by SHANNON, For the Mommas

Million Moms Challenge Blogger

I was  a planner by nature. I had a plan for everything. Spontaneity was not in my vocabulary. Every memorable or monumental event in my life was carefully planned and staged.

My pregnancy was planned. I knew the exact month I was to get pregnant. I spent months charting and planning to know exactly when I would get pregnant. I had prior pregnancy issues, so this time I followed the plan laid out by doctor.

When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I had a plan for work. I would transfer my work location closer to home. I would work until I was 8 months pregnant and enjoy one month off before I gave birth. I created a savings budget so that I would be able to stay home for 3 months after he was born.

I spent the first four weeks making lists. I made name lists, color scheme lists and lists of what I needed. I was ready, my plan was rock solid and everything would be great!

At 8 weeks pregnant, every part of my plan came tumbling down. I woke up in the middle of the night  with a terrible sensation. I felt like I had a been drinking. The room was spinning. I spent most of that night laying on the floor, waiting to vomit. It never happened that night. However, from the next day until the day I gave birth, I would not be able to hold food down. I would find out I was suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

This little unborn baby changed my plans. For the first time in my life, I had to be spontaneous. Little did I know, this little baby would be changing my plans for a long time to come.

My pregnancy was far from perfect or beautiful. It was hard. It was tiring, at times even miserable. But, it was the time that I learned that life had no big plan. I learned that when this little boy came into my life, all my plans were out the window.. and that was ok. Life’s best moments are unplanned.

Ten years later, I am still working on planning, but now — instead of planning months, weeks — I am just planning the next hour.

Becoming pregnant changed my life, and I’d love to hear more about your best or most difficult pregnancy moments. By replying, you will be entered to win an exclusive Million Moms Challenge Gift Pack, which includes an all expenses paid trip to a conference on mothers hosted by the UN Foundation in DC (Jan/Feb 2012), an iPad2, a custom-made Million Moms Challenge pendant and $50 donation in your name to Global Giving.

Please join the Million Moms Challenge and sign up!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Million Moms Challenge. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest runs September 19 to October 16, 2011. A random winner will be announced by October 18, 2011.

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