We just went to my doctor for my monthly check-up and I’ve decided that being pregnant is a strange experience. I thought the learning curve for buying our first house was big, but points escrow have nothing on trying to figure out what is normal and reasonable during pregnancy.
I feel like I’ve entered some secret society where we use code talk about measurements and week numbers. I’m just waiting for a woman to walk up to me and say, “The moon is bright over Tunisia,” expecting an encrypted reply from me.
Perhaps being the youngest and an “ooops” baby at that, I just wasn’t exposed to pregnancy much. When my sister had her first baby, I was in my mid-twenties and much too engrossed with the drama of my own life to pay too much attention to what was going on with her. I did bend down and yell at her belly, “Hello, baby!” every chance I got, very much to my sister’s dismay, but that was about the extent of my interest in her pregnancy.
The oddest part for me so far is that my sense of balance is off – I’ve turned into a complete klutz. Not that I was ever mistaken for a ballerina due to my grace, but I keep tripping while going up steps or bumping into things. It’s not that I’ve gained a lot of weight already and frankly, I’ve weighed much more than I do now, but it’s as if I think I’m driving my Mini Cooper S when really, I’m behind the wheel of a 15’ UHaul moving truck (I’m sure as time goes on, I’ll feel more like the 26’ version I’ve driven).
The belly touching has begun this week too. I am not a particularly touchy person but this is just weird.
People who have touched my pregnant belly without permission:
Friends: 1
Strangers: 1
I’ll try to keep track as this phenomena unfolds.
Ha! Now you know! Have you also noticed that people who would not give you the time of day before are suddenly offering hand-me-downs and planning future playdates? Oh-and the klutz thing, I ran into several walls and even fell in a snow-filled ditch. I hope the belly-touching does not go too far. I actually got to the point where I chastised people for touching the belly. People expect moodiness during pregnancy. The code talk becomes more involved after the baby is born. Study up! I bet you look beautiful! I’m so sad you’re not here!
Thanks, Robin. Now I know I’m not crazy. I don’t remember the snow-filled ditch thing but you may have to tell me about that sometime! I just got my first book from a friend on birthing so I’ll be getting closer to knowing what’s going on. I’m sure it just gets worse from here though with the code talk. Soon there will be secret handshakes at play dates or something. . .