Friday, December 26, 2008

I Just Have to Ask...

...you mothers out there (and if you are/were a tiny pregnant person, this question is not for you), did you kind of envision your pregnancy body a little differently than it actually turned out? I ask because long before I ever had my first child, I just naturally assumed that I would be this cute little tiny pregnant woman with a little volleyball up front. You see, I have always had kind of a small frame. If you knew me in high school, you know I was pretty scary skinny. It seriously didn't matter what I ate, I was a stick. In college, I gained some weight but still fit into small clothes. Married life, the same. My mom warned me that I would be a huge pregnant person, but I didn't believe her. I had never been "huge" in my life. Um, yeah...I was wrong.

When I got pregnant with Tristan, I was big, bigger than big...B-I-G! My stomach was seriously humongous. I wore XS or S in pants, but XL in tops by the end of my pregnancy...and they were getting small! It was a common occurrence to be asked if I was expecting twins or to be told that I was HUGE (with big round saucer eyes gaping at my belly). With Asher, even bigger. Seriously, with Asher, we thought we were having at least a 10 pounder (he was only nine).

So I am embarrassed to admit that when I found out I was expecting this baby, I immediately thought, "Oh no. Here I go again. I'm going to be SO big and get so many hurtful comments." I stressed about it for a while. I let it consume my days, just wondering how big I would get and what people would say and think.
But a month or so again, I finally got over it. I just faced facts that I get big when I'm pregnant. I carry my babies right out front (and I mean...right out front...waaaay right out front), and nothing about that is going to change. One thing I can change is eating Wendy's frosties every night. I'm not doing that this time. ;) I also didn't start out as heavy this pregnancy as I did the last, but still, I'm going to have a great BIG jolly belly.

I am proud of it, though. My boys are worth every pound, every stretch mark (if any guys read my blog, SORRY! Gross, I know!), every thoughtless comment, every painful push. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
That's how I feel about this baby too. I am so filled with joy about the blessing that this baby is bringing to our lives. I am so excited to see what God has planned for him or her. We had not planned to get pregnant so quickly, but so many things have shown us that God has a very special plan for this little one. I mean, just seeing the signs from months back, long before we were pregnant, that this baby was coming totally amazes me.

Today, I am quickly approaching the 17th week of my pregnancy. I look like some of my friends who are due in February and March, but you know what? That's ok. I'm sure I won't make any "Fit Pregnancy" covers, but I know that I have a sweet precious little baby kicking in there (I love feeling it! By far, my favorite part of pregnancy), and for that, I am so grateful.

Ok, that was a little pep talk to myself! ;) To all you tiny cute little pregnant women out there, I would still love to have your tiny bellies. :) I just know that I won't. I guess I'll just convince myself that I've got a tiny belly, and when people tell me I'm huge, I'll look at them with stunned eyes, and say, "Who are you talking to? I know you don't mean me." And for those of you mamas out there with the great big bellies, you embrace your bellies too! Who cares what people say?! You are carrying around very special blessings, and that's what matters most. :)

Love you all and hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I was planning to take time off from blogging, but Channing is getting ready for work, the boys are gone to the lake, and I'm too lazy to take down Christmas decorations (ugh...I dread it!). So here I am. :)

Oh, and a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to my sweet friend, Rachael, who is expecting a baby in September!!! WOO HOO! So thrilled for you! Can't wait to meet that sweet blessing. :)

Alrighty, guys. That's all I've got. If you have anything to share about your current pregnancy or those past, please share. You'll be hearing a lot more from me on this kind of stuff. I always love sharing the comments I get. They haven't started yet (from strangers anyway) because they all probably assume I'm six months along or something. As soon as I really start growing, they'll start flooding in. :):):)

OH! ONE MORE THING...
I'm down to less than two weeks in deciding whether or not to find out what we're having. We had to reschedule our doctor's appointment for the week after next, and they'll do the ultrasound then. Channing doesn't want to find out, but I kind of do (some days, other days I don't). So, pray that we'll make the right decision for us. I have so many arguments for both sides (you'll probably see them in the coming days). We just have to decide what's best for us. Who knows what will happen...
My head tells me it's a boy, but for some reason, I'm really suspecting girl. Hmmmm....
Time will tell, I guess...

