Tick... Tick... BOOM!

I never wanted children.

Growing up I wasn't the type to play with dolls and imagine they were my babies, I didn't want to hold other people's kids nor did I do much babysitting. I believed in birth control, abortion, and avoided motherhood at all costs. I didn't dislike kids, but there was nothing better than being able to give them back to their parents.

Well, imagine my surprise when my biological clock more or less exploded last week. I don't know why or how, but I have babies on the brain! My period was 1 day late and I started freaking out thinking that I'd never be able to have kids - - God's cruel way of punishing me for avoiding them so much in my early 20s. Yes, I'm a bit over the top, outrageous and neurotic lately. I need to pop a pill and chill out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still enjoying being a newly wed and have no plans on popping out babies anytime soon (my husband and I are thinking 2012), but I have been blown away by the fact that overnight I entered "mommy in training" mode.

You can say that I'm traditional in the sense that I always wanted kids after marriage... and having dated nobody prior to my husband that was marriage material, well - - it's no surprise that I didn't want kids lol. Now that I'm in a loving marriage I think it started to hit me that the most beautiful thing two people can do together is create another life - - and it's SO much more amazing of an experience when it's void of drama or chaos. I smile knowing that when my husband and I have kids they'll be the most loved kids in the world (and the cutest lol) and I'm counting down the days 'til we create our little clan of awesomeness.

When did the baby itch hit you? Have you managed to avoid it?

Adventures on the CTA: Special Delivery

Pregnancy is often a joyous time for many woman. In addition to fussing over whether it's a boy or girl, picking a name and devouring all food in sight, many focus on what kind of birthing plan they want to follow. I've seen everything from natural births, at home births, highly medicated hospital births, water births...there are many options. However, I have yet to see a "CTA birth" on anyone's list.

Today on my way to work I had the pleasure of experiencing this first hand. The X4 Cottage Grove Express pulled up and I was thrilled to have my wait at the bus stop cut in half. I boarded the bus and noticed 2 women sitting in the front. They were the typical hood chicks...talking loud, etc. I didn't pay them much attention but couldn't help but overhear their conversation. One of them was teasing the other, holding up her camera phone and shooting a video of the other. Her friend kept talking loud...which turned into cursing loud and lots of moans and groans...but they sounded painful. At first I thought she was being dramatic but soon she called out to the bus driver "Okay, can you call them now?" I sat there puzzled. The bus immediately pulled over...halted to a stop at Congress and Michigan! What? I needed to get to work. Why the hell were we stopping! This was the X4! An express bus...get me to work, in an express manor! Another passenger asked what was going on and the bus driver informed us that the lady was going into labor and she had to wait for the ambulance to come.

I understood that an emergency was happening but I still needed to get to work. I hesitated a bit, unsure of what to do. Should I stick around and watch the miracle of life? Step over the people and get off the bus to catch another? Well, I managed to do both. I hung around briefly and watched the lady get coached on her breathing. It was actually interesting to watch as a life was about to enter the world...enter the world kicking and screaming on the floor of a dirty, cta X4 bus! A few moments later an X3 pulled up!

I was left wondering where was her boyfriend? husband? baby daddy? Why was she taking the CTA to the hospital? Why didn't she catch a cab? Was this her birth plan? I heard her friend mention that she had been in labor since the night before and that made me think to all of the tv shows on TLC: A baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, etc. They always check into the hospital when they go into labor. Did she have insurance? Wouldn't it be cool to be a nurse and help deliver babies! I stopped my wandering mind there.

I managed to get to work...and with the best excuse ever: Sorry I'm late. Someone went into labor on my bus and I had to catch another.