moving fat

Kid and I were out walking this morning when we ran into our upstairs neighbor friend, who was taking his own two pugs for their morning constitutional. After we (and the dogs) exchanged the usual morning pleasantries, we somehow got onto the topic of M and his girlfriend finding out just two days ago they are expecting their first child in four months. Which means she was five months along before she suspected a thing.

"She thought she was just getting fat," M said. "Until one day the fat moved."

I shrieked "Congratulations!" and let K give M a big slobbery kiss, and was in general thrilled until I realized that the bearer of the news was not exactly turning cartwheels.

"It was ... unexpected," he said. "We're not exactly ready."

Oh.

A sampling of the things went through my mind, all unfit to say aloud: "I'm sorry." (Horrible!) "Well, you better get ready." (Unnecesary.) "Is there anything we can do to help?" (Like what?) "Are you okay?" (And what am I gonna do if he says no?) "Congratulations anyway!" (Stupid.)

So I just nodded, and we went on chatting. About gestational diabetes and the new, largely sugar-free diet, other lifestyle changes, the pathetic square footage of our condo units, who's going to break the news to Grandma. And how people keep asking if they are going to get married now, as if they don't have enough stuff to think about with four months to prepare for a tiny human being to enter their lives. In the end I did make a general and lame offer: "If there's anything you guys need help with, let us know." I mean, M helps S with car stuff all the time, but what on EARTH could we do that would be remotely helpful to these two people? So I felt stupid, but still thought it was better than saying nothing at all.

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Today's Dragonboat practice was low-key. We are drummer-less until futher notice, so since no flags were set up anyway I had to keep cadence with a bail bucket, which was silly but a great way blow off steam.

Here's a pic of the mixed crew, enjoying the Thursday afternoon waves.

See everyone bright and early Saturday morning!