As a first time mommy-to-be, there is a lot of learning to encompass with this journey. There are guidelines to follow, books to read, tricks to learn, skills to master and I constantly feel like I'm searching for the best apps and latest books to help me through it. Yet those apps and books tend to leave out the real struggles, that we, as unexpected, expecting mothers, are going to endure a hell of mental and physical changes, that our partners may not understand exactly what it's like.
1. Our hormones are REALLY unpredictable.
I know, it's almost the first thing people complain about during pregnancy. But being pregnant can make us feel on top of the world and full of sunshine one minute and full of sadness about all the brownie batter missing the next. Our hormones are the definition of a roller coaster and there's no "pregnancy card" we want for riding our emotions.
2. We want to feel like the only girl in the world.
We don't always feel like we are as beautiful as we used to be. Our bodies are growing, our faces are literally glowing, and we can't seem to connect with the beauty that will be within the stretch marks yet. It's pretty simple, all we want is to be reminded how much we are loved. We may know it, but feeling it and knowing it are two different things, and it's difficult to remind ourselves of it when we are going through so many changes.
3. We are carrying a human inside us.
I'm not sure if it's just my partner or guys in general, but sometimes I'm not sure they understand that we are growing a human being inside of us. A whole, beautiful, tiny life is inside us, and with it comes a whole slew of side effects: sickness, sadness, fatigue, loneliness, cravings, hypersensitive senses, sacrifices and of course, the good ole' peeing when sneezing. We take the good with the bad, and we do the best we can. We know it isn't easy, for ourselves and for you, but it will be worth it, and we want you there to experience the joys with us. A little understanding goes a long way, gentleman.
4. Be patient.
There's no time limit to accepting the unexpected changes we are bound to endure. It will be a journey of highs and lows, and we will constantly be changing as individuals and a couple, but it won't happen overnight. We've watched you tear up, laugh, and yell, but we couldn't imagine life without you or this baby, and we're ready to overcome all the new boundaries life throws at us. God willingly provided us with a game changer for our lives and we couldn't be happier--we want the best for ourselves, the baby, and our relationship. Thank you and please be patient. Give us that much and the rest will be a "happy wife(girlfriend), happy life" kinda thing. We appreciate you.
The best is yet to come!
