Thanksgiving, Mumbai, Black Friday, and My Spastic Baby

Thanksgiving was really nice. Grandma made turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, a cranberry dish that she made with whole cranberries, green beans, rolls, stuffed celery, and pumpkin pie. I took a shower, put on some cute pajamas, and ate dinner downstairs with Grandma and Earl. I ate so much that my blood sugar shot up to 180 and Grandma wouldn’t let me eat any pie for dessert. I am so grateful that Grandma and Earl drove up here to take care of me, that Christopher and the kids had a super-fun day with about a hundred family members, that my dad is safe, and that I’m still pregnant.

I have been following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and like many of you, I am shocked and disgusted by the events unfolding there. I’m nervous for all my Indian friends at Darden and also for Christopher, who will be traveling to Mumbai in March.

I’m also disgusted that 200 crazed shoppers trampled and killed a Walmart employee this morning. I am NEVER going to the stores on Black Friday again.

I was trying to sleep last night but the little guy would not stop moving! The books say an expectant mother should feel about 10 fetal movements in 12 hours. On average, I feel 10 movements a minute. And he’s not just twitching around in there, but doing full somersaults, flips, and rolls. And I’m wondering, where does he get the traction to move around like that? He’s like Ender Wiggin in the Battle Room, slipping and sliding in the zero gravity amniotic fluid. Also, I think he may be one of those people with chronic hiccups. Like, he won’t be able to concentrate on his SATs or have a normal job interview because he’ll just be hiccuping and hiccuping…

Finally, I know that many of you have your hearts set on Benjamin (or Nathan or Simon), but I still can’t settle on a name for this little guy. In fact, I have had another name in my head for several days now and the more I think about it, the more I like it and think it might suit this kid. I don’t know if I should try and convince Christopher now or wait until the baby’s born to start the cajoling. Then again, he didn’t talk me into Gavin. He said, “You named Megan, this boy is named Gavin.” And I was set on Benjamin and he remained Baby Boy Richins for three days. And when Christopher finally won the battle, I swore that I would name the next kid. 🙂