"Enjoy This Time" - WARNING - This is a Debbie Downer post. Sorry!

I woke up at 4 am this morning with contractions. For the first few hours each contraction was only ten minutes apart...I thought for sure they would get closer and closer and then we would be off to the hospital. No such luck as they are now non existent. During this ordeal I could not help but to think "You have got to be kidding me." All of that and now nothing! Which brings me to my very favorite piece of advice I have gotten throughout my pregnancy from everyone from the lady who checked my groceries at super Target to great aunt Millie - "ENJOY this time because when the baby comes..."

I understand well meaning people think they are adding some sort of comfort in this advice and I don't mean to offend anyone by my sarcasm.....but REALLY! I have found in the last couple of months that I have to bite my tongue when people tell me to "enjoy this time". While I am shaking my head and smiling as people share their wisdom with me here is what I am really thinking:

#1 - "Enjoy this time because when the baby comes you will not get to sleep."....OK - I get that babies get up every couple of hours to eat and be changed....but as a big prego I ALSO get up every couple of hours to use the bathroom. Not to mention the fact that I cannot sleep because I have heartburn, can't sleep on my back or right side, I wake up with cramps in my legs and occasionally round ligament pain. It is awesome. SO the thought of getting two hours of comfortable sleep between feedings sounds like heaven.

#2 - "Enjoy this time now because after the baby comes you will never again get to go out to dinner, go in public or go to a movie again". REALLY? Even if that were the case (which it is not) may I mention that when I go in public these days that I get looks of pity because my stomach is hanging out, the occasional "your huge" from sales people (no joke), have to visit the restroom on every level of the mall, store, restaurant and every hour during a movie at the movie theatre.....so ya....although I don't have to find a sitter right now....at least when the baby comes I can walk not waddle in public again and sit through an entire movie without having to visit the little girls room.

#3 - Simply - "Enjoy this time". I have to admit that I have not had a bad pregnancy but I SO long for the day when I can be myself again. It is strange for me to get winded walking up the steps in my house, not being able to do more on the treadmill than walk at a speed of 3.0 and go to bed every night at 9. I miss having energy, going to shows, and desiring to do more than sit on the couch.

OK, please keep in mind as I rant and rave that I have not slept in over a month.....although I am so excited to meet my little diva and know that the discomfort of being preg is worth it I just have to say to all of the "Enjoy this time" well wishers....that a woman in her last trimester of pregnancy (or anyone pregnant for that matter) does not need to hear that they should enjoy: Morning sickness, nausea, gaining weight, a lack of fashionable clothing, heartburn, no sleep, stretch marks, varicose veins, lack of bladder control, waddling, puffy hands, face and feet. At least when the baby comes and I am up every two hours I can do it with a cocktail in one hand and feed the baby with another. I can shop in REAL stores again, eat imported cheese and take all of the cold medicine I want! :)

With all of that said - I feel very blessed to have had such amazing people supporting me throughout this time. It really is exciting and despite my negative and somewhat sarcastic post...I am so excited to meet my daughter and have to say I have a WHOLE new respect for mom's....God bless those who actually get pregnant AGAIN after knowing what it was like the first time!