I’ve been dreaming of being a mommy since I was a little girl. At 40, I’ve seen just about every dear friend have one, two, three babies (some of whom are now entering high school!). I’ve heard the stories. I’ve read baby books. I’ve watched countless friends go through the process. I’ve learned a lot during that time, but in these first months or pregnancy, I realize that it’s true what people say. You can’t understand what it’s like until you experience it yourself. When I saw those two lines on the home pregnancy test, I thought I at least had an inkling of what to expect. Lesson #1: Throw out all expectations! Something else has taken over control of your body for a while. Now that I’m well into my second trimester, I thought I’d share a few things that have surprised or delighted me in the first few months of this crazy adventure called pregnancy. Read on!
You can actually lose weight while growing a big belly/tiny human. At least at the beginning!
“Morning” sickness needs a new name. Like “all day” sickness or “when you least expect it” sickness or “will this ever end?” sickness.
I understand my mother’s love for me more already.
When the belly decides to show, there’s no going back!
Maternity pants are super weird until you need them and then they are a Godsend.
Having legit curves is fun! I actually need to purchase larger under-garments!
Oh, the joy of saying goodbye to my lifelong belly insecurities! Big is beautiful.
I don’t miss my beloved glass of wine or platter of sushi as much I thought I would.
I miss my hot cup of strong coffee more than I thought I would. Decaf is stupid.
My eyes are always bigger than my stomach right now. My brain wants to eat everything and my belly already says, “There’s no room in here!”
Cravings are entertaining. Currently, I need peanut butter, lemonade, graham crackers, corn dogs, fresh berries, and anything sweet. After months of avoiding food, it’s time to eat whatever sounds good at the moment! Luckily, baby wants healthy stuff, too.
It’s not easy to sleep only on one side or another. I already miss sleeping on my back.
There can’t be too many pillows surrounding me at night! It might be time to invest in a huge pregnancy pillow. (Sorry, hubby!)
Some baby books are actually quite terrifying.
Pregnancy brain is real! I’m a dumb blonde for the first time in my life. Comedy relief!
I have had the craziest, most vivid dreams recently…which I forget an hour after I wake up.
Dogs really can sense things that we can’t see.
I now have an inkling of what it feels like to be a loud, air-filled frat boy. (Burrrp.)
The pink and purple berry-flavored extra strength Tums are the best ones, and they go with me everywhere.
Peeing 27 times a day (mostly at night) isn’t something that happens only in late pregnancy when your belly is huge. It happens from the beginning!
My new favorite song is the steady beating of a strong, tiny heart.
The first few months of pregnancy fly by. It makes me a tad anxious about how much time is left before Baby Howe crashes the party!
My husband loves me in ways I could never imagine.
And finally, hormones always win. Just give in.
the usual bliss 
Lots of sweet cravings, huh? I’m guessing there’s a little girl in there. 😉
We won’t know until the baby’s birthday!
My sister did that with her firstborn, but there’s no way I could ever wait. The suspense would kill me!
We have had so much of this process be controlled and manipulated through the fertility struggle that we decided we needed at least ONE big surprise!!
Loving your pregnancy updates and wishing you lots of bliss!
Thank you, Rivka!
I didn’t miss wine as much as I thought either (until the end – I was at a wedding and craved a big glass of bold red!) Also, I didn’t crave sweets but I loved savory (it switched while I was pregnant.) I just loved pregnancy but it is defintely the strangest time of life. It’s so odd to see how much changes (or stays the same!)
I’m loving it and all of its unexpectedness!