"They say goldfish have no memory ....

I guess their lives are just like mine.
And the little plastic castle is a surprise every time