The Best and Worst of Pregnancy

When it comes to being pregnant, I neither love it or hate it, but there are some things I enjoy about being pregnant and other things I can't wait to be rid of.  I really can't complain. I have had a pretty easy pregnancy, praise God!  So, just for fun, here is a little list of what I consider the best and worst things about pregnancy:

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT PREGNANCY:

1.  My Hair- it's actually thick and doesn't get oily anymore.  I will miss having my hair look good without really trying.

2.  Cute Maternity Clothes- I was so blessed that my friend, Danielle, gave me a whole tub of maternity clothes or I would not be looking so cute.  Josh and I joke that my style has greatly improved since getting pregnant.  I told him I guess that means I need a shopping spree after this baby comes.

3. Feeling Him Move- I've been feeling him move since about 18 weeks, but in these last couple of weeks, he has been moving a lot!  I can even see my stomach move when he is really active.

4. The Glow- I know that not all pregnant women get "the glow."  In fact, in the movie What to Expect When Expecting, one of the women complains that she doesn't have the glow like her friends.  I guess I am fortunate because I did get it.  My skin has cleared up and even looks good with minimal makeup.  I often have people telling me that I am glowing or that I look so good. Thank goodness for the glow because it takes my focus off the extra 20 pounds I am carrying around.

5. Guilt-Free Eating- I eat pretty guilt-free normally, but it is nice not to have to think about how much I'm going to have to run to make up for the calories.  Now, I don't even think about my calorie intake.  Though Josh will tell you I am not entirely care-free when it comes to this weight gain.  I just want to stay in the normal range because it all has to come off after this!


WHAT I DON'T LOVE SO MUCH ABOUT PREGNANCY:

1. Not Exercising- While I haven't completely given up exercise (I still walk and do yoga), my doctor asked me to stop running and doing more strenuous exercise at 20 weeks.  I don't think I've ever gone that long without running.  I miss it and my thighs miss it.

2. Aches and Pains of Sleeping- Just a few weeks ago, I started waking up with a stiff neck, sore shoulders, and hip pain.  I made some adjustments to the pillows on the bed and now sleep with 4.  Although that has helped a little bit, I still have some minor aches when I wake up. Also, not sleeping through the night is taking a toll on my bar studying.

3. Everybody Being Up In My Business- For those of you who know me, I am a pretty private person, or at least with people I don't know really well.  So, I am definitely not fond of everybody suddenly taking an interest in me, my health, my eating habits, etc.  I am so tired of people asking how I'm feeling because for the most part, I feel fine!  Also, being pregnant somehow gives people the license to say whatever they want.  Common decency is still required when speaking to a pregnant woman.   While I'm on the subject, I also do not like every woman projecting her experiences on me.  Every pregnancy is different.  Hopefully, I will remember this when talking to future pregnant women.

4. Swollen Legs and Ankles- I thankfully haven't been burdened with this too much but I do notice that at the end of the day my ankles disappear and my calves double in size.  I wouldn't mind so much if I was wearing pants all the time and it wasn't noticeable, but I am not because it is too DANG hot right now, which leads me to my next point...

5. Being Hot All the Time- I really thought I would not fall victim to this unwanted pregnancy symptom because before I got pregnant, I was always cold.  I thought that I would at least feel like a normal person when I was pregnant, and maybe I would if I didn't live in Florida.  I turn the air down at night and sleep with the fan on and still wake up sweating (forget saving time by not taking a shower in the morning).  I wore jeans to church last Sunday and thought I was going to pass out.  Since I am hot 24/7, I usually wear shorts and a tank top and have to remind myself that dressing appropriately still applies to me.


Well, I hoped you enjoyed my little list.  Even though I don't love everything about being pregnant, I know that it will all be worth it because I already love EVERYTHING about this little baby!