The NEW State of Tazmania

So, at the urging of my "media savvy" and "blogging extraordinaire" husband, I am making my first attempt to reach out to all of those lucky women (and very loyal husbands) currently experiencing the rollercoaster of impending parenthood.

Our little Tazby (as we have currently named my ever-growing belly bump and its adorable temporary occupant) is due on September 6th, 2007 which currently makes me almost 17 weeks along (about 4 months to those who aren't inclined to follow weekly updates). I'm getting to that point in my pregnancy where I'm noticing my "cute" expanding waistline as defenitely beginning to resemble a proud mama-to-be, but to everyone else, I'm just looking like I've indulged a little too much in Easter candy. Yes, I can still call it cute as no stretchmarks have yet appeared. I check almost daily in a sometimes horrifying ritual in my bathroom mirror to see if maybe I've "popped" yet. No such luck, but I'll enjoy the mini baby bump for as long as I can because I'm sure, before I know it, I'll be too big to tie my shoes or shave my own legs. Not to mention that a clearly showing midsection will somehow be an invitation for complete strangers to actually just rub me without my permission. As far as I'm concerned, I can just skip that entire part of pregnancy, thank you very much.

So, I thought in my first real post, I would explain what my three favorite parts of pregnancy have been in my first 3 full months. First, let me try to explain that there is this really incredible comaraderie that exists between currently pregnant women and anyone who has ever been pregnant. It's like a sisterhood of all those who have had the joy of being able to bring a new person into this world while struggling to live with the often confusing and uncomfortable condition of carrying that child around for 9 wild months. I see among the women in my life who already have children, a knowing look of understanding about the fact that I'm constantly and simultaneously worried, terrified. thrilled and completely in love with and about our little Tazby. It's nice to see survivors. In reminds me that I'm blessed every day.

Secondly, my husband. He has by far been the most amazing thing about the past 16 weeks (and 3+ years before that). He is the definition of a loyal and devoted husband and father-to-be. He has so much love for our growing family that I thank God every day that we are lucky enough to have one another. For any husband that is out there, here are some hints to having a very happy expectant wife. 1. If she's upset, don't just tell her that she's hormonal. 2. If she complains about her size, never affirm that indeed she is getting much bigger. We only ever want to hear that you are indebted to us for carrying your children. 3. Don't ignore a pregnant woman's cravings. If she wants strawberry frozen yogurt at 2:30am, find a 24 hour fro-yo stand! Pregnant women, be good to your husbands and try to curb your irrational emotional outbursts as best you can, you'll deserve to be rewarded with nightly backrubs. Feel free to remind him if he forgets.

And finally, and I find so much joy in this, I think that I've found what I always knew I would be really good at. I can't wait to be a mom. I can't wait for Tazby to be here so we can hold him/her in our arms and know that this is our family.

That's all for tonight. Stay tuned....Next up is a synopsis of why you should be glad I didn't post during the first 16 weeks and musings on our upcoming gender predicting ultrasound. WOOHOO!