Today, my first day back at the school in two and a half weeks, brought comments like the following:
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but over the break, you got REALLY pregnant.” (from a fellow teacher)
or
“Mrs. Meidell, you came back! I thought you would have gone and had your baby!” (from a student)
Basically, it has been brought to my attention numerous times in the past 48 hours that I have managed to double in size in the span of less than a month. Luckily, many of the comments were accompanied by people telling me I had “The Glow” and not commenting on my ever-more-apparent waddle.
Only 6 months in, and I honestly kind of feel like I can’t remember what it’s like to not be pregnant.
I can’t remember what it’s like to run (or even walk quickly) without my round ligaments feeling like they’re going to allow my legs to snap off.
I can’t remember what it’s like to drop something on the floor and stoop down to retrieve it without a second thought as to how I’m actually going to get myself down there.
I can’t remember what it’s like to sleep through the night without having to use the bathroom or eat something to quell the raging hunger beast within (or have to do both).
I can’t remember what it’s like to know that the same clothes that fit me last week are for sure going to still fit me this week.
I can’t remember what it felt like to sleep on my stomach (or wake up to find that I’m sleeping on my back and feel no guilt or terror).
I can’t remember what it feels like to have people ask me questions about something other than my pregnancy.
And yet…
I love the way the baby’s kicks feel like happy bubbles as we drive home from work together.
I melt every time Matt pats my belly and talks to our little girl.
I wonder at the miraculous way my body knows its way around this thing called pregnancy–how it knows how to stretch, mold, and change in order to nurture this growing life inside me.
And even though I’ve never been baby hungry, I’m sure getting excited to meet our beautiful little girl.
Only 3 more months to go.
