Things I like about being pregnant

Pregnancy has so many obvious detractions and inconveniences (I really started to feel them this weekend!), that it's easy to get caught up in how uncomfortable it is. But I think it's also important to stop and think about the good things, too:

• You worry (a little) less about looking/being big. Any weight gain or unsightly bumps can be blamed on the baby. I had to appear publicly (i.e. our local community pool) in a bathing suit this weekend, and got through it by telling myself that it's all because of "the baby." And then after the baby, you get at least nine months where you get to say, "I just had a baby." Right?!
  
  
• People treat you differently. Hopefully a little nicer. They definitely offer their seats more, although TTC subway riders can still be pretty heartless.
  
  
• You now have a good excuse for being absentminded (e.g. why are my socks in the fruit bowl??). Although this does mean you don't have a good excuse the rest of the time.
  
  
• You get to have a "do over." Since Mela’s been born, there have been lots of times when I’ve thought, “Oh, I’d do it this way next time.” It's easy in retrospect to think of how things could've been improved (e.g. maybe I shouldn't have gained 45 lbs!). And now all of a sudden, "next time" is right around the corner! Which is good in a way, since it's all still so fresh in our minds. It's nice to have a second chance again so soon. I think this is the main benefit of the second kid - you don't have the same level of excitement and anticipation for each stage but you have much more confidence and expertise.
  
  Breastfeeding in particular will be interesting - I spend a lot of time now thinking of how to avoid the problems we ran into last time, while at the same time feeling like I won't make such a big deal out of it if it doesn't work out again (bottles are actually really handy!).
  
  
• You have new projects to work on. Fun, interesting research into baby products, related gear (strollers alone can take months to evaluate!), nursery decoration, etc. Second babies admittedly have a LOT less learning opportunities (you've already read the entire Baby Centre website) but given all the wisdom you've gained since your first baby (see "do-over" above), there are now some new fun topics to explore (e.g. how to sidecar a crib).
  
  
• You always have company. For example, let's say you're standing alone waiting for an elevator at work. You're tired and a little bored . All of sudden, you feel a little kick (or could be a punch) in the belly. And now it's like you have a little friend along with you, saying, "Hi mom! What's up?" It's nice. Although when the elevator finally does arrive, people getting off think you're crazy, since you're standing there staring dreamily off into space, smiling and rubbing your belly.
  
  
• Every time you hold a tiny newborn baby in your arms or come across a fuzzy little sleeper, and you feel a pain in your heart and think, "I really want to have another baby," you suddenly realize that your dream has already come true.