Pregnancy Perks

When I learned I was pregnant with Max, I remember feeling a thousand emotions at the same time. Excitement, relief, terror, joy. I wanted to weep and laugh hysterically at the same time. And the rushing sound I heard in my head I’m convinced was the sound of feeling overwhelmed. I sat in my car in the parking lot for several minutes just trying to absorb the new info (I had just left the doctor’s office). I probably looked like a crazy person.

After the initial frenzy passed and I was able to think rational thoughts again, I started to think about how much my life would change. Over the next few months, I learned what this crazy, wonderful adventure of being pregnant really entails..bloated and aching joints, debilitating nausea, the impossible quest to find a comfortable position to sleep, varicose veins in places I never even knew you could get them, and of course, pregnancy brain. I never thought it was real, until I actually got pregnant. At the time I was working full time in broadcasting as a Seattle traffic anchor, and at one point during my report I said “watch for accidents as you approach downtown Los Angeles” without skipping a beat. My co-workers didn’t let me live that one down for a week.

But not everything about pregnancy is painful. In reality, there are so many wonderful things about it. Here a few things to fondly remember (or look forward to) in your pregnancy journeys. ~Jenny

20 Perks of Being Pregnant

1 – People are nice. They open doors, carry your groceries, let you go first.

2 – You can eat a ton and not feel guilty.

3 – Your hair and nails grow like weeds.

4 – Taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon isn’t frowned upon. In fact, it’s encouraged.

5 – No one faults you for moving slow.

6 – Imagining who your little one will resemble more, you or your hubby.

7 – Dreaming about what they will accomplish in their life.

8 – Being totally, completely narcissistically self-absorbed about your own body.

9 – Prenatal massages.

10 – Weird cravings that aren’t so weird to you.

11 – Thinking of fun, creative ways to announce you’re preggo to friends and family.

12 – Naming the baby!

13 – Decorating the nursery.

14 – The gifts. So many gifts.

15 – Buying cute maternity clothes.

16 – Learning a whole new lingo of medical terminology.

17 – Taking a birthing class with your husband.

18 – It’s a great conversation starter. You’ll make friends in the most unlikely places.

19 – Feeling the baby move inside you. An absolute miracle.

20 – Becoming a mom.

Jacqueline Pilar Photography