I've always said that I think conception, pregnancy and childbirth are nothing short of supernatural. How absolutely incredible is it that we can make other people?
What I'm thinking is supernatural these days is how the human body is able to be taken to its limits to accommodate growing life. I'm amazed at the changes taking place in preparation for the birth of my babies. I'm in shock when I look in the mirror - in part because I see a pregnant woman looking back at me (which I thought I would never be privy to again) - but, mostly because of the sheer size of my belly. I am slightly over 30 weeks pregnant, but measuring past full term at 41 weeks. The fact that the uterus - MY uterus - can stretch this way simply blows my mind.
I'm especially in awe of the little people forming inside of me. These tiny little beings, not yet born, already have their own personalities. They respond to our voices and interact with us by pushing back at our gentle pokes. They let me know when they are hungry or uncomfortable. For example, they distinctly dislike:
They also don't like how crowded the real estate is getting in my womb. What I already suspected from the visual circus on my stomach is regularly confirmed at our weekly ultrasound visits: our babies are cat fighting in the womb. Emma is particularly fierce, pushing her brother out of her space, or straight out kicking him in the head. Rémi is more laid back, taking it all in stride. Every once in a while though, he has enough and does a sudden 360° to escape. Typically, this happens after I've eaten. Emma's escapades, coupled with food taking up the little extra space the twins have, seem to send Rémi over the edge - and his acrobatics result in my having Tums for dessert...
What I'm thinking is supernatural these days is how the human body is able to be taken to its limits to accommodate growing life. I'm amazed at the changes taking place in preparation for the birth of my babies. I'm in shock when I look in the mirror - in part because I see a pregnant woman looking back at me (which I thought I would never be privy to again) - but, mostly because of the sheer size of my belly. I am slightly over 30 weeks pregnant, but measuring past full term at 41 weeks. The fact that the uterus - MY uterus - can stretch this way simply blows my mind.
I'm especially in awe of the little people forming inside of me. These tiny little beings, not yet born, already have their own personalities. They respond to our voices and interact with us by pushing back at our gentle pokes. They let me know when they are hungry or uncomfortable. For example, they distinctly dislike:
- when I drink something cold
- when I roll over on either side, just a little too much
- any loud noises
- the water from the shower hitting my tummy
They also don't like how crowded the real estate is getting in my womb. What I already suspected from the visual circus on my stomach is regularly confirmed at our weekly ultrasound visits: our babies are cat fighting in the womb. Emma is particularly fierce, pushing her brother out of her space, or straight out kicking him in the head. Rémi is more laid back, taking it all in stride. Every once in a while though, he has enough and does a sudden 360° to escape. Typically, this happens after I've eaten. Emma's escapades, coupled with food taking up the little extra space the twins have, seem to send Rémi over the edge - and his acrobatics result in my having Tums for dessert...