Been gone a while… and now I’m pregnant. My last post was dated December 21st 2012. I found out I was pregnant on December 26th. Now I’m 22 weeks pregnant, and my oh my has it been a journey thus far! I don’t like being pregnant. I don’t understand women that say they enjoy it. All that seemed to happen in the first five months was that I became even more incredibly sensitive than is normal for me (scary, seriously), felt sick all the time, got major gas I couldn’t control, my joints began to hurt terribly and feel somehow bruised inside, and my body image tanked. Saying I ‘felt fat’ was a gross understatement. There have been some recent upturns. A couple weeks ago I found out we’re having a girl. My husband’s reaction to this has been classic. I’ve thought many times about suggesting he enact a self ban from the internet and all things teenage girl horror story related. It’s awesome and hilarious to watch his stages of panic to acceptance and back again, and I’m enjoying not being the only one a little sensitive these days. So that was highlight #1. Highlight #2 was the baby beginning to kick. It’s really cool! For a while I was having daymares and nightmares that she wasn’t alive or that I lost the baby, but since the kicking began my nightmares have turned a different tune. Yes, I still get very strange nightmares all having to do with my own personal preservation but no more about losing the baby. I’m grateful for that! So that ends my highlight section. Hahaha, like I said I’m not yet a woman who would claim to enjoy pregnancy. I do ponder at the miracle of it all. I have surreal moments where I just can’t believe my life shows the picture it does. More importantly that I am experiencing life the way I am today. It’s just baffling! A miracle indeed! Around my recovery community, I watch people get sober, experience a revival of virtues, become participants in life again and discover and rediscover relationships. I am a part of this community and what I observe in others has happened to me. A little over four years ago I had a really small God reserved only for begging to in the most desperate moments or thanking in the best of the best times, a feeling of utter isolation and hopelessness, zero confidence in my talents or ability to be successful, and my gut had such a gaping hole in it that I worried I may just be swallowed up into an abyss of despair. Presently, I have I great big God walking me through every moment, a husband by my side, a loving and supportive family, a community of support, hobbies to pursue, passions to live out and a baby in my belly. What???????????!!!!!!!!!! Okay, okay maybe being a pregnant, sober, loved, blessed mommy isn’t so bad.
Man, now I read that back to myself and realize I better get off my pity pot in a hurry! I mean seriously Fran, talk about luxury problems. Now here’s to all the pregnant mom’s that walk with grace instead of a waddle and a moan, who recognize the miracle they are carrying and share that blessing with the rest of the world. My hat is off to you! Here’s also to the pregnant mom’s who bitch and complain and take out their ever charging hormonal swings on their loved ones. We also carry a miracle and I know deep down in all of us, we know this and will celebrate… one day. I’m with you. Just for today though, maybe we can try one thing differently and say thank you to all the folks that have to hear all the negative crap about the most positive gift we’re carrying. Thank you husband, mom, dad, sister, brother, family, friend, co-worker, doctor. Thank you. :)
In Gratitude.