That's the most fitting word to describe my three-day weekend, because it was. The shenanigans began on Saturday morning when I spent two hours cleaning out the various nooks and crannies of our apartment--tupperware bins filled with shoes, shelves stuffed with books, VHS tapes confined to our storage unit since Luke moved in, and a closet featuring items that've been one size too small on a certain female someone for, oh, two summers now, items I had fervently vowed to fit into "come next year." All of it was sorted and distributed between the employees at Goodwill and my unsuspecting friends and family. There is no better time to clean than right before a visit home, because there will always be someone who'll want those white capris I never had any business wearing in the first place, a sibling itching to get her hands on "classic" movies like What About Bob? and It Could Happen to You. As for the shoes? Well, the purging was so thorough that I can now fit all of my footwear into our apartment. So long, Wicked Witch of the West heels. Farewell, three-dollar cork wedges. Some lucky bastard will provide you with a more fruitful life than you ever experienced with me.
When I surveyed the amount of material items I had decided I couldn't live without, I was surprised at how good it felt to rid our household of things that were essentially holding us back, and I talked Luke's ear off the whole car ride to Chicago about how liberating it was to only have things that truly meant something to us, and how it makes much more sense to center gifts around experiences instead of things, because the high I get off a salon pedicure is worth more than any CD I could find under the Christmas tree, and how our life would be richer if we surprised each other with annual passes to the zoo instead of DVD box sets and mindless video games.
That was Saturday. On Sunday, we found ourselves at a Best Buy in Merrillville, practically running to the first available check-out aisle to purchase the long-awaited Nintendo Wii. Sneaky materialism, blindly we succumb to thee!
In our defense, though, I did say it was perfectly acceptable to have things as long as they weren't just occupying empty space, and Luke's been foaming at the mouth over this system since it was first released in November, and I am personally tickled pink over having the ability to download and play original Nintendo games like Super Mario Brothers and Ninja Gaiden, so really, this is a win-win situation for the entire family. And we are all about the family.
Other superficial activities included getting a much-needed hair cut and scoring a new blowdryer. I am officially cut off until this baby starts spilling over the waistline of my pants. Which apparently is another topic of conversation in and of itself.
I don't know why, but I am still constantly amazed at all the attention my belly generates. When in the presence of family and friends who aren't graced with my pregnant aura on a daily basis, their first order of business is to demand that I lift up my shirt so they can see "what's going on in there." What follows is some sort of mmhmm sound from the back of their throat and an "Oh, yeah, that baby's definitely poking out!" exclamation that always, always gets under my skin, because then I have to inform them of the nine pounds I've lost since April and how I'm still wearing my regular clothes and even those are sagging around my stomach and how the baby they're seeing is actually the double gut I've carried around since I was thirteen, thanks so much for noticing.
If it sounds like I'm afraid of looking pregnant, it's due to the fact that I'm ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED of looking pregnant. My body is going to change in ways I can't predict and can't control, and those changes will affect my eating habits, sleeping habits, choice of wardrobe, and sex life for who knows how long? Just because it's "worth it" doesn't mean I'm unreasonable for wanting to hold on to the familiar for as long as I can.
So, other than the occasional internal conflict over the physical, the weekend went famously. There were lots of pickles--my current favorite food--and lots of naps. Luke and I settled upon first and middle names for the baby, both male and female. I also finally started REALLY preparing for my blogging class this fall. I just learned that book orders are due in the first half of June, so Friday night was spent combing through Amazon.com for potential texts I can skim over the next couple of weeks. Ninja Gaiden will just have to wait.
I also turned twelve weeks yesterday. Can you believe it?
Oooh, baby names! I sure hope Freke is a qualifier for at least a middle name! (kidding.) (sort of.) (but really, kidding.)
Congrats on making the 12-week mark!
And I'm sure glad you didn't offer up your shoes here on the blog, otherwise I fear my closet would have been overflowing with shoes even worse than it already is!
Posted by: Audrey | May 29, 2007 at 03:52 PM
To one of the future cutest pregnant mamas ever: your nine pound loss...has it made all of your clothes way big on you? Are you now wearing belts on your pants? That kid is growing big time, I'm sure. Your tushie my be shedding the pounds, but little Freke is surely making room for him/herself, kicking bladder and intestines out of the way as we speak. ;O)
Just wait...several months from now everyone under the sun will be rubbing your pregnant belly. People cannot resist for some reason.
Congrats on the twelve week marker, and on the Wii! That's fun.
Posted by: Molly | May 29, 2007 at 04:07 PM
So you will be disclosing the potential baby names here? Or are you going to hold us in cruel suspense until the baby arrives?
Posted by: Marriage-101 | May 29, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Molly: No tummy tube! All my pants are at least slightly baggy. I have no doubt the baby is making itself comfortable, but that doesn't mean he/she is visible to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, either! As far as the belly rubbing goes.... Oh hell, no. These days, I can barely stand my own husband touching me sometimes. That shit will not fly.
