an all over the place entry about my adventures

After taking it easy all week, I got out today to run some errands. Because of good planning, I got everything taken care of in a little less than 2 hours. And fortunately, what I had to do required more driving than walking. If I would’ve had to do more walking, it would’ve taken me much longer. Being almost 35 weeks pregnant will definitely slow you down! :)

I’ve always been a fast walker. As a matter of fact, I can remember many times in recent years when Ray would say, “What’s your hurry?!” as we walked through a store. I never realized I walked so fast. It wasn’t ever really a “gotta get there fast” type of walk. I think I just took bigger steps and enjoyed walking a little faster. But as I said, pregnancy will slow you down. You just can’t walk that fast. Or if you try to, you’ll soon realize it wasn’t a good idea. You’ll have to go to the bathroom more, will get more winded, or will just get plain worn out – fast!

Last night, Ray and I went to Wal-Mart for a few things. He was walking so fast! He even left me behind a few times! I kept saying, “Where are you running?!” Usually, he is cool about saying he’s sorry and slowing down. And then there are times that he says, “I’m not walking fast!" He either isn’t walking that fast (for the average non-pregnant person) or feels he isn’t. But it can be frustrating for me. My usual response to him is, “Don’t forget that I’m carrying a big load. Please slow down!!!!!!” 9 times out of 10, he apologizes and slows down.

I want to get out and about and still do things with Ray that we have always enjoyed doing. Walking can only do me good as long as I don’t overdo it. But when I can’t keep up and am left behind, it is annoying, as you can imagine. Have you ever seen those little kids that are a few years old (maybe 2 or 3) that walk slow? They are probably walking slowly for a few reasons - #1, their legs are shorter…they are just little people that take small steps and #2, they are interested in all they are passing. You often see the mom walking 10 feet ahead screaming at her child to “Come On!!!” Or even worse, you see the mom holding her child’s hand dragging him. He is trying to keep up, but his little feet just can’t move fast enough! Well, I can kinda relate.

Oh and speaking of going to the store last night, we had something to return at customer service. The lady helping us was a front end manager. She was very nice. The girl on the register next to her said, “When are you due?” I said, “February 17th!” She smiled and said something but I couldn’t hear her because the lady helping us starting giving us big Congrats! When she was finished, I said, “I’m sorry. What did you say? I couldn’t hear you.” She said, “That is real-ly soon!” Hearing that was so nice! Probably when December rolled around, I started feeling like our due date was fast approaching. But when I said that, people rarely agreed. Instead, they would say things like, “It’ll be here before ya know it…” Now that we are nearly a month away, everyone can see just how close we are! Before I got pregnant, I would look at a mom-to-be who looked like she was near the end of her wait, and whisper to Ray, “She looks like she’s about to pop!” I bet people say that about me already! I love the smiles and looks I get! They make me happy! :)

When Ray and I get out together at night or on the weekend, he usually drives. But like today, I had no choice but to drive. The first thing I noticed when I got in the car is that our little one was so cramped. I had to recline my chair even further back! I just thought I looked like a punk teenage kid before! ;)

I am a big believer in seatbelts, but I tell you – I have never hated them more than I do now! Everyone advises pregnant women to simply put the lap belt below their belly. It sounds like a great idea, but it doesn’t work well for me! I’m carrying our boy too low! :)

When I was pulling out of the parking lot of the dry cleaners, I lipped the curb. I wasn’t going fast so I knew I didn’t do any damage to my car or my tires. It didn’t even make an awful noise. It just wasn’t the smooth pull out onto the road I was expecting. The only thing it did was lift the car up on that one side…and wake our son up! I think he was fast asleep until I lipped that curb! As soon as the car went back down on the street, I felt that arm/leg come out! :) I had to laugh because I know that was his way of saying, “Hey! Watch what you’re doing, Mommy!!” :)

~T.T.