This morning I was going through my old Word documents and I found this. It’s over two years old, but reading it brought back so many memories that I thought I would share it. I just copied it and plunked it in here word for word… so here goes…
What I’ll miss about being pregnant: by me – 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant!
The attention!
Back rubs from Jason every night
Feeling the baby kick
Knowing a new life is growing inside me
Watching my body change to accommodate a growing baby
Sharing the experience with the kids
Having the older kids feel the baby move
Hearing the kids ideas for names for the new baby
Anticipating meeting the new baby
Getting to see the midwives – they are like old friends!
Getting excited about nursing a newborn
Getting excited about holding a newborn
Getting excited about the cute clothes the baby will wear
Being able to sit and put my feet up without feeling guilty
Eating whatever I want, when I want
Having a good reason to be ‘hormonal’ and crying lots
What I won’t miss about being pregnant
Having to wake up every 2-3 hours to go pee
Not being able to bend over
Being grumpy with the kids when I’m tired
Going over-due when I just want to meet this baby!
Going over-due when I’m soooo uncomfortable
Just wanting life to get ‘back to normal’
Wanting to move on to the next phase of life
Being able to cuddle without my tummy being in the way
Being able to hold and carry the kids without my tummy being in the way
Looking at things that need to get done, and knowing I can’t (like weeding my flowers)
Being awake from 4:00 to 5:30 am writing this list because I can’t sleep
Having no control over my own body
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Well there you have it. When I first opened it and read it today I got a little teary remembering what I felt like back then waiting for Sophia to arrive. There is something so incredible about bringing a new life into the world, even though it’s obviously not the most comfortable experience in the world.
But here she is today almost 2 1/2, and I have moved on to the next phase of life and it’s wonderful too. It’s just nice taking a peek back once in a while.
Katherine I seriously was very sad when you moved away because I always think that if we did happen to have another baby I would really miss you! I think having a midwife – and having you in particular as a midwife – made the whole experience of having babies that much more enjoyable. Especially because you were such a great listener – you probably felt at times like you were more my therapist than midwife. But I loved my appointments because it felt like I was going to meet friends – so much better a clinical setting! .And I did gain a friend and how wonderful it that?
Thanks again for all the wonderful care you gave me and the children, I will never forget it!
Thanks for this post Lisa and your lovely comment about coming to see your midwives. I am sure that for many women who go past their due date the days seem to go on and on (and on and on… :)) but finally labour comes and with it a beautiful new life.
I am very happy to been such a big part of your births and this part of your life … sad to hear you’re not having any more baby fever but proud to have been on this journey with you and Jason!
Best wishes