and you can honestly and authentically relate to readers from all points of view: pregnant, suffering miscarriage, interested in adoption, dealing with transracial families, you can touch all of them with your love.
Great post. Keep 'em coming.
You should never apologize for your joy! It is a gift.
Your children are darling…you with your children is priceless! Good for you and whoever took the photos (your husband?).
How did I miss this post? And I love it! Like you, the first couple of months weren't so swell. Unless by swell you mean that you like chucking in many places. I lost so much weight with both my boys.
I loved being pregnant once the pukes went away. But I did have big babies and I'm not very big. So, the last month was pretty misearable. BUT I loved feeling the baby move and knowing things about him even before he was in my arms.
That was beautifully written and heartfelt! The rotten tomatoes didn't come from me.
great post! I too loved being pregnant & I'd love to be pregnant (& give birth) again. the whole process was amazing to me. certainly I had times when I was uncomfortable but overall I felt great & loved knowing I was growing a little being inside me. & my husband loved me pregnant too, which was wonderful :) my only regret was not "getting" to be pregnant in the summertime (ack! no tomatoes!) since I already felt so happily indolent & I think pregnant bellies peeking out of summer clothes (& in bikinis) are beautiful!
loved your previous posts too, despite not commenting– lovely & funny writing.
Honesty is awesome in my book. You can't please everyone! Your family is adorable, and I am glad to know there are women out there who love pregnancy (especially the last few months). I am not one of those women…I envy you. :0)
Wow! Look at how many comments you have!
I loved being pregnant. Just loved it. Great post.
Absolutely, positively one of the BEST POSTS I have ever read.
I love this. I love you. I love your attitude and I love little Beth Jr. in your belly, who's waiting patiently to enter this world, this world that is SO FULL OF LOVE AND LAUGHTER AND HAPPINESS because you are his/her mother.
Bravo.
I just want to say, that was about how I looked too…at 20 weeks. But loved it none-the-less! Great post.
I also loved being pregnant, especially with my first…now I am expecting again, and now that I'm past the morning sickness & all (I'm 13 weeks along now), I'm loving it again. Feeling the baby kick & move inside you is the BEST feeling in the world. I knew when my son was born, I would miss it, but when I said that to my mom, she acted like I was crazy…but I did miss it. And I can't WAIT to feel it again with this one! :)
I loved being pregnant and I actually had a close friend tell me that the fact that I admitted that made her feel guilty for feeling so miserable at the end of her pregnancy. So I do understand where you are coming from with the whole hesitancy to post, but I'm glad that you did. This was a beautiful post!
That was lovely. I love that you love the end of your pregnancy! Hold on to that joy mama.
Your daughter is adorable. I think you do have to show me how to microbraid. Great post.
What a beautiful post and great blog! You have a gorgesous family. And yes I agree with Nissa. You look awesome p.g at 38 weeks!
oh and don't forget the part when you get to the very end and someone says "when are you due" (as they eye your HUGE belly) and you say "oh yesterday" you can't have that without those last 2months. I had preemie, and almost preemie and an over due and the over due was the most fun for that fact. The 3 months of labour every night from 6-10pm not so much. LOL
I loved being pregnant also! It was so nice to hear "you are SO CUTE pregnant!!". I did look cute! Although the five pregnancies did wreck havoc with my body, I did have my cute moments :). I really felt good and energetic (with the exception of the first 16 weeks of nausea).
Good for you! Enjoy the pregnancy. I only had one baby come before term on its own, and I was glad. I wanted to remain pregnant. I love new babies, but I knew the work was hard. Whew!
I'm with you. I loved being pregnant, particularly the last couple of months. I too felt good, sleep pretty well, didn't gain too much weight and just loved how I looked and felt. I can't wait to do it again someday.
I was so sad when the last few weeks of my pregnancy with the twins was so miserable. I wanted it to be over. And yet, I knew it was my last time, so I wanted so much to relish those last few weeks.
I, too, was one of those women in my twenties who swore off children and embraced my freedom and independence. My mom still likes to remind me of that regularly as I chase around my four little monsters.
beautiful post – I LOVED to be pregnant as well – I never got real big, so my pregnancies were super easy . . . but my hubbie HATED to have sex with a pregnant belly!
beautiful post – I LOVED to be pregnant as well – I never got real big, so my pregnancies were super easy . . . but my hubbie HATED to have sex with a pregnant belly!
This is a great post, so personal and poignant. My own daughter has just failed round #3 of IUI, wanting a baby so bady, now cast in sorrow and despair. I can't seem to help her recover each. and. every time!
Congrats and blessings to you and your family!
I loved the last two months of my pregnancies as well – I felt glowing, alive. And in a crazy way, I miss that feeling of being pregnant. It is a gift.
No feelings of guilt necessary. I think it is great that you enjoy the tail end of pregnancy and all that goes with it. There was no sex or anything else for that matter for me at the end. Modified bed rest diva here but I am so happy for you and your joy. Perhaps if(when) I have another baby the pregnancy will be easier. Enjoy! You look beautiful.
People are generally uncomfortable with happiness. Complaining brings people together for a common cause. Life is short. Go and be happy.
You've got the happiness of two in you! It's beautiful! Hooray for you and your bliss!
I have no experience with the comforts, or lack thereof, of pregnancy… obviously. But, I think it's awesome that you're feeling great. Sarah was more than willing to "just be done with it" about 4 weeks before her due date.
THANK YOU. Thank you thank you thank you. I needed someone else to post this so that I could get rid of the ridiculous guilt I felt for loving my pregnancy. Even through m/s, horrific itching rashes that didn't let me sleep (or wear many clothes, in the middle of winter!) etc etc, I loved it. You've put so eloquently what I couldn't! Thank you!!
i loved being pregnant, too. even up to the end last august, i felt good (albeit a little sore from lugging a 2 year old around.)
the day i had the baby, we had sex. i like to think it helped.
I am usually a lurker and am very behind in my reading, but I wanted to leave you a comment on this post.
I *LOVED* this post! I am happy that you are enjoying this time, that is a special gift – to enjoy the last two months. I have never ever met (um, even sort of met) someone who did. Enjoy it and sing it to the rafters gal!
All that said, I am an adoptive mom (probably how I found you but I can't remember exactly how by now). I am also a woman who is unable to have a child. And yet, I still loved this post.
And, I guess, I just wanted you to know that.
Cheers!
Kiy @ RC&T
What a lovely post.