My pregnancy is almost over.
I can’t even say it’s been a long nine months. In reality, it’s flown by way faster than I thought it would. Each month slipping by before I could even stop and check one of the many “pregnancy checklists” you see online.
Each month flying past, over so soon that I have barely had time to really analyze my feelings. So here is my attempt at that now, with (hopefully) only days left.
Happy and Sad at the same time
I think this one is fairly common – I’m happy that the wait is almost over, yet sort of sad that once my baby is here, I’ll miss all those little sommersaults in my belly. I’ve been blessed with a fairly easy and uncomplicated pregnancy. Minor annoyances aside, the grand majority of these nine months have been one fantastic discovery after another. From first finding out that I was pregnant only a few weeks after I conceived, to the “quickening” where I felt Zig move for the first time, to finding out that the wee one has dropped, I’m so happy and thankful for every experience I’ve had. And though I’ll be over the moon when Lil’ Ziggy is born, I think I will probably experience some sadness over no longer feeling another human grow inside me.
Done
Okay, so “done” isn’t really an emotion, but today I say it is. I’m “done” being pregnant, done with puffy feet and sore hips. Done with OB appointments (and I’ve only had one!), and done with worrying that I have all my ducks in a row. Heads up: I don’t, but who does?
But I’m also done because I want to meet my baby so badly. Every night I go into labour and every morning I wake up disappointed that it was all a dream. As I inch towards my due date, the anticipation is only building and every ache and pain reminds me that my Ziggy is still preferring my cozy insides. Come on out, Lil’ Ziggy! It’s cozy out here too!
Worried
Worried because, for all my preparation, I still have no real idea of just what’s in store. I’ve written and studied my birth plan, I’ve got my hospital bag ready to go (well, the baby portion anyway. My own bag is a work in progress…), the crib is up, the car seat base is properly installed, I’ve read books and blogs and websites about those first few days and beyond… but what do I really DO when it’s all over and I’m given this precious little baby to take care of for the rest of my life?
I know I’ll figure it out, just like every mother in the history of humanity. I mean, how did they raise children before parenting books were a thing anyway? And I’ve done so much research that I feel like I could recognize a lot of situations and problems and then remedy them. But there’s still an element of worry in my mind: how do I know that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to do?
Excited
Thankfully this emotion is stronger than my worry! The last days of pregnancy is like Christmas Eve to a child, times about 6000. I have no idea what to expect, but I do know that it’s going to be awesome.
I’m also feeling strangely good and energetic these days, which I’m hoping is a sign that things will happen soon. And of course I’m wildly excited to finally meet Lil’ Ziggy, to hold my wee one in my arms and introduce myself as “Mommy”.
In love
I’m in love with this tiny human that I haven’t even seen yet, besides all the hilarious squirming in my belly. I’m in love with the ten fingers and ten toes that I know are in there, and will soon be making their appearance. I’m in love with the little feet that will be kicking in footed onesies instead of my ribs. I’m in love with the little face that I’ve only glimpsed on an ultrasound screen.
But most of all, I’m in love with my wonderful husband. Make no mistake, I was in love with him before we started this new journey, but I’m even more in love with him now that my pregnancy is coming to an end and we’re closer to meeting our baby. To see him getting excited about becoming a father, to see him setting up the crib and moving furniture around, to see him being protective of me, fetching me water, carrying all the groceries… ah! So in love. I know I picked a good one. He’s going to be an amazing dad.
Your turn! If you’re a mom, what kinds of emotions did you experience as you made your way towards your due date? If you went overdue, did some of those emotions change or get stronger?
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Awe, so excited for you! I definitely felt done at the end of my pregnancies.. well my first two, my last was born 8 weeks premature, so was not done at all then. But yes i remember have mixed emotions so ready for them to come but then also nervous as they are a lot easier to care for when they are inside 😉 But it is so wonderful and so worth it.
Thanks for linking with the #bestoftheblogosphere link party last week
You have captured the emotions that each mom goes through toward the end of pregnancy. I know I had all of these emotions as well. Especially being done. I was done at 32 weeks, haha!
