Becky_Maternity-194 Being a new parent is a really special time in a person's life. There is truly nothing quite like it. Experiencing pregnancy for the first time, whether you're the mother carrying the baby, or her partner, accompanying her in her journey, is magical.  Being there for your child's entrance into the world, and holding this tiny little life in your arms for the first time are probably some of the most exhilarating moments of my life. I'm getting warm fuzzy feelings all over!

Which is why I'm so excited to experience Becky and hubby Eric's journey as first-time parents through the eyes of my camera lens. Becky is Bebo Mia's Business Development manager, and is no stranger to the world of birthing, working daily with the lovely doulas of Bebo Mia.

I began to document Becky and Eric's journey on St. Patrick's Day, when I came to their downtown Toronto condo, for a lifestyle maternity photo session. Becky is due in early April, and I will be there with my camera on-hand to photograph their baby for a Fresh 48 session, plus two more sessions in the next year. I am looking forward to capturing Becky and Eric (and baby!), as they evolve as a family. To spice things up a bit, Becky will be writing session blog posts for me, so you get to experience photo sessions through the eyes of a client! I will be posting Becky's thoughts on her maternity session in the coming days. But first, let's start with her journey into motherhood. By the way, you can also follow Becky on her personal blog. It's lots of fun to read, and makes me wish that I was that organized when I was pregnant. Way to go, Becky!

Without further ado, here is Becky's journey, in her own words...

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Becky's Journey into Motherhood

If I had to start the story of my Journey to Motherhood, it would probably begin around my first Christmas when I was given my very first baby doll. The very creatively named Doll-Doll was a very cooperative first baby, as I practiced dressing, changing, feeding and taking my “baby” for walks. My love of babies began early, and from then on, I have always dreamed of the day I would become a mother.

Through the years, I was always the first in line for holding, feeding, or even volunteering to change diapers for my younger cousins. As soon as I turned 12, I registered for the Babysitting Course and started babysitting for family friends in our small hometown. When it was time for a real job, what else was better suited than becoming a Youth Camp leader and swimming instructor. Interacting with kids day in and day out could get tiring, but I loved it. Having kids of my own was a given, it was just a matter of time.

The time became more and more of a reality after graduating university and marrying my perfect man. Who just so happened to confess his dream of wanting kids as well.....SIX of them.

Ok, seriously? I love kids, but a HALF DOZEN? That’s not upgrading to a mini van, that’s a mini BUS.

Quantity aside, I loved our newlywed talks about starting a family. In the first few years of our marriage, we took as much time as possible to enjoy being together, just the two of us, taking a few very memorable trips, always talking about cherishing the moments “before we have kids”.

When the time came to start trying for a baby, I tried to make sure I stayed optimistic that things would happen at the right time. With the reality of fertility struggles on both sides of the family, it was sometimes hard to keep the “everything happens for a reason” mindset as the months went on. Having been a part of bebo mia, a fantastic fertility, pregnancy and parenting service, for the previous year, I definitely had information on my side. I was surrounded with resources and spent hours browsing articles about pregnancy and babies....now it was just a matter of getting there myself. In June, Natasha, one of bebo mia’s founding partners, invited me to participate in the Fertility Yoga program. I wasn’t too far into my fertility journey at that point, but knowing that it could potentially be a long road ahead, I was eager to get involved and do something positive for my body and mind.

Fertility yoga provided a very open environment for discussion, as well as a fantastic, relaxing yoga practice. Being more of a Type A, practical, competitive person, I had never really been able to embrace yoga classes in the past. This time was different. I knew that my usual habits of stressing and worrying were not going to be of any help in this situation especially, so it was important for me to shift my perspective and spend the time in yoga focusing on myself and my body.

Turns out, IT WORKED.

Three days after our last class, I found out I was pregnant. I’ve never felt such disbelief in my entire life. I seriously could not believe this had really happened. I’m still not sure the reality had sunk in by the time Eric got home and I presented him with a pair of baby shoes with “Guess What, Daddy?” written on them. We were both so excited.

Sometimes when I think about it, these past 9 months have flown by. Other times, it seems like a lifetime ago that I was holding that pregnancy test with tears in my eyes. I have been so fortunate to have had a wonderful pregnancy, which has allowed me to completely enjoy and embrace every pound I’ve gained and every inch my belly has grown. Feeling our little pea’s first kicks was unbelievable, and this little one hasn’t slowed down since, giving us lots of belly-watching entertainment, wondering just what he or she is up to in there. My husband has been so supportive, attending hours of bebo mia classes, reading books like The Birth Partner (for himself) as well as The Very Hungry Caterpillar (to my belly!). He has given me the sweetest compliments, constantly telling me how well I’m doing, how much he has enjoyed this pregnancy along with me, and how he can’t wait to meet our baby. When he tells me I look beautiful, I believe him, because I feel so amazing, belly and all!

Becky_Maternity-182 With just over a week until my due date, I feel a little bittersweet knowing that I will definitely miss being pregnant and keeping my little pea safe inside, feeling his/her stretches and hiccups. But after 9 months of waiting, we are so ready for our journey into parenthood and can’t wait to hold our little one for the first time.