We participated in the Bellies to Babies Celebration this past Sunday at the Croatian Cultural Center – a one day event geared for the mom-to-be.  I have to say it’s a wonderful place to be once you get over the shock of seeing so many bellies all in one location (and the fear that one of them may go into labour in your booth.)

Bellies, bellies, bellies.  All shapes and all sizes.  And belonging to all types of moms-in-training.  There were those who you’re not quite sure about until they smile shyly at you and gently rubs their tummy…those that now have so much belly there is no way we could fit two of them in our booth space…  those whose only sign of pregnancy is that perfect little cantaloupe peaking out of their Citizens of Humanity maternity jeans, and those rather like myself – whose ankles were so swollen in those latter months that my then CEO backed away in horror “LOOK at those puppies!”  High, low, tiny, wide…no matter the shape or size, the bellies were just so fabulous.

We had 1 woman in the booth with a toddler in tow, and she got that sudden look on her face – the one where she knew that she had to make a mad dash for the bathroom, but her toddler was not going to be able to keep pace with her in the crowd.  The look of consternation on her face as she contemplated leaving her big boy with a complete stranger who is flogging sandwich wraps.   The call of the bladder won out, and we happily entertained junior as he explained his mommy had to “pee lots.”  The great pee lady returned to much cheers and knowing smiles.  (And she paid for the Wrap n Mat that she had inadvertently clutched in her hand for the great run.) (more…)