This husband of mine

I am seriously so stinking proud of my husband.  He has been taking ESL classes for the past year, and his English has improved soooo much.  The guy speaks 6 languages other than English, so go figure that he would catch on quickly with English.  That's not so much why I'm proud of him, though. Before enrolling in ESL classes, he hadn't been in school since he was 9 or 10 years old.  I can't even imagine the struggles he has been through the past year or so--coming to a completely foreign country, adjusting to the many cultural differences, getting married (3x :) ), numerous health hiccups, me getting pregnant, and on top of all of this, he's been learning how to learn again. He's seriously had to learn how to write papers, how to do homework, how to research, etc, and he's handled it like a champ. So, so, so proud.

Things not to say to someone due any day

"How are you feeling?" This is ok, but it is not ok when followed with a head tilt and an overly sympathetic tone. If I'm not doubled over in pain, just assume that I'm not in labor.

"Oh, still no baby?" This question can be asked in a variety of different ways.  "Oh, you're still here (at work)" is virtually the same question.  Again-the head tilt and tone makes it worse, but this one is pretty much never ok. Does it still look like I have a basketball under my shirt? Yes? Then, don't ask the F'ing question.

"Oh, you still have a ways to go." Just don't even talk to me.

"Enjoy your sleep now because you won't be getting any rest for months."  Who's sleeping? I haven't slept more than 3 hours per night for the past two weeks. Might as well get the kid out of me so that I have a cute little bundle to love on while I'm not sleeping. 

I know people are trying to be supportive, but when you hear the same comments 30+ times a day, it gets old. Yes, I know the kid could be here any day. Yes, I'm anxious. Yes, I'm hormonal. Yes, I'm exhausted. Ok? Ok. Sorry for the rant, but really. 

News

No, no baby yet. Hoping that this kid comes out soon because I'm starting to get uncomfortable. Sorry for the lack of updates, but we don't have Internet at our new apartment yet. I promise to update soon!

"You've definitely started to waddle."

"It looks like you have to go to the bathroom when you walk."

Two especially lovely quotes from Lamine yesterday.  

Exhausted

We moved yesterday, and I am beyond tired today. I'll try to put up some pictures of our box-filled apartment later.  I already love living there. 

Confession

Even though I'm about 37 weeks pregnant, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I'm going to be someone's mom.  I know, in principle, that I'm going to have a baby, and I know Lamine is going to be this little guy's dad.  But me? A mom? No....Not possible.

Another confession?  It makes me really uncomfortable when people jokingly call me "Mom."  For some reason, I don't mind it in French, Wolof, or Manding, but I think it's because those aren't my first languages that I'm somehow removed from it for now.  It reminds me of when I first told Lamine that I loved him. I said it in French, but then I immediately followed it with English because it felt more real, more significant to me.  After a while, the French and Manding "I love you's" took on their own significant meaning, but it took a little while. I needed to settle into it first.  Maybe it's the same way with this whole mom thing. I think it'll take a while for me to settle into it before it becomes real.

Dear Baby Boy,

It's been snowing like crazy, and I'm starting to worry about when you'll decide to show up.  I'm excited to meet you, but please don't come in the middle of a blizzard.  There are so many things to do before you come.  We still need to finish packing, cleaning, moving, and unpacking.  So, please, hang in there for just a little while longer.