I'm out of the closet

Matt and I went to a wedding in West VA this weekend that was kind of like a very mini high school reunion. One of Matt's best friends from childhood was the groom, and thus, there were quite a few of Matt's oldest friends there. I knew Matt had told these friends that I am pregnant a few days before we left to make the trip. He also told them that it's still early, that we aren't officially telling people yet, etc. Well, that didn't last long. Combine alcohol and long lost friends and the conversations start flowing. Pretty much every time Matt or I walked into a room, someone would come up and say, "Congratulations" which would lead other people to ask, "Congratulations on what?" By the end of the weekend, I am convinced that every single person there knew I was expecting, even if they didn't know who I was!

And you know what? I am okay with that. It's time for me to let go of the need to control every little aspect of this pregnancy, because let's face it: I have no real control anyway. The outcome of this pregnancy will have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not we told people we were pregnant the day I first peed on a stick or if we waited until I was headed to labor and delivery. And you know what else? It felt kind of nice to be out of the closet, to accept congratulations, and to answer everyone's excited questions. It was like, for the first time ever, I was a real pregnant person.

Moving on. There was another girl at the wedding who is expecting her first a few weeks before me. She sat at my table at the reception and we chatted a bit about our experience so far. When she raised her glass to toast with champagne 3 or 4 times, I thought nothing of it. A sip of champagne isn't a big deal. Just because I'm neurotic and toasted with water doesn't mean she should have to. But then, as I was debating whether or not I should eat my salad since it was sprinkled with feta cheese (damn you, listeriosis), I looked over to watch her sipping on wine. Okay. Maybe I am being overly conservative, but I just don't get that. I just don't. To each his own though, I guess.

And finally, I have to update you on my good friend, Morning Sickness. Thankfully, I made it through both the ceremony and reception without getting sick. That was a small miracle. I could barely even look at the salmon served at the reception, but I did eat about 25 cookies from the cookie bar that night. I know, I know- that's not healthy. But if I can keep it down, I'm going to eat it. Period. Because there's just not much that falls into the "Foods I Can Keep Down" category anymore.

But anyway. I threw up 3 times before hitting the road to head back home this morning. A fantastic way to start the day, especially when our 6 hour drive home consisted primarily of driving through winding, mountain roads. And you know something else I noticed? Every billboard we passed along the way involved food, and primarily red meat. It was if I was being tortured. I'd look to my right and see a juicy steak advertising a local restaurant and then, as my stomach started to turn, I'd look to my left and see a fast food chain advertising a big, sloppy burger, overflowing with bacon. My friend Morning Sickness? She hated this very much.

Okay, here's the first belly shot at just over 9 weeks. This was after rehearsal dinner on Friday night. Baby or bloat? I'm thinking bloat, but it's anyone's guess.