Monday, January 7, 2013

Baby Got Back


Oh, wow. So the kids are back to school today. *cue choirs singing hallelujah* But to be honest, this two-week vacation went by a lot faster than most, thanks to the holidays, which were wonderful chez the Creepy family.

The biggest change for me these last two weeks is definitely the discomforts of the final trimester that have finally settled in. Yes, weight has most definitely been gained this holiday season, though how much, I’ve been afraid to look. But there’s no denying the way my maternity clothes have started to cry uncle around my ever-expanding waist line. Or how my leg and arse muscles scream whenever I try to rise from a seated position or walk any significant distance. I almost can’t believe I still have a little over two months left, and am starting to get a tad panicked at just how my body plans to adapt further to this growing human. 

Not to mention I seem to be incubating a kung fu fighting champion with the bone structure of Wolverine.  This child, bless her, has already kicked the shit out of any muscle tissue I may have had left after my three previous pregnancies.

There are some advantages, however, to raging pregnancy hormones, especially for the writer in me. Vivid, crazy dreams have given wake to some pretty interesting book-premises. And the insomnia that inevitably follows when I wake up after said crazy dreams gives me plenty of time to jot things down.

There was the dream about a father who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, gets out of jail, and then goes all super-spy-man in order to break his 15-year-old daughter out of the concentration camp/juvenile retention center where she’s being held against her will.

Or the one about a college student who uncovers a conspiracy in her university’s biological research department that begins with the discovery of a rare poisonous plant growing out of the football field. 

And then there was the one with a bunch of different cakes with mouths, singing and dancing and parading around the grocery countertop a la Beauty and the Beast, each one looking more delectable than the next...

Wait, yeah. No, that one was just weird...

Anywhoo, as I was packing away the last of our Christmas decorations the other day, I was wearing my usual Christmas-is-over pouty face. (I hate putting Christmas away!) But I also couldn’t help but wonder what my life will look like the next time I re-open those boxes. What will have changed? (besides the obvious addition to our family?) How will I have changed?  

I guess, like most people, I’m curious as to what 2013 has in store. Of course, I’d love for this year to be THE year—the one where I finally get an agent, a book deal or write THE story. But even if it’s not, I’m looking forward to the journey, whatever it may hold. 

What about you guys? Any big goals or wishes for 2013? Does putting away the Christmas tree and decorations bum you out at all or do you completely look forward to reclaiming your non-holiday living room? 

24 comments:

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Putting away the Christmas decorations totally bum me out. But then again, I do have a labor force in the house to do it for me. (Teen Daughter and Tween Daughter) And it will be nice to get the space back.

I am looking forward to 2013. There ought to be some exciting stuff happening in the first half of this year.

Laura Pauling said...

Last trimester? Good luck! :)

Yes, I'm sure 2013 will hold good things for everyone. Katie, you'll get there. I know you will. And the singing cakes might make a good picture book. :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

I have to take down my tree this week. Sounds like your last trimester is great for coming up with story ideas. Enjoy the time before you get even busier with your kids.

I'm looking forward to a productive 2013, whatever that ends up entailing.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Welcome back, Katie! I think your year is going to have huge changes no matter what.
And I enjoy taking the decorations down around New Year's. I'm ready for the house to return to normal at that point.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I put my Christmas decorations away early this year. Usually we keep them up until the New Year. I was bored the day after Christmas, so I started boxing stuff up.

As far as this year, I have huge writing goals. I need to map out, draft, and edit the sequel to MB. I also want to complete and sub a few picture books.

Louise said...

I confess - we have yet to take the Christmas decorations down! Part of it is that we haven't had time, but mostly it's that the kids love them SO MUCH, and I hate to take them away too soon. It helps that our tree is artificial!

Your dreams sound wild. I say take advantage of whatever gain you can get out of those pregnancy hormones!

Laura Hughes, MittensMorgul said...

I wish my Christmas decorations would put themselves away! It takes forever to pack everything up and stow it away again properly, but I am DYING to get my living room back! It seems everything else in the house is doubly cluttered right now.

