Pregnancy Panic

Can you recall that Momicidal feeling watching your husband sleep soundly (or snore loudly) while you lay there, wide awake, in a pregnancy panic?  The endless questions, coupled with multiple urges to pee after midnight, are a form of No Doz. Do I really remember how to change a diaper from my babysitting days? What am I supposed to do with a little defenseless baby? Did I pick the right colors for the nursery? Is my water going to break in the produce section of the supermarket? What do I pack in my hospital bag? Am I going to be a good Mommy?

The nervous excitement of impending Mommyhood is enough to drive any Mom-to-be to the sundae bar. My friend Kim–7 months pregnant with a baby boy– is eating ice cream before bed and sleeping in 2-to-3-hour increments every night. I remember loudly scraping the sides of my bowl to quiet the doubts in my brain all too well.

Nothing like a Quincy Market stroll after a long lunch for two lovebirds!

Today, I drove into Boston to give Kim a booster seat of confidence–Alex James– over lunch. I hoped my son would be on his best behavior–i.e. no high-pitched screams to scare patrons mid-bite, no spontaneous hunger strike, no breakdancing to try to wiggle out of his seat–so Kim would leave with that intoxicating I’ve got this feeling instead of I don’t think I can do this doubt. And, once again, my little wing man delivered.

Besides a new lettuce fetish that prompted him to lift a leaf or two off her plate, Alex was incredible. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her (I don’t blame him, really–she’s one of those annoyingly perfect pregnant women who looks like herself except with a beautiful baby bump), and they spent the entire meal talking, playing, and flirting. If Alex were a little older I would have felt like the third wheel. They connected.

Whether she realized it or not, it was clear Kim’s a natural Mommy–she questioned if Alex could eat the lettuce he shoplifted off of her plate, worried about him choking on a bottle cap, and reached for new toys when she could see he was getting bored. She laughed genuinely, smiled warmly, and loved freely–all while rubbing her own belly from time to time. Kimmy, you’ve got this. Put your ice cream spoon down (or if you still have a craving try the dish below). You know just what to do.

I wish I still had the preggers excuse to eat this sweet treat!

Pregnancy Panic Cure-All

Ingredients

1 boxed chocolate cake, prepared to package directions

Vanilla ice cream

Shredded coconut

Slivered almonds

Whipped cream

Method

Preheat over to 350. Place a serving of shredded coconut and slivered almonds on a cookie sheet and bake until toasted (golden brown).  Set aside.

Crumble chocolate cake and press into an individual bowl. Add a layer of ice cream, and sprinkle with coconut and almonds. Add another layer of cake and top with whipped cream. Garnish with toasted almonds and coconut. You’ll forget all of your troubles!