Before your baby is born, it can seem like an eternity of time crawling by each day throughout pregnancy. Sure, you have checklists and baby showers and work to get done, but internally you just want to fast forward and be holding your baby. You are not alone; just about every first time mother has felt the same way.

You cannot, however, fast forward time. You are meant to spend the days dreaming of the not-too-distant future. There are ways that you can celebrate your love for your unborn child now, though. You can - and you should!

Celebrate because you are growing a human.

You have created life. You are an official bad ass.

Celebrate because no one else will celebrate for you.

We live in a society where parental leave isn’t even a paid opportunity for most families. We live in a society that overlooks mothers and treats them as if they have an illness, not as if they are carrying life. Our society isn’t going to stand up and cheer for you, so you should stand up and cheer for yourself! (And never stand for being treated like just another patient.)

Celebrate because tomorrow is not a guarantee.

It is scary, but it’s true. You have no idea what tomorrow will hold, and you do not want to ever look back and wish you had celebrated.

Celebrate because this is hard - and you are a freaking rock star.

How To Celebrate Motherhood While Waiting For Your Baby

Create Keepsakes

Record your baby’s heartbeat and have it stored inside a beautiful stuffed animal at your next ultrasound!

Start a journal or e-mail account for your baby. You can write whenever you feel the urge.

Document your pregnancy with pictures, belly molds, and notes of your experiences.

Throw a Party

Fire up the BBQ and invite everyone over for a “Hot Mom” celebration! No gifts needed, just a party to be around everyone you love while you are the happiest you can be!

Pamper Yourself

Prenatal massages, pedicures, facials, whatever! You can spend a few minutes in a massage chair, do a DIY face mask, and ask your mom to paint your toes - it doesn’t matter!

Take Classes

Sign up for prenatal yoga and infant CPR. Register for childbirth classes and breastfeeding programs. The best way to celebrate becoming a mother is to be as healthy and as prepared as you possibly can.

Do Things That Make You Happy

You can eat your favorite treat, see a concert, go for a hike, read books, take a dance class, or travel. As long as your doctor says you are good to go, do what makes your heart happy because you will never be happier than being in your happy place while growing your baby.