Since moving into our current Pretty HQ, the Anonymous Husband and I have been fortunate enough to have a number of friends stay with us - singletons, Smug Marrieds, and (in increasing numbers) the nearly divorced* - but our upcoming guests are throwing us for a bit of a loop. For the first time, two of our upcoming guests are pregnant.
*It should be noted that visiting Pretty HQ does not appear to be linked to divorce rates, although I cannot vouch for what it might do for sanity rates.
Why is this at all noteworthy, you ask? That is a valid question, but I suspect some of the also childless amongst you may understand. It isn't that we're at all upset that they're coming - on the contrary, these are two of my closest friends - but rather, we're confused about how to be good hosts to guests who are "in the family way."
Consider the following exchange between the AH & me:
AH: "Where should we take everyone for dinner on Saturday night?"
Me: "I dunno - I'd say wherever they serve wine, but remember, Friend X is pregnant. So sushi is out, and . . . uh . . ."
(A silence descends as blank stares abound)
AH: "Uh, I think we just go wherever she tells us to, right? Right."
At the root of our befuddlement with the weekend, I suspect, is that "life stages" transition groups of friends tend to go through. We've watched close friends get married and, unfortunately, get un-married, but watching them have babies will be a first. What's going to happen to them? What's going to happen to us, when it's our turn?
And when all else fails, just do what the pregnant lady says, right?
21 comments:
Ooh, this is so true! I have more and more friends lately who are pregnant, and ... maybe it's because I just haven't been pregnant and don't know what to do, I just feel...a little lost. Just tell them to pick everything. It's like they are made out of little porcelain eggs, right?!
Not to worry. Those who are pregnant usually know EXACTLY what they want to eat. If you'd like to be superhuman friend, go buy some whey protein from Whole Foods, along with some 1% organic milk. You have to mainline protein when you are pregnant and all that chewing gets incredibly tiring.
My best friend is pregnant, and I always just let her tell me what she wants....it's easier since there are so many dietary and physical restrictions on her.
xoxo,
Jaclyn
I know exactly what you mean! Most of my friends are on the mama to be bandwagon--which is great, but, it can be stressful for us childless ones because we just don't know what to do and things of that nature to make sure all is well and good for pregnant guests and friends.
I'm also a fan of the "let the pregnant lady decide"--works best for everyone!
Preggie ladies are usually disgusted with some sort of food. If I went through the fish section of the grocery store I had the urge to hurl. Give a few suggestions and let her decide. Otherwise, don't sweat it.
Fabulous post... so true that the preggos usually dictate the cuisine...
xoxox,
CC
Exactly! At least that is what my sister said...when she was pregnant.
Great observation - and true, always do what the pregnant lady wants! And you'd be amazed at how friendships change and are made based around kids! If your kids don't get along with their kids, friendships break down. If you kids go to school with their kids, friendships grow. My sister and I recently had a conversation about this because I'm going through a little of this now with my friends and their kids starting school. We really do evolve around our children! And other people's children too for that matter!
Do what the pregnant lady says and no one gets hurt!
Too funny! I remember that's what my mom told me each time she was pregnant. Always do what the pregnant lady wants and everything will go smoothly! Ha!
Good luck with your hosting!
Just wait until they bring the baby with them. Talk about accommodating them!
I can't tell you how happy I am that our guest room has an empty closet! I feel like such an adult. Of course, my desk is in there too, but you can't really tell it's an office.
The only thing I know about pregnancy? No sushi, no alcohol, no deli meat. Other than that, I'm of no use to you. :)
Oh! I totally relate to your confusion!
Yes, when in doubt, I would say defer to the pregnant lady.
How thoughtful to take that into consideration! Extra pretty points for you. The dietary restrictions aren't that terrible and I'm sure most places will accommodate.
Here's a tip for you - extra pillows! Pregnant ladies ALWAYS could use a few extra pillows, preferably the soft, squishy kind.
this all made me laugh so hard and I like the caveat about you and the divorce rate miss mel!
the word verification is bacon. pretty sure a fair amount of preggos could agree- YES- is the answer!
xoox
kHm
Just don't obsess about it. Hope they won't be prima donnas and expect the world to revolve around them. Don't forget, it's my hub who is the Center of the Universe, so it can't be them, too!
Take them to The Cookie Lounge. Pregnant ladies like treats, right? I am with you...I have no effing clue what to do with them. They're like car engines.
Just take them to a comfy place...what about Chez Zees? It's comfy and has the Austin spirit with a good menu. I wouldn't make them figure it out, because they're probably wanting to find new places...maybe come up with a list of 5 places and 5 sample menus and let the two pregnant ladies duke it out!
I was shocked when one of my preggers friends was dying for sushi last Friday. She ordered the chef special, pregnant lady style, so everything was cooked. She said it helped her feel normal :)
I always treat the pregs like a china doll in my grandma's house. I'm so scared they are going to break if I do something wrong.
Also I'm so scared to be the china doll! Hence the whole purpose of my blog...
It is amazing to me all the "rules" now with pregnant women. I ate anything I wanted, a lived off sandwiches from Subway - all deli meats! I drank sweet tea and coffee like it was the last thing left in the world, and I even went to the beach days and (gasp) swam in the ocean just hours before heading into labor - and, both my kids are normal, smarter than most, healthy adults now. So, I just don't see the hype!
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