19 weeks: Top ten list

Top ten things I didn't appreciate enough before getting pregnant:

10. Considering style before comfort. These days it is not about WHAT I look like, but HOW comfortable it is. Those stilettos will see daylight again, just maybe not for another 6-9 months.

9. Walking at a brisk pace. Spending time in Boston, my walking pace definitely increased from the west coast days. I have recently become 'that person' that is walking so slow in a crowd. People occasionally huff at me when walking by. In the future, I will probably huff a little quieter when there is someone walking slow in front of me.

8. Clumsiness. I don't know if it is a balance thing but I have apparently decided to drop things more often than normal as of late. Most recently I decided to toss the brita water jug from the counter (and yes, for those of you wondering - dropping it onto wood floors does cause it to crack and spill everywhere. luckily, easily replaced).

7. Leaning over. Something as simple as washing my face has become more of an adventure. I find myself doing a squat in order to lower myself to the sink level. Bending at the waist just doesn't happen anymore. I guess I am getting some exercise this way.

6. Sitting at a desk. Besides my inability to focus, which is a whole separate issue - I have recently discovered that my belly doesn't fit under my desk anymore. Slouching has become crucial just to get near enough to the desk. Of course Brant reminds me that I could just lower the chair, but that would be too obvious.

5. Symmetry. I don't know if this happens to every pregnant person, but the symmetry of my belly definitely changes daily. Sometimes when looking down at my belly there is a serious slope. I can't remember the last time I saw my belly button in the middle of my belly - let alone into it.

4. Reaching my feet. When did my feet get so far away? I have a whole new appreciation for putting on socks. Especially those tight fitting knee-hi socks for those cold winter months. I find I have to turn my leg sideways just to get to my foot. Soon enough, I probably won't be able to see my feet at all - then maybe it won't matter if I have socks on. Thankfully - I have slip on sneakers - phew!

3. Incontinence. I have a new found sympathy for those with long term incontinence. I find myself visiting the restroom at least every two hours. Alpha (who seems to be resting on my bladder) and I have discussions about how during the middle of the night I prefer to only wake up once for this purpose - sometimes he goes along with this plan, but most nights he doesn't. We have discussed prioritizing this visit in return for the prompt visit upon waking up as scheduled in the am. Currently we are still under negotiations.

2. My lap. I never realized how much I used my lap, until I had less of it. Something as simple as resting a plate on my lap is no longer as convenient as it once was. My lap is so much further away and includes a decent sized obstacle when food is travelling from lap to mouth. Maybe there should be bibs for pregnant woman instead of just babies.

1. Squeezing by. Gone are the days of squeezing by someone in a crowd. I have found that turning sideways does almost nothing for my attempt to fit through a tight space. I do find it an entertaining game to run into Brant with my belly while still being several inches away from him everywhere else. He hysterically responds, 'Well hello family'.

Obviously no actual complaints, but these are just things that make me chuckle throughout the day when I run into them. Still growing/eating and trying to get as big as possible. My new goal is to make Brant's eyes water when I sit on his lap. Still just getting a whimper - but I have several more months to accomplish this goal.