If pregnancy has taught me anything so far, it's the virtue of patience. You see, I have none. I started with none and I am also fairly neurotic and controlling at baseline. It all started when Jonathan and I decided we wanted to start a family. I decided exactly what month would be ideal to have the baby, given my job and our constant moving states and such. That was not only blown out the window, but she laughed in our faces. She's now due 2 months after arriving in a new state, not knowing anyone, and right in the middle of high-volume wedding season. Thanks for that.
I swore I was going to be that adorable pregnant woman that somehow had smooth, glowing skin and was going to pass by all the symptoms that I've heard so many other pregnant women talk about. Um, no. Two words: varicose veins. They're here and they're gross. They're everywhere - every. where. I can't sit long without elevating my legs, for fear that my calves will explode from the pressure and gravity. They've spawn little spider veins to match, which I'm told, will likely not go away, and there are more that pop up almost daily. I have 50% more blood volume now and it's like it doesn't know where to go, so my veins are trying to force themselves to the outside.
I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open at 1:45pm, every day. I don't know how women do it with toddlers running around to keep up with. At least my dogs will oblige and snuggle with me while I nap. People laugh at me when I tell them I'm so tired, "oh, just wait" they say. That doesn't make me feel any better about the lack of sleep we are in for.
The stress is overwhelming! Feeling this amount of responsibility for a tiny human is enormous. So much can go wrong that it's a wonder how any of us actually have survived outside of the uterus. Luckily, we've convinced the doctors to let us have more ultrasounds to calm my nerves. :)
We, women, are rockstars. Plain and simple. The symptoms I have had so far are nothing to complain about and I am so thankful for that. I've never been so proud of my body. I walk around carrying this badge of honor - my belly is happily expanding and I love it. I embrace stranger's oohs and aahhs and dare I say, I want more people to touch my bump! I love it - I'm so lucky to get to experience this! My runs might have turned into a shuffle and lifting usually ends with me staring at the TV while just holding weights, but I feel like a friggin' rockstar doing it.
8 more weeks left.
