Right now I am 37 weeks pregnant (translation: about to pop) with my second child. It hasn’t been all that different from my first pregnancy except for the fact that this time I’m also chasing a two-and-a-half year old around. Fortunately, I have found that we actually have a lot in common. In fact, here are 10 ways being pregnant is like being a toddler:
1. Shoe Tying
She can’t tie her shoes because she hasn’t learned how and I can’t tie mine because I can’t reach my feet. Thankfully it’s summer and it’s socially acceptable that flip flops have become a staple for both of us.
2. Mood Swings
My toddler can be dancing around the house one minute and curled up in a ball sobbing the next minute. And if you wait or say just the right thing? She’ll be back to dancing in no time. Since becoming pregnant, I can be totally overwhelmed with the joy and anticipation of motherhood immediately followed by crippling worry and doubt. The best part? My husband gets to deal with both of us at the same time! (Sorry, babe!)
3. Naps
I don’t know if you’ve heard this before, but growing a human is exhausting. You know how everyone always said “sleep when the baby sleeps”? Well, that never really worked for me, but “pregnant mamas sleep when the toddler sleeps” is my new mantra. And if either of us skip our naps? Watch out! (See #2)
4. Snacks
I used to get slightly annoyed when my toddler would wake up from her nap and immediately beg for a snack. Now that I’m pregnant, we are on the same eating schedule so by the time she’s ready for a snack I am probably already searching through the fridge.
5. Going Potty 1000x Per Day
If you’ve ever tried to potty train a toddler, you know that means at least ten trips to the potty every day. Now it’s not so bad because chances are good I was already headed in that direction. At least I don’t need encouraging songs from Elmo to get me through my potty breaks.
6. Growing Feet
There are two people who have gotten new shoes in our house multiple times during my pregnancy. Me and my two year old. Her feet are growing at a crazy rate, but I can’t complain too much because mine have also swelled up like balloons.
7. Changing Tastes
Just like my toddler will love broccoli one day and throw it on the ground the next (we’re working on this part…), I could not go within a half mile of a BBQ joint without gagging during the first three months of my pregnancy. Now? I think I’ve eaten some kind of smoked meat at least once a week for three months.
8. Lack of Control of Bodily Functions
My toddler can’t control when she toots and since she’s not potty trained, she is always pooping her pants. I can’t help but belch and if I laugh too hard, sneeze, or cough – you can bet I’ve just peed my pants a little. Let me tell you – we are quite the pair!
9. Cravings
I wish it weren’t true, but there have been a few times during my pregnancy that I wanted sushi RIGHT NOW. Even if it was 9:00 at night and my hubby had to drive to Kroger to get it. It just couldn’t wait until the next day. Have you ever seen a toddler who suddenly remembered ice cream existed? Absolutely nothing else will do.
10. BIG Feelings
Have you seen the hashtag #whymytoddleriscrying? On any given day, my toddler might be crying because I gave her the wrong color of cup (or I gave her the color she asked for, but she meant a different color), because I had to wash her face after eating spaghetti, or for no reason at all. My poor husband also has to deal with the fact that I cry at baby commercials, because I couldn’t paint my toenails, or again – not for one single good reason.
Did you notice any similarities with your toddler while you were pregnant? Share your favorite ways being pregnant is like being a toddler in the comments below!
It makes you both very special people!