Men Just Don't Understand

I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out what to post about for my last two posts on this blog. And after asking for ideas from my family members, I never would have guessed it would have been my brother-in-law that would have a genius idea.

So thanks to him, I bring to you my short list of things my man will never, ever understand about pregnancy and childbirth. (Isn't it a shame that men don't get to experience it?) It doesn't matter how much we try to explain, there are just some things he will never understand.

--He will never understand how amazing it is to feel a baby moving and growing inside of him. Sure, he can feel the kicks and stuff, but actually feeling it inside your body is one of the most amazing things there is about the whole process.

--He will never get what an emotional roller coaster pregnancy and childbirth are. (See myPhases of Pregnancy post for an explanation of the roller coaster ride that it is!)

--He can't grasp exactly how strong pregnancy cravings are. I know he's not happy when I NEED muffins at 10:00 at night, but I sure am glad he's willing to go to the store and get them for me.

--He will never realize how unbelievably tiring it is to just exist in pregnancy.

--He won't ever understand how frustrating it is to have him call from work daily during the last couple weeks and ask if the baby is coming yet.

--He will never, ever, ever understand the pain of childbirth. And there is no pain he can endure that he can compare to it, no matter how hard he tries to.

--He won't ever realize how excruciating, frustrating, and rewarding nursing a baby can be.

--He'll never understand why I cry so often for several months after having a baby...but I really can't blame him for that one since I usually don't understand why I'm crying either.

--He'll never realize how glorious it is to be able to sleep in any position I want again after the baby is born.

--He won't ever know what an amazing experience he's missing out on (even if we mostly complain, making it hard for him to realize how amazing it really is and feels).

This list only makes me realize how lucky we are as women to be the ones that get to experience growing a human inside of us, in spite of any pain and discomfort we endure. I know our men go through their own trials, emotions, and excitement during the process, but what a wonderful miracle it is that we get to "man up" and do this. After having children, it is all something that I will most definitely not take for granted! Even though he'll never understand, I know for sure that we are the lucky ones.