Pregnancy: E is for Expectations

E is for Expectations. My expectations. Dan's expectations. My parents' expectations. His parents' expectations. Friends. Relatives.

What kind of expectations? Hundreds. Easy labor (my mother) vs. hard labor (me). Will I work? I expect to stay home and Dan will work. I expect to breastfeed.

People expect me to have a name by now. I don't.

I expect Dan to be at the delivery but I know his father missed Dan's sister being born.

I expect a healthy baby boy and I know that might not be what I get. I expect to love my son, but I know that might take time--I might not feel the maternal rush of emotion right away.

Everyone expects me to be happy and excited right now. I'm more terrified and eager for my body back (and I expect to not like its condition) and for the kicking to stop.

I expect parenting to be difficult. I also expect it to be wonderful and rewarding.