10 comments:

Rachael said...

Oh, Annie! You are right...it's worth it! If my pregnancy with this one is anything like my pregnancy with Josiah, you'll have a friend with a big belly! I was really swollen with him too so I had big ankles, big legs, big butt, big belly...TERRIBLE! I am hoping for no swelling this time. I am fine with the belly...not the other stuff though. :) Thanks for the "shout-out". I look forward to meeting baby King! :)

Rachael said...

Oh! I didn't even answer your question! No, my pregnancy belly is not at all what I envisioned! I was also scary skinny in high school and for a while afterwards. Looking back at my pictures, I looked sickly! That did change for me when I got married though. :) I also always thought I would have a tiny baby belly and be skinny everywhere else. Oh well!!!

The Hoppers said...

I vote for finding out what you are having! I love to know!!!!

The Hairstons said...

I so much want you to find out what you are having! It's hard to believe that you are already so far along!

Donna said...

This time has been the hardest by far. This ninth month has been brutal- I am HUGE and scared that it won't come off as easy as it did the first two times. My hands and feet are even bigger. I don't get too many comments b/c I'm so tall it kind of fits me to be big. Anyway- it's definitely worth it- it's a gift to have this little life all to myself for 9 months. And as far as you getting big- no matter how big your belly gets- you are BEAUTIFUL inside and out.

Ole Miss Mom said...

I think you look so cute! Cute belly, with stick arms and legs!!! :-) I know you won't believe me, but I was HUGE with Olivia! EVERYWHERE!! I was so swollen, I bet if I showed you a pic, you woudn't recognize me. For me, each of my pregnancies were SO different.

DON'T FIND OUT!! :-)

Jeremy and Michelle said...

ok Annie -I remember seeing you at the COTH Christmas party when you were pregnant with Asher and I did not think you looked like you should be in the Guiness Book of World Records or anything! I'm going to have to see you up close this year and see what all the hype is about :) I guess because you're so tiny normally it seems really big?
I always feared I would be one of those pregnant ladies that gained weight all over and didn't even look pregnant but thankfully I looked pretty preggo both times but I also always hoped I would be one of those people that just had a baby belly and was skinny every where else - but then I would laugh and think - I guess I need to be skinny everywhere else before I get pregnant to look that way when I'm pregnant! I was hoping any extra weight in my arms or legs would just move to my belly - no such luck! Lucky for you you lose it all pretty quickly after delivery so you only have what, 4 or so months before your belly is gone and you have a baby in your arms - that's the best!!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

I hear ya', girl. Mine were over 9 and 10 pounds and I showed every inch of it. I had one lady tell me she didn't think I could get any bigger, but somehow I managed to. Hmph. So glad to see her that day (I cried). I'm sure you are beautiful- as Donna said- we know you're beautiful inside and out!
And my pregnancy body was pretty much what I expected with my 2nd (I was much more aware of what I was putting in my mouth), but I was Amazon-tye, hippo-ish H-U-G-E with Owen. I didn't think my body could get that big- notice I didn't say "stomach"- that would be BODY! I hear you more than you know, but, with 2, you know that they are worth every ache, stretch and trip to the potty! :-)
And I vote to FIND OUT!!

Reagan said...

Oh, Annie. I feel your pain. I was HUGE!! At a Christmas party the other night someone commented on how huge I was when I was pregnant. And once when I went to my doctor's appointment a substituting nurse said "whoa sister" when I got on the scale. I am not kidding. She made me get off and get on again to make sure it was right. And my little angel was only 7 pounds and 2 ounces. But I have a picture of you and I when you were pregnant with Tristan and I think you look great!

AngelGirl said...

yeah i was HUGE with baby j- seriously! unfortunately i don't have any photos...but i was HUGE. and i carry like you- straight out!
fortunately with babay j- i lost most of the weight (before christmas that is)...almost immediately...witha 9 lb 4 oz kiddo..i guess that is fairly easy to do!!! haha!