My bump didn't lower my IQ

Basic chivalry/courtesy is great. I love seeing a teenager give up his seat on the bus for the elderly, or someone in a suit pausing to hold the door - even when they're obviously in a rush (I do have southern family, after all). Lately, however, I've begun to notice a change in people's attitudes towards me...once they realize I'm pregnant.

I had seen articles and books that said people (even strangers?) tend to get over-involved in pregnant women's business -- touching stomachs (eww!), giving unsolicited advice, telling horror stories about their own childbirth experiences, playing up the risks that exist during pregnancy (who knew deli meats were so dangerous?!).

I guess I just didn't realize these same people would automatically assume I became an idiot the moment the pregnancy test came back positive. (There's a great article from The Times on this subject as well, written by Kate Johnson a few years ago: Hey, I’m pregnant, not stupid.)

A quiet thing

Yesterday morning, I got to enjoy some rare moments of peace and quiet, before (most of) the rest of the house woke up. The puppy and I took a walk outside, just as pink and purple streaks were stretching across the sky, while hubby and the rest of our furkids snoozed inside. It was blissful.

It's been nearly a year since we moved to our new place in the country, and I'm just as pleasantly surprised by the stillness and tranquility now as I was then.


When we got this house, I must admit to being a little hesitant about moving so far away from the city. I'd lived in (or within about 10 miles of) NYC for 15 years by that point, so I had gotten used to a lot of conveniences. But my grandmother once told me, "Everyone should live in New York at least once...just don't stay there too long," and I think she was right. It was time for me to move on. I was ready.