MY body

As a pregnant woman I have been forewarned about the possibility of people neglecting to respect common courtesy surrounding personal space when it comes to my belly. Over all, people have been really courteous about respecting my space and most people even ask my permission before reaching out and stroking my little pregnant stomach. To all those people and people who generally fit into this category with regard to pregnant women - thank you. There have been, however, some pretty rude people who think that just because I'm pregnant, they have a right to aggressively approach me and start rubbing my stomach. This makes me exceedingly uncomfortable and for the most part I have tried to avoid these people. I would like to make it abundantly clear that there is a major difference between reaching your hand out hesitantly for a quick little pat when we've already been conversing for a few minutes and basically rushing into me, squeezing my belly and obnoxiously cooing at it without even making eye contact with me. I would also like to say that for every one person who behaves in the way of the latter there are probably about a dozen people who fit much more firmly into the former category. Today after class when I was chatting with my friends, one of whom touched my baby bump in a very respectful way and was welcome to do so, I was approached by a classmate who, without saying a word, reached over and poked my breast. I was too shocked to say a word, but I'm sure my look said it all. The classmate was female, but I don't feel that the gender of a person who BLATANTLY disrespects what are pretty common and well known personal boundaries is of little to no consequence. I am completely infuriated. My assumption is that she was impressed by or curious about them because, quite frankly, they are pretty darn huge right now. I was also wearing a dress that was pretty low cut (although not scandalously so,) although I believe that, as with gender, what i was wearing has little bearing over what is deemed inappropriate in regards to touching somebody else's body.

Despite the fact that I am carrying a child, my body is wholly mine. I reserve the right to all agency over my body. When even my mother makes sure that I am comfortable with her touching my belly, I don't think it is asking too much that others pay me (and my little one) the same courtesy and respect.

I know that most people wouldn't even fathom breaching another persons personal boundaries in this way, but I am truly upset about this experience and I think it is important for people to be aware of how this type of activity makes a person feel.

Thanks for reading!

only in dreams

all of my intense dreams from the first trimester are back with a vengeance.

Last night, all I dreamt about were ultrasounds and baby names. It wasn't altogether a good dream, but it wasn't altogether a bad dream, either. During my ultrasound, which was incidentally conducted by an odd-ball friend of B.'s, it was found that the baby had problems with it's eyes. Specifically, it would be colour blind and have blind spots. The ultrasound technician didn't tell us the gender of our baby, but it was implied that it was going to be a boy, and in my dream, B. and I finally agreed on the name Toby, after which I kind of changed my mind and wished that I had pushed harder for Jack. I guess even in dreams, it's still my favourite boy name.

So, as my dream may reveal, B. and I are going (about 6 weeks late) for our 18-20 week ultrasound. I am nervous and excited and just hoping with all my heart that everything goes as planned. All I know is baby keeps kicking around in there, so that's a good sign.

Each day that passes is one day closer to having our own little babe about in the world and it is unbelievable. I've still got so much to do!

baby names! part 1.

I'm fairly convinced that this baby is going to be a boy, but none-the-less B. and I are happy to leave the gender as a surprise for the birthday and have been having fun (for the most part) picking both girl's and boy's names. Here are some girls names I love! This is my list, not ours, so some of these names have or will be vetoed, but this is just a general list of names that tickle me right now- subject to change, of course.

- ada
- adele
- adeline
- amelia
- april
- audrey
- ava
- belle
- beatrice (bea)
- charlotte
- clementine
- eleanor
- elizabeth
- ella
- grace
- isabel
- juniper
- sidney

Most of them start with vowels because for whatever reason, I just find they flow nicely with B.'s last name. My number one pick for a middle name right now is grace. I find it flows nicely with a lot of different types of names and I also just think it is such a sweet name for a wee girl. If only picking boy names was so easy!
if you have any comments, constructive criticism or suggestions, shoot them my way. We can use all the ideas we can get!

an honest post

I desperately wish the baby next door would stop crying. She is about a year old, and screams and cries intermittently throughout the day on most days. Whenever she starts to cry, my blood curdles and I get so so afraid of what B. and I may be in for. Is this what it will be like for us?

does this mean I am a bad person? Does this mean I will be a bad mother?

I have three and a half months to go and every day I am more excited - and more terrified.

Any advice or perspective?

baby bumps

I swear this to be 100% charming and true. Baby was pretty dormant all day, but once B. got onstage with his bass to do soundcheck, s/he started dancing around like crazy. As soon as he finished his sound check, baby settled right back own again. S/he already loves his/her papa... such a lovely feeling.

White River - Day 4

B. and I are in a new motel room watching the tube and resting our bodies and minds, but here is a little picture of me posing with yet another inukshuk, and of course, the baby bump, in Wawa Ontario.

an introduction.

just a lil bit about me.


I'm 25 years old and a native of British Columbia who moved across the country to Montreal, QC for the man I loved (maybe one day I'll tell you that story.) Fortunately for both of us, things worked out and we have now been happily married for almost two years. Two anglos in Quebec, just trying to make names for themselves.

My hubby is a handsome musician who plays the stand up bass, one of the sexiest instruments around. He plays mostly roots, rock and roll, rockabilly and old time country music and is one of the best players in his field in Canada. really! I'm not a musician or rock and roller myself, but after six years with him I feel like old hat in the scene.

Mostly I stick to serving tables in a hip little vegetarian cafe (for now) and studying Communication Studies, specifically intermedia, at Concordia University.

Thing is, our lives have never been simple. We just try and do the best with what we've got and keep our lives on track, all the while living the way we love. And now... we're pregnant! So things are changing, and big time.

Our little surprise was exactly that, a surprise, but we couldn't be happier. or more terrified. or happier.

This is my way of keeping it all in check... stay tuned, folks!

if the dress fits...

It's a good thing I'm not so big yet, because I refuse to wear maternity clothes. spandex and leggings i can do, but no jeans with elastic panels of weird billowy shirts.

NOT FOR ME!

I'll be wearing my leopard print until the end.

famous last words.