Most little girls envision growing up only to reminisce over the special memories or moments in our lives. My memory is quite vivid- two lines- bold lines that changed everything I thought I knew about life after two minutes.

My sentiments…me…a mommy…I was all smiles. I was elated.

Each pregnancy was wonderful! I experienced fatigue, minimal weight gain and not one day of morning sickness. Determined and in control of “my first time mommy ideology”, I was not buying “those atrocious maternity clothes”. (At least, not until the third pregnancy- Old Navy Maternity and Gap Maternity were making strides on the internet in the new millennium.)

My husband was AWESOME!! He was the perfect example of a father-to-be, labor coach and postpartum father. In fact, during the third pregnancy, he gained the pregnancy weight during our late night grocery store runs to Kroger or Publix. He would talk and kiss my then flat stomach well after my bump became visible around the middle of the 5th month.

I remember changing mentally. I became engrossed in reading various magazine articles, books on what to expect and watched A Baby Story daily. Despite the myth, I did not eat for two- I ate healthy, well-balanced nutritional meals. I embraced my increased appetite that nourished my temporary visitor. Thankful at the notion, my body was in perfect harmony as nature intended. Even though my body was being overthrown by someone I had yet to meet. I was thrilled.

Excited, anxious and nervous- my body was rapidly evolving overnight. I would do the profile mirror checks and smile excessively. I studied our first black and white picture until it watched me drift into a deep sleep. I was facing the unknown, yet, I knew this tiny person was impacting my life. Preparing me for parenthood as my body began to morph from a basketball to a beach ball. My weight gain: 1st pregnancy- 19 pounds; 2nd pregnancy- 26 pounds; 3rd pregnancy- 24 pounds. Additionally, I learned that pregnancy was not an exact science. I never gave birth on the due date.

Of course, there were moments that I could not comfortably sit in any chair or seat. I rested better on the loveseat than our bed. As the ninth month approached, my sneaker laces swayed further and further to the sides- eventually my husband would take over this task. I was lucky enough to have swelling on my outer vaginal lips; not my ankles. So, I walked funny- my small to medium frame was not accustomed to the additional weight.

From the first flutter to the final push- each pregnancy offered a new outlook and a new revelation about every aspect of life. There were positive and far from positive weeks during the year of the takeover.

In the grand scheme of things, I was only the vessel blessed to be a co-steward over three amazing people!