And Now I Have to Pee...Again

A few things I've been loving lately:

Whole Foods Cucumber Yogurt Dip (I can't find it on their website, or I'd link to it).  This stuff is so good, I easily hoover a whole container of it in one sitting.  It's excellent with veggies or with basically any other vehicle to get it into your mouth as quickly as possible -- pita chips, Wheat Thins, blue corn chips, a ladle.  It feels virtuous because it's yogurt, after all (dairy, hello), and has actual cucumbers in it (veggies!) and I refuse to look at the label to ascertain that it is anything but excellent for me. 

Back to Nature Crispy Cheddar Crackers.  Like Cheez-Its, only less greasy and fluorescent, and you can pretend they're healthier because they are all natural and stuff.  And they are DELICIOUS.

Clarks Unstructured Shoes.  I bought two pairs of these recently (Unbrew and Unblend, in case you're wondering) and I am not sure I ever want to wear any other shoes.  They're not the sexiest things in the world, but DUDE, they are so comfortable I almost feel guilty putting them on, like shoes aren't SUPPOSED to be this comfortable and I am supposed to be SUFFERING with ouchy feet all the time.  You could practically jog in these babies.  And the website is run via Zappos, so you get your order like five minutes after you check out (how do they DO that?).  Hooray!

Separately, some of y'all asked how we told my parents about the baby.  Well!  Here's the story:

We hadn't breathed a word to them that we were, ah, trying the old-fashioned route, so they had no idea that this was even something we were considering.  Once we got the positive test, I still didn't want to tell them for fear it was too early and Something Awful might happen.  My doctor does the first prenatal visit at 7 weeks, so I slogged through a very long and tortured and PANIC-STRICKEN three weeks until that day arrived.  It also happened to be my birthday (I did that on purpose, figuring things HAD to go well if the appointment was on my birthday). 

That afternoon, after Joe and I had gone to the doctor and had a celebratory lunch and strolled around for a while, my parents called to wish me a happy birthday.  They were both on the line and asked what I'd done to celebrate so far that day.  I said, calm as could be, "I went to the gym this morning, then we took the dog to the park for a while, then I had a doctor's appointment where we saw our baby's heartbeat for the first time."

Silence.

My dad:  "Whoa!"

My mom:  "Are you...are you saying...you're...PREGNANT???"  {commence FLIPPING OUT}

Then there was the when and the how far along and I filled them in on the details and then there was a lot of "Man!" and "I did not expect to hear that today!" and "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT" and the like and then my mom asked who she could tell, and since I basically said no one until 12 weeks (though I eventually caved and we told her sisters at 10 weeks), the ensuing month or so had to be one of the most difficult she's had to endure.  But she made it through (and so did MVM, thank God), and now we're into the second trimester and the whole world knows so everyone's happy. 

Meanwhile, I am super curious to see how long it takes for people to start giving up their seat on the subway for me -- if ever.  Some pregnant friends of mine have said that people LEAP out of their seats for them and others have said that never have subway riders been so engrossed in their magazines and novels than when a visibly pregnant woman stands near them.  Thus far, no dice, but to be fair, unless you know what I look like not-pregnant, you probably wouldn't be able to tell for sure that I'm sporting a baby belleh and not just a lump of extra poundage.  I've tried rubbing the belly and looking beleaguered as I stand in a crowded car, but it only seems to make people avert their eyes. 

Over the years, when I've felt faint on the train, which has happened maybe five to ten times, people have usually been quick to offer me their seats once I made clear that I was in distress -- it was always women, by the way, usually aged around 45 to 55.  I'm not sure why that is, but not once has a man given me his seat when I've been in need of one.  In fact, when someone shoves past me to get to a seat, it's pretty much always a guy.  And when I've seen other people give up their seats for pregnant women, it's been almost exclusively women.  Yet, oddly, most of the men I know would readily give up their seat for anyone who needed it (obviously my husband being one of them, since I wouldn't have married an unchivalrous seat hogger), so maybe the people who ride my train are just boars.  

