Who will little Bibi look like?

Daddy?Mommy?

Planting and Lounging

Jean-Robert is the one planting; I'm the one lounging... This weekend JR did a lot of gardening, and despite any complaining, I know he truly loves it. Yesterday he led me around a couple nurseries, his eyes bright and his voice passionate as he proclaimed "I am going to plant more camelias!" Much like someone training for a marathon might say "Wow that 20 mile run was awesome yesterday! My quads are so sore!" JR will say after a day of gardening "Man, my legs are killing me!". He is satisfied with his new sport.

While he hoed, shoveled, and planted, I was relaxing. Nina and I, that is. And no, that "Project Leadership" book is not just for show or to hide my enormous belly--I really was reading it! Not
that I was completely lazy all weekend--I did work at unpacking, organizing the house, and doing laundry. Isn't that exciting! Maybe not really, but since I am nesting after all, it feels pretty good.

And finally, here's Nina, lounging in the evening sun. She's so naive and unsuspecting; little does she know that in 2 1/2 months she will be tossed aside and attention-deprived! So soak it up while you can, little kitty!

And finally, I have to show the fruit of JR's labor...the garden. It is so beautiful with the roses, and there are many baby plants that will soon grow and bloom, making it even more magnificent. (The photos don't do it justice!)

Grown-ups say the darndest things....

Kids aren't the only ones to say funny, strange things...especially when it comes to talking to pregnant women. Below are quotes from people--most are friends, family, coworkers, and some are nearly strangers. They are all well-meaning adults, but as you will be able to see, things don't always come out quite right... Names are withheld to protect the innocent.

"Women look very beautiful when they are pregnant with a girl.... So you are having a boy. [long pause] Wait--did you look better or worse before you got pregnant?"

"Do not pet your cat because there are bugs in her fur that can go in your lungs and hurt the baby."

"I didn't recognize you from the back."

"Good luck on your delivery! I hope he pops right out!"

"How come your skin is so bad?"

"If you have heartburn that means the baby has a lot of hair."

[referring to my maternity outfit] "You really look the part."

"You said your stomach wasn't that big but it's HUGE!!!"

"They didn't wash the lettuce?!?! You better get tested for toxoplasmosis!"

"You can talk to me about pregnancy but when it gets to be really girly like all bloody and stuff I don't want to hear it!"

"I had a premonition that the baby will come August 20. Now maybe that doesn't mean anything but if I'm right, boy will I have fun saying 'I knew it!'"

"Childbirth is not always painful...For some women it's just like going to the bathroom."

More to come...

Growing...and Growing...

Dates of photos (starting top left):
jan. 16
jan. 30
feb. 27
apr. 13
may 15















Yes, there are pictures missing here... I didn't always feel like having my body photographed, what with the nausea in the beginning, a horrible stomach flu, then just getting too busy...

Nesting

OK, so I don't know much about birds...or nesting...but nesting is exactly what I've been doing lately. And I don't really know much about nesting feathers, other than that some birds use their own feathers as part of a nest. I suppose that's a good metaphor for preparing for a new baby--you are giving part of yourself over to the new life about to come, to make him/her more comfortable. I can totally see myself now as a fluffy, squinty-eyed little bird sitting protectingly over my nest. That's so strange because 6 years ago when I moved back to California I thought I'd be more of the flighty, migrating bird for several years to come... Me? Settle? Why not travel the world, experience a new life whenever I got bored? Man, I got bored so quickly in those days...when I was young...*sigh*. Now I'm a nesting mother-to-be...and it actually feels pretty good!