Does the title sound a little crude? Sorry. It's not what you think. It's from an interview with Dolly Parton on Fresh Air this afternoon. It's still not what you think. She was referring to her life growing up and how her mother was kind of all over the place because for 10 years she had "one in her and one on her," one as in children.
(An aside: Is there anything better than Dolly Parton? If you don't completely agree, then you need to listen to this interview. I grew up idolizing Dolly and all her glitz. I think Jolene is easily one of the best songs ever written, and Smoky Mountain Christmas is my favorite piece of holiday kitsch. If the glitz and the voice and Smoky Mountain Christmas weren't enough, she is just downright fabulous in that interview. You really should listen.)
Anyway, back to Dolly's mom. That comment hit a nerve. Nicky and I had a great weekend (my husband took a brief and long overdue trip out to see his brother's family in Oregon) and he was so stinking cute, but he was also very, very much clingy and over the top in love with me. I told my husband that I think Nicky assumes that I am growing my belly to make room for him to get back in. Now, I love sloppy kisses and hugs around the neck and hugs around the knees and funny little toddler questions whispered in my ear, but was also pretty much exhausted at the end of each day. When I finally had a chance to lie down in the evenings, my little man Jack would start in on a series of beginner acrobatics. I had forgotten how wonderful it feels, but at the same time, by around 3:30 p.m. today, precisely when I found myself listening to Dolly's peppy little answers on public radio, I felt ... bedraggled. Tired. A little huge. I felt like a big old tired house on wheels. While lugging Nicky around Target because he refused to sit in the cart, I felt like a tired old house of a woman with "one in her and one on her," because that's literally what I was.
Back at the ranch, while Nicky drove Matchbox cars all over my belly and legs and asked me 30 or more times, "what you doin' mommy?," I reminded myself that I will no longer be 5 months pregnant when I have two kids (but I will have two kids!) and I will have more energy (even without sleep?) and my husband will be home (but don't forget his weekly business travel!). Okay, so maybe I'm freaking out a little bit.
2 comments:
Your first mistake was Target. :) Oh my, I've lost my mind dragging Ab around there some days. I'm hoping it's just the being pregnant too part that is making this seem so exhausting. We'll be tired with two but also more agile, able to grab a quick espresso, and less hormonal (but will we be?) PS. I love Dolly!
Jolene, I can hear her singing it now, definitely one of my favorites too. I love this post, it made my nose burn and eyes well up. It's funny you mentioned Nicky being over the top in love with you, I experienced that this afternoon for the first time. Robert is out of town this weekend and Elizabeth, Abigail and I had dinner at Richardson's. All Abs could do was kiss me and hug me and it was driving me crazy. She would hardly eat anything b/c she was so smitten by her mommy. But I must admit, I was smitten by her too! :) xoxo
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