Having a toddler around while pregnant doesn't seem at first like it would be all that awesome.
When I found out I was pregnant again, I wondered how I was going to manage without all the cushy little numbers I used to enjoy during my first pregnancy – as presumably this time I would have a two-year-old sitting on my face for the duration. Forget the uninterrupted naps, loooooong stretches of lying around doing nothing, marathon binge-watching of
One Born Every Minute and poring over The Book to marvel at each new stage of the pregnancy.
No chance.
However, I soon discovered that there're actually some lovely unexpected side effects to gestating with a rowdy toddler around.
5 Really Awesome Things No Tells You About Being Pregnant With a Toddler Around:
1. The Absolute Magic
The
second pregnancy can be a bit blaa, half the time you forget your hospital appointments, and you might be foggy on when exactly the due date even is, quite a contrast to the hyper-documented first-time gestation. However experiencing the pregnancy through your toddler's eyes is all kinds of fab. All the sonogram pictures (most likely tattered and covered with crayon) are treasured by the big brother or sister; it's adorable.
2. The bump makes a really good racetrack
Or trampoline – this is slightly less cool obviously but still ... my god the cuteness.
3. The Toddler interacting with the bump is hilarious
My one keeps talking to the baby through my bellybutton and trying to feed it almonds through the belly button.
4. The belly becomes a member of the family
The belly gets goodnight kisses and hello hugs and songs sung to it and the odd friendly thump for good measure.
5. The toddler keeps things exciting
Listening to the toddler talking about their little brother or sister keeps the excitement going, when the will to be enthused seriously lags (usually sometime after week 35).
Obviously being pregnant with a toddler around requires a slightly blinkered attitude regarding the future and what kind of shit is about to hit the fan when it comes time to bring the baby home. Please leave me in my state of maximum denial on this front. I have to keep believing that he will never try to drown the new baby in the bathtub (á la my friend and her little sister) and will love the new baby every bit as much when he or she is out in the world wrecking his head. Please, NOBODY, ruin this rosy notion for me.
What's the cutest thing your toddler did when you were pregnant? Tell us your stories in the comments...
If this cosy, rosy little article about how awesome it is being pregnant with a toddler around isn't floating your boat see also
10 Harsh Truths About Being Pregnant While Dealing With a Toddler.
