These Days

I am finding these days to be hard ones emotionally. As the aches and pains of the third trimester set in a little early this final time around, I find myself not wanting the time to pass quickly. I've never enjoyed pregnancy. Oh sure, the excitement of a new life, the rolls and kicks, the decorating, the shopping, and the planning and preparing are all wonderful. And most of all, there is another life to love, another miracle to cherish. I wouldn't trade those things for the world. But pregnancy does not treat my body well. Nine months of non-stop nausea, sleeplessness, and even bed rest are all the norm for me. I usually find myself begging the clock to tick faster, for the time until the little one comes into this world to speed up, but of course, slow down upon his or her arrival. But it's very different this time around. While friends are talking about starting their families and expanding their families by one more, I'm done. And as much as I dislike the physical state of being pregnant, I know I will miss it. I'll miss the excitement of imagining ten tiny toes, the joy I feel when I find that perfect coming home outfit. I'll miss feeling hiccups, the happy dance after I eat ice cream, and seeing my belly move when my baby is in there spinning like a top. So I'll cherish these days of back aches and rib soreness. I'll smile when I wake up in the middle of the night to kicks and punches. These days can go just a little slower. I'll miss them when they're gone.