"Release the tension in your shoulders. Now in your back . . . " At the end of each of our pregnancy classes the teacher leads the class of six couples through a relaxation series that always leaves me feeling refreshed and a little like my legs are full of Jell-O (in a good way). Last week at our class I was just starting to feel relaxed when I heard it. It was getting slower . . . and deeper . . . and louder. Ralph's breathing was starting to sound like it does each night just before he goes to sleep. I felt the sense of panic begin to rise in my previously calm body as I realized what was about to happen. I decided to squint through my right eye to see if the other couples in the class were noticing. None seemed to catch on until his breathing went from loud and breathy to an all-out snore. The peacefulness of the dark room was gone for good, as I got the worst case of church giggles in my life.
Yes, Ralphie and I are expecting a little bundle of Wusk joy toward the end of March. We're hoping it has Ralph's charisma and my study habits. Each time the baby kicks, Ralph takes it as evidence of its impending athleticism. I guess we'll just have to see. The little one will grow up as a Sterling Jet as we just moved to the booming metropolis in August. It is a bit ironic as Ralph and my relationship started with me talking extreme smack about his small hometown . . . I guess maybe there was more flirting going on there than any real hard feelings.
Life Lessons Learned in the "Real World" Vol. 6
· All pants should have elastic waistbands. (I might just wear these pregnancy jeans for the rest of my life.)
· It doesn't take long to accumulate way too much stuff. (Thanks to everyone who helped us move all our junk!)
· The best dissertation is a done dissertation.
· Living in a small town IS all it's cracked up to be.
· Making sauerkraut isn't as tough as you might think. (Thanks to my in-laws and their good teaching!)
· Gas is expensive. (Ralph is commuting to the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lincoln, and I'm cruising east to work at Peru State College while still helping out with confirmation classes on Wednesday nights in Lincoln).
· Seeing the Harry Potter movie at a midnight showing is exhausting. (Thanks to my sister for reminding me that I'm not too old to stay up late).
· With a FULL beard and long hair Ralph resembles Joaquin Phoenix during the time period when everyone thought he was going crazy.
· The waiting time before a baby is full of joy and excitement.
I can always tell Christmas is here as Ralph starts talking about the end of his Fantasy Football League. How does he always make it into those championships? Yes, 2011 has been a year of changes, and like every year, we're continuing to learn. While this year had many turns that we didn't anticipate, I have a feeling that next year might have even more to teach us.
