Rub My Belly!
Dogs love a good belly rub—any time, any place, any person—but apparently humans do NOT. People have asked me a lot of the same questions over the past few months. When are you due? Do you know the gender? Do you have a name picked out? How much longer? In addition to these generics, people are also highly interested in whether strangers have rubbed my belly yet. Everyone seems to know about this phenomenon. Even single guys, who I would normally assume are “unschooled” in the ways of pregnancy and babies. And from everyone who asks me this, NO ONE thinks it’s okay (somebody does though, because it’s happening to someone out there to cause all this hubbub.) And a lot of people don’t think it’s cool for anyone (outside of their hubby and maybe their mother) to do it. I’ve often heard, “Um, hello! That’s my belly! Personal space, anyone?!” Us Americans, we like our personal space.

Now, I am not a super touchy person myself, but the topic really does not raise the ire in my heart as it seems to amongst my peers. Admittedly, I have not had any perfect strangers try this. I might feel differently if the UPS man abandoned his “not getting any smaller” comments for a mid-day belly rub. But when it comes to people I know – anyone I consider a friend – go for it! Give it a rub. And I love the smile on their face when they do. It’s their way of showing affection for a baby that they already love and care about so much. It’s an experience of wonderment and awe at the miracle that is baby-growing. And that’s just cool. Sometimes I can tell people want to, but they’re showing restraint (which I appreciate - it IS nice to ask first), so I extend the invitation. When I do, their hand is on my belly faster than you can say “midnight Taco Bell run.” (Whoa, where’d that come from? We haven’t made one, but I’ve promised Andy I’ll demand it at least once before the baby comes. If I don’t, he might.)

I’m cool with the fact that not everyone enjoys it, so we should all keep up a modicum of manners and at least ask your friend first. Trust me, if they don’t want you to, they’ll tell you. To avoid the awkward pause that will inevitably follow after they’ve shot you down in the middle of Wal-mart, just ask the mama-to-be where she is registered. Leave it to potential presents to make her quickly forget you wanted to cross the invisible barrier!