El Nino's Big Adventure

It occured to me last night as I was telling pregnancy stories to my friend, K, that I should perhaps record some of them here for el nino to read one day (just in case I forget). [Oh, and it seems as though el nino really likes K. She put her hand on my belly for a minute or so and el nino moved for her 3x - unusual for him as he tends to stop moving as soon as his daddy places his hand on my stomach. She was expressing her enthusiasm to babysit when she got the biggest of the three kicks. Apparently, el nino likes the idea too.]

Stories from the "beginning" of the pregnancy: I began this pregnancy totally oblivious. I was so oblivious, in fact, that I joined Weight Watchers for about a week. But thanks to that, I was forced to ask myself, "Am I pregnant?" when filling out a Weight Watchers form online. You know the conclusion of that story already. By the time I went to the OB, I was 13 1/2 weeks into my pregnancy. So, as my friend A pointed out, while most people have 9 to 10 months to prepare for their newest addition, we have fallen short of that by three months .

Hubby and I took a trip to my mother's for Memorial Day weekend which was when we told Mom the news. She was not quite sure how to react at first; chalk it up to shock I guess. Hubby and I had so convinced our families over the last 11 years of our marriage that we were not having children that some family members had a hard time believing us. Perhaps we had confused Memorial Day with April Fool's Day?

As many of you know, Dad was placed in a nursing home at the beginning of this year as he suffers from Alzheimer's Disease along with other medical ailments. And it was Memorial Day weekend when we told him about our pregnancy as well. "But you're not married!" he exclaimed. "Well, yes, I am, Dad. I have been married for 11 years." "Oh... well I guess it's all right then," he replied. Subsequent visits with my father continue to require explanation, not surprisingly. However, the last couple of visits my declaration of being married has not assuaged his concern over my being pregnant. Why, I wondered. Then, as we continued to talk, we discovered he thought Mom was aged 35. So if that were true, I would not be born yet. But in my father's logical mind that would put me to about 15 years of age (maybe he thinks I'm my older sister). Thus his concern with having a pregnant teenage daughter. What will his friends think?

What Dad doesn't realize, and what continues to delightfully surprise me, is how happy Mom & Dad's friends are for us. It seems as though the blessing of this baby has already touched many people's hearts. And we couldn't be more pleased to be able to share this experience with you.

My friend, E, and I took a short trip to visit a megalith park on the eastern edge of Pennsylvania called Columcille. We arrived in the a.m. and began our communion with nature by sitting on a large stone to meditate. However, gnats abounded and my pregnant self was too tempting to ignore. So I put up my hood, covered my mouth and nose with one hand, and lowered my head in an effort to dissuade the eager bugs. I managed to meditate for perhaps 5 minutes this way. Ah well. Let's take a walk in the woods instead.

Every time I find myself meandering through a forest, I remember how much I enjoy being among the trees. The first home that I lived in as a child was within walking distance of a forest that has, sadly, been de-forested over the years. And my parents' property contained a hickory grove. I've always loved the peace and beauty of the woods. My friend, E, is a self-declared rock hugger. I didn't realize people enjoyed rocks as much as I enjoy trees. My morning at Columcille showed me the beauty of these large beautiful boulders. While I still consider myself a tree hugger, I can appreciate my rock-hugging friends' preference.

I am moving into the final weeks of my pregnancy. This is the last week of my 7th month. And I am attempting to slow down, rest, and enjoy this wondrous time of life. My walk in the woods was a lovely way to transition into this quiet and contemplative phase as my husband and I eagerly await the arrival of our son.