Pregnancy So Far

Somewhere I read that you should blog about your life, because you have a story to share. And somewhere out there someone is relating to exactly what you are going through. And well my story these days, it's about balancing my marriage, my business and my growing pregnant belly. Before I got pregnant I had huge fears about how this would change my life, my business, my marriage. And while this pregnancy certainly HAS changed these things (and will continue to do so), it's not been in the ways that I had expected.

With just under four months to go (more like three and half!) I can hardly believe that we are nearing the end of this pregnancy journey. I feel like you wait and wait and wait for the first trimester to finish, your second trimester FLIES by and suddenly you are left wondering where the time has gone as you enter into your third trimester. No one talks about how fast pregnancy goes by and I'm left feeling awfully nostalgic for the first part of my pregnancy!

So what has being pregnant been like so far? In a word, wonderful. Before I write any further, I have to write that every pregnancy is different and I still have three months to go! Things could change. But looking back on my pregnancy so far, it has been nothing that I expected.

The first trimester was MANAGEABLE. I could handle not feeling feel well, I could handle shooting weddings and being pregnant, I could actually enjoy being pregnant and being a entrepreneur. All that with the caveat that it took intentionality, planning and persistence in my business life. But having a job that you LOVE goes a long way to making pregnancy and business work. I didn't gain any weight the first trimester, in fact I lost a few pounds. I thought that I'd start to look pregnant right away and I didn't. In fact I kinda just looked like myself but with a tiny little baby inside.

The second trimester brought my energy back. Every time I have been asked "How are you feeling?" I feel weird saying, "Well, normal!" I true. I feel like myself and despite my growing belly, and those kicks that grow stronger ever day, I often forget that I'm pregnant. Even that weight gain, that I SO dreaded and feared, has been manageable. I've been able to maintain my regular life even with a baby on board. For that I am incredibly thankful.

The one thing I don't think I was prepared for was saying NO more often. Although I have to say this has probably been a GOOD thing for me. I'm the type of person that never wants to feel left out, feel like I'm missing anything and mostly I hate disappointing anyone. But with pregnancy you are no longer responsible for yourself. Your needs and desires and plans need to be filtered through the wellfare of another being. For me that has meant that I've had to say no to travel, no to workshops, no to get togethers, no to meetings and shoots and demands that came my way. BUT in saying NO I've found freedom. And more importantly, a satisfaction in slowing down.

Finally our marriage has only become stronger. Through the anticipation of our little one, Dave and I have bonded in a way that we never have before. And yes, I may or may not have had a few hormone driven outbreaks so far, but we've made it through. Stronger and better for it.(Luckily most of my hormone driven outbreaks from in the form of uncontrollable giggles;)).

So pregnancy has been nothing that I expected. Sure there have been challenges. But the joys of a little dude growing in my belly have been something I would never trade. For anything. To all those who are curious what pregnancy has been like? In a word, wonderful.