Things I Have Learned During My (almost) 9 Months of Pregnancy

Life Changes

When Jeff and I were thinking about getting pregnant, and after we had just found out, we often got the comment, “This is the best thing that will happen to you, but your lives will change. Things will change between the two of you.”

We have found this fact to be very true. Our lives have changed. Our marriage has changed . . . A LOT; however, up to this point, only for the better.

Our love for each other has deepened. Our joy has grown immensely. Laughter more fully and frequently fills our home. We get lost in conversation—dreaming of the personalities that will soon dominate our home, the family vacations just the 3, 4, 5, 6, (possibly 7 if Daddy’s dreams come true) of us will take, the things we will learn as we strive to raise our family right in a loud and chaotic world, the things we will learn from our children, the things we will learn from each other.

Yes, having a baby on the way has changed things and will continue to do so, but how do we feel about this?

Bring on the changes! Enrich our lives with more beauty, more meaning, more love.

Morning Sickness is NOT Confined to the Morning Hours Only

I really cannot quite understand where they coined the term “morning sickness.” In my experience, morning sickness was very capable of torturing me all day.

It came in the morning. It came in the afternoon. It woke me up in the middle of the night. It came whether I had Mexican food or Ovaltine. Morning sickness was an all day visitor during my first 4 months of pregnancy.

 And so, for my future pregnancies, I have nixed the “morning” and will refer to this fun, simply and plainly, as . . . SICKNESS!

Cutting One’s Hair While Pregnant, While a Tad Cliché, is a MUST

So as you have all heard—or can atleast imagine—pregnancy makes you feel a bit “weighed down!” Your body changes and your weight increases, increases and increases some more. Well, there is a simple solution to “lightening your load” . . . CHOP OFF YOUR HAIR!

I was hesitant to cut my hair at first because I had heard so much about and had been warned against the infamous and horrific “Mom Cut.” I was terrified. I didn’t want to look like a minivan driving soccer mom. I am still hip. I am only 25 and have atleast 5 years before Luke starts playing soccer! I wasn’t quite ready for the image and stereotypes a “new do” could bring!

 However, summer continued to get hotter. I continued to get heavier. My hair continued to get longer and less manageable.

And then it hit me, why am I so afraid of the ‘Mom Cut’?

I AM A MOM—an incredibly proud one at that! I also realized, a hair do isn’t going to be what pegs me as a Mommy. No, the precious and beautiful boy I will be carrying around will give it away first!

And so there you have it, after careful consideration, I was ready to fully embrace motherhood. I was ready to join the troops and cut my hair!

 Best pregnancy decision I have made! I feel lighter, I feel sassy . . . I feel like a mom!!!


ATTENTION ALL WOMEN: The Pregnant Body is Beautiful. Embrace It!

I think one of my biggest pet peeves during pregnancy is the continuous topic of weight. I’ve been blown away by the number of women that come up to me, admire my cute growing belly, and then say things like: “You are so small. How much weight have you gained?” or, “Are you going to nurse? Because if you do, the weight sheds right off!” or, “It’s great you got a jogger for a shower present. You’ll be able to loose that pregnancy weight quickly.”

My response to these inquiries is a sweet smile, and perhaps, a slight shake of my head. However, in my mind I’m screaming: WHAT IS WRONG WITH WOMEN THESE DAYS!

I’m not sure what has happened to our society. Is it not enough that magazines filled with rail-thin models, diet tips, and “the perfect exercise regimes for a better looking you” plague women on a daily basis?  Must we really dampen the most sacred and beautiful gift we women are given by making silly comments around weight? Must we really make these beautiful mothers feel insecure about their bodies while they are fulfilling their most divine role?

Here’s the thing: Pregnancy causes weight gain. It’s a natural consequence to such an amazing event in life. A baby is growing, and therefore, so does the woman! Pregnancy is beautiful. Everything about this gift is beautiful—especially the growing you!

If there is one thing I ask, please don’t mention my weight! I’ll lose it when I lose it (or I won’t). But for now, to quote an incredibly wise poet and a true woman, Lucille Clifton:

These hips are big hips.

They need space to move around in.

They don't fit into little places. 

These hips are free hips.

They don't like to be held back.

These hips have never been enslaved,

they go where they want to go,

they do what they want to do.

These hips are mighty hips.

These hips are magic hips.

I have known them to put a spell on a man and

spin him like a top!

  

Diamonds Aren’t a Girl’s Best Friend . . .

Mothers are!

My mom, Grandma Carolyn, has made this pregnancy a dream. Being her only daughter brings upon an incredibly special role—especially during (but not limited to) pregnancy!

We have had a blast preparing for Luke. Not only have we done a TON of baby shopping, but we have also enjoyed reminiscing on her pregnancies. I have had so much fun hearing stories about when she was my age and pregnant—watching her light up as she relives her favorite life memories. I have LOVED seeing pictures of her pregnant and realizing I truly am her clone! I am grateful for all I am learning from her about the mother I want to be!

Yes, mothers are a sacred gift. I am so grateful to have the mother I have, while I become a mother myself!

Cravings???

I can’t say I am a firm believer in “pregnancy cravings.” I’ve heard about them. I have read about them. But have I experienced them?

Often times people ask me what I have been craving. I quickly and excitedly respond, “Ice cream, french fries, mozzarella sticks, Ovaltine, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate . . . FAAAAT!!!” It’s an automatic response, and yes, I have been craving these things. However, I craved these things before I was pregnant. Only difference now is that I have an excuse to indulge!  

However, since cravings are such a well-known part of pregnancy, Jeff has learned to, “get the woman what she wants!” So, while I tend to believe that pregnancy cravings are more of an excuse to “let down your hair and live a little,” I am VERY grateful for all the hype around them. I have definitely been living!!!!

Families are Eternal

If there is one thing above all that I have learned during my time being pregnant, it is the fact that families are forever.

Jeff and I are both incredibly blessed with beautiful families—strong support systems. Through the examples and love of our families, we have been learning how to become parents our whole lives. 

We are ready for the changes about to take place. Most importantly, we are ready to continue our happiness all the way through eternity!

Thanks goes out to all our family members who have embraced us in their love and helped us get where we stand today.  We truly love you all so much and are incredibly grateful for the joy you bring into our lives.

Luke is coming into a world full of love. Luke will walk throughout eternity embraced in the love of his family. What a lucky little guy! What a lucky family we all share!

Copyright © 2010 Cara Wicks-Paxman