Pregnancy is the best time of a woman's life.

Okay, so aside from the morning sickness, weight gain, psychotic dreams, discomfort while sleeping, raging hormones, panic attacks, and the actual pain that results from carrying the loves of our lives for nine months and the excruciating agony of the actual delivery, being pregnant is the best time of a woman's life. Here's why:

1. It is the one thing WOMEN have that is truly ours. No offense guys, you have so much to offer as dads, and husbands; you are our soldiers of mercy in every way, but the actual carrying of the baby is ours and it is a blessing. The way things are going in this society ladies (ie: the man who is having a baby as seen in the news) we may not have this claim for long so lets enjoy it while we can!

2. There is a brand new life starting inside of us and we are completely responsible for its well-being. Inside of you is a tiny little body just waiting to develop and YOU are the one who gets the front row seat. You won't miss a thing mommy! There are no words that can describe the feelings that accompany this blessing, sure you may be scared, but I dare you to say that seeing that little heartbeat blip on the sonogram screen for the first time doesn't just take your breath away and make it all worth while. Modern medicine makes it so easy for us to view our baby sucking its thumb in the womb, and curled up in cozy comfort, so beautiful, so fragile, so sweet. Its a big giant heart inside of you full of love and he/she has so much potential. As its mommy you get to dream for him/her from the moment he/she is but a twinkling in the womb.

3. You get to eat for 2, and believe me, you will! The cravings, the joys of finding new enjoyment in foods that you never thought you'd ever put to your lips, all are relished when pregnant. Beware, though, you will suddenly find things you once loved repulsive and probably never put them to your lips again. I have never been a food lover--I eat the same boring things all the time and I eat only to survive simply because I don't enjoy much, but when I was pregnant and hungry, I really looked forward to eating the things I craved, like Yoohoo chocolate drink and well... hmmm what else was there? Mac and cheese and chocolate.

4. You get a brand new wardrobe for the second and third trimester. Granted, you have to deal with the weight gain, but remember, you can lose it all again if you want it to and are willing to commit to eating right after baby is born. The weight will go away and everyone wants you to be healthy--not thin when you are pregnant so don't starve yourself or your baby to look good. Back to the clothes---AH the CLOTHES! I loved shopping for maternity clothes. They have such beautiful stuff out there for the baby bumps. Don't forget, Hollywood has made pregnancy sexy instead of matronly. Designers are creating great new looks for your new body. EMBRACE IT, Be Healthy, and be chic. GO SHOPPING!

5. You get to choose a name (with daddy's input of course). If you are like most women, you have been dreaming up angelic names for your little ones since you were oh about 6 and playing with dolls. This time, though, it really matters so start reading those baby name books and fall in love with one....because once it goes on that birth certificate, its a done deal. It's so much fun imagining what your baby will be like and look like and trying to apply a name to fit him/her. It is also interesting to research where the names originated and what they mean. My sons are Ryan which apparently means KING (very fitting because he thinks he rules the house) and Michael which means Who is like the Lord (which actually does fit him as well because he is such a sweet soul, he is very kind and caring.)

6. SHOPPING! One of the best parts of being pregnant is registering for gifts for your baby shower and picking out all of the wonderful things you want to have for your little bundle of love. If you know the sex ahead of time it is easier but there is so much to be said for waiting until the baby is born to find out. Either way, shopping is a great way to get ready for baby. Who doesn't go crazy buying new outfits, blankies, tiny booties and stuffed cuddly animals. Prepare to hold yourself back or go for broke because there are so many adorable things out there.

7. DECORATING THE NURSERY- AHHH decorating the nursery. Perhaps not as fun for daddy who usually has to put the furniture together and do the actual painting of the room, but a fabulous adventure for mommy as she picks out all of the great things that will make her baby bear's room the most wonderful of worlds. Whether it be a quaint baby color or an elaborate mural, gingham comforter set or safari quilt, making baby's room your dream come true is one of the greatest parts of being pregnant. I loved making up Ryan's crib and placing his stuffed animals on shelves. Picking out a night lite and little special touches that would show him how much he was going to be loved. I wish I could go back and do it all over again. =(

8. People throw you a party---and give you lots of great stuff YOU WANTED! WOO HOO! If you are lucky, you also get some great stuff you didn't ask for. What a fun day that is--IT IS YOUR LAST HURRAH MOMMY SO ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF IT! It is probably the last time you will be able to have a conversation with anyone without being interrupted by the little one, so talk it up while you can. All of your girlfriends will be with you and you will all gush about the past, the present and the future. You are already an emotional bunch of mush so cry to your hearts content about how much you are loved and how much your baby will be loved too.

9. Sorry men, but this one may not be for your tender eyes: NO PERIODS FOR A WHILE! Enough said. LADIES CAN I GET AN AMEN?

10. Last but definitely not least: The world treats you like a QUEEN! From the moment that little life begins, your husband, boyfriend, family, friends, heck even the mailman treats you differently. Strangers on the street smile at you and begin to chat you up (many tell you the sex of your baby--they all think they know!), the store clerk makes your bags lighter and offers to help you to the car, people offer you a seat on the train, people grab you cabs; it's Amazing really. Oh, and it has been my experience that many people continue to treat you well after baby has come as well; the world stops short for newborns. When they are 2 and screaming though, the looks and sometimes the statements are different. =) Just joking, people are generally kind and want to help you out should you have that deer in head lights look. Enjoy being spoiled, take that extra nap, sleep later in the morning, let him clean the bathroom if he wants to. Life is about to get hectic, so enjoy some down time.

So, there it is, my list of 10 things that are great about being pregnant-Did I forget anything? There has to more than that! HELP ME OUT LADIES!