Expectant

I met Brad when I was 20 years old. We were kids and neither of us really knew how to be an adult. We spent our money on stupid stuff and had inane conversations about things like Sublime and Corona. I knew from the beginning, though, that he was going to be in my life for a long time. It took a few years for me to realize that it would be forever. We basically grew up together.

We saw each other through bad times and good times, and lived a nomadic existence for years as we moved from town to town, state to state. We finally got married after 11 years, and 2 years later bought a house. In West Virginia, of all places.

Now, it's time to start a new chapter. Brad and I are going to be parents. I found out that I was pregnant on a Sunday in February, and I took four home pregnancy tests just to be sure. Then I kept it to myself for three days (which was torture), wrapped up the positive tests, and gave them to Brad for Valentine's Day. It was a moment I will always remember.

I was lucky enough not to ever get morning sickness, but I did spend the first three months feeling like I got hit by a truck after running a marathon. By that I mean I was exhausted all. of. the. time.

Fast forward to today. I am almost 16 weeks. I am showing, and am wearing maternity pants almost exclusively. I feel really good. I've gained a bit too much weight, which was an embarrassing conversation to have with my doctor, but I have much more energy now. I've joined a new gym by my house and am working out again (no running outside in the southern heat for this pregnant chick). I'm tracking my food intake on this website called babyfit.com, and I'm trying to make good decisions about what I eat. Because I don't want to be huge, and I don't want to have a 10 pound baby. I also want to remain active because I've read that it can make labor easier and recovery shorter.

We have a million things to do before my due date in October, including picking names and, you know, learning how to parent a child. But I have nothing but faith in Brad, and that makes me feel better about my chances as well.