What I LOVE about Pregnancy

35 Weeks in and I'm getting a little antsy. I want this beautiful baby boy to just be here, already! Our cute little stroller and car seat arrived last week, and seeing them out in the front room every day just reminds me that there's no baby to strap into them yet. I really think we're going to have to lock them in the closet with all the rest of the baby stuff for the next month so I don't try to force myself into early labor.

I can't believe how much I love this baby already. It's amazing how I never get tired of thinking about him or reading whatever I can get may hands on to help me prepare for birth and mommy-hood ("motherhood" sounds kind of old to me right now). With all the excitement and the waiting, I decided that I need to make a list of things that I love about being pregnant. Not a list of things I am excited for once the baby finally comes, but what I enjoy about my situation right NOW. I need to live more in the present or I am going to go crazy waiting for my due date.

So here it is, in no particular order -- what I LOVE about pregnancy:

1) Feeling Baby move -- even though it's starting to hurt as he gets bigger, it is without a doubt the coolest thing I have ever experienced. Sometimes I actually laugh out loud when I feel his little bum sticking out. Or when I rest a book on my belly and he kicks it all over the place. He is a mover and a shaker!

2) Seeing Matt's nurturing side come out even more than before. He wouldn't let me do anything for myself even when I wasn't pregnant. I feel so protected and taken care of every day. And the nightly foot/back/hand massages aren't too bad either. I am such a lucky girl!

3) Not worrying if "this outfit makes me look fat" -- it's supposed to. In fact, the fatter I get, the cuter people seem to think I am. (Score!) Plus, after being so large, I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel tiny no matter what I look like postpartum. (Those of you who want to tell me how wrong I am...don't. I like living in my little dream world.)

4) Not being as flat as my ten-year-old sister anymore. You know what I mean.

5) Watching my family get excited to be grandparents/aunts/uncles. They are all so supportive and possessive of this baby! I'm slightly concerned that I won't ever get to see him until more grandbabies come along...unless we move to Antarctica or something. I am certain I will have all the help I could ever ask for. I figure I can't mess things up too badly while this baby's amazing grandmothers are around to keep me in check.

6) Sleeping in every day. Then falling asleep on my homework and not feeling too guilty about it. Matt reminds me that I should feel somewhat productive every day because I'm constantly working toward something. I'm growing a baby, and if some days I can't handle much more than that, it's okay.

7) Eating better. Some people say "I'm pregnant, so I can eat whatever I want." Personally, I feel the opposite. Since I've been pregnant, I've had more motivation to eat a balanced diet and get all the good stuff in me before I fill up on junk. Don't get me wrong -- I still eat like a horse. But I'm grateful that I have this baby to motivate me to establish healthy eating habits, because I know it's good for both of us and I can physically tell the difference.

8) Having an automatic conversation-starter with everyone. From my closest friends to the checker at Safeway to the little old man who helps me cross the street every day on my way to work. People just love talking about babies!

9) Learning about childbirth. It is such a miracle! Although childbirth might switch to the "least favorite" list once I've actually experienced it, I can't help being excited about it now! A little scared too, but mostly I am looking forward to seeing what my body can do thanks to Heavenly Father's genius plan. I hope it will be a very spiritual, empowering experience, and I love preparing for it.

10) Enjoying clearer skin, longer stronger nails, and an enormous belly I can draw on when I get bored.

There you go. You'd better believe I've made my list of "least favorites," but no one likes to hear a complainer. No matter how many little inconveniences pregnancy brings, it is SO worth it. And if I plan on doing it all again about eight more times, I had better get used to it. :)