It's Not Easy

What's that?

"You‘ve been doing great these past six months, Stephanie.“

"Been doing? You mean, I‘m not anymore? What‘s wrong?“

"I‘m sorry to scare you like that, I didn‘t imply that something is wrong, just that you should have gained more weight by now.“

"I swear I‘ve been eating like a pig.“

The doctor laughs and tries to calm us down. "It‘s okay, maybe she's just fine how she is, but it‘s nothing bad, certainly not life threatening.“

"I‘ve been very sensitive, I can‘t even think of something happening to my baby.“

"There aren't any signs that something will, don‘t worry. We‘re looking after you, you‘re taking wonderful care of yourself as I‘m sure is your husband. If we forget the tour you decided to go on in the end...“

Stevie ignores the slightly judgemental comment. "What do I do to get heavier?“

"There‘s nothing much you can do really. Just make sure to keep up the regime, eat healthy, have lots of sleep, drink lots of liquids. You‘ve gone throught this before, Stevie, and you‘re a great mother, you know what you‘re doing.“

"Anything else?"

"No, I don't think so. That's all for now."

"Until the next time then."

Another check up goes smoothly and we're on our way out.

~

Tomorrow is Sara's birthday. Stevie's throwing her a party, fit for a princess that our girl is. She invited her playground friends, their parents should drop them off at 2pm. It's not going to be easy having to deal with a bunch of six year olds. Stevie's mother and Lori are coming over to help us out.

The doorbell rings and I go to open the door. "Barbara! It's so good to see you." We hug and I let her in.

"You too, Lindsey. It's been a while." 

"Too long! Stevie‘s in the kitchen, she thinks people are coming only for a feast.“

"That‘s my daughter, always making sure people are taken care of.“ 

"And that‘s why we love her.“ I add.

"You guys are acting as if I can‘t hear you.“ Stevie joins us, wiping her hands off on the apron and goes over to hug her mother. "You can‘t imagine how happy I am you‘re here!“

"As am I, sweetheart.“ I've always thought that Stevie can be such a small girl around her parents still.

"You look flawless, Stevie.“ Her mom holds her at arm‘s length.

"All I‘m allowed to do is take care of myself. Lindsey makes sure of it.“

"Thank you, Lindsey.“ Barbara says, patting my back.

"If not me, she would be bouncing off the walls!“

"Oh no, you have to rest, sweetheart.“ Mom is always so concerned about everyone, Stevie in particular of course now. "You have to look after that baby.“

"Can we go take a seat? I'm exhausted from that flight.“ Barbara asks, but really, nobody would ever say no to her. So, the three of us go to the living room.

"You‘re glowing, sweetheart.“

"I do feel good.“

"Good! You‘ve not been too stressed or working too much?“

"I‘ve got nothing to work on and all the stress I‘ve been having is caused by what shade of pink the nursery should be painted.“

"Good, that‘s really good.“ Barbara looks over to me. "If she asks you to let her do the painting, which she will, don't let her."