I look forward to having something more exciting to show in the future. In the meantime, for my own indulgence in vanity, I needed to document the "before" pictures. These were taken a couple of weeks ago.
Yes, I am sucking in and flexing with every fiber of my being. I was able to hold that pose for the 10 seconds before the camera timer went off. I was only sore for 3 days after this photo session. Nonetheless, I felt the need to have, in black and white, proof that at one time in my life, I had a waist. A little, "Look-what-Mommy's-stomach-could-do-way-back when" story to tell. Not that I would make it into a bedtime story. I'd just recall it in my own mommy mind.
I'm at the stage right now where I'd really like to be "showing," so I don't go back and forth between wondering if my pants are on the tight side because I just had a big lunch, or if it's just the accumulation of too many avocados and crab rangoons,
and not enough ab work. And by not enough, I mean, I think I did some time in 2006, but... I couldn't narrow it down to a month for you. But hey, once you've been with someone for 12 years, you can let it all hang out, right? Right, honey? No wonder he doesn't want to write a blog entry - this is dangerous territory for the partner of a pregnant woman.However, I've already received a goldmine of comments from others out there.
I don't know if they're trying to be supportive by offering up observations about my appearance, to help me feel like it's more real, or what. In any case, the gems include:
"Oh my gosh, is that a little pooch? Look at that!!"
"Are you showing yet?" followed by a complete matter-of-fact: "Let me see. " Meaning, and I am NOT making this up, "Lift up your shirt so I can see your bare stomach and decide for my unprofessional self if you are showing." Did I lift my shirt up? Yes I did. I was in too much shock to respond otherwise! And do you know the other priceless part of this interaction was? That it took place IN THE STAFF KITCHEN AT WORK.
And my personal favorite:
"Um, can I tell you something? I know you don't think you are, but you're totally showing."
The comments listed above have inspired me to develop my own personal rule to offer to the general population. Whether you apply this to me, or to any other woman you interact with for the rest of your life, I implore you to consider this rule before you speak:
Until a pregnant woman says to you, "LOOK! I'M SHOWING! MY BELLY IS STICKING OUT AND IT'S NOT JUST THE HUGE BOWL OF MAC AND CHEESE I JUST ATE FOR LUNCH! IT'S MY BABY AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT!" it is NOT adviseable to tell a woman that she looks like she's pregnant. Even if she's happy about being pregnant.
Ahhh the joys of early pregnancy.
Okay, as fascinating as it is to read about how Nicky feels about her waist, I will include for you an actual medical update - our second prenatal visit was today. The midwife used the doppler device to help us hear Chester's heartbeat, which was in the 150-160 beats/minute range. You should have seen Nate's face. "It's official!" he said - meaning, we made it through the first trimester, and things seem to be going along fine.
And to answer another common question we're getting, we have still not decided whether or not we will find out the baby's sex. It wouldn't be until the 20 week ultrasound anyway, but we still have some talking to do on the subject. I'm leaning toward yes, Nate's leaning toward no, so time will tell. It's a tough one, so we're also asking for a refrain from lobbying either way, as tempting as it may be!
Okay - that's it for now. Unless,,, you wouldn't want to hear about one of my wacked out pregnancy dreams, would you? Okay okay I'll share. The SHORT version is, we were having people over for dinner, although my sister Leigh had cooked two of the dishes. She was unveiling one dish, which was a very large carrot that had been roasted in the oven. As she put it on the table, I saw the carrot move, and then to my horror a black lizard squirmed out of it and onto the floor, and was slithering/running around our house as I SCREAMED at the top of my lungs because I was so grossed out. Curiously, Leigh didn't seem as alarmed as I was. But I could tell that she hadn't meant for that to happen. As the lizard ran around the house it became obvious that this was no ordinary lizard. After all, it had survived being cooked in the oven for an hour. But as it ran around, it grew bigger and bigger, and we wanted to get it out of the house, but no one wanted to come in contact with it. So we opened the doors and tried to steer it out. Then it changed into a cat, that looked like our cat Toonces. Then the demonic lizard cat and Toonces started to fight; then the demonic lizard cat ran out of the house, but Toonces followed it, so I ran after her because I didn't want her to get hit by a car. I also wanted to kill the demonic lizard cat if I was able, but it turns out it belonged to a neighbor of ours, who could tell what my plan was. So he started chasing me, and we ran so far away from my house that it turned into night time, and I couldn't tell where I was, and I knew I needed shelter for the evening but I couldn't tell what houses were okay to knock at for help, and which were unsafe. I don't know if I ever caught Toonces, or killed the demonic lizard cat, or lived through the night. Because then I woke up.
Don't ask.
