I'll fly away

While I procrastinate writing up our vacation, let me tell you the story Gillian told me at bedtime Thursday night. We were reading Goodnight Moon, which we hadn't read in a while. She decided that she really, really wanted the red balloon in the Great Green Room. She tried to pluck it from the page. Then she said she needed to "get in there" to retrieve the balloon. She got very pensive, then said we could turn off the light in her room and turn on the stars (she has a nightlight that projects stars across the ceiling) and that we would have to fly high in the sky with the stars ("you can come too, Mama! and Papa!") and that we could fly into the green room through the window and then she could get the balloon and we could fly home and the red balloon could go night night with her in her bed. Meanwhile, Alligator (her hand puppet) could watch Boopies (her lovies) until she got back so Boopie couldn't fall off the bed. She was so excited while telling this story that she *almost* hyperventilated.

Gilly's Belly

Pregnant

Can I take a moment to whine about the winter? I mean, Chicago winters are no joke (especially this one), but there's a whole new dimension of Suck when we consider the "pregnant in winter" angle. I suppose being very pregnant in summer is also no picnic with the heat... But, on the glorious First of March (nope-still no bulbs popping up, much to my dismay, but it's so close I can smell it!), I am like a racehorse at the gate dying to get somewhere warmer. I noticed at Gillian's swim class yesterday that rocketing her into the air for the various sing and swim songs is a strain, but Lord does it feel good to be in the water. So, in that regard, we can pretend it's warm out in that heated pool (though it's surreal to walk out into the 25 degree weather after a tropical swim).

Anyhoo, when I am carrying her and slip on a nice icepack (the recent ones are compliments of our schizophrenic weather- 2 inches of rain one day, and plummeting temperatures shortly thereafter), I find myself thinking, "Tahiti sounds nice". Ice is treacherous, particularly as my center of gravity becomes less reliable. I cling for dear life to the hand rail on the back stairs when coming up or down the stairs to our condo when there is a hint of ice or snow on the steps, and feel like I'm 90 years old. My coat, my beautiful new olive green coat that I finally broke down and bought after 6 years in a used coat with paint on the collar, is getting pretty snug (even with the drawstrings all let out) right where the maximum protrusion of my belly is. It will be getting warm enough for my maternity coat (tweed and meant for transition seasons, and one of those deals you have to tell people about-$13 at Old Navy marked down from $90!!) just in time for my Rotundness to overtake my pretty AND functional olive coat. Which brings me to my next random thought-

In winter, it's hard to tell if a woman is fluffy or pregnant, 'cause heavy coats in general, are not maternity coats. So, that means the oblivious and/or selfish on trains or buses are even less likely to give up their seat to help you ease your aching back than if you are sandwiched in between everyone with your exposed belly in their face (which, by the way, still has remarkably poor odds). Luckily, I get on and off the train/bus at places that are easy to secure a nice buffered window seat, but I find my blood pressure rising when I see an obviously pregnant woman or elderly person come in the door and no one immediately offers them a seat. It doesn't happen every day, but it is so incredibly rude.

I can't complain much about my health-I feel great for the most part. It will be awesome when we go for walks every day because it is pleasant to do it. I miss the sunset strolls at the lake, but I avoid it because of the wind (just about any temperature is bearable with enough sunshine, but 40 mph wind gusts can kill it for me). I have had very normal, minimal swelling to this point (no recurrences of the event I noticed a few weeks ago). Looking back at my anal notes from my previous pregnancy (btw-I thumb my nose at notes, and scales, and educational reading about pregnancy this go around... I am, frankly, amazed by my lack of drive in this area), I am nowhere near as swollen now as I was then. I am hoping this is a good sign of health in this pregnancy. Aside from a sinus infection that has amazing longevity, ability to completely block my sinuses with the most viscous mucous I have ever had, and results in my waking up every 40 minutes with my throat and tongue stuck together because I have to sleep with my mouth open (sorry for all the fun nighttime sounds, Sean!), life is pretty grand. I mean, I could have gotten that bronchitis thing, which, for those of you who aren't aware, PREGNANT WOMEN BREAK RIBS FROM COUGHING IN LATE PREGNANCY, and God, wouldn't that be awful (especially when that's the time there's a lot of kicking with the baby head down). Anyway, this is rambly and not terribly informative, but generally all is well here. Oh, and it's snowing. Again. *sigh*