Thoughts on pregnancy

As we enter our 30th week of pregnancy, I've been reflecting a bit on the experience and some of the interesting encounters I've had in the past seven months.

Honestly, and I probably shouldn't say this because some women 'round the world might hate me, but it has been a piece of cake. No morning sickness--just that "I drank too much last night" hung-over nauseous feeling for the first few months. I can still tell the difference between my ankles and my calf muscles. No back pain to speak of yet. Three pillows seem to be the magic equation to get a night of sleep. Of-course I've had all of the other normal symptoms, but the majorly annoying ones? Not so much. It's been fun to watch this belly expand and to think about what this little one is going to look, sound and be like. We are so excited!

The most interesting and fascinating part of pregnancy for me has been dealing with the general public. For some reason, having a huge belly signals to other people that it is OK to just say and ask you whatever they want.

For example, I'm standing in line at the grocery store. Complete stranger in front of me turns around and says, "When is your baby due?" (This question is completely normal and I'm happy to answer it.)

I say, "In August."

She fires back with, "do you know if it is a boy or a girl?"

Me, getting shifty and annoyed, "we decided not to find out."

Her: "Oh, then you must have a long list of names, what are the options?"

Me: "We're keeping it a secret."

Her: "Oh, good idea. My sister just had a baby seven months ago and they..."

I quit listening and politely smiled as it was then time for her to pay and be on her way.

Or this sampling of gems:

"I didn't know anything about this! How long had you been trying?" Hmm, I hardly know you, that's not something I was sharing with the world.

"Was this planned?" Hmm, I'm 31 and have been married for five years. You do the math. But, really, how is this an appropriate question for any pregnant woman?

"You're huge. Does your skin hurt?" Hmm, thanks for calling me fat and no, my skin does not hurt.

I love talking with my friends and family about these things, but the complete strangers with their barrage of questions is so weird to me. And what is even stranger is that other pregnant women do not do this. I've been around other pregnant women at work and not once have we compared due dates or swapped baby names. It's just weird, awkward and weird, and that's all I can say about that.

Pregnancy is amazing and I've been so fortunate to feel great for the duration so far. I'm still hauling tents and tables to events at work, still swimming and working out, would love to be hiking if it would ever stop raining. I hope the last two months fly by smoothly and we can get started on our life together as not two, but three.

Me at the Cape Horn Lookout after a debris removal project. Just another day at the office.