Unexpected

If I could pick a theme for my life, it would be, "expect the unexpected". And I think that after two decades, I'm finally catching on. There are a few things about pregnancy that I didn't expect:
• The pregnancy. But since I was a little surprise to my parents, it only seems like poetic justice that my own daughter would be a surprise as well.
• Bending myself into a human pretzel just to tie my shoe.
• Gagging at every unpleasant smell or every single time I brushed my teeth for the first two trimesters, or that my gums would bleed because of said toothbrush. Gross.
• Massive heart burn.
• Craving hot dogs (7-11's are the best), chicken broth, Arby's beef & cheddar sandwiches (me oh my), chocolate (ahhh! ambrosia!), ice cream, chocolate ice cream (rocky road rocks my world!!...no pun intended.)
• Leg cramps in the middle of the night...whose idea was that?? Is it supposed to be funny??
• Taking to this pear shape as well as I have. The first time I went maternity shopping I was only about 3 months pregnant. They have these little pillows you can strap to your belly to see how you'll look in a couple of months, and after putting that on and some maternity clothes, I laughed uncontrollably. It looked ridiculous! And I was a little worried that I was going to get that big. To be honest, I was really worried, and the uncontrollable laughter was a defense mechanism. The second time I went begrudgingly. All of my clothes were looking ridiculous, and something had to be done. This time, after trying on an outfit, I laughed again in surprise...I didn't look ridiculous--I looked pregnant, and kind-of cute.
• Turning into Fumblina. I've just barely learned the cause of this: a hormone causes your joints to relax, including all the joints in your fingers, thus causing you to drop more things. I think that this is a practical joke as well. Hey, you guys! Do you know what would be hilarious?? If we made it so that pregnant women couldn't grip things very well, and make them drop them, and then they have to actually try to pick them up with a soccer ball sized belly in the way! Wouldn't that be funny?? Ha. ha. ha. So funny. I drop everything. I watched my grandmother's crystal hurricane lamp shatter into a million pieces on the floor because of this.
• That my relationship would change with every single person I knew because I was pregnant. I admire mothers everywhere. I give pregnant woman a sympathetic, "I know how you feel" look, and they give one back.
• Falling in love again. It's like life has given me another set of rose colored glasses to slip on-only with a more powerful prescription that helps me see clearer, and a deeper hue that gives me the capacity to love deeper.
• My worry gene to switch on. It's true, mothers don't sleep; they just worry with their eyes closed.
• Being baby hungry. It took me being pregnant to catch the bug.
• My "momma bear" gene to kick in. If anyone hurts my baby, I will tear their eyes out with my bare hands.
• How ecstatic I am every time Adelei moves. I'm proud and a little terrified (for the future) at how active she is.
• That a cradle would make me so dang happy. Oh, and ruffle bum tights.
• How relieved I am that Don thinks pregnant women are beautiful. (thankyouthankyouthankyou)
• How extremely sweet it is to have your honey's hand on your stomach as you fall asleep. Don loves Addie. And even if I'm asleep before he gets there, sometimes she'll give him a little kick goodnight while I'm sleeping. In fact, she moves more for him than almost anyone.

I was so certain that I would be a miserable pregnant woman and that I would have morning sickness 24/7 for nine months straight. But, unexpectedly, I love it, and I'll put up with just about anything for Addie.