Hello, Belly!

Next week the husband and I will fly back east to attend ANOTHER wedding. This one is extra special, because I am a bridesmaid, and it will be an autumn wedding in New England. What could be better?

I waited until today for the final fitting of my bridesmaid's getup. It's a good thing I waited, because I have recently added an extra layer of mushy flesh all over my body. This extra flesh is what makes my pants too tight. It makes me bump into things that used to seem so far away. It makes my waist pooch out under my cute t-shirts, now rendered unwearable. The alien flesh is too much for the bridesmaid's dress, which only weeks ago looked pretty hot on this mama-to-be. When I tried it on today, I was able to zip it up, but unable to breathe, move, or sit. Given the length of a bridesmaid's workday, this discomfort would be out of the question. The dress has to be let out.

The coolest thing about the fitting, though, was that in profile, my little belly was clearly visible. Both the seamstress and I remarked that the belly wasn't there when I came in a few weeks ago. So, hello, Belly! This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Out of the Closet

The baby has come out. It's official...we're pregnant and everyone can know. Except for the people back home who will find out when we go there in 2 weeks. I hope they are not surfing the web looking for "Prince" and "baby." Although maybe they would find out that Prince had a baby. Did he? It seems likely.

Happy

At a friend's wedding 9/25/04 

My Family

Crazy cat, crazy dog, husband. 

4 Days Until the Secret's Out

I log on, trying to be witty and insightful, hoping to share something about this memorable time in my life. One thing I have learned is that it is impossible to be witty or insightful if you are actually trying. So I give up. It's 9pm - time for me to sleep again. I have to get to bed early to make up for all sleep I lose during 20 trips to the bathroom.

The Walking Man

In an effort to keep the inevitable pregnancy weight gain at bay, every weekday morning I take my ridiculous dog for a 30-minute walk in our neighborhood. I've been wearing shorts and tank tops for who knows how long, and then suddenly, it's fall in SoCal. No gradual change in weather, this. Blustery winds, chilly air, and sunshine that spills over the sky like honey in that Honey Nut Cheerios commercial. Now I must wear pants. PANTS! For the woman whose waistline defies all pants that once fit her. Grrr.

Our route takes us by a junior high school. I try to go as early as I can, so as to avoid the packs of obnoxious pre-teens who won't move aside when I come along with my giant dog, who WILL lunge at them if they are within a 10-yard radius. Not to injure, mind you, but to lick them to death. When I do manage to get out early, I always pass a guy I call The Walking Man. He walks without real purpose around the school, always wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, and a gray jacket. Even in 90-degree weather at 6:30 in the morning. We always greet each other, and sometimes if I walk around the school I'll pass him a second time.

One day I must have been earlier than usual, because when I got past the school I saw The Walking Man standing in front of a house, not wearing his Walking uniform, drinking coffee. He said good morning and I blurted out "Hey, you're The Walking Man!" He said "My name is Mark."

Well that just ruined it for me. There's no mystery left. The Walking Man is a much cooler name than Mark. Now when I go out on that route I try to avoid him. I've replaced him with Shuffling Man, who will get his own story once he does something interesting.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Sarcastic

In a week of firsts, today I gave out this blog address to my first two readers: my friend Rob in New York, and my boss. Hopefully my boss, who is cool and seems to have a great sense of humor, won't hold anything herein against me. Not that there's much to read yet, but I plan on having more content in the future. Plus, she's a writer, so maybe she'll just inherently "get it."

As the Blog Turns

A nice guy named Dick visited already. He showed me how to add Haloscan comments to this page. Done. Now I lost his comment, so I can't find him again. Sorry, Dick. And thanks.

Alien Baby 

And So It Begins

Being so behind the trend, I just bought a pashmina-like wrap, only to find that now everyone is wearing ponchos. Me and my polyester scarf are SO last year.

In a similar fashion, I only recently figured out what a blog is, when a friend turned me on to Dooce.com. Now I am addicted, and inspired - what a great way to update my peeps who are spread out all over the country. Especially now that they're going to actually WANT updates. Now that I'm...pregnant.

Hopefully, if you are one of my friends or family members, you'll know that I'm pregnant before you find this website. I plan on unveiling the truth behind my gas and bloating as early as next week, when I hit the 3-month mark. Then I'll give you this web address and urge you to check for new ultrasound pics, etc. Someday we can put baby pictures on this site, too, and maybe you won't feel so far away.

This is my first post, and I have no idea what I'm doing. So bear with me. I have to go take some Gas-X. Until next time.