My favorite part in Jurassic Park is when the camera focuses on a giant T-Rex foot print and the water pooling in it starts to shake a little. The silence that falls as the characters look in horror at the rippling water, knowing what is heading their way fills me with the same terror and suspense as well.
Tonight I was determined to take a bath, I have heard it’s good for Braxton Hicks and although I nearly HAD this child bending over and scrubbing my bath tub to clean it beforehand, I figured it would be worth it.
Two things I found out tonight: One, I hate baths. I get bored quickly and can’t seem to appreciate the stillness at all. Two, my 30-year-old bathtub is NOT made for 8-month-pregnant women. My thighs were touching the sides and although I know the whole “spreading” and “expanding” thing is normal and good, I felt like crap. I mean, I don’t weigh 200 lbs and with America’s obese crisis I feel like the standard tub should be enlarged to accommodate the obese and pregnant. I guess this is why most new houses have the large jet tubs- not for relaxation as much as fat.
What does this have to do with T-Rex? you ask yourself, wondering if I have indeed lost my mind completely. You are not too far off actually, I have been saying the most absurd things lately, but as this is not what this particular post is about- I will continue.
As I lay in the bathtub wondering how I could convince Ben to give up his closet for me to get a jet tub, I got really still and then noticed that the water was shaking slightly every few seconds. Once I became aware of that I realized it was at the same time the baby kicked me. He was making ripples in my bath. I had an odd sense of connection with him at that moment, the reality that he was a real person with his own thoughts and actions. He seemed like such a real person at that moment that I forgot how uncomfortable I was scrunched in my tub and how I will make millions once I figure out how to make a padded/reclining back to bathtubs. The fact that he will be here sooner than my slightly-in-denial mind can comprehend then gave me a brief moment of panic like the T-Rex was coming. Seriously. His room just got painted, there isn’t any furniture and I have NO CLUE where my 0-3 month clothes and accessories are! I want to be organized and ready for this child and I am no where near. I’m not ready for him yet. HE CAN’T COME OUT!
I breathed through my panic and calmed myself down. I made myself sit there for awhile as the water cooled around me, watching the little life inside of me affect the world outside in a visual way. I thought some deep thoughts that are now forever stripped from my pregnant mind, to be rediscovered at a later time when I’ll have this strange feeling of déjà vu. It was such a real feeling, it was the first time I’ve slowed down enough in a few days to have a feeling like that if that makes any sense. So often I get caught up in moving on to the next task that I don’t take time to just be still and be. It’s funny because when I do take the time I have these amazing moments of clarity and reality that my soul craves… and think of T-Rex.
That is amazing that he could make the water move! My little guy has been starting to get very active as well. If these little boys kick as hard outside us as they do inside, maybe we’ll have some soccer stars!
I’m with you on baths. They are a lot more work than they are worth. I get bored and cold way to quickly. Maybe baby #2 will like baths more than Sum.
PS. Please tell baby #2 not to interfere with your shower
He can come early enough to come with you to the shower or wait until May 2nd.
Miss you! Sorry I missed your call(s)… talk very very soon. Baths are tough. If you prepare the space, add some scented salts, light candles, have a towel or something to cushion your neck/shoulders, reading material and a hand towel to prevent wet fingerprints on pages… it can be quite enjoyable. Just a lot of prep work.
This was a really beautiful read.
I am with you on the bath thing though…first of all I’ve never had any sort of relaxing type bathroom where I’d even WANT to spend any amount of time, and secondly, I mean, yuck. I don’t know whose idea it was to wash all the grime off yourself and then LAY in it.
Anyways, I was just thinking that if I ever get to meet you and your beautiful children, I will get to say hi to the new guy, too…and have these tiny little insights to his life before he was born. Maybe it’s a little glimpse of what it’s like to be a parent. You were there…BEFORE them. It’s nuts.
Will y’all be at the reunion this summer? (Do you say y’all? I kind of assumed you did, so sorry if you don’t and this was extremely offensive.)
aww that’s so sweet, and how cool is that? the ripples in the water. Little offspring 2 is “already making waves” hehe…Can’t wait to meet him in T minus 6 weeks!!!!!!
I have to say though I am a fan of baths…but we have a crappy one so i never really take them. When we go to the Y I always go to the hot tub and think its pure luxury. And then I come home and tell David- I WILL have a hot tub some day…