Most Annoying Things I've Heard Since Being Pregnant

Ok, just a quick caveat - I don't mean to offend family. Family is different. You can touch my belly and ask me personal questions - it's not the same. That's not to say that something someone has said didn't annoy me at some point, but I still love my family so it's still different. What I'm talking about is things I've heard over and over again or told to me by complete strangers. That being said, here's my list of things that have annoyed me so far (I have 2 months to go so I may add some more later!). 

1. Are you excited? 

Ugh. This is annoying and makes me want to say "No, not at all." I've never asked anyone this so I just think most people are just trying to be nice and make conversation, but what answer are they expecting other than "yes"?  I have commented "Oh, you must be excited." because I'm excited for them but it seems like asking a question you already know the answer to, which I don't like. 

2. You're not one of those pregnant women who go out of control eating, are you? 

This is annoying because I don't feel like I have control over what I eat - at least not until recently. I would never have chosen pretzels, top ramen and fried foods to sustain me throughout the first trimester. Never!  I would not choose to be practically vegetarian at a time when I need protein now more than ever. I would not choose to shun my precious cookies in favor of ice cream in any form (not that it tastes bad). I would never crave and crave and crave the fried skin of chicken (still haven't had since Bruce hasn't had any and I won't go out of my way to get it!). I am glad the baby likes salads, eggs and oatmeal. I do not particularly like that she also likes Coke, french fries and cheesy pasta. Ah, all I ever wanted was to be pregnant so I could eat all the cheesecake I wanted. I think just a few bites of cheesecake has passed my lips this whole time. 

3. You're not coming back to work full time, are you?

This is SUPER ANNOYING to me. In the question they are already passing judgement on me, or that's how it seems, when they assume I won't come back full time. I don't want to but I need to for many reasons that should be none of anyone's business but mine and Bruce's. I've actually had some people say "How can you do that?" with a mortified look on their faces. It makes me want to slap the look off. My mom did it and I turned out ok so I think my baby will survive being a 5 minute walk from me while I work. 

4. You can't drink that.

Just because it's a Starbuck's cup doesn't mean I'm drinking coffee. Oh, by the way, you can have a cup of coffee a day. And another thing - you can't tell me what I can and cannot do. 

5. I had the most terrible pregnancy/birth. Let me tell you all about it for the next hour.

Seriously, why would I want to hear about how much you suffered? I don't need hospital horror stories at this point. Save it for another time, please. I only want to hear good things. That being said, I contradict myself and want to hear the remedies for some problems in case I encounter them. However, if you're story is just to scare or complain, please refrain from sharing. 

6. Do you have a name? 

I just get tired of this question over and over again, that's why it's so annoying. Besides, why is it hard for some people to comprehend that I can't commit to a name until she's here? I'm ok with people choosing their names early. I think it's strange to name someone we've never met, but if someone is set with a name then lucky them. Then they don't have to worry about the next time someone will ask this question - which will be about 10 minutes from the last time. 

7. What are you hoping for?

I'm hoping for a healthy pregnancy and baby. I could care less about the gender.  Not that I wasn't in shock when I found out it was a girl but it doesn't make me any more happy or sad about having a baby ~ just more terrified about how to keep her safe and how to ensure she doesn't walk around looking like a skank when she turns 18. 

8. Just you wait. 

I'm and so SICK of hearing this. Why do you have to assume I'm going to be miserable at the end of my pregnancy. Couldn't I be in pain and misery but still be ecstatic because I'm creating a precious life and that she is healthy is the only thing that matters to me? I have been blessed to have had an easy pregnancy so far but that doesn't mean some things didn't make me miserable physically, but I have been nothing but emotionally happy throughout.

9. You better enjoy your sleep now because when the baby comes you'll be so exhausted. 

I feel like I can't be too annoyed at people who don't know I've been struggling with an exhausting sleep disorder for years so I actually do know what it'll feel like. But then I do get annoyed because I feel like people always want to rain on my parade. It's the whole misery loves company thing ~ they felt miserable so they are happy when others have to be miserable too. Twisted. 

10. You will need this.

I'm all for getting advice but presentation is important. If I feel like you are trying to convince me of what you think I will need, I'm annoyed. If you are just telling me what worked for you, I will accept that advice but I may choose not to take it.  And don't judge me when I don't. Everyone is different.

11. Are you ready for this/to be a parent?

Is anyone ever really ready? Do people constantly forget that Bruce is already a father so when they talk to him about this it really drives me insane. Can anyone be prepared to have their lives flipped upside down in ways they could never imagine? I don't think so. Does anyone have a baby and think that everything from that day on has been exactly as they had planned? I don't think so. I'm not 18. I'm in my 30s people. I know a thing or two about how this stuff works. 

12. How are you feeling? 

This question could make me barf because I hear it so often. If I was feeling bad I wouldn't share.

13. You can eat whatever you want, you're pregnant. You don't need to worry about your weight. 

Wrong, I can't eat what I want even if I wanted to. Also, I want to watch what I eat because I want a healthy pregnancy and baby and I do need to worry about my weight because I want a healthy pregnancy and baby.  I don't want to worry about taking the extra weight off later. I don't want to have additional aches and pains just because I felt like I needed to over indulge for 9 months. I don't want the baby to accidentally get sick because I ate something tainted. That does not mean I've been a saint. Hello fried foods, but I do try to get my protein in, make sure I'm eating enough calories and not too many and I generally try to make the better choice (not always successful however). 

14. Unsolicited opinions about birth plans, breast feeding, caring for baby, and day care. 

What I choose to do is my business. If I share and you don't agree, don't try to make me feel like I'm anything less than you because you don't agree. 

Yes - I plan on going natural just because if I don't see the need for meds then why should I take them. Women have been giving birth for eons without meds so I think I can do it too. If in the moment I choose to use them I won't be mad at myself. I gave it my all and then needed help. Epidural's have never been an option for me. Since I've heard about them they went off that list because it freaks me out! I'm not trying to be holier-than-though or brave, I just want to do what people have always done. Let's hope for the best :) 

Yes ~ I do plan to breastfeed and pump. It reduces SIDS, helps me bond with baby, gives her an immunity boost, it's free, it's what my body is meant to do, it's healthy....the list goes on. I don't care about inconvenience. It's not about me. 

Yes ~ I will do daycare. I am lucky to have a daycare so close that so many of my co-workers rave about. I have to work and I don't have parents just sitting around waiting to watch their grandchildren for free so off to daycare she'll go. Again, I survived so I think she will too.  

Caring for baby advice can be helpful and annoying. What worked for your baby may not work for mine. What worked for you may not work for my family. Diversity is important in life. Please accept that. 

15. Your belly is tiny/huge. 

I know the tiny belly is supposed to be a compliment but it doesn't seem that way all the time. Sometimes it seems as if they are questioning if I've been eating enough or if I'm really as far along as I say I am. The huge belly thing is offensive because according to my doctor I'm perfectly perfect so I cannot have a huge belly. Also, I compare my belly to the models in the pregnancy books and I look just like them. In fact, maybe I should have considered posing for the books since I have a model pregnancy. Snarky, I know. I guess I don't care to have people passing judgement on my body when they don't even know me.

This all being said. I regret if I've ever said anything like this to other pregnant women for I was ignorant. I pray that I don't become what is annoying me right now. Britt and Des can put me in my place if I do anything on my list.