Da Club

In the midst of a tough political environment at work, I had a nice thought about camaraderie here. All of the moms in the office, regardless of which section they work in have been so friendly and useful. This became more apparent to me yesterday when a woman that I don't know too well that works in a department that I don't work with that much, came up and excitedly exclaimed her congratulations on my pregnancy.

For a while I have been focused on the negative points of being pregnant in the workplace:

1. I have had to limit my travel, dramatically underscored by my having to say no to Istanbul - Istanbul!!
2. My physical appearance does not escape notice and increasingly does not escape comment. And I quote a male colleague to yours truly last week, "man, when are you going to pop." Nice.

But as I enter my 7th month, with my pregnancy now undisputed, I am having more and more mom conversations. Moms sharing their experiences and moms sharing advice, most of which begins, "but don't worry, you will figure it out..."

Women in the office have been extraordinarily generous. My family has been so worried about my winter coat situation (and my refusal to fork out the bucks for a winter coat I will only need for two months.) A woman in my office gave me a coat that she no longer wears and it literally saves me every morning. Another woman brought me my first baby gear: a bumbo and a moby. Both of these items are considered essential in modern childrearing, both aren't cheap and I am happy to report that both are in perfect condition. And each mom in the office keeps offering more and more. What a nice club to be a member of (finally.)

Even Hayden's female colleagues are getting into it. He came home triumphantly clutching a Medela handsfree and portable breast pump - a $300 value. His colleague just gave it to him. Amazing.