10 Things I Want to Remember About Being Pregnant

As I enter my third trimester and the new baby becomes imminent, I just want to take a little time to sit down and record a few things I would like to savor about pregnancy. We don't plan on having any more babies, so I am trying to make these last few months really last. Of course, they are going by faster than ever! I'm telling you, my life has never gone by so fast as it is these days.

1. The way the baby seems to dance when I lay down. It's like the baby is so happy that I am finally relaxing that he makes up for it by doing a little jig. I remember Adrianne danced a lot in my belly, too. All I can think is, "How is he possibly hitting every side of my belly at once?! What, does he have 12 arms? Could it be twins?!" Of course, it's not twins. We have sonograms for that.

2. The way complete strangers will look at me and smile and ask very presumptively, "Is it a boy or a girl?" I am glad that I have had the chance to say both.

3. The way the baby seems to know exactly when Adrianne and their Daddy are around. It makes us already feel like a complete family that has known each other all along.

4. The way I can't even see my feet beneath my belly unless I really lean forward to see them. I was amazed at how quickly after Adrianne was born I had forgotten what it was even like to have a great big giant belly.

5. The way I will just stop everything to sniff the air and ask "What's that?" at things that no one else can smell. I feel kind of like a lame super hero.

6. The way Adrianne knocks on my belly and waves "hello" to Baby Rowan. She is so excited to meet her little brother. She even hugs and kisses my belly when she remembers that Baby Rowan is sleeping patiently inside.

7. The way the anticipation to be able to lay on my belly again feels. I want to remember when I am no longer pregnant not to take advantage of that simple comfort!

8. The way the baby can tickle the inside of my rib cage with his gentle kicking. I didn't even know I had feelings under there...

9. The way I will never be able to get away wearing such baggy clothes again. I can finally wear all those unflattering garments and feel no guilt over going out into public in them. No matter what I put on, I can wear my belly proudly!

10. Finally, I want to remember the way it feels to wait in wonder at what our newest family member will be like. It is such an overwhelming feeling of anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and about a million other things all at once, just at the one simple thought of, "We're having a baby."