Pregnant ... Again.

So here I am pregnant with our third child in as many years. At this point I feel like (a very tired) expert. My first pregnancy with my now 3 year old daughter was vastly different than this third one or even my second. The first pregnancy earns you all kinds of sympathy and interest. Your husband is amazed at what is happening and everyone around you seems concerned about your comfort and well being. The second pregnancy and beyond... no so much. By now you are a pro and people have a seen it before attitude. Your husband still may fawn over you but now with the dedication that was reserved for your first go around.

And that is just the outside influence. With the first pregnancy you were tired, achy, and felt huge. But, since it was your first that was all you had to deal with. Now you have a toddler (or two) pulling at your shirt and not understanding that Mommy is growing another person and just needs a moment to herself. Early on you are constantly sick to your stomach but this time you can't spend hours with your head pressed against the toilet bowl wondering how come you have a hangover without the benefit of having the fun that comes before it. No, you have kids to feed and look after that don't care that just the words "grilled cheese" are twisting your stomach into a ball let alone the thought of now having to prepare one. Later when you feel huge enough to qualify for your own zip code you have haul not only yourself up the stairs but 35 pounds of toddler. The bigger you get the smaller they want to remind you they still are.

Another thing that changes are the looks. With your first pregnancy people are elated. They positively glow when they stop you in the grocery store aisle and ask about names and if you know the gender. They are your biggest fan and are as interested in every detail as you are. With the next pregnancy people can be pretty blunt. If it's your first child is still pretty young you may be asked if the pregnancy was on purpose. The look of admiration is now replaced with a look of worry and maybe even a hint of relief that it's not them. Now that I'm on my third pregnancy with two small toddlers in tow the looks I get alternate between total sympathy and horror.

There is one thing that wins you back a little of the wonder that came with the first pregnancy is a different gender. The look of sympathy/horror quickly turns back to elation when I answer the gender question. My two little girls are about to become sisters to a baby boy and it always amazes me how knowing this makes such a difference to peoples perception of the situation.

It's true that a first pregnancy is an experience that can never be fully replicated but one thing is the same no matter how many times you have been through it... the end is always amazing. When they hand that new little bundle to you whether it's your first or your fifth it's the same. Your heart grows and you can't imagine your family without the newest addition. And even though subsequent pregnancies lose their charm to the outside world everyone loves a baby. Be prepared for the look of awe and elation only it will be directed at someone else this time.