Thursday, February 19, 2009

Just Weird

Today I received my first "You must be having that baby any day now" comment (OK, technically it's my second, as I did get one from a male colleague several weeks ago, but I don't count it since he's a man and might not know any better). This was from a woman I work with. I know she has at least 2 kids of her own, one of whom is only 8 or so, AND she is a nurse, so she should really know better. As I was walking down the hall and turning toward the ladies' room, she walked quickly by me down the hallway and said, "Oh, you must be getting very close!" Always awkward, but I just chirped "Two more months to go!" and left it at that. Or so I thought.

But this must have concerned her, because weirdly enough she ended up turning around and following me into the bathroom. Not immediately, but about 60 seconds later. As I discovered when I heard her call to me through the locked bathroom door (not a stall, an actual door - our ladies' room at work has a separate handicap bathroom inside with its own door, sink, etc, and I figure my huge belly counts as a handicap so I typically use it instead of the teeny-tiny stalls with their swing doors that always hit me on the belly when I open them). How awkward to be sitting on the toilet and have a colleague (one I don't know very well at all) try to carry on a conversation with me through a door. All so that she could ask me if the baby was measuring large, because geez, I'm just so tiny!! HA, no one has EVER told me that before. Good lord, I know I'm short, but TINY!?!?! I'd like to adequately convey the mental guffaws of laughter that run through my head even now as I type this, but there is no emoticon or phrase that will suffice.

I'm sure there were intonations of incredulity, laughter, and embarassment as I answered back, through the door, my voice echoing over all the tiles "Everything is measuring right on track, thanks." Then I heard her turn around and leave the main bathroom, the door closing behind her.

Weird, right? It's not just my imagination? Why would you follow someone in to the bathroom and try to talk to them about their hugeness while they are trying to pee?

On a related note, I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday - the run-of-the-mill, 10 minute type. The doctor noted no concerns, and even commented that my weight gain (23 pounds to date) is great. I'm not sure what I am measuring this week, but at my last appointment 2 weeks ago I was 28 weeks 2 days and 28.5 centimeters. So I wasn't just trying to get this woman off my back, I truly am measuring right on track. No matter how much I complain about how huge I feel. Aarg, can't wait to have 9+ more weeks of this!

I know I have said on a few occasions that I would post pictures (of my belly, of Finn, etc), and that instead I have been a horrible, absent blogger. My follow-through has been stinky. I have managed to progress to the point where I have uploaded pictures to my computer at home, but alas, my motivation has thus been stalled. The truth is, I haven't really wanted to blog because we're going through a tough time with Finn right now. He is sucking the energy out of both of us with his tantrums and fits. At night, once he's finally asleep, M. and I just want to veg on the couch for a bit, then drag ourselves to bed. Work has been too busy for blogging, and weekends, well there just isn't enough time in the day for all the things we need to get done (although you can read accounts of Stacey's baby shower and MommyEsq's twins' baptism to see some of what I've been up to, and even a couple of pictures of me - I'm the slightly less pregnant one in the triplet photos).

What's made Finn's tantrums even harder is that he is being VERY mommy-centric. He will not allow M. to do anything for him, and is constantly shouting and crying for Mommy. It's endearing but frustrating for me, and just frustrating for M. It's hard to have patience, but we are trying. I'm just afraid for what's to come, as in a week and a half the major changes will start for Finn. He starts his new daycare then, and a mere 8 weeks or so later, his entire life will be turned upside down by a baby. If we think it's rough now, I shudder to think of the tantrums we will face in a couple of weeks.

Fortunately, Finn's also in a very affectionate stage - lots of kisses, tight hugs, and "I love you, Mommy"'s (and even some "I love you, Daddy"'s, too) coming from him. It's like he's holding on tighter because he knows change is coming. Whatever the reason, I am reveling in those hugs and kisses!

5 comments:

  1. Hey the changes might be something good too! Think of it this way, a new daycare, new things to explore, etc. Might be challenging and fun. Plus the new baby is always fun for the big brother. My mom told me to have a 'gift' to DS1 from the baby in my hospital bag. I did and it worked out well. Plus I had other treasures for DS1 to play with at the hospital. He had a role to play with the baby too. Helping mommy get diapers, etc. Only rule is this - never leave Finn alone with the baby. Even if he is the best big brother there is (which he will be right?), he will still think he is helping out and give the baby something or put a blanket over the baby's head etc.

    By the way - forget about those crazy people at work. What do they know? 23 pounds is GREAT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I work mostly with men and do a lot of work over the phone so I don't get a lot of "you must be so close!" comments. Of course I'm having lunch with some girlfriends tomorrow so I'm bracing myself. I bet Finn totally knows more about what is going on that he can articulate which is why he's being so clingy. Now is a great time to start talking up all the cool things he and Mark can do together...

    ReplyDelete
  3. To be accurate I'm the one that is the least (as in not at all) pregnant in that photo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. During my post-doc my boss constantly would follow me into the bathroom and talk to me about some experiment or idea while I was trying to pee. It drove me nuts! I think it is so rude--when the stall is closed, it is my private time. I was so jealous of my male coworkers b/c they would never get followed into the bathroom.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness - that is unbelievable that you'd be followed into the bathroom. I think people don't really think before they make comments - it sorta gives them "something" to say whether they think it or not. But to turn around & follow you?! Absurd.... The last few weeks of my pregnancy w/ twins I had a STRANGER say - "oh, you must be having twins!" Well, geez, it's a good thing I was...
    Good luck w/ the new baby!

    ReplyDelete