Those were the days...

We've got lots of friends who are pregnant this year, so we're hearing lots of fun stories about their experiences. Especially the first timers. And I remember, back before we had kiddos (I still can't believe that's plural!), my mom telling me one of her friend's daughters really enjoyed her pregnancy. "Huh?" I think I asked. "How's that??" Because I honestly couldn't understand what she meant. At all.

Wasn't pregnancy something you just sort of had to get through because you wanted kids? A means to an end? All the signs/ symptoms/physical changes had me convinced there was no way it could be or would be an enjoyable experience.

And I'll be the first to admit it (which is rare - just ask Matt), I was wrong. Totally wrong. Completely wrong. I couldn't have been more wrong.

But maybe you can't understand the awesomeness of pregnancy until you experience it? Well that's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

It only takes a minute of talking with someone about their pregnancy before Matt and I will exchange a quick glance and small smile because we remember those days. So well.

His late night hamburger/caesar salad/sandwich runs, because that's all I could stomach and we knew I needed protein. Or Emily floating around under my ribs when I had a 2+ hour car ride home - and trying to gently guide her back down my abdomen. Or Matt giving me little pushes as we walked up and around these hills of ours. Partly because I was huge, and partly because my center of gravity was completely off. Or how I shamefully ate Taco Bell at 10am during those first few weeks. In the parking garage of course, so no one at work would see. Or how my water aerobics class was convinced the baby in my basketball-shaped belly was a boy. Both times! Man oh man, how that messed with my head. Or how winded I got leaving a simple phone message. So winded that I had to take awkward pauses in the middle of each sentence to catch my breath. Or how stunned our doctor was when Charlotte was born, because she was so much bigger than anyone had expected.

That's not to say there weren't some rough days. There were. But whenever I see or hear about someone else's baby bump, oh how I miss it.
At this moment we're a very happy family of 4. Juggling 2 girls, 2 careers, 2 cars, 1 house with a fridge that always seems empty and floors that are carpeted in crumbs keeps us forever on our toes. So it's possible those pregnancy days are behind us. But I know we'll never forget how magical that time was.

And while I count these two little girls as the biggest blessings in my life, the fact that I was graced with two easy pregnancies is very high up on the list too. I'll always be grateful for that special time with them. And the bond we created over late night hiccups (Em) and karate kicks (Charlotte). Some of the best months ever.

One day, when our girls start to wonder if there are any enjoyable aspects of pregnancy, I'll tell them all about it. And how it was an honor.

Truly, an honor.