Few Things Here and There
Hello, Kate's belly.
Ever since it popped out, my belly has become my new face. People look at it when they talk to me.
Preggers unite!
I was walking to work the other day and noticed the woman in front of me was also pregnant. I had a strong urge to go up to her, bump her belly with mine, and say, "Whazup, sistah?!"
Perks of Being Pregnant
The biggest perk of being pregnant is that most people show courtesy to pregnant women, and this is very nice when you live in a crowded city like Taipei. Old Asian ladies, however, are the exceptions. They don't care if you're 8 months pregnant with a 2-year-old in one arm and pushing a stroller. They will elbow you out of the way just to get a seat on the bus. If you ask a Chinese lady, I'm sure she'll tell you how, when she was pregnant, she had to walk and stay on a ship for days to escepe out of China. If she's Taiwanese, she'll be more than happy to recount the many back-breaking hours she spent in rice patties while carrying a kid in her tummy and another one on her back.
Even Perks Come with Consequences
Another perk of being pregnant that we recently discovered is that you get to be seated first in a busy restaurant. However, we also learned that even perks may come with unpleasant consequences.
Bill and I went out on a date, and we chose to go to Chilis for dinner. As usual, there was a line outside. We went up to let them know we needed a table for two. The nice girl at the door didn't take down our name and number. Instead, she showed us to a tiny table in the back. We told her we'd rather wait for a booth 'cause it's more comfortable. A minute later, she led us to the first booth available. It was totally unexpected! Then the host came over, "There's actually a 20~30 minute wait right now. However, I see that you're pregnant and I don't think you should stand for that long. That's why I'm giving the booth to you first. However, next time you'll have to wait like everyone else." Even though we wouldn't have minded waiting, we were not going to turn down this considerate gesture. Bill had a blue cheese bueger, and I had some chicken fingers with fries and corn-on-the-cob.
(Caution! Gross content ahead. Read on at your own risk)
I was extremely uncomfortable during the movie. For two hours, I felt bloated and my tummy was hard as a rock. We bolted out of the theater as soon as the credits started rolling. I had to tell Bill not to talk to me on the cab ride home. We made it home alright. I sat on the bed for a few minutes and, just when I got up to take my contact lenses off, I burped and dumped the entire dinner into the toilet. It was like a scene from a horror movie. I still can't believe Bill stayed to rub my back while I was hunched over the toilet.
I don't think I'll be back at Chilis for a while...
4 comments:
Do people there just reach out to rub your belly? That's pretty common here. Not much of a sense of personal space.
I LOVED the "preggers unit!"!! That was hilarious! I can see that, and remembering back, I could imagine doing it myself!
I actually cried in the car when we left the hospital parking lot when Natti was born. I felt so dead inside now that she was out and the excitement from labor and delivery was over and we were back to life as usual. She wasn't growing inside of me anymore. I was so empty. And, selfishly, I totally mourned the thought that people wouldn't go out of their way to open doors for me anymore, or look at me and my belly with such tenderness and admiration. I was "just" a mother now. No longer a woman with the super-power of creating life.
When Maggie was born, I practically danced a jig. I was so ready for her to come out so I could stop "burping and dumping my entire meals into the toilet"!
I feel for you!
Juli,
Thanks for your comment, which also led me to changing a typo. It should've been "preggers unite", not unit. :D
Mmm... Nah~~ I haven't had many experiences where people just reached out and rubbed my belly. However, as your brother once told me, apparently I put out this "leave me alone" vibe in public. I'd like to think it's just because I always have my ipod on and/or reading a book. Maybe that's why.
People have been curious though. My colleagues and students have been asking questions on a regular basis. Sometimes I can see in a stranger's eyes that she (usually a she) wants to ask some questions. But then again, my unfriendly vibe probably discouraged them from striking up a conversation.
I don't know how I'll feel when Peanut's born. Right now, I wish I could peek into my belly to see what he's up to, so I think I'll be very happy when we finally meet him in person. On the other hand, I totally understand where that emptiness comes from. After all, we're bound to feel something once the cargo unloads.
By the way, I like how you put it, "the excitement from labor and delivery". It's very encouraging and reassuring to know that it's not all pain and agony and screaming at the husband, as how labor and delivery is often described.
I sent you guys an envelope with several letters and a Christmas ornament two days ago. That's how long it's been sitting on my coffee table!! Maggie was screaming bloody murder in the post office the entire time, and I was soooo "that mom" with "that baby". I sent it to the apartment, only later realizing (through Shellee) that I should have sent it to one of your offices. Maggie was so loud at more than one point I had to cover her mouth to hear the postal worker who was helping me! I hope it gets there. I've sent letters a couple of times and they come back, which is why there are several in one envelope this time!
Back to the post.
I always thought it was ok even if someone wanted to touch my belly, as long as they asked. It was just weird otherwise. Especially in the first few months when you feel like, "why are you rubbing my fat? that's not even baby right there!"
And, yes. Labor and delivery can be pretty awesome. Maggie was difficult, but Natalie... wow! Adam was so helpful, my sisters and mom were all so helpful, LOTS of arm/foot/hair/face rubbing. Lots of screaming. But the second she was out, I was so invigorated that I actually said, "I could do it again!" I was so exhausted though with Maggie.
I still like "Pregger's Unit!"
Juli,
Regular mail in envelopes should be fine to be sent to the house. We gave people the office addresses for registered mail (or anything that requires our signatures) or bigger items that can't be put into an apartment mail box. I can't wait! I'll be checking the mail box every day!
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