Pregnant Perspective

I have a new perspective, I mean, being pregnant and all. People say and do very interesting things. Things that make me wonder, "If I didn't have this belly attached, would you have done/said that?"

There's the reaction I expected from parents and grandparents-as in my own and Patrick's. Their voice gets all high-pitched, exclaiming something in English (I think) about "how cute" or "precious" or "baby boy." Then they proceed to rub the belly. The fate of a pregnant woman-just call me Buddah :o) BUT, they're family and I want them to be a part of the experience. I LOVE that they react this way. It must feel incredibly special to literally see and feel generations developing before your eyes. And how blessed I am to have an incredible family.

Then there's the guy in Sprouts that simultaneously takes a jab at my crazy craving and size-in a funny way actually. So, I eat watermelons in 1-2 days. WHOLE watermelons (and I'm not talking about the small ones!) in at most 2 days. 3 days if I'm out of the house a lot. We were in Sprouts one day, getting groceries and I'm carrying around this huge watermelon. A random customer smiles at me and says, "You already got one of those don't you?" I had to laugh. "I sure do!" That's cute.

There's the common phrase that's been used recently, "You don't even look pregnant! How far along are you?" "6 months actually" "Oh wow! You're so little." I don't usually know how to react to this. What am I supposed to say? Thanks? It's just a weird thing to say, or maybe I just feel awkward because I don't know how to react? Who knows.

Then there are the overprotective ones: the ones that view me as disabled because I'm with child. It's amazing what people will do for you because they see you're pregnant. Pick up a suitcase, grocery bag, anything I dropped on the floor by accident, and carry anything no matter how light. Again, I'm not really sure how to react to this. Last time I checked my arms and legs were in good working order, but if you want to do that for me...I guess I shouldn't complain. I know people are trying to be nice, so I try not to take it personal.

Probably one of my favorite reactions is how people look at me at the gym. This one gym in particular is full of big muscley guys who huff and puff with every rep. When they see me from the back, it's no big deal, but then I turn around and their eyes get all big, and stare at me like I came from outer space. I don't think they realize how long they're actually staring either. Just because you're looking at my belly and not my eyes, doesn't mean I can't see you staring at me. At this other gym (that I go to more often now) I usually get a smile from people. Much more friendly :o)

I think my favorite part of this whole experience is seeing how Patrick reacts. First let me say, my husband is an incredible man. I don't think I'm a crazy pregnant woman, but he certainly puts up with his share of wacko, and dishes it out too.

I'm pretty verbal (with him) about how I like to be treated by people in general. For example, if someone implies that I can't do something because I'm inferior in any way, less strong, etc. my natural reaction is to show them wrong. He knows this well. So when I bend down and pick up the newspaper he says to me, "Ummm..(with a very concerned look on his face) I don't think you should be picking that up." Then I proceed to hit him with the newspaper and he laughs. Do all spouses do things for a reaction? Mine certainly does!

Then there's the nightly cocoa butter rub down. Now, what is the fun in rubbing yourself with cocoa butter every night? No fun! But when your husband is doing it, its sort of like a massage...and quite frankly, I take advantage of that. Every night I ask him for the rub down. Sometimes he does it more than willingly, sometimes begrudgingly lol, and sometimes he fake sleeps. I know because when I find him "snoozing" on the couch the ipad light is still on-it was used recently. You don't fool me Mr. Jones. So I just leave him alone because he does it most nights anyway. But he cares so much and does it for me because he knows I like it. What a guy :o)

Some other ways I can tell he cares:

He went to every one of the doctors appointments in the beginning because he was so excited and was determined to be involved. Then we realized he should be saving those days for when the baby actually comes. He was bummed not to come to every appointment, but I assured him that just hearing the heartbeat again is no big deal. It is, and he knows it is, but I think time he can spend with the baby when he's here is better-and he feels the same way.

When people ask us questions about the baby, he's always the first to answer. He's so cute.

Vitamins-he's constantly on me about taking my vitamin D. Bleh.

He reminds me to do my exercises (for Bradly Method class) and smiles. And he totally gets into the class. Probably more than the other dads, and they're all pretty involved dads.

He kisses the baby and tells him good morning, and gets really excited when he can feel him kick. It's so cute.

One morning we were getting ready for church and he started singing all the minor scales, and identifying them, into my belly. It was hysterical. Whenever I sing something poorly (as I mock or do it on purpose) he says sarcastically, "I sure hope you get your mom's voice."

And my favorite:

I set up an email account for the baby. Both Patrick and I write him emails, and the idea is that he can go back and read them when he's older and kind of get a glimpse into our thoughts and the whole experience of him being born. Patrick's first email was, "Dear Poppy, I love you. ~Dad." Something so perfect and perfectly simple that speaks volumes. It brought a little tear to my eye.

Something I've learned through this process: what "people" say is irrelevant. But what your spouse says and does, speaks above all the other noise. I'm so blessed to share life with a man that I know will be the best father to our kids. So excited to share this journey with you, my love.