Friday morning coffee.
ByI’m sitting on my couch, drinking coffee. I just finished a bowl of cocoa puffs. I can never decide which is better, the actual cocoa puffs or the chocolate milk it leaves behind.
I’ve tried generic cocoa puffs and they’re just not the same. So, if it’s on sale, I buy the real thing.
I’m not sure what’s on my plate today. I have cleaning and shopping to do but I’m pretty sure my sister is in early labor, her body is trying hard to evacuate her baby from the premises but her baby is holding on for dear life.
He or she is very comfortable. And I’m pretty sure that her baby has been playing and whispering and laughing with James and Jake during this time and they all just don’t want their time to end together. So bittersweet. So unbelievably beautiful.
Yesterday I had a woman who works at my salon, who I do not know, come up to me and start rubbing my belly, like all over it. She closed her eyes and made predictions like “it’s a boy and it’s very healthy.” Meanwhile, she would moan lightly in between her words. The whole time I’m doing my best not to start tapping her on the forehead while saying “THIS IS MY SPACE, CRAZY LADY.“ I could not believe how she was violating me and she was!
She then said “oh, your husband has dark hair!“ and I said “Nope! He doesn’t.” and I walked (RAN) away.
It was weird…really weird.
I love baby attention, like, A LOT, but this? Was so wrong. So, here’s a little piece of advice for you…don’t do that to anyone, k?
I love being pregnant, this pregnancy in particular has been so magical for me. Tomorrow I turn 25 weeks which completely blows my mind. I still feel like I’m ten weeks pregnant and that people don’t know that I’m pregnant, the other day a stranger started asking Brian about my pregnancy and I thought “wow, I can’t believe she can tell I’m pregnant!” I told Brian my thoughts and he thought I was a little crazy. Because this baby belly of mine? It’s a big one.
Which is okay with me.
I can’t believe Christmas is just one week away. I am so excited. No matter how crazy the week ahead is going to be, and I’m hoping not TOO crazy, I love the magic that my kids are starting to feel right now. Magic that they’ll hold onto for the rest of their lives and share with their children.
These traditions and these moments are so important, so I’m going to try to take each step slowly and calmly and remember that even if nothing goes as planned, there is joy in every moment.
…the baby kicking in my belly, my kids talking quietly to each other about their day at school, my husband coming home from work and seeking me out to give me a kiss, the quiet moments at night as the kids are sleeping, the tree lighting the room, are my JOY this holiday season.
I have so much joy.
From now on when I touch your stomach, I’m going to yell, “It’s a boy… AND YOUR HUSBAND IS NAMED BRIAN, AM I RIGHT!?”
I’ll do the moaning between Erin’s belly rubs.
I wish we were having coffee together right now. And cocoa puffs.
Oh my gosh… I HATED people touching me when I was pregnant. It has become a bit of a joke in the family, I hated it that much. I didn’t let my mom or dad or sister or ANYONE (except my husband), touch my belly. Ever. If someone did that to me, my reaction may have made the local news!
Ew, I hated that! My dad was the only one that dared to do it this last pregnancy, and even that bothered me. Personal space bubble!! I’ve seen a lot of t-shirts that say “Hands off!”
last night … the bell ringer at the store said “congratulations!!!” and i had no idea what he was talking about … apparently other people are able to notice this 33 week belly too??
oh and i have had the same experience … a woman at the farmer’s market decided to give me “some energy” … held my hand and my face and went DEEP into concentration …
after she walked away i had major worries that maybe she STOLE my energy and how would i ever know???
SO I was at a business conference in the South when I was 8.5 months pregnant.
Sitting in the rotunda of a very nice hotel, on my laptop just kinda kicked back.
One of the sweet workers came over to me. Her hair was all in braids and I immediately noticed how long and beautiful it was. In her DEEP south accent she walks straight over to me and says “How is that sweet boy today?” I look around for a second and realize she’s talking to me. And I said “You mean the baby?” She says “Yes’m. How’s that boy today? He’s going to be a big boy, and oh that hair.” And walks away. I am sooo taken back and kinda want to call her back over to know what else she knew.
Sure enough, a couple weeks later my baby boy was born with more hair than I’ve ever seen and over 9 pounds!
The things that happen when you are pregnant are so strange…..
That photo had me making moaning sounds out loud. Omy goodness.
So much joy.
Steph
OMG, the crazy woman rubbing your belly and MOANING just kills me. What is wrong with people!
I think you were nicer about the ninja belly rubber than I might have been.
