Anything goes

Why do people think that they can say the first thing that comes to their mind when they see a pregnant woman? I know that lots of pregnant women are flooded with happy hormones and they take all that is said in the spirit of the miracle of nature, but really, is it absolutely essential to forget all one's manners in the face of a bump?

My hairdresser seems to think anything goes. And may I reiterate that I share a purely prefessional relationship with her and so I disagree. There is no reason why I should not have given her the look (and more if I weren't so damned shocked by her lack of discretion) when she claimed my bump is a little too big for my stage of pregnancy. No, I am afraid, you absolutely cannot say something like that. Or any of the following:

1. Is your skin oily because of the pregnancy?
2. Wow you really are visiting the loo quite often aren't you!
3. I do feel sorry for you, there is such limited variety of maternity clothing out there!
4. Your life is coming to an end, better pack in as much as you can in these 5/4/3 months.
5. Do you think you will ever get back to work?
And the clincher - anything but this:
6. Are you sure you are not carrying twins???

Miss Pettigrew lives for a day

I've been having a literary adventure! I recently ordered a copy of Miss Pettigrew lives for a day by Winifred Watson, not knowing what I was getting into. The first bit of surprise were the pictures throughout the book (it really is a book with pictures, bet Alice would've skipped the trip to wonderland had she seen this!). The second was the story - what a delightfully wonderful read! I shall not say more. It is simply written, with wit, clarity and a warm insight into the human desire for happiness. It makes for a charming companion through a dull winter evening.

Decisions, decisions!

It appears that one is in the midst of a serious upheaval of sorts. There is growing pressure from various quarters to do the following:

1. Decide and take action
2. Make up your mind and do something about it
3. Take an informed decision and make a choice

In short, life has been overtaken by decisions and more decisions. To list a few questions that I have so far successfully avoided acting upon:

1. How do you want to manage your pregnancy? I don't know, last I checked, it was managing itself just fine
2. How do you want to plan the birth? Do I really need to think about this right now?
3. What's your plan for maternity leave? Maternity what?
4. Are you planning to do as many holidays as possible before you are, well, unable to? Holidays? With all this nausea?
5. Have you started baby shopping yet? umm, hmm, no!

The list actually is endless. Like it's not enough that your life has completely turned upon itself and you are congratulating yourself for surviving every single day. And that all you want to do is curl up in bed and head into slumber world.

At times like these, a foggy-headed, pregnant, irritable and perpetually tired woman needs the tight hugs of a loving hubby like A, who will take charge of all decision-making, pamper you royally, forgive you your inexplicable mood-swings, switch off all mobile phones and plan a gentle weekend break for two in a quiet cottage in Cambridge. Oh the joys of being loved undeservedly!