When life hands you lemons, you grab some tequila and salt. But if you're in your third trimester of pregnancy (like I am) and the Army hands your spouse orders for an OCONUS PCS, well, you’ll just have to settle for good, clean lemonade. And a plan.
When you are pregnant and moving, you gotta get your act together -- especially if you are moving overseas. Besides the standard checklist of things to get done, here are some other things you can do to make the best of this exciting time in your life:
1. Eat!
You just took pictures and inventoried all of your valuable possessions for your PCS binder. Now baby is hungry. If you're moving to a new country, now is the perfect time to explore the cuisine of your home-to-be. This helps get you even more excited about your upcoming move.
And, since you're visibly pregnant, no one can judge you for consuming a questionable amount of spaetzle. By the way, If you see someone giving your plate the stank eye, just eat more spaetzle.
2. Redecorate!
Use your nesting urges to your advantage. If you live on post or rent, now is the time to purge and get rid of junk you don't use anymore. If you own your home and are trying to get it rent ready, have fun picking colors for paint and knowing that you have a limited time to get things done REALLY gets your butt into gear. No more putting off house projects thanks to a baby on the way and an overseas move!
3. Get a massage!
Sorting, packing, and a baby bouncing on your sciatic nerve are all great reasons to treat yourself to a massage. Bat your eyelashes at your spouse and go treat yourself!
It's a great stress reliever and if your move is pertinent on baby’s arrival, it can possibly help you go into labor faster so you can get new baby's passport in time.
4. Go shopping!
If you know you're moving to a country where shopping on the economy is more expensive, use the funds you've made from your "redecorating" to purchase items that will be too expensive to buy overseas. New upholstered bed, maybe?
5. Check off your bucket list!
You know that restaurant down the street that you and your spouse have been meaning to try but never got around doing so? Make a date with your spouse to finally try out that new restaurant since you’re leaving soon. It's now or never time. Oh, and you're pregnant and hungry anyway.
6. Girlfriend time!
Friendships within the military community can be a double-edged sword. You bond easily with other military spouses over deployments, field trainings, or even death. Your friends quickly become your family but before you know it, it’s time to say goodbye.
Use what little time you have left at your current assignment to spend quality time with those who were there for you when you needed them most. Grab your girlfriends, and spend time reminiscing about all of the fun, crazy times you spent together during your spouses’ deployment.
7. Google up!
Spend some quality time hunched over your computer researching your new station. This way you’ll know what to expect and you’ll find things to get excited about.
Make a list of new restaurants you want to try when you get there, parks to visit, activities to do with the kids, etc. As you spend more and more time discovering fun things to do at your new location, you’ll find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation of arriving at your new destination.
Daydreaming about all of the fun you’ll have when you travel is a great way to pass the time and before you know it, you’ll be on your flight over there.
8. Build a fort!
Once your household goods have been packed up and you’re left with nothing but old sheets and paper plates, make use of those sheets and build a fort.
Then, order delicious takeout from your favorite restaurant and have a picnic as you camp out in your new fort. It’s a great way to have fun with the kids and ease their minds about a new move and new baby. It’s also fun way to bond with your spouse after all of the stress you’ve been through preparing for the move. You’re never too old or too high ranking to have fun building forts in your empty living room.
Moving with the military can be a challenge, but a wonderful experience if you allow it to be. Instead of stressing about this new change, relish this time and the memories you’re making with your family. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at moving with the military, even if you happen to be pregnant again for your next PCS.
Finally, take solace in the fact that you’re in your third trimester; it’s not long till you can have that tequila with your lemons.
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About the author: Maria blogs at Lift Love Life where she writes about her silly family and their pursuit of living healthy and happily. Maria works as a registered yoga teacher and is a self proclaimed social media addict.
