Wow. This world is really a scary place for pregnant ladies. On my way to work this morning a car coming from the opposite direction veered into my lane and I felt fear and protectiveness like I've never felt before. It all happened so fast—the oncoming car corrected its path before I even had time to respond—but I was struck by the intensity of emotion surging through my body.

Then, after work, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up an item or two, which means I was walking through the store without a buggy. Another shopper came barreling around the corner with her cart aimed directly at my stomach. Again that intensity of protectiveness and fear that I felt earlier surged through me and I found myself covering my abdomen with my hand and jumping back to avoid a collision. Maybe my actions were instinctive and not really out of the ordinary, but my thoughts were not for myself and my safety. They were solely for the little one inside me.
 
I'm amazed by how early and forcefully that protectiveness has presented itself.