The Fallout

by Leslie

Around the time I had my positive pregnancy test, Julia began to complain about the pain in her tummy. You know, because there’s a baby in there. It lasted all of Friday night and through Saturday. On Sunday evening, she emerged from the family room with a doll wrapped in the arm cover from the couch. She proceeded gingerly and with great pride and sincerity announced, “My baby is born.”

Upon further questioning it was revealed that the baby had grown out of her belly, so there was no baby in her belly anymore. She hugged her baby and nursed her baby, complete with sucking sounds. Her baby took naps on the kitchen floor with an open book for a blanket. Her baby got a boo boo and required a band aid. Her baby ate cantaloupe.

I felt pretty confident that Julia was excited that we’re going to have a baby.

Dave, who is also excited, expresses his emotions in a different way. He has decided that it is his duty to ensure that I am not hurt or upset in any possible way. In between his regular check ups, “Are you okay? Do you feel alright? You look like something might be wrong? Are you sad?” he is working hard to make sure I don’t have to. Yesterday, when I began to gather up dirty clothes to toss down the laundry chute, he nearly fell over himself rushing to my aid, “Hey! I’ll do that! I’ll do that! You don’t have to do that! I’ll do it!”

Later, when I announced that we should probably get started on some lawn mowing, he jumped to his feet and enlisted the help of my parents so all of the mowing machines we owned were in use by the time I got outside and I could do nothing but sit on the front porch reading Life Among The Savages while Julia was in labor nearby.

Normally, I’d feel a little offended by the implication that I’m no longer able to do anything now that I’m pregnant, but this weekend, I took advantage. To be honest, I needed the extra rest having given up all forms of caffeine cold turkey. I’ve even replaced my flavored water beverages with a bag of lemons I can slice and toss in my natural, chemical-fee water.

Today, as we get back into our normal routine where my lack of caffeine headache is gone, Julia’s baby is tossed legs up in the toy box, Dave is at work and I am left to throw the dirty laundry down the chute myself, and when the new Garden Tractor arrives I will be the first to take a spin, everything is still, somehow, different. There’s a new baby on the way. I couldn’t be happier.

Posted in Mommy's Stuff |

Comments

11 Cool Kids Came To Play

Suzanne on August 27, 2007 2:22 pm
Take all the help while you can get it… even if you don’t really need it now. (Murphey’s Law assures you that when you actually DO need the help, it will be no where to be found.) Put your feet up and just wave real friendly as people walk back and forth in front of you with heavy lawn equipment. Have some lemonade. Even better: ice cream.
Chris H on August 27, 2007 3:08 pm
Hmmm didn’t last long did it? Ah well, milk it whenever you can mate, cos one thing is for sur, once baby arrives you will be the one who has to do most of the work as we all know. Still, it is fantastic news eh? Funny wee Julia! Now you are going to hear her asking “when is the baby coming” for months and months!!!! I do not envy you that!
Jen on August 27, 2007 7:18 pm
Leslie, this is all just wonderful. And with such a supportive family, maybe you should say you’re pregnant all the time! (Just kidding, of course, but it’s a good fantasy, right?) Julia’s reaction was adorable!
Daddy Forever on August 27, 2007 11:41 pm
You should take advantage because Dave might snap out of it.

Julia is cute. Sounds like she’s going to be a good big sister.
mackeydoodle on August 28, 2007 1:06 am
“Julia in labor nearby” LOL
So do you know your actual due date yet???
petite mommy on August 28, 2007 8:55 am
Take advantage of every minute you can! It will be over before you know it!
Sam on August 28, 2007 9:45 am
Julia is so funny!! She is going to be such a doting big sister. The great thing about her age is that she can be the big helper too. My oldest was about 3 1/2 when my youngest was born and it was wonderful! Whatever I needed he could pretty much get for me. With me having a c-section he was a God send!
SusieJ on August 28, 2007 11:24 am
Ahhhh yes. Pregnancy was the best time… But I know you — you’re no prima donna. Yes, you’ll be on that tractor!!
Laurie on August 28, 2007 11:59 am
Congratulations to Julia, too!
jenn in holland on August 28, 2007 3:58 pm
Yup. That moment of knowing changes everything.
I don’t think I could be happier either.
Faith on August 29, 2007 7:57 pm
Dave is being awesome and why is it everytime I hear a story about Julia I think that I won’t ever hear anything cuter and then I read a new story about her and it is even cuter. Seriously, I don’t know how you stand it!