I'm not pregnant right now, but in the spirit of sharing weird dreams, I had one last night where everyone was making fun of me for wearing a knee-length skirt during the winter. That was it. I looked nice, but nobody could get past the fact that no, my legs were not freezing cold. :/

Oh, and I can't decide if your singing cake dream is funny, cute, or disturbing. :D

Patti said...

You see and I like putting away the Christmas Decorations because it makes my house feel so much bigger and I feel like it's a clean slate for the new year. Haven't made any goals yet, still thinking about what to do and how to do it.

Good luck with the last trimester.

Anne Gallagher said...

Wow, I guess I've been away longer than I thought. I had no idea you were pregnant. Happy Belated Congratulations!

As for the new year, I'm just trying to keep on keeping on. Writing writing writing. And hopefully get to the beach this summer.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

The thing I hated most about the final trimester of pregnancies was when the boys would start using my bladder as a speed bag. Enjoy those final weeks.
And there's no doubt your writing life will make progress in 2013. Your blog just oozes talent!

Connie Keller said...

Oh, goodness, one of my kids was a kung-fu master too. I completely sympathize--it felt like my insides were totally bruised. (Once he stuck his leg straight out--my husband and I could distinguish his toes. Really creepy.) I'm hoping that you will be able to get the rest you need.

mshatch said...

I'm hoping that 2013 ends better than 2012. That would make me happy.

Meredith said...

Ha, your dreams are so vivid and wonderful! I'm very excited about 2013, without any valid reason. I just think it's going to be a great year. :)

Matthew MacNish said...

I still have to put my decorations away. I'll do it tonight - I swear!

Nicole Zoltack said...

Those first two dreams would make awesome stories!

We haven't taken down our decorations yet - we will tomorrow. :(

Nicole L Rivera said...

Book deal! Book deal! Book deal! ... and maybe a baby if I'm feeling really ambitious ;)

Still haven't put my decorations away. We always wait until after the 6th...just how long depends on who can procrastinate the longest ;)

Many blessings on your 2013. Those are some awesome book ideas! Maybe you have a young, kung-fu novelist in there! Hope to hear this year that we will be getting to read and official Creepy Query Girl novel!

Colene Murphy said...

Ha! Awe you poor thing! Hopefully you have the luxury of taking it quite easy in the final months!? Hope hope.

Also got my fingers crossed for a book deal and all that wonderfulness for you this year! I know that would be wonderful.

You and that sweet girl take it easy!

TC Avey said...

I love Christmas decor, it makes me sad to put it away too. But if 2013 goes as fast as 2012 I won't have to wait long to bring them back out!
Happy New Year!

Lydia Kang said...

I am very excited to reclaim my living room, LOL. And is it bad that I'm happy that school is back in session? ;)

prerna pickett said...

i feel for you with your pregnancy woes, i was there just one year ago. hang in there!

Mina Lobo said...

Though the last (and thankfully only) time I was pregnant was about 18 years ago, I still remember the horrors of bloating with baby vividly. You have my sympathies. Hope the next two months go by smoothly, safely, and swiftly for you and your bambina!

As for me, I aim to publish my romance novel myself this year. I've got *a lot* to learn and am a bit freaked out by how much I don't know about the process. But I'm excited to find out!
Some Dark Romantic

Anonymous said...

Putting away Christmas decorations definitely bums me out. We didn't put up a tree or any decorations for 2012 because we had adopted our dog Bentley in early December. It didn't quite feel the same without the decorations or tree, but I know we made the right decision. We'll put up a tree for 2013.

DL Hammons said...

We put away Christmas (which is an all-day affair) this past Sunday. I don't think any of us said more than five words the whole day! :)

Amy Jarecki said...

Hey Katie - Since you are the "Query Girl" I thought I'd let you know that I'm trying to spread the word about the query contest for a free query critiqe on my blog: http://amyjarecki.blogspot.com/2013/02/free-query-critique-contest.html

Hope you are well!!

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