I’m just beyond 8 months pregnant. According to various sources, my baby is anywhere between the size of a pineapple, a jicama, a squash, a papaya or even a pineapple upside down cake.

See doesn’t it look like there’s a squash in there?

According to some sources, I am having trouble sleeping, feeling mood swings, bloating, out of breath, heartburn, leg cramps and more pleasures. It’s beginning to be patio happy hour season and I’m still delegated to designated driver. And it’s finally getting nice enough to run outside, but I can barely make it a mile without having to stop and catch my breathe, hold my belly, etc.  So when a few weeks ago, while hanging out with some great new mom friends and one of them asked the others if they were missing being pregnant, it made me pause to think about it. Would I miss pregnancy?

I actually really can’t complain. I’m still enjoying being pregnant. I’m overall feeling pretty good. I’m still keeping up with running (somewhat) and can’t believe how close we are to meeting our baby! So, what are some things I will miss about being pregnant?

The kindness of strangers: Random people are so much nicer when they see a pregnant woman. People who never said hi to me before are stopping to say hi at the grocery store. Valet workers on the streets (who aren’t serving me), stop to ask me how I’m doing. While waiting to cross the street, random people smile and nod their head at me. I have no idea why, but there’s something about a pregnant person that makes people happy and kind!

The way I feel about my body: It may be hard to believe that with a giant belly and other random body changes that I feel really good about my body these days, but I do. No, I’m not looking in the mirror going “Damn girl, you look hot” on a daily basis, but I’m so impressed with my body these days that it’s empowering. Just knowing what it’s doing – growing and keeping another human being alive – is enough to make me feel proud.

New clothes: I’m lucky enough to have had 3 friends who gave birth within the past 6 months and a sister-in-law with 2 kids and therefore I have been given maternity clothes to borrow from ALL of them.This means that not only have I not had to buy more than a few maternity essentials, but also, I’ve been given a whole new temporary wardrobe. Are they all things I would buy/pick out for myself? Not at all – but that’s what makes it even more fun; I’m getting to try out new styles, looks and fashions and it’s fun!

(sample clothes)

The way friends/family cut you some slack: Don’t feel like staying out until all hours? Blame it on the pregnancy. More tired or irritable than usual? Blame it on the pregnancy. Need a late night ice cream treat? Blame it on the pregnancy. For the most part, my family and friends are being more lenient with me. I haven’t wanted to cook dinner more than once a week, and B understands. While writing this post, the dinner I’m eating is a combination of some carrots, peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate chips. Is this a regular occurrence? No … but at least B understands!

The kicks/movement: Before being pregnant I used to think that it was SO WEIRD to see or feel a pregnant woman’s belly move. It was like an alien and creeped me out. But now, I love it. I love feeling our baby move inside of me- even when it’s semi-uncomfortable. I don’t know how to explain it, but I have a strange love for this being I’ve never even met before, and feeling it move makes me only love it more.

Feeling like I can get away with odd behavior: Pregnancy brain may actually be a real thing. The other morning, before even going to work, I had nearly microwaved my wallet, washed/dried my lunch, and nearly brushed my teeth with B’s comb. It wasn’t pretty. Is it the lack of sleep? Maybe. The million things going on in my brain? Perhaps. But at least – for the most part – people have been understanding and excuse my stranger than typical behavior.

This morning, I’ve tried to microwave my wallet, put lunch in the dryer & toothpaste on a comb.

Starting to think pregnancy brain is real.

— Melissa Koski Carney (@koskim) April 14, 2016

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Don’t worry – I’m not going to blab all about being pregnant non-stop from now on. I’ve held off this long! I may have another post coming, however, about the things I WON’T miss about being pregnant, because face it – despite all of the above, there are some things that aren’t pretty!

Joining up again today with the Thinking Out Loud linkup.