Things I Have Learned While Pregnant

Okay, so blogging is obviously not something I'm good at anymore. I've come to terms with it... I'm just not going to be consistent with it anymore. At least not now, and probably not ever. And I'm okay with that. I will when I can or when I feel inspired to do so. For the past few weeks, I've been compiling all of the things that have stood out to me so far in this pregnancy. I feel like I've learned SO MUCH in these nearly 17 weeks of being pregnant and that there's SO MUCH more to learn! I can't research, google, read, or watch enough! I get so excited about reading birth stories, watching documentaries about childbirth/breastfeeding, hearing my friends' experiences... I've seriously contemplated a change in careers to midwifery, ha. (Don't freak out, Mom... I won't actually change careers. Yet, anyway.) Learning about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting has rapidly become my most favorite past-time. But not only have I learned a lot from reading/watching other people's ideas... I've learned a lot from my own experience, so far.

So here are just a few of the highlights that I've found. I know I'll have more to add later...

1. Modern maternity clothes were designed by the very best and most kind angels, I believe. Particularly maternity pants. I never want to take mine off, including to sleep, and I often find myself asking "Why wasn't I wearing these before I got pregnant?" Never in my life have I experienced pants so comfortable. I'm never afraid of crackage showing. Never afraid of muffin top. Never afraid of adjusting them. They. Are. Perfect. And the shirts? Sigh... All of my friends/coworkers have heard me go on and on. I'm just obsessed with maternity clothes and I think Motherhood Maternity will be my new store of choice, even after I have this baby. Why would I not want to be this comfortable all the time?? 
2. Speaking of comfort... The Snoogle. Go check it out... I'll wait. Seriously? This pillow was also designed in heaven. It took some getting used to and figuring out how to best maneuver around it at night (particularly when I have to get up 1-3x every night to pee)... But I think I finally have it mastered and now I'm in love. In fact, Braylen wants to buy one for him because he is so jealous of how comfortable it is. I will say, I have no idea how he and I and two of these pillows would fit in our bed (not to mention with Leia in bed with us). That is one downside... It takes up a lot of space.
3. I am fascinated by, intrigued by, excited for, and in awe of natural childbirth. Many of you probably know by now that Braylen and I have chosen to have a midwife versus an obstetrician and will be having our baby at home (barring any emergency situations or complications). This is not a decision we entered in to lightly. We prayed and talked about it for a long time, even before getting pregnant. But since making this decision, I can't tell you how relieved, at peace, and excited I am about actually giving birth. I have never been this excited about anything in my life... Not even our wedding (sorry, BDR). The more I learn about natural childbirth and its benefits for myself and the baby... The more I read birth stories from women who have had a natural experience... The more I plan our own birth experience... I literally get overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation sometimes! I'm sure as it gets closer, fear or anxiety will set in about the pain. I'm not naive to think it will be easy or perfect or exactly how I have it pictured. I know it will be messy. I know I will freak out at some point. But my goodness, the feeling afterward? That high? Ugh.. I have goosebumps just thinking about it. God may have other plans and we may not get to have natural, medication-free, home childbirth like we want. And that's okay. But preparing for it and going this route so far, versus appointments at a hospital (which I'm not condemning, by any means) has just felt so unbelievably right to us. I can't wait to see what else God is going to teach us through this experience. 
4. I think there should be a phrase added to Webster's: Potty Paralysis. There should most definitely be an ICD code for it, though it's more of a "condition", rather than a "disease". I often experience this when I'm at my 2:30 AM visit to the bathroom or my first morning trip or sometimes on my trips at work. Basically, Potty Paralysis is when you sit down to pee, do your business, and then remain seated there for who knows how long because you just can't remember how to stand back up OR it's just so much nicer to stay seated. Normally I think of absolutely nothing during this time (which can last anywhere from 1-10 minutes). It's almost like meditation. My mind is clear, I have no agenda (because my business is already finished), and all is right with the world (because I no longer feel like my bladder is about to explode). It's a good kind of paralysis. One that I look forward to and often have no intention of experiencing prior to it actually happening. I never go to the restroom expecting or planning to not get back up right away. It's just kind of one of those things that happens and I don't realize it's happened until a few minutes later when I remind myself "Oh, hey, you should probably go back to work." or "Maybe you should actually get dressed and start the day." Just saying.. I don't know if I'm the only one to experience this, but it's another welcome addition to my day.
5. There are an infinite number of things "they say" you absolutely should not ever ever ever do when you're pregnant. All the things you can't eat/drink... sushi, unpasteurized cheeses, most lunch meat, some fish, too much sugar, alcohol, raw cookie dough, Caesar dressing, lots of caffeine, and the list goes on and on. All the activities you shouldn't do (heavy lifting, contact sports, smoking, paint, etc. The thought has crossed my mind more than once... If I'm not supposed to do those things when I'm pregnant... Maybe I shouldn't after when I'm not. I know that is silly and obviously it's not something one would actually consider following through with (cos who could live without cookie dough?). But it makes me laugh sometimes to think about "Yeah, maybe I should never lift anything heavy again." or "No more painting" (like I do so much of that, as it is). I just love having a silly brain sometimes. 

Okay, this post has taken me all day to write because I keep getting interrupted by, like, cooking and going to the bathroom and paying attention to my husband and Call the Midwife and stuff. And now I can't think of any other tidbits to write about. I know I'll come up with more later.

What did you discover or become obsessed with learning about while pregnant?