Given the fact that I’m in my thirties, 35ish+ weeks along with my third child, and have taken biology, you’d think this would be old hat to me by now. But it’s not. I still find human reproduction to be wacky and amazing. Whether you believe in evolution or intelligent design (or whatever the kids are calling it these days) you have to admit, it’s pretty darn miraculous.
Two “cooks,” two “ingredients,” one “oven” and 40 weeks (give or take) and you’ve baked an actual, honest to goodness, bona fide human person. From scratch.
I swear I’m not completely stupid. I had ultrasounds with my first two, so I was actually able to see them moving all around in my uterus. All 3 have had hiccups, done somersaults, and caused alien-like ripples and weird corners on my abdomen. Towards the end of my pregnancy with my son, I could feel his rhythmic practice “breathing.”
Still, the enormity didn’t hit me until I was holding my babies in my arms. In fact, I think my first thought after giving birth the first two times was “holy sh&^, I had a baby.” You’d think yeah well, duh. What exactly did you think was happening? I don’t know, I really don’t. I guess the reality just didn’t hit me until then!
I still look at my kids sometimes in wonder & amazement. I can’t imagine my life without them, yet just a few short years ago, I didn’t know who they were. I know how much of our traits are “nature” vs. “nurture” is debatable, but so far my children were born with their own, distinct personalities.
Sometimes I put my hand on my belly and I wonder who this little baby is? Are you a boy or a girl? Will you look like your brother & sister? Will you like your spaghetti with sauce, or without?
I know I’m a crazy, hormonal pregnant lady but I’m just so humbled and awestruck. So grateful for two healthy children. So honored to be called their Mommy.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thinks this is all amazing and just a little bit crazy! 🙂
It is an awesome thing and even though I’m not pregnant I look at my kids so often and think the same way!
It is good that you mull these things and take them in. It’s such an amazing journey whether you are having an easy go or a hard go of it.
Right now I have a 6 year OLD! It’s very weird. I see him now and his personality has always been that way since he was born and I still wonder how he’ll change or keep what as he gets older 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your journey mama!
My daughter is 6 and her personality is exactly the same too! I’m soooo in for it when she’s a teen. 😉
It is amazing. Each child is so different. And it’s so hard to imagine what that little person will be like when they are born. But then, after they are here, it’s so hard to imagine them being any other way. Every birth is a miracle.
I can’t believe just a few short years ago, my kids weren’t here!!
I totally agree! Now that I have a personality-full 2 year old, it makes me wonder even more what #2 is going to be like.
For me, expecting #3 has really been a validation of the relationship between me and my husband. What an amazing thing to meet someone, plan your life together, and bring little breathing, heart-beating creatures into this world. They carry a combination of our DNA, character and personality traits, and our last name. All those memories I had as a child of my family, I am now growing in my child’s brain. One day, they’ll get older, get married, and tell their husband/wife, “When I was a kid, my family….” To think you want to have a family with someone, but then to actually carry it through is mind boggling. I’m incubating something my husband and I created together. To me, it puts the concept of divorce so much into perspective, and the willingness of BOTH parties to get through everything for the sake of these little creatures brought into the world.
I’m totally with you on that one. I too am in my thirties and just had my little guy (baby #3) three days ago. It just amazed me every time I felt him move in my tummy and amazes me even more seeing him now and knowing he was growing inside me for all these months. Making babies is definitely an amazing process. I can’t wait to see your newest arrival on here in a few months!!!
I hear you. It is both weird and amazing. I have seven kids and I am still in awe of the whole process. God is amazing. I don’t know how He came up with this design. I’ve always marveled that it doesn’t kill all of us and that so many babies are born without any problems or issues.
Completely agree! I am a labor and delivery nurse, so I see pregnancy and birth every day…but it is still SO odd. It doesn’t really hit you until you are pregnant just how WEIRD it is! I am 9 weeks preggo with number 2 and it is just so strange to think that 2 microscopic ingredients form a complete human being…and that is grows inside of you! Pregnancy is so strange, but so beautiful and miraculous at the same time!
I’m with you on that! I’m approaching my 30s, pregnant with #2. I can’t believe there is a little human being sitting in my tummy! It’s mind boggling. It’s something I don’t think you can ever ‘get used to’, it is so miraculous! I’m one week from my due date, these somersaults don’t stop 🙂
It is truly amazing isn’t it? With my first I was 16 and didn’t even really think about it, but with this one we TRIED to conceive and the whole time I was like “wow”.
I’m 32 weeks now and I just can’t believe there is a baby in my belly! It’s so weird that like you said, 2 cooks, 2 ingredients makes one perfect human! Isn’t it weird what our bodies can do?
I have to completely agree with you on this. I’ve had one little girl and I catch myself looking at her and thinking, “Wow, it’s amazing. We created this awesome little girl.” Every day she’s doing something different that I learn from. I’d say that being a young parent is great. (I had her when I was 19). She’s taught me so much already in life and I thank God for her every day.