I can’t believe how fast the time went from my 32 weeks until now. At that time, I felt like I would be pregnant forever!
You captured those feelings so beautifully! My youngest is sixteen, so it’s been a very long time since I’ve felt what you’re describing, but you brought it all rushing back. Except I felt sadness, because the anticipation isn’t there for me anymore. I do miss feeling a baby and all his or her wonderful acrobatics inside me. I miss nursing. I miss snuggling that tiny one. I miss having a baby that’s all mine!
And a little looking forward. My oldest is 24, so I’m hoping grandchildren aren’t too far in my future! 🙂
And the question about what people did before parenting books? That’s what the little old ladies of the neighborhood were for. They would tell you how to raise your child, whether you wanted them to or not. 🙂
From my experience, you will take all that you’ve studied, all the advice you’ve been given, all the things your pediatrician advises and then you will follow your heart. Your heart will know. It’s been protecting your little one for almost nine months now. They know each other. You’re going to be great! So many congratulations to you!
Happy Sharefest! I hope you have a lovely weekend. And a swift, easy, and uncomplicated delivery!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Hope you have a great weekend too 🙂
It’s funny. I’m at the other end. In October I had a hysterectomy. After having six healthy babies, I’m finished. There’s emotions for you! 😀
Having your first child will change your life like nothing else, ever. It will change your identity. Instead of being Monica, you’ll be Zig’s mommy, and that’s a profound change. I once read that being a mom means forever having your heart walking around outside of your body, and it’s true. Seeing women about to have their first babies always brings tears to my eyes.
Good luck, Mom. Do NOT worry about birth. Your body knows what to do. Sometimes I’ve thought that it’s the easiest part of parenting. 😀
Wow, Marie, thank you for sharing and thank you for the kind words. I can’t imagine what emotions I’ll be feeling when I’m done having children, but I bet it’ll be a bit of what I’m feeling now with transitioning to a new stage in life, plus a whole slew of new ones!
Gas bubbles in my tummy to this day feel like Owen or Ollie kicking me. You’ll get little reminders of what once was, that’ll make you smile and frown simultaneously. But just as these emotions are flitting by, you have to run down the stairs to help your toddler get his foot unstuck from the toilet bowl 🙂 . And you’ll smile all over again. Love you Mon.
Haha I’m sure there will be lots of feet to rescue from the toilet in my future. That made me laugh! Thanks Kait! Love you too <3
I was 10 days over due with you, and Poppa kept saying you were going to come on his birthday. I kept telling him I didn’t want to go that long. You ended up coming the day before. We loved you before you were born, as soon as you were born and every day since. We’re very proud of the woman you have become and can’t wait to meet our first grand child. Love you:)
😀 Love you too Mom! <3
I feel such a mixed bag of emotions as well. I am very ready to meet the little human I have helped to grow, but at the same time, I am worried about transitioning into such a different state of life. When I wake up to pee in the middle of the night, it won’t just be about me anymore – I will likely be waking up to feed the baby and staying up for extended periods. That’s kind of scary, you know? I am also worried about bonding – “What if this love is all in my head?” Does that make sense? I know it will happen when its supposed to happen but I guess I am scared that it won’t be immediate, or she won’t be like I pictured, or some crazy thing like that. I am probably over analyzing it all haha.
I definitely know what you mean! We can do all the research in the world and STILL not know what it’s REALLY going to be like. I share your worries too, it’s not overanalyzing. It’s probably a sign that we’ll be good parents if we’re this worried already!
You are so right when you say about the worry of becoming a Mom….it is a whole new chapter in your life. One that is phenomenal beyond words. Your intuition will kick in so fast …and that reason is because of the connection you have with your baby during these 9 months and again beyond. You are going to be an amazing Mom and yes you will sometimes second guess what you are doing and how you are doing it but it will always turn out right. And remember WE are never more than a phone call ..an email or a text away if you need anything 🙂 Love you 🙂
Thanks Auntie Cara! Love you too 🙂