Piper is heavily pregnant and I have to assist her all the time. She was having trouble climbing up and down the stairs so we temporarily move in the guest room downstairs.
Also, I wasn't aware that being pregnant can trigger a wide range of emotions. She once burst into tears over a slice of cheese and it wasn't even an actual piece of cheese, just so you get the idea. She was in that phase when most foods made her gag. Beyond that, pregnancy comes with a zillion aches, pains, constipation, back pains, swollen ankles and the constant need to pee. Oh! The constant need to pee!.
Piper always felt the need to pee while she's actually peeing. I was thinking if we should set up a camp in the bathroom or just permanently live in the bathroom the remainder of her pregnancy.
One time, she was in the toilet and the pressure in her bladder was so intense I caught her looking down between her thighs.
"What are you doing?". I asked her confused.
"The pressure in my bladder is crazy. I had to check if I'm peeing out our daughter".
Then, there was a time when she completely lose control of her bladder that a lot of pee comes out. She freaked out because she thought that her water just broke. I had to calm her down and assured her that it was just pee. She didn't believe me until I was forced to smell her underwear after which I determines the liquid in her panties, is infact, urine and not amniotic fluid.
*****
"Babe, I'm tired and I'm so hungry". Piper whined while we're in the grocery store.
I told her to just stay home and wait for me. It would've been quicker if I went here alone, but we have to stop every few minutes because she needs to go to the bathroom.
"I'm almost done here, then we'll go grab some lunch. Why don't you just wait for me in car".
"Okay". Piper said sounding bored and then she turns around and waddles away.
I finished doing grocery shopping and when I went to the car my wife wasn't there. Where the hell is she? I went back inside the grocery store thinking she went to the bathroom again.
I checked but she wasn't there either and that's when I started to get worried because maybe something bad happened to her.
I double checked each isle on my way out just incase and then I found her, eating the chips in one of the sample bowls that you're only supposed to take one from and move on. But not Piper. She was leaning on the counter and chomping down almost half the bowl.
"Piper! I've been looking for you everywhere... and why are you eating all that?".
"Oh hey, babe. I am so hungry, you want one?".
"You know you're just supposed to take one and go. Not eat the whole bowl".
"Nobody's eating them. Look! they're not even crunchy anymore. Here, try one". She tried shoving it inside my mouth. It's probably been sitting there for a while that's why nobody wants them.
"Okay that's enough. Stop eating that!" She tried to fit a handful of the chips inside her mouth, so I have to take her hand away from the bowl.
"Let's just go and get you real food, that's not good for you".
Just before we turned to leave her ginormous belly knocked over the bowl, breaking it and sending chips flying everywhere.
*******************************
It was late in the afternoon and we were sitting at the patio and Piper is busy writing down baby names. We haven't picked out a name for our daughter yet.
"How about Jessica?". Piper looked up from the paper and stare at me.
"No! Not that!". I said in surprise. "That's the name of the girl who used to bully me at school for being poor. I hate her".
"Okay, so it's a no then... Hmmm erase, erase you bully!". She mumbled as she started scratching out the name.
"What about Taylor?". I suggested.
"Nah... too common, you know in my high school before? I feel like half of the school is named Taylor". She murmured.
"What do you think of Laura?. That one is classic". Piper place her hand on her bump.
"What do you think, bunny? You like Laura?" Piper said and rub her belly.
She is fond of calling our baby nicknames these past few months because we haven't thought of any name for her yet.
Sometimes even weird names. I've heard her call our baby twizzler, little bird, stinker, oreo, pixie, wiggle worm, baby chick and the weirdest one I heard is winnie the poo. Like who calls their baby after a cartoon character that doesn't even wear pants? That's crazy.
"Laura? I had a classmate named Laura before and she's weird. We used to call her sandy in 3rd grade, because she would eat sand. That's definitely not our baby's name." I said and shake my head. I never knew how much people I don't like, until this moment.
"Okay, how about this...
What if we just ask her?". Piper said pointing to her belly.
"What do you mean?". I asked confused.
