Perception

This weekend, in between picking up yet more baby items (the downside of having ignored the idea that the froglet will need stuff is that we're spending the last few weeks picking up everything we need - now we just need to organize it in the "nursery") and seeing Star Trek, we stopped off and bought a toy for ourselves - a Nintendo Wii. Apparently the days of stalking shipment dates and lining up in stores for the Wii are over (recession, anyone?) because Target had several in stock. We also picked up Wii Fit, with the idea that 1) Morgan hates outside and will actually play on this in our living room and 2) after the froglet is born, I can hop on it for a few minutes at a time and maybe do something resembling exercise, since it will be a little while before I'm entirely back on the marathoning bandwagon (though I have had several generous offers from people ready to push the froglet in a jogging stroller out on the trails...).

First of all, its perversely satisfying to set up one's Wii Fit profile at 8 months pregnant. Obese? Sure, why not. You want me to set a goal? How about a five pound weight gain in the next five weeks. Humorously enough, my "Wii Age" is exactly the same as my real age. And I'm surprising good at (some of) the balance games. I think Morgan is a little put out that my slalom score is consistently higher than his. But really, why not?

I tend to forget that at 34.5 weeks pregnant, I'm not "supposed" to be able to do certain things. I don't forget I'm pregnant by a long shot, but sometimes I'm surprised when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, or when I realize that lowering myself into a cross legged position on the floor isn't easy anymore. Or when I can't get off the damn couch by myself. I continue to be aware of the changes going on, but I don't feel like they should make me any less capable. My boss praised me this week for being able to recite a series of training dates without looking at my calendar, telling me that I don't realize I'm supposed to be losing that capacity at this point. Really? Yes, I'm more tired. Yes, my hands are swollen. Yes, I'd like to be able to sleep through the night without getting up to pee every two hours. Yes, carrying a baby is hard work, and I know I've been incredibly lucky with an easy pregnancy. But its also a normal, natural thing (far more natural than running 26.2 miles, some could argue) and it doesn't make me any less intelligent or strong. If anything, the opposite is true.