This week, last year or Pregnant Forever

Everything about me last September was round.  I looked like I was carrying various sizes of playground balls in my dress.  I could press into my ankles & make funny designs.  I was 39 or 40 weeks pregnant in the photo above.  It was taken a couple days after the midwife worked her voodoo magic and promised me a “baby by Friday.”  Liar.

I tried everything to get Babycakes to come out.  After dark, I spent hours curb walking in front of our house which highly entertained the neighbors.  I drank raspberry tea, ate pineapple — all things that are said to ripen your cervix.  I gobbled Evening Primrose, bounced on my yoga ball, begged, and even wrote that baby a love note asking her to please come out.

My baby in the belly had her own soundtrack.  I thought it would be clever to take our own music to the hospital with us.  I listened to this CD over & over…

Having a Baby Soundtrack

1. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross & the Supremes
2. September – Earth, Wind, & Fire (9/21 was my due date)
3. Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
4. Upside Down – Jack Johnson
5. If – Bread (it was playing on the radio when I was born)
6. Baby Mine – Bette Midler
7. Miracle – Celine Dion
8. The Things We’ve Handed Down – Marc Cohn
9. Father & Daughter – Paul Simon
10. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

What a difference a year makes!  45 pounds lighter, bony ankles, the light of my life on my hip. 

It’s better than I ever imagined.