My "Love" of Pregnancy

So I'm pregnant again. 

Pregnant the 1st time around. Way too excited!

    And please, if you did not know this, don't congratulate me by saying something along the lines of "I didn't know". Because after all, nothing makes a girl feel better about a big belly than having people assume you're just eating too many donuts. 
     We tried to keep it a secret this time. After all, when we were pregnant with my daughter, I could only keep my mouth shut for 8 weeks. This, according to most people, is not a significant amount of time. While being a first-time mother had me excited every time I thought about the word pregnant, people would give me looks and say, "You're not even 2 months? You have a long way to go!" Or maybe that was just my parents.

Just peed on a stick!!!

     I guess it makes sense. The greater chances of having a miscarriage happen within the first trimester. It's a terribly cruel thing for any couple to endure after sending out the message, only to find out that their precious baby has been taken to heaven. But then again, the loss of a child is not something that can just go unnoticed either. (I'm not speaking from experience here. My heart goes out to anyone reading this that has suffered a miscarriage. I'm so sorry.)
     This time, I made it to 3 months. And boy, was it tough! I'm not the kind of woman to just suffer in silence. If I'm feeling crappy, the world should really know. It took every ounce of strength not to update my facebook status each day to "I'm puking, people!" or "Pregnancy sucks...I hate sperm!" kinda thing. 
     And what's worse is that I'm still sick. Yep! 25 weeks in--out of 40 for those of you who don't understand how long this really is-- and I still barf my guts out every day. Well, some days more than others. I'm the lucky kind of pregnant woman who stays sick for nine months. Of course, good coffee always helps to stabilize me. That and a donut. Someone better get me a donut soon. 
     Now I know that women all have their own pregnancy stories and feelings. Each experience is unique to each woman. Some never get sick. Some can't hold down anything. Some gain no weight while others double theirs. Stretch marks, puffy cheeks, swelling feet, glorious hair, beautiful skin, cravings, hormonal outbursts, hemorrhoids, you name it! What I don't understand is why some women look at others and say, "I experienced this and don't understand why you are different." HELLO? We are different!

Why are maternity clothes so expensive?

Belly pictures to capture the process

Classy pregnant woman, yes indeed!

     For instance, many woman can look at me and hate me because I don't gain much weight in pregnancy. I have no stretch marks, and can wear my regular pants long into my pregnancy. My hair gets thicker and my skin seems to glow more--or my makeup skills are increasingly better too! But what those woman don't realize is that this doesn't make up for the terrible things that I experience. Nausea for 9 months. Intense allergy-sinus trouble in the first three months. (Think only being able to sleep on one side with my face tilted in the air while nursing a headache from sneezing all day). More nausea. Wanting to puke on people when I talk too much. Exhaustion. I need a three hour nap every day. The thought of leaving the house tires me out. There's more but you might be grossed out.

9 months pregnant

    To top it off, I just don't like being pregnant. The end result is well worth it, but I'm seriously contemplating adopting the rest of the 10 kids we talk about having. 
     Maybe if I just blame people, that would be okay. Firstly, my dear husband: I love you--but this is all your fault. And to my daughter: I hate your poop. It stinks and makes me puke.
     I guess I feel a little better.
     Nevertheless, I can tell you that it's so much nicer this time around having less questions asked. People are always curious and I can't blame them. However, I start feeling guilty when people ask me how I'm faring and I have to tell them the truth. "I'm still sick." They get so confused and worried that I feel bad for feeling bad. Unless they start telling me to eat crackers. Then I'd like to give them a roundhouse kick to the face. There has never been a time in any of my pregnancies where I have had the slightest inclination or desire to eat those stupid crackers. Just give me coffee!
    Despite good intentions, people can be very strange around pregnant women. I don't mind if a friend asks to touch my belly. A stranger? I don't think so. Just because I have a human inside doesn't make my personal space any different than if I were to touch your pooch. And commenting on the size of my belly? I feel huge. DO NOT EVER TELL ME THIS! And similarly, don't gasp when I'm nine months pregnant and say how teensy-tiny I am. Just keep the comments to yourself. Additionally, I don't need to hear how things are going to get worse or much more busy. How I'm feeling right now is genuine and valid.
     Experiencing the second round of pregnancy sure has taught me to respect what other women feel about their own bodies. I have made a vow never to discredit what another woman experiences. It was and is her experience. Sure, I may try to relate in some way to my own life, but never to the point of saying, "You have no idea what pain is, etc. etc." Saying things to make another feel invalid is wrong. Unfortunately, too many women do this, playing the let-me-outdo-you game without even realizing how it can hurt others.
    Being a woman is a great honour. Pregnancy is no small matter and I can congratulate any woman who makes it through in one piece. We grow humans. One, two, five, seven, twelve. It's amazing! Don't even get me started on having multiples! And as much as I hate being pregnant, I know that the little munchkin kicking my bladder throughout the night is mine. A little piece of me.

2nd time around. Forget the belly. Just give me another virgin pina colada already!