The Facts of Life

It's good I've been reflecting on the "big picture" because we found out on Friday that my induction date has moved up a week! The current plan is to induce labor on Monday, September 8th (my mom's birthday!). We're taking this week to relax and have fun as much as possible before we enter the temporary tunnel of chaos that comes with being new parents.

In the meantime, I'm still reflecting on my last few days of being pregnant....

Did any of you watch the TV show "The Facts of Life" in the 80's? Remember the theme song?

"You take the good,
You take the bad,
You take them both and there you have the facts of life.
The facts of life."

This is true for pregnant life as well.

I try not to get touchy when people say careless things to me while I've been pregnant. I give the benefit of the doubt that certain things are said with the best of intentions, but sometimes I think, "Come on people, use your brains!" These are just a few things people have actually said to me in the past month or so.

• "You're still here!?" - at 32 weeks from a co-worker who doesn't even know me well

• "Wow, you're still finding clothes that fit you!" - at 35 weeks from a dude at work

• "Should you be eating that?" - in response to my eating many different things from dark chocolate to rum cake.
  

But there are also perks of being in your third trimester.

• People acknowledge your existence. In the DC area people tend to keep to themselves. I'm not sure if it's because we're all wrapped up in our own lives/problems or if people were raised that way or if it's just peer pressure. In any case, when you're pregnant people look you in the eye, say hello, and even offer an unsolicited smile! It's a great way to feel connected to the human race.

• I am almost always offered a seat on the Metro! You may remember an earlier post about my surprise when Metro riders didn't offer me, a pregnant lady, a seat. That no longer happens.

• Random offers of help. Random strangers now offer to carry groceries for me, take packages out to my car, let me go in front of them in long shopping lines, etc.

Just like anything in life, I'm taking the good and the bad and that's a fact of life!