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Happy Due Date To Me.

Three months ago I would’ve told you with the naive confidence of someone who knows absolutely nothing that I was expecting to deliver this kid a few weeks ahead of my prospective due date, which happens to be today, and that by now I’d be adjusting to motherhood while contentedly sipping a summer mojito next to a quietly sleeping infant and a value pack of alcohol test strips for breast milk. Sure, I might be a little bloodied and sore, but I’d be in recovery — not the limbo-esque period of uncomfortable, weighty impatience (mine and apparently everyone else’s) that comes with actually approaching a full-term pregnancy.

And for some reason I never thought I’d have to bear witness to what happens after the due date, which I can only imagine is the increased feeling of someone stepping down on my cervix with a steel-toed boot while a parade of pity-looks from empathetic women passes by my window.

But it appears as though this kid has inherited my lack of concern for punctuality over her father’s military precision, despite the fact that I played Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” at least three times for her yesterday until she almost kicked the iPhone off my belly.

But really, I’m not complaining.

How could I complain about something I consciously brought upon myself? That’d be like complaining about the unexpected pitfalls of a job I really wanted or rain during a vacation I worked especially diligently to plan. In situations like these, it’s best to just sip that mojito — or, in my case, an overpriced bottle of fruit-infused Hint water I totally deserve because, by God, did I mention I’m 40 weeks pregnant? — and accept the fact that my kid would apparently prefer to continue swallowing her own feces within the dark, claustrophobic confines of my womb than join us in the glorious world of air and sunshine and fully functioning lung capacity. (Both hers and mine.)

It’s called progressive parenting, and I’m totally on board.

At least while I don’t have a choice.

In the meantime I’ll strive to enjoy the remaining couple of days — or weeks? — of people telling me how adorably pregnant I am (apparently I look like I’ve swallowed a basketball, which is gestational speak for “pretty damn couture,” considering I have a fully formed human residing in my abdomen and playing Hacky Sack with my kidneys), the deliciously creepy feeling of a human hand tickling my obliques from the inside, and anything else I won’t exactly miss about being pregnant but might look back on one day with the kind of nostalgic fondness one reserves for that eccentric family aunt whose inappropriate conjectures everyone else finds distasteful but you secretly find amusing and study diligently in order to take on the role yourself forty years down the line.

I also have some other potentially big news to share, but its fruition is hinged upon the safe arrival of this baby, which of course adds to the pressure and impatience and unrealistic expectations I’m already thrusting upon her undoubtedly strong-yet-adorable little shoulders.

No wonder she’s in no rush to arrive.

Katie

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Comments

Sue
Reply

Fingers crossed that you won’t have to wait too much longer, Katie!! Your writing is hysterical, I’ve been chuckling as I read! Best wishes for an easy delivery and a healthy, happy baby girl! 💞

Katie
Reply

Aw thanks, Sue!!

Suzy Ziebell
Reply

Hang I there – love DR and will be signing her all day!

Katie
Reply

Haha, glad I could help!

Britany Robinson
Reply

I hope I get to meet this procrastinating kiddo someday! I can only imagine you’re infusing her with so much humor and spunk as she hangs out in your belly a little longer. <3

Katie
Reply

OMG what if she inherited the procrastination from me too?? We’re in so much trouble…

Betsy Isaac
Reply

Much love to your whole family. I can’t wait to meet the wee one!!!

Katie
Reply

Thank you, Betsy! We have GOT to plan a reunion. :)

Christina Conte
Reply

She’ll be here before you know it, Katie!! Wishing you a speedy and painless delivery (hey, it happens to some blessed women) and a healthy bimba!! xx

Rebecca Mast
Reply

I love this update and I have the best news EVER for you – the “pump and dump” crap is a myth. You can totally indulge without harming the wee one. Booze in milk is just as it is in the bloodstream, if you’re feeling boozy, don’t nurse. When you’re feeling fine, back to the boob. When I was donating to the milk bank we could have up to two drinks and still send that milk in, and that was to make life saving boob juice for micro-preemies. A full term baby can practically hold that bottle for you;) Cheers friend!

James
Reply

This makes me wonder how parents with 40-year-old live-in children feel… haha!

Val Wacker
Reply

Hey Katie, loved every word of this update! Ditto to what Rebecca Mast said above. Wishing you all a healthy and joyous delivery!

Andi Fisher (@andi_fisher)
Reply

She was only a couple of days off! Congrats on your new baby girl, hope your recovery is full of mojitos, or as many as you are allowed to have!

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