Make Memories & Make it Count

As I approach the two year anniversary of my UC, thoughts turn to the future child we intend to have.

Parents of multiple children– have you ever felt like you really wanted to make sure you were making the most out of these times in your life, before they pass you by?

We have three children already, and we will probably have one more. And you know, it’s funny… looking back on three different pregnancies and three different births, even three different parenting experiences– all really different and unique in their own ways– we have experienced so much diversity in the way things have gone. And I’m so grateful for that! The richness of experience gives me the understanding of a little bit of everything. It helps me know what works best for me, and in a way, truly live.

So, here is a list of things I’ve never done that I’m wondering whether they’d be worth it to experience next time, since this will be possibly my last chance. Some of them I’m almost sure to do, and others are really iffy, but worth considering.

1. Not take a pregnancy test (just know naturally that I am growing a baby inside me).
2. Have an unassisted pregnancy (none of the unnecessary prodding or testing, except probably a mid-pregnancy ultrasound to watch for any conditions which may require medical intervention). Just have a stress-free pregnancy where I look after myself and enjoy the ride.
3. Not announce my pregnancy to anyone. Just let people discover when I’ve got a baby.
4. Take pregnancy announcement photos with a professional photographer.
5. Get my pregnant belly painted, and/or get henna.
6. Not have any kind of shower or blessing; maybe have a celebration party instead (before or after birth)
7. Get people to donate frozen meals for after birth instead of making a registry or wish list for me and baby.
8. Finally baby-wear!
   

   I’d really like to try an Ergo Baby Carrier.

9. Get Hypnobabies and see if it really works to eliminate pain in labor.
10. Join a due date club.
11. Blog through my whole pregnancy and birth, and open up, be myself and more personal. Let the readers/fans take the journey with me.
12. Form a special due date club just for people “due” around the same time I am, for readers/followers of ISOTPB. Give presents, exchange birth beads for birth necklaces, etc.
13. Be much more physically active during pregnancy.
14. Really not find out the sex this time (and not accidentally observe it during ultrasound).
15. Be open with most people about my intentions to birth unassisted before it actually happens.
16. Not set up a crib this time around. Last time we hardly used it.
17. Share my pregnancy journey with private birth support groups that I trust.
18. Get adorable newborn photos with a professional photographer. You know, the kind with props and owl hats, that look like they belong in magazines.
19. Announce my pregnancy right away, to everyone.
20. Let everyone in on the name right away (rather than keeping it a secret until birth).
21. Give everyone a fake baby name the whole pregnancy. >:)

Those are just a few of the things off the top of my head that I have thought about. But here’s the thing– when you’ve had a few kids, and you know that time in your life could be drawing to a close, you have to make it count. These are the memories we will look back on when we’re old with so much fondness, and I want to make sure that I’ve done everything that I really want to do in these departments before that chapter closes.

This is an exciting and thoughtful time, full of possibility and planning.  🙂