Hello summer in the midwest!
After all these months of cool spring weather, summer has arrived and it's serious. We have sunny, muggy hot weather with excruciating humidity interspersed with violent thunderstorms that cool things down for about 2-3 hours. Then it all starts again. Technically I shouldn't be able to breathe anymore. Not only is the baby really up in my lungs, but it's really humid and I have a cold on top of it all. It's especially fun at night. I feel like the elephant man... big, clumsy and making loud breathing and snotty sounds. Ask, Lincoln, I am quite the sophisticated European lady. :)
So I stopped working and used the first free day to start the end of my baby nesting. I went shopping. Turns out, everybody can tell I'm really pregnant! And they do really TELL. Everybody who had to talk to me (the ladies at the register...) and who did NOT have to talk to me, had to let me know they were very aware that I must be having a baby soon.
I can't really blame them - they were all very friendly and excited and full of well-wishing. I didn't get any stupid comments, but people don't realize they are not the first ones to ask me stuff. At the end I wanted to hang a sign in front of me with the following stats:
- Yes, it's soon. I'm 9 months along.
- No, I don't know exactly what sex the baby is.
- Yes, I am excited.
- Yes, this is my first.
- No, I'm not too anxious.
- Yes, we do have names picked out, we are not telling though. (yeah, not even you, I-have-never-seen-you-before-complete-stranger-lady!)
and
- You are the 243rd person to ask me these questions.
- I appreciate your interest, please don't tell me about how it was with your youngest.
- Touching only for a fee (=random amount that I get to pick).
You know, people somehow see my pregnant shape as some sort of statement I'm trying to make. I'm not just pregnant, I'm "doing" this so I get attention. Some people get a mohawk or pierce their tongue - I get pregnant. It's almost about the same thing. So, I shouldn't be surprised or inconvenienced if people stare at me and make comments, right?
I don't know what it is. People must not be seeing enough pregnant women. I suppose the only time you see a very pregnant woman is on TV and that's usually a sign that the plot involves either a very dramatic or very funny delivery. If you see a pregnant woman, then the pregnancy is not just one of the things she is, it's THE thing she is. So I guess I will have to stoically endure comments like: "Any time now!!" "Oh, not in MY store!" "Oh, please don't bend over!!!" "You are about to pop, aren't you!"
Yeah, people. I'm actually in labor - as soon as the belly gets big, women are basically in labor. I'm just walking out here to scare you and provoke you. I could give birth anytime, but I'm just holding on a little so I can have some fun with you. What did you say, mister?! Just wait, till I drop that deadly amoniotic fluid on you! What was that? Let me get one of those super-contractions to hit you over the head with! Just wait until I unleash my special woman-in-labor-cursing power! You will be running for your life.
Ok, I admit. I'm enjoying this a little :)
Big bellies are not allowed anyway.When Raphael was about 6 months somebody asked me if I was pregnant again. "I was just looking at you and was wondering how it was possible that you are allready in the 4th month! It really looks like!"
I allways thought I was looking great....! I coldn`t be wrong! Could I?!
No, I think a couple of things
1. No, people do not see enough pregnant people. Mother Teresa commented on the fact that there are hardly any pregnant women around when she came to the US.
2. It is such a joy to see a pregnant person. I get very happy and excited I almost want to go up to the person and hug them. I never do, but that excitement just bubbles over into "oh, when are you do? Congrats!"
When my sister was pregnant (she has two children) she told me about similar experiences. Obviously there are not enough pregnant women in Austria as well!