Firstly, I apologize for the lack of updates. I’d blame it on my exhaustion, my lack of time, my lack of ideas but this time it was something much more mechanical than that. Our not-very-bright ISP forgot to pull out the static IPs from the DNS pool last week causing major net problems for us all week last week. Which meant our connection went down every thirty seconds. I had a hard enough time working from home and didn’t have the energy to fight the ssh connection that allows me to post my entries. We’re back now, though, and all should be fine.
When I first got pregnant, other mothers told me that everyone would now touch my belly and they would all tell me what to do. I figured since I still don’t know that many people in San Diego, the chances of people touching me weren’t very high and also I have no problem telling people to get their hands off of me. However, I wasn’t prepared for how hostile I would really feel.
It seems that I automatically have a negative reaction to people’s comments regardless of the intention with which it’s delivered and how close or foreign that person might be to me. A few months ago, a friend told me that I really should get some maternity pants instead of unzipping the regular ones I wore. Instead of agreeing with her logical comment, my first hunch was to say:
“Fuck You.”
Thankfully, I didn’t actually say it out loud. But since then, I’ve noticed that everyone’s opinions on what I should and shouldn’t do is automatically greeted by my inner reluctance. I feel like telling them all off. For some reason instead of interpreting the information as helpful, I am processing it as confrontational or patronizing. And I am way too exhausted to be patronized.
So that’s how it goes.
“You really should have the baby’s room ready by now.”
“Fuck You.”
“You really should be exercising more.”
“Fuck You.”
“Are you seriously not taking any time off work? That’s crazy; you should take off starting the beginning of January.”
“Fuck You.”
I know some of this is good advice but I can’t seem to acknowledge that right now. What I need more is someone to spend time with and laugh with. I need a lot lot more sleep. I need to relax and know that everything will be okay with us and with the baby. I need someone to have fun with and not unsolicited advice. I am sure I will regret not listening to these wise people some day real soon, but for now I really just want them all to fuck off.
My wife is about as far along as you are; there is definitely some hormonal component to pregnancy, like the volume is turned way up on her emotions. We’re learning to use this to our advantage, to learn something. F me!
To hell with dispensers of unsolicited advice, I say. Oh no, I think I just joined their ranks 🙁
Anyway, my computer at home is fixed again, and I’ll be here more often. 🙂 It’s good to be back 🙂
Those tummy touchers better not become baby touchers because I’ll be telling them a thing or three!
Do you honestly think the baby cares where it lays its head the first week at home? No-oo. It’ll take lying on mom’s chest with its head buried under her chin because mom’s heart beat is loud! Like before. And that’s comforting.
F ’em all!