Marriage-101: Yes, we'll be holding out until the baby here, at least as far as the Internet goes. The names are perfectly normal, but I'm still afraid to subject our choices to negative comments!
Posted by: Frema | May 29, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Congrats on hitting the 12 week mark! I don't feel like reading back so: are you guys going to find out if its a boy or girl ahead of time or wait until the little Freke (heh heh) is born?
Posted by: Rachel C | May 29, 2007 at 04:51 PM
In all fairness, the Wii is quite small and takes up very little room in the entertainment stand. Plus, it will be easy to move to our new abode next month.
Posted by: Luke | May 29, 2007 at 04:56 PM
No. I can't believe you are already 12 weeks. Are you starting to feel better. It sounds like that might be the case.
My in-laws bought my little family a Wii for Christmas and I think we've played it maybe twice. We just don't have the time. Plus, the kids aren't really old enough to play and/or understand it yet. Maybe once they get older I'll be glad we have it but right now, it just sits there. I know....I know. What a shame.
Posted by: Silly Hily | May 29, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Wow... 12 weeks already?? You're going to have a baby before you know it!
And I completely identify with the feeling of freedom and peace that comes with getting rid of all the "stuff" laying around that you never use. I've been using the move as a organizational experience and it's felt great watching box after box of "stuff" get carted out of the house!
Posted by: Angela | May 29, 2007 at 06:50 PM
Downsizing is a good thing. I keep thinking that it is a slow process. However, maybe a fast process would be the best. Things are positive. Joy.
Posted by: daddy d | May 29, 2007 at 06:56 PM
I'm so excited about your Wii purchase! I want one, I want one, I want one.
And I guess that's just the way family get with pregnancy.. and you're not even showing yet. Eep. Think of this as practice for the REAL staring and tummy violations!
Posted by: Alyndabear | May 29, 2007 at 10:20 PM
12 Weeks!!! Whoohoo.. almost out of that first trimester!! Hopefully you will start getting that "second wind" that everyone told me about and that I never got.
Posted by: casey | May 30, 2007 at 12:39 AM
What a great weekend. I'm jealous that you were productive and still came out relaxed and energized.
Posted by: VirginiaGal | May 30, 2007 at 09:11 AM
You finally got a Wii!!!! So exciting!!! You can really get a work out with some of the sports games!!
Posted by: Jessi | May 30, 2007 at 09:16 AM
You didn't even have a contest where we could help pick out the baby names! How dare you make such an important decision without consulting the internets first?
Posted by: Carrisa | May 30, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Hooray for making cuts. It will help so much when/if you move into the new apartment.
Congrats on the new Wii. I hear they get you moving so much it can be considered a workout. So that's another reason you needed one. Got to keep in shape for labor!!
And I'm excited about the beginning of the 2nd trimester!
Posted by: Isabel | May 30, 2007 at 01:12 PM
For real, PICKLES? You are a walking cliche.
I envy your downsizing of material baggage, too. I definitely need a coach in that area.
Posted by: TasterSpoon | May 30, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Wow, 12 weeks already!! Everyone says that but it probably went by slowly for you. Are you starting to feel any better?
I would like a Wii, they look cool and I did not know you could download games like Super Mario - that's awesome!
Posted by: Rachel | May 30, 2007 at 03:58 PM
been going into your vault and reading some of your old stuff. I love it.
Posted by: debi | May 30, 2007 at 10:54 PM
When I was 12 weeks pregnant, I wanted everyone to know I was preggo, so they didn't think that I had just put on 5 pounds of fat (it was mostly water weight, at that point). Now, I miss my flat 12-week pregnant belly. So, enjoy the time that you are at, instead of wishing you were in the next stage (like me).
Congratulations on meeting the 12 week mark, and good luck throughout your pregnancy!
(Ps. found you through Carrisa!)
Posted by: Kait | May 31, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Happy 12 Weeks! Pickles, really? That's too cute.
Posted by: Fraulein N | May 31, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Hey!! You don't get to skip Weight-Whatever-it-is-now-Wednesday just because you posted on Tuesday!!
Posted by: Katie | May 31, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Umm...hey. I don't really have anything to say. Just.hey.
Posted by: Lizarita | May 31, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Wheee! Yay for 12 weeks! Time to start documenting the belly pics now :)
Posted by: Stacey | May 31, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Hey!
Found you through amalah -
I am 16 weeks preggo & I've also lost weight(14lbs to be exact)! They told me not to worry the baby will get what it needs & just eat at much as I could. By-the-way, the whole second trimester "honeymoon" totally hasn't happened to me yet - same ol' first trimester symptoms all the way!
Happy 12 Weeks!
Posted by: Holly | June 01, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I PROMISE that by the time you actually LOOK pregnant, you will be grateful to not just look fat. The first time someone asked me my due date unsolicited, it took all the self-restraint I had not to dry-hump her in the elevator.
Posted by: Bethiclaus | June 02, 2007 at 04:09 PM