I had my belly rubbed a kajillion times this past weekend. By two Walgreens employees that didn't speak English. By BlogHers. Many BlogHers. Guy Kawasaki. And kinda "air-rubbed" by Rocco DiSpirito. Heck, even Grover rubbed my belly (I have it on video!)
But I am not complaining.
I think in the past I may have been a borderline what's up with you rubbing my belly without asking type of gal, but with this pregnancy, as I've told many, I love her every move. Her every kick and every jab. And I love when others touch me, touch her... celebrating and confirming she's alive. She's there. They feel her, too. She's real and not just a dream.
The excitement even strangers can feel just because I happen to have a baby in my belly. The goodness of it all- no matter who you are, we all know to appreciate the tenderness and delicacy of life in the happening.
A moment I'll never forget occured this weekend. Lying on my hotel bed with my shirt exposing my roundness, my roommates Amy & Arianne laughed with me as my belly danced and moved. They each placed their hands on my bare stomach and felt my little girl respond to their touch. I saw in their eyes and heard it in their voices as they talked to her, the specialness of just that very instance.
She kicks me even now as I type and I'm almost high from knowing my little girl is in there, okay, and getting ready to meet me face to face so very soon.
Feel free to touch... there is so much power. There is so much life.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Come One Come All And Rub The Belly
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50 comments:
such a precious baby!!!
Hugs (and tummy rubs)
Mary
This made me cry, remembering that moment. When I touched your belly and talked to her...to have her kick back saying "Yes, Auntie Ari, I hear ya!" made me feel like she's been listening in and laughing with us all along. I think she thought your thai receipt was funny, too. ;)
I've heard it so many times from the other angle that I forgot it actually could be ok for someone to touch a pregnant belly. Thanks for the perspective.
Beautiful.
I've always said I dislike being pregnant. But, honestly, Steph, reading your posts recently have made me wish I could be pregnant again rightthisverysecond. You've reminded me of all the reasons I do actually love carrying that little life.
Wow.
You have a gift for making babywearing (and baby growing) feel like so much more than just the physical.
Being pregnant 8 times, there aren't many pregnancy experiences that aren't "routine" for me, but that feeling of movement within is always special, always exciting. Never feeling it again is one of the things I don't like to think about when contemplating whether our quiver is full.
Virtual baby rubs!
What a beautiful creature, the pregnant woman!
Thank you for taking the time to comment; coming from a lady at one of my favorite blogs, I am truly honored!
Many prayers and blessings as you continue on this amazing journey...
Isaiah 26:3
Oh man I do love when they dance across the whole belly! That is so exciting! My favorite is the feet that poke out. Such a rush!
I am so honored that I got to touch your baby belly in person!
It was so fabulous to meet and hang out in 'real-life'. I just wish I lived closer to you and we could chat live anytime.
When I was pregnant, I loved when my friends were able to feel Luke kick. Especially those who had never had babies before. One of my favorite co-workers would rub my stomach EVERY time I saw her, even though we worked down the hall from one another. And although I know pregnant women are supposed to hate it, I loved it. I loved every second of love and awe that was directed at the life I was growing.
Unfortunately, none of my close friends are pregnant, so I don't get to do much belly touching myself!
You always have such a great attitude about things. It is kind of weird when strangers think it is okay to touch you because you are pregnant, but your right. It is just a celebration.
By the way, my friend is having her fourth (all boys!) and everyone keeps asking her if it is her first. Has this happened to you when you are out without your boys?
So sweet. I like having my belly touched too.
The joy you are experiencing while this little one grows inside of you is most obvious and contagious!
Thanks for the invite. I ma going to so hands-on the next time I see you! Oh, is that today??
It's almost a euphoric feeling to finally have a girl growing inside you after three boys!
Very awesome! I can't wait to feel my sister's baby move mroe!
I wish I could have rubbed your belly at BlogHer! I'm sending you virtual belly rubs right now! :-)
Jane
I don't mind having my belly touched either! I was recently with a lot of my family, and EVERYONE was touching my belly!! My dad even made my sister-in-law (who thought it was very strange) touch it. :) Since this has been such a rough pregnancy for me, I treasure each movement also (well, maybe except when I am trying to get some precious sleep)!
You know, I've never minded when anyone wanted to touch my belly during my pregnancies---even strangers. It makes people happy to have a connection with something beautiful and hopeful, for just a moment.
