Chalk it up to hormones, or the fact that we had to wait so long and thought it might never happen, but I’m really enjoying being pregnant.
This was a surprise. If you’ve read any of my blog posts over the past few years, you know that I was not at all expecting to like being pregnant. I figured, best-case scenario, I’d tolerate it — but I was expecting something along the lines of Aliens mixed with Rosemary’s Baby.
But here I am, nearly 15 weeks pregnant, and I feel great. I’d love to claim that it’s because of my fabulous attitude and self-care skills, but actually, I think I’ve just been really lucky so far. I was mildly nauseated every day from about week five to the end of my first trimester, but now I’m good as long as no one eats lobster in front of me. (Apologies to my family, who accidentally helped me discover this during a clambake a few weeks back.)
I also feel ridiculously cute. I have named my stomach The Protuberance, and while I’m not one for naked belly photos under any circumstances, I am enjoying dressing The Protuberance in a variety of fun shirts and stretchy jeans.
Related: we should all be wearing maternity jeans, all the time. Even the men. You guys, I’m serious: go buy some right now. I have discovered the answer to 35 percent of my problems and it is maternity jeans and I’m never taking them off. THIS IS JUST THE WAY I DRESS NOW.
I also wasn’t prepared for how much people love pregnant ladies. Here’s something about me that I wish were different, but will probably never change: I love it when people like me. It’s pretty much my favorite. I’m not willing to pretend to like the wrong sports team or support a dictator or anything like that in order to win you over. But I do enjoy approval.
And boy howdy, am I ever getting it. Since I started showing, I have been smiled at by nuns, children, joggers, store clerks, waiters, and one random guy who appeared to be about my age and didn’t even have any kids with him. The only people who don’t care are teenagers and I totally understand: they’re busy.
I don’t even really mind that I can’t drink, because pregnancy is a low-key mind-altering experience anyway and I have no idea what I’ll feel like from one moment to the next. I could be crying by the time I’m done typing this sentence, or seized by the urge to organize my bathroom counter. WHO KNOWS?
Anyway: pregnancy. 10/10, would recommend. But only if you feel like it, of course. It’s not for everyone, and I’d hate to talk you into anything.
Image: Thomas Kelly/Unsplash
Jennie Smash 