Confessions of a pregnant person

I think some women are just born to make babies. They have a drive and a desire to be a mother; they instantly gravitate towards babies and small children and coo at the idea of motherhood. I, on the other hand, have always thought kids were cool but never really felt that drive. Kids and motherhood have always felt so remote. I would comment on 'breeders' or snarl if a young child interrupted my attempts to sip a martini and have an 'adult conversation.' My pull towards parenthood has been slow. When the Hubby and I got hitched, he was immediately keen on starting a family. He thought kids would be a great, wonderful adventure. I, on the other hand, was eager to wait. The commitment and obligations all seemed so overwhelming. How would I change? How would our relationship change? Could we just focus on paying the mortgage, please? But, as our relationship weathered a number of storms and I gained more perspective on my life, I started to feel it. In addition, more people around me started to have kids. These were people who were my friends, not some older officemate or a family friend. And these people are wonderful! Watching them with their kids and hearing them talk about being a parent made me realize it didn't have to be some crazy alien adventure. And so, after waiting for years, the Hubby and I were to start 'trying' this year. Obviously, we got a jump start.

And, this past week, seeing the little 'bun' in the oven made it oh-so-real. I truly feel 'it' now! These are two pictures from the ultrasound I had. During the session, I didn't realize how powerful it was to see - truly see - the baby. I found myself crying in the car afterwards. (Granted, my pre-preggo self may not have been quite so overwhelmed but let's remember that I am a toxic wasteland of hormones!) It just blew me away to think this human being that is part me and part Hubby is in my belly.

Outside of the neato pictures, the ultrasound confirmed that BabyGavrell is one healthy and active baby. We decided to save for a big surprise and not find out the sex (although I am 'feeling' that it is a boy...don't ask why).

To celebrate the ultrasound, I did a half-marathon. What (near) halfway point in a pregnancy doesn't call for 13.1 miles? The Hubby and I joined three other friends for the spectacular half marathon in Moab. The Hubby stuck with me the entire way as I ran and walked, making my way from porta-potty to porta-potty.

Like a lot of things in life, maybe being a mom and having kids is something you can't judge nor can you ever truly prepare for being pregnant, having a baby or raising a kid.