Okay, that’s just FREAKY! I think I would probably have smacked her. When I was pregnant you so could not even tell (if you didn’t know me) until I was about TWO DAYS OVERDUE. It was ridiculous. I just looked fat. So while I am envious of the beautiful baby belly – maybe it was a good thing crazy people couldn’t tell I was pregnant???
when i was pregnant with my son, this old lady came up to me on the street and did that to me. i think i was too shocked to move. why would anyone do that?!
LOL!! that is sooo strange. who DOES that?! {in their right mind?!}
I’m so glad you are feeling great and enjoying this Christmas season! And next year there will be 3!!
first of all, ellie will not stop saying, “i want to see them. i want to see them. i want to see them.” and she remembers noah’s name, which is ridiculous.
next, what in the world is wrong with people?! caressing and moaning to a stranger. or wait, even a friend? wrong.
finally, the joy?! YES. love.
I would freak out if someone was touching me and moaning. Only Hubs can do that.
That woman who was moaning and carressing your stomach — that’s just weird…and wrong, but mostly weird.
Great photo of your kids with Santa!
Me favorite time right now is after I put the kids to bed and sit on my couch with the tree lit up.
And with wine.
Love to you, mama.
Hmmm, early stages of labor for your sis, huh? So exciting! Already told her I’ll be bringing her & baby pizza to celebrate so let me know what kind you want!
love the photo of your kids.
Can’t wait to hear if your sister went into labor! How exciting!
Awww…how sweet! I hope your sister goes soon, I think we’re in about the same place as far as uncomfortable-ness & all. I know what you mean about when people can tell you’re pregnant, and you’re like, “Oh, you know?” (I mean, not NOW, but like 6 months ago…)
Congrats on 20 weeks, and have a blessed Christmas!!! 
I totally meant 25 weeks, and said 20. Sorry!
Beth, just because I haven’t told you in a while….You.Are.Awesome.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday!!
Cassie
I’m totally stealing this sentence from you:
These traditions and these moments are so important, so I’m going to try to take each step slowly and calmly and remember that even if nothing goes as planned, there is joy in every moment.
Thanks for expressing my feelings. Also? So glad you’re doing well and yesterday’s picture? Your daughter’s sassy little walk toward Santa? Loved it.
Beth, you have got to hear this song! My husband made me a Christmas cd this week for my birthday, which was Tuesday. I am currently 29 weeks pregnant, and the first song he put on the cd is by Sixpence None the Richer and is called “Last Christmas.” It’s all about feeling her baby jump in her belly and she realizes it is their last Christmas without having their baby there with them. So sweet!
Beautiful post! I love the photo of your kids!
Also, I totally get you on the belly thing!
Actually, I had that happen once…I also had something similar happen when J was brand new. We were in the mall to get his newborn portraits taken and he was like only 2 weeks old.
These two ladies literally cornered me in a store to look at him (I had him in a sling). One almost tried to touch him…that was the bottom line for me. I pushed her hand away and said “sorry, that’s enough”.
Thank you for posting this. I get frazzled with so many activities and parties. I need to just chill, relax and enjoy.
I’ve promised myself many a time that I will not become that woman that touches pregnant lady’s bellies because the same thing has happened to me a few times and it’s just plain weird. And uncomfortable. And I wouldn’t want some one bloggin’ about my crazy self! HA!
Oh and the JOY is fabulous – so glad it’s filing your heart and your days!
strange but i think she’s right. a healthy boy!
Gosh, I thought I was the only one who hated someone touching my preggo belly. I got some very weird looks from people when I would say “DON’T do that!” Because I felt violated too. But wow. The moaning? Aside from the violating, that’s kind of funny. In a weird way. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy. Hold on to your joy. =)
Do you need me to go ahead and check to see how far effaced you are?
Talk about personal space violation — she should have gotten a ticket!
I would have punched the lady. I mean, she assaulted you first. Seems like self defense to me! I hated people other than family touching my preggo belly. And even then, they had to ask permission or I would threaten to put arsenic in their drinks.
When I was pregnant with my triplets I was a magnet for the weirdos of the world – I showed immediately and that was the one thing that thrilled when bedrest started – no strangers touching my belly!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2010 – you have so much to look forward to!
You’ve been given an award! Stop on over at my blog to collect!
(Gosh, your kids are beautiful!)
That lady in the salon = weird. Really weird. I would have hightailed it out of there too.
I love coffee!
And I ADORE Coco Puffs!
Adorable photo!