what did i expect???

these days, we live in a world of what my mommy calls "new-fangled mothers". please don't ask me where she got the world "fangled"...i don't know. anywho, i kind of understand what she means. between new books, blogs, pre- and post-natal products and procedures, expecting mothers of today have much more knowledge and a little more control over planning pregnancy, going through pregnancy, and caring for our newborns. with all this wonderful knowledge right at my fingertips, i have to be honest, i'm still scared to death. i do have faith that i will be a wonderful mother...but this is very new territory for me. i am taking it day by day, and each day seems to hold some new pregnancy discovery for me, lol.

this past christmas, my mom bought me the book "what to expect when you're expecting" (at my request, of course). i have enjoyed reading the book. it's insightful and gives you a little more information than the old wives' tales women have relied on for years. i love that it even incorporates some of the wives' tales and explains how or why i may experience certain things. now, some things the book mentions scares me to death (i.e. hemorrhoids...*shudders*), and i realize they may not even happen to me. ***EVERY PREGNANCY IS DIFFERENT*** but i like that it discusses things that i should be prepared for just in case. great example...the other morning my nose starts gushing blood. no rhyme or reason. the funniest thing is, i kept calm and said to myself, "the book said this might happen", lol. i'm somewhat of a drama queen sometimes so it was nice to feel a little prepared and not freak out.

don't get me wrong, i am not going to live by this book. i listen to my doctor, my mother, family and friends with children, and most importantly, my common senses and my body. but it is nice to have something to reference when i need a straight to the point explanation of various pregnancy "phenomena"! books like this are good for first time mothers, especially those like myself, who appreciate written information sometimes.

another cool part of the book is that it is broken down by months and shows and tells you particular information about that month. it shows pics of what your baby probably looks like, explains what you may be experiencing (physically and emotionally), and gives tips on how to actually enjoy that point in pregnancy! nice...