"We'll write down 5 names that we like and we will say it out loud to the baby and if she move or kicks then that's going to be her name".
"What? That's fucking ridiculous!". I said laughing.
"Alex! Language! The baby can hear you!" Piper scolded me and put both her hands on either side of her belly as if trying to cover the baby's ears. Like, that's we're her ears are supposed to be.
"Besides it's going to be her name so why not let her choose". Piper continue.
"Alright, give me that fucking paper". Piper shot me a look for saying another bad word. "Sorry".
We spend the next minutes writing down the names that we like. We already have something in mind so we wrote it down.
"Okay, so this is how it's going to happen. I'll alternately say our chosen name to her and when she kicks that gonna be her name". Piper explained.
"And if she won't kick after you finished saying all the names?". I asked.
"We'll do it again tomorrow".
"Okay, fine with me". I agreed.
"Alright... Let's start with me... "Josephine".
Piper started and the baby didn't kick.
This is ridiculously crazy, letting a fetus choose her name?
She look at my paper "Ella". Still nothing.
"Kristen"
"Lauren"
"Riley"
"Quinn"
"Peyton"
"Irina"
The baby is still not making any movements and I was about to laugh. This is ridiculous, the baby doesn't even understand what is happening.
"Okay, so we're down to our last 2 names, Pop tart. If you can't choose today, we'll do it again tomorrow, okay? It's alright just take your time". Piper said to the baby gently and keep rubbing her belly.
"She's probably just sleeping". Piper said, she can possibly notice the skepticism on my face.
"Autumn" Piper continued and still nothing. "Dang! I like that name" She commented.
"Ysabella"
"Woah!". Piper said surprised and place her hand on her belly.
"She kicked! Oh my God! Ysabella?... There! She kicked again Alex, did you see it?".
"Seriously?". I asked in disbelief
"Try it. Go!". She grab my hand and place it on her belly. "Say her name".
"Ysabella". And there again our baby kicked. "Oh my goodness, Piper. I can't believe it".
Piper tried saying different names again but our baby won't respond. But everytime we say her name she would kick. I didn't think it would work but it did. I chose that name and our baby liked it.
We keep saying her name over and over until she ultimately kicked Piper very hard.
"Ow!ow!". Piper groaned.
"Are you okay?". I stood up from my chair to comfort my wife.
"Maybe we should stop". I suggested.
"Good idea. That was a strong kick. Wow!".
We stayed silent for a while and then Piper speak again.
"You know? I was thinking of a middle name. Actually I already have something in mind and I am sure you will like it".
We never talked about having a second name for our baby but knowing Piper? I guess I should've seen it coming. Both our names has a middle name in it, so it just feels right for our baby to have a middle name as well.
"Okay, what is it?".
Piper glance at me and a smile appeared on her face. She held up the paper and I couldn't believe what she wrote down.
Immediately my eyes began to water and I had to swallow a big lump in my throat.
"Really? Oh Piper". I said and I'm trying so hard to stop myself from crying. "You made me very happy".
"So I assume you approved of it". She said proudly.
Piper touch her belly and bent her head down to talk to our daughter.
"We can't wait to meet you Ysabella Diane Vause".
When she said the name I can't help and let a few tears escaped.
"Okay, stop... Stop crying or I'm going to cry. You know I won't be able to stop crying if I started".
Diane, is my mother's name. My mom is a very strong and hardworking woman. She worked four jobs just to support me growing up. She's tough and she would always have my back no matter what. She taught me how to be independent and how to be strong. Everything I am now, I owe it to my mother. I missed her all the time and in moments like this I wish she was here with me.
Losing a parent changes who you are. I often tell people it's like joining a shitty club that no one wants to be a part of.
After she died, I didn't know what the rest of my life had in store for me. I was wondering where the hell am I supposed to go on this journey of life.
I know that if my mom was still alive, she would be in awe of the things I've accomplished. She would be overjoyed at who I've chosen to give my heart to. I know she would tell me to slow down sometimes, to smile more, to trust that life is imperfect, yes, but beautiful anyways. I know she will be proud of the life that I have now.