Well, I have no more segues.  It's 8:39pm and I am ready for bed.  That is all.   

Comments

[Nothing But Bonfires]

What?! I go away on my honeymoon and I come back and you're PREGNANT? Hurrah! This is wonderful news! Congratulations! That'll teach me to disconnect from the Internet for two weeks. What else you got for me, Blogosphere?

[Tara]

What a fun way to tell your parents. :) No one has given up a seat for me or anything, yet, even though I'm 30 weeks and very visibly pregnant. But people do hold doors for me more often, and I have had offers twice at the post office for help to my car with big boxes. Your day will come. :)

[TUWABVB]

I seriously started crying when I read this - I'm just so happy for you (and of course your parents) after everything you've been through.

As far as getting seats in NYC, well, I have a story for you...when my mom was 8 months pregnant with my brother, she got very nauseous on a city bus and asked a man (in his 30s) if she could sit down. He said no. She then proceeded to throw up in his lap (accidentally of course).

She was able to sit down after that. :)

[Mar]

So great!! Sounds like you're good with deliveries already. If I, a total stranger, am thrilled for you, I can only imagine how elated your parents must have been to hear that news.

[-R-]

TUWABVB's comment is the best!

The level of fatigue you have when you are pregnant is so hard to believe, isn't it?

I love the way you told your parents. I told my parents in a very similar way, although I think I may have waited even longer than 7 weeks because I knew once we told my MIL, the whole world would know I was pregnant. I love that it was your birthday; that makes it so much more fun!

[Lawyerish]

Holly - Welcome back! We like to have big news to greet people upon return from their honeymoons, what can I say?

TUWABVB - That is an awesome story. Good for her! :)

So you guys, this morning a young woman gave up her seat for me on the subway! How weird is that?

[Heidi]

I think the reason women in that age range so easily give up their seat to a pregnant woman is because they themselves were pregnant once (or twice). So they know what it's like.
I've given up my seat to anyone who looks like they need it.

[Swistle]

YES I wanted to know which Clarks, and I went and looked right away. I think I want the Unparody ones.

I loved reading how you told your parents. I totally teared up.

[glenna]

I LOVE Clarks! it's the only sandal I wear.
Great way to tell your parents!! Lots of people had an awesome day on your (& Quinn's) birthday! ;)

[Kim]

Congratulations!!!

[Twangypearl]

Aw, great news! Congratulations! Just catching up now - this just seems so right!
(over use of exclamation marks is justified in some cases :).

[Sarah]

Don't think it's a coincidence that you're inhaling the yogurt dip while growing little MVM. I could not get enough dairy while pregnant. I would eat ricotta cheese by the spoonful WHILE preparing a grilled cheese and a glass of milk. I forget exactly when their bones really start to harden but don't be surprised if you crave calcium morning, noon and night. Hello, ice cream!

[Jen W.]

Is the cucumber dip like tzatziki? (sp?) Because that could be dangerous...

[Dina]

What a great way to tell the parents, they must be so happy for you (as am I)!

Hardly anyone gave a seat up for me, even in my 8th or 9th month. Granted it was winter, so I always had a coat on, but I like to think I looked pregnant by that point and not just fat. You just confirmed my theory...it's always 35-55 year old women who actually notice because they've been there, done that!

[Alyce]

I'm a big fan of the seat giver upper, but when we lived in NYC I hardly ever saw it done. For seniors, preggers, or broken leggers.

Here's hoping you have better luck.

[Kristin H]

Reading how you told your parents almost made me cry. What a great way to tell them!

[Debbie in the UK]

I am amazed!!! Just got back from a 2 week break in Turkey and there you are pregnant!!! I teared up when I read your news and I have to say that I am SO SO SO SO happy for you both!!!!

[Danielle-Lee]

My eyes are full over here. So sweet and wonderful how you told your parents. I can not wait to hear allll about this pregnancy.
congrats again!