A Myth Debunked

When I started out on this blogging road, I vowed to use it as a place of intellectually stimulating thought -- and if not intellectually stimulating I hoped to at least pen interesting babble. Thus when the news of our latest bundle of joy reached us I decided that after the initial announcement this blog would not contain weeks upon weeks of pregnancy chatter; after all nothing is more boring than when someone assumes his/her life position is the only world affair (think of all the annoying brides you have ever met). However, I feel I must address one particular piece of pregnancy information. Most women know that there is a list of common misconceptions regarding pregnancy; those that don't know have probably never been around a pregnant person before. It's true -- there are tales that are passed along generational lines about what pregnancy is and it is only when you experience the joys and "joys" of pregnancy do you realize that the tales are completely FALSE. There isn't room here to even list all of the inaccuracies held about the miracle of gestation. Furthermore, the subject has already been addressed time over again. While a decent writer, I will leave these diatribes to the professionals. My favorite is Diary of a Mad Mom to Be by Laura Wolf -- an exceptionally hilarious tale of the ups and downs of pregnancy.

My issue lies in the idea of pregnant weight. Before we (as women) decide to take the leap and become a human incubator there is the assumption that we will be allowed to eat whatever we want whenever we choose; the weight that comes with this eating is to be expected as well. Well hold onto your cheetos sister, because that is not the case. Weight is watched more closely in pregnancy than on the runways of Paris and Milan. Granted the baby within each woman outweighs the models in the analogy but you get the point. It is not with the focus on weight that I take issue. It is more with the mindset of the pregnant mother. In the world of pregnancy it is "fashionable" to gain as little weight as possible but to have as bulbous a belly as one can muster. It is a dangerous conundrum to fall victim to. So my pregnant friends, it is time we embrace the fact that we are merely hosts for our growing children and despite what we hope, the relationship during gestation is not symbiotic. To those who have yet to take the road toward parenthood know that yes you may get fat, you may get a bulbous belly or you may not. One thing is for certain...you will love the tiny life that widens your feet, your hips and for some your nose in a way you have never loved anything or anyone else.

The proof is in the pudding...

I don't know where that phrase originated and if I wasn't the mommy of possibly the busiest and most precocious two year old little boy I would in fact probably research the etymology. But I am and he is...so I won't.

I just typed an entire post...only to then delete it. Why? Because in my desire to be thought-provoking while maintaining a level of anonymity for my muse, I failed. After having spoken to my very level-headed and extremely wise husband, I have changed my position on the topic. Yes my ambiguity is astounding...but know that through this...I have learned a valuable lesson -- do not be too hasty in my judgment -- of anyone...particularly of one's motives. That said, I bid you adieu. I'm off to Chicago for the 4th. Fare the well!