18 weeks.
This is my third pregnancy. My body knows what to do and roughly how big it's going to get, so I guess it has no problem getting a jumpstart. However, I am 18 weeks today, which doesn't seem that far along to me, yet people instinctively know and comment on the fact that I'm pregnant. It's good, because that means that people no longer think I'm "fat" and have moved on to thinking I'm pregnant. But it's a little unsettling because this seems kind of early for people to be assuming that about me, right? Unless I see a woman who is doubled over with contractions, I'm still a little reluctant to admit that I know she's pregnant.
Anyway, yesterday while ordering at Arby's, I had about the 214th person look at me and say, "Aw, look at your belly! Congratulations!" It got me thinking of possible reasons for the early attention:
1. Since I refuse to make the switch to maternity clothes until I'm halfway along (20 weeks), I am squeezing (or straining, as one of my friends' husband hilariously referred to her tight jeans) into my pre-pregnancy clothes, making me look bigger than I am, or
2. the people I'm running into are more forthcoming in their opinions, or
3. I'm actually huge.
So, as I'm thinking about what had just happened at the ordering counter, I was composing this post in my mind and trying to figure out which of the 3 categories above I fell into. I mosey over to the pickup counter lost in thought when the lady who is putting my order together ("We're just waiting on your mozarella sticks...") happens to glance at me:
"Oh, wow! How far along ARE you?"
"18 weeks...so just about halfway there..."
"Giiiiiiiiiirl, you are going to have a BIG baby! Are you sure there aren't two in there?"
"Uh, yeah...so the doctor says..."
"Really? Well, good luck with THAT!"
So, yeah. I guess I'm actually huge. :)
Comments
No way! You look tiny, girl. I think I was about that big at 14 or 15 weeks, honestly, and I only gained 27 pounds with each pregnancy. I guess I just popped out quickly.
I'm actually surprised people just assume that you're pregnant. I'm really scared of offending people so I never ask them! I wait for them to tell me. :)
Posted by: Abigail | July 14, 2008 08:31 AM
I thought the Brian Regan rule was never guess at that ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever....
Posted by: Michael | July 14, 2008 09:25 AM
"I'm actually huge."
I'm laughing out loud.
Posted by: Uncle Kemble | July 14, 2008 01:51 PM
Oh puuuuuuuuuuuhleeeeeeeease! Are you kidding me? There is simply no plausible reason, other than you maybe having the "pregnancy stupids" (as I called my own 9 month long lack of brain function), that your brain could conjure up the notion that you're huge. You look absolutely stunning- and thinner than most non-pregnant people, BTW. :-) Hoping you're feeling better!!!!!!!!! Hugs, Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 14, 2008 04:50 PM
Pish posh! You are NOT huge. You are adorable! As someone who is only a week and a half behind you in pregnancy, I WISH I looked pregnant at this point! I'm still in the fat stage. You look gorgeous. Tell the woman at Arby's she's out of her mind.
Posted by: Kris | July 14, 2008 10:30 PM
Hi Jeanine!! Thanks for your birthday message on Facebook! So...the big question...what are you having???
I think you look absolutely beautiful. You can't look anything but beautiful, Jeanine! If only my body responded the way yours does during pregnancy. :) Well, maybe third try is a charm for me! (We'll hopefully find out in a couple years. :)
Love you!
Posted by: Erin Johnson | July 15, 2008 08:46 AM
you are so funny. before i read your post, i was looking at your adorable picture thinking, "what an adorable LITTLE belly!"
maybe it's just fast food workers. when i was prego, a woman at burger king asked me how far along i was. she said she knew i was pregnant b/c "all pregnant women's nostrils flair out." i was horrified, and steve spent the rest of the car ride telling me i didn't have horse nostrils... ;-) ah, the joys of pregnancy!
Posted by: Sabina Mazac | July 15, 2008 03:52 PM
This is my favorite picture of you ever, and my favorite ATOTO picture too! It belongs on the cover of a magazine!
Posted by: Christy | July 20, 2008 02:53 PM
You guys are so, so sweet. I don't know how to convince people that I really didn't pay you to leave these comments, but thank you! I don't feel quite so huge now. :)
Posted by: Jeanine | July 20, 2008 09:51 PM
Oh pu-leeze!!! YOU are the CUTEST pregnant person ever. Those ladies are crazy!! Looking forward to hopefully catching up with you guys soon!!
Posted by: Kadie | July 22, 2008 11:20 PM