Isn't that what people need? Frankly, the pregnant belly is one of the most fascinating creations in God's world and it's a good sign people are still drawn to the purity and mystery of life so exposed.
Sweetie,
I was looking for you and your cute belly and am sad we never hooked up! I hope you had a fantastic weekend!
It sounds like you are enjoying this pregnancy so much - I love it!
I too enjoyed the belly rubs. I always felt special to be a part of the joy that a pregnant belly brings to other people. Like I was just a medium between them and the joy/memories/happiness they felt when they touched the belly.
I never understood the frustration some women feel with other people touching their belly.
To me, it's just a beautiful part of the cycle. Even strangers smile at a woman so visibly swelling with LIFE. They want to be a part of it.
I snarled at people whenever they rubbed my belly without asking.
But then, I wasn't a happy preggo- I was Miss Crankypants for the whole 9 months. I hope to have a very different experience next time around!
I'm so thrilled for you, though, that you are enjoying this pregnancy so very much!
What a great perspective. I, however, just can't be as open and free about it. It feels the same to me as someone coming up to rub my non-pregnant belly...weird!
Oh, that story brought tears. She is so active, She knows she has to keep up with 3 brothers. I am glad you feel that way about belly rubbing...Great attitude.
Beautiful!!
How beautiful. How special. I can't wait to meet her.
What a great post Steph! So happy for you!
Your posts almost make me want to have another baby. Almost!
You are just such a cute pregnant momma, and the joy you have in that makes you glow. People just want to share in that.
What a touching post! And it's good to know that you feel that way. I loved being pregnant, and I always want to rush up and touch big pregnant bellies. I restrain myself most of the time, thank goodness, or I'd probably be in trouble with the law! ;)
You're making me cry!
Beautiful! I do miss feeling a baby growing and moving inside of me...so precious. You are lovely.
I had heard how awful being pregnant was from sooo many women, but I loved it. It of course had its rough spots, but just reading your blog made me remember how much I loved being pregnant. It's such a special miracle to be able to take part in.
beautiful
that is awesome. I love the feel of my babies dancing in me and I love to watch them too. I'm a little jealous you get to have a baby ;)
How perfectly lovely!
Sigh, I think this is the one thing I miss most about being pregnant, feeling the baby move around. It's nice that you're taking it all in and appreciating every moment along the way.
I'm glad I was able to meet you at BlogHer too!
I'll stop by again
jessica
Aww, I wish I could rub your belly! I miss those days SO much.
Sharing those bits of movement is so fun - knowing that we are done your post makes me a bit envious, but mostly happy that your little girl is making smiles in those around her even now. :)
I am so excited for your little girl to get here and to see all her fabulous little clothes! Little girl clothes are just the best!
I have to say though, I hated for strangers to touch my belly without asking first...but for friends and family; game on!
There is absolutely NOTHING else in the world like having a moving baby inside. Such a miracle. Such a lovely post. Thanks for reminding me how beautiful it is...
No strangers rubbed my belly, but you know they all want to get their hands on Jayden. I thought I was wrong for letting a lady at Walmart, who had no grandkids, hold him. I feel a little better about the experience. Feels good to have made someone's day you know?
what a sweet, sweet post. :)
sending belly rubs from a far. ;)
Great post! The feeling of life inside of you is so awesome - such a gift from God!!!! I miss being pregnant and can see why my mom had 8 - it is so fun! You have a gift for putting things into words!!!!
I have to say that was exactly how I felt this last pregnancy. I loved when she moved and I loved letting people rub my belly! Its such a joy to know that baby is growing and wiggling in there! Now she is wiggling in my arms as I type, but I treasure my belly memories!
I am with ya... Don't know the sex, but happily embrace every nudge and wallop. Many of friends wish they could skip the whole nine month thing, but I absolutely enjoy pregnancy. Suppose I'd have too to be on my fourth.
Happy baby wearing and blessings to you and your baby girl!
So precious--nothing like a Baby Belly!
When I was days before evicting my twins from my womb, a lady at the post office working behind the counter asked to feel my belly, gingerly placed both hands on each baby and promptly burst into tears--so I did too! We had quite a moment there, celebrating life, buying stamps!
Blessings!
I didn't enjoy belly rubs with my two, but I loved watching the baby belly move! My first had hiccups almost every night toward the end. She still laughs at that story - and she's 21 now!
thanks for sharing the joy!
oh and I just LOVED touching your belly. It is sooo exciting to imagine her in there, kicking and growing.
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