The new normal
The news, if it’s news to you: a Blue Garter Baby is in the works. (Some of you are going to say right here, “Hah! All those baby knits! I knew it!” but it’s absolutely true that almost all of them are for babies other than my own. It’s babies galore this year.) I have reason to know that wee new lives are not sure things and so I’ve delayed announcing this one here, but our Minnow is blithely thumping me with tiny feet and fists at this very moment and we have seen on the ultrasound that it looks healthy as a horse in every particular at 20 weeks’ gestation… and at some point soon I’m going to have to model an adult-size garment here (I hope it will be Pas de Valse) and you’re going to notice that my midsection is not so svelte these days! In fact, let’s just get that last bit out of the way right now:
We finally snapped some documentary evidence last week after we’d hiked up Mt. Hebo in Tillamook County on a glorious day. (How I love Spring Break!) As the hiking would indicate, I’ve been entirely healthy. I seem to be one of those hateful women who suffers no ill effects whatsoever during early pregnancy, although I’m sure there are still plenty of delightful physical symptoms down the road that can’t be dodged. When people know you’re gravid they thoughtfully ask how you’re feeling, and I’ve had to confess to feeling remarkably normal. One friend who’s raised two children replied, “Well, this is the new normal.” And she’s right. There will be all kinds of new normal to adapt to, and I think I’ll try to remind myself of that at times when I find I’m struggling against the changes to my comfortable routines.
Minnow should make his or her appearance in the world around 11 August. (Nerdy knitter that I am, I’m hoping for two days early on Elizabeth Zimmermann’s centennial birthday, and since 8.9.10 in the American dating system appeals to my husband’s sense of number he’s promised that he’ll have me out running stairs in an effort to kick-start the labor.) The sex will be a surprise to everyone but Alison the ultrasound tech — she didn’t even record it in her report for my doctor. We’ll be getting a niece just a few weeks later, so I can channel any urges to knit adorable girl things in that direction while making sensible gender-neutral clothes for my own offspring.
This is it. Our lives will never be the same. But there’s no spice and little joy in too much of the same anyway, right?
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 5:54 am
Congratulations 🙂
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 8:11 am
Congratulations! That’s so exciting!
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Congratulations! I have been reading your blog for about a year now and I thought this would be a good moment to delurk and wish you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy.
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 10:17 am
Yay!!! CONGRATS! You look beautiful. Stay healthy and I hope it all goes really well…I’m sure it will. How exciting!
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I am so very excited for you. Thanks for sharing! I needed good news.
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
aw, congrats! i must confess, in the midst of a knitting conversation the other day (actually i was oogling her stash) mia let slip about yours… even before she told me about hers! silly cousin. all the best to you guys – all three of you – and i can’t wait to see all the fun stuff you whip up to cloth him or her in! 😉
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I’ll add my un-original but heartfelt congratulations along with everyone else. What lovely news – and a Leo too!
As a mom myself (with 5 children and step-children) I say a hearty ‘welcome’ and hang on for the ride of your life!!!
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
that is wonderful news! Life won’t ever be the same, but it will be better! Our little girl is 2 and every day we can’t believe how fun she is and what she has brought to our lives. Congratulations!
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Congratulations! What wonderful news!
Posted: March 31st, 2010 at 7:25 pm
guess you know for sure it is just one minnow and not two, right? i did understand that the phenom skips a generation.
you look lovely and happy and healthy. take in the new normal…and the new normal…and…i am still loving it all as it reveals itself.
congrats!!!!!
Posted: April 1st, 2010 at 6:09 am
Yay!!! Congrats again Sarah! Ha ha, I said those same words, “new normal,” when I was leaning against the side of the shower, trying not to throw up–I’m glad your new normal has been much less icky!!! I can’t wait hear all about the arrival of your little one–I just wish you lived closer so all of these tiny babies-on-the-way could hang out together!
Posted: April 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
a million congratulations!!!!
Posted: April 1st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
yay sarah!! i’m so glad for you that things are going along swimmingly! our babies will only be about a month apart from each other 🙂 that makes me super happy. congratulations again!!
Posted: April 2nd, 2010 at 9:23 am
Congratulations Sarah and mr G!
What wonderful news. I know I’m in danger of being sentimental, but it is a miracle – each and every time!
Enjoy your pregnancy, being fit is luckily pretty normal for many of us.
Posted: April 2nd, 2010 at 2:56 pm
So very happy for you! You look lovely. I had blessedly easy pregnancies, too, and am still thankful for that privilege.
Posted: April 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am
What great news! Congratulations!!! That baby’s going to be swathed in some of the earth’s most awesome blankets!
Posted: April 4th, 2010 at 10:08 am
So happy for you and your lovely baby bump. Congratulations!
Posted: April 4th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Congratulations! A Child is a bless!
Posted: April 4th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Foot massages always seem to bring on labour- especially the serious Asian ones, not the feel-good Western style. Just in case you REALLY want that day!
Posted: April 5th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Congratulations! I think it should be a Tour baby, but in any case, he or she will have the most important thing: a summer birthday. And two wonderful parents who will give him/her all the love and wonderful opportunities in life he/she deserves. Good for you for keeping the gender a surprise!
Posted: April 7th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Congratulations! This is wonderful news. (I would be keeping the gender a surprise myself, but I just have a bit of a pink aversion.)
Posted: April 10th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Congratulations! What a lucky baby! You look great!
Posted: April 12th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I am so excited for you. You look beautiful. I never had any bad effects either and I had a single baby and a set of twins. When I started to feel heavy I just went swimming. Gravity is not so bad…in water.
Posted: June 21st, 2010 at 9:49 am
Oh my goodness! How am I just reading this? Congrats!!! You look glowing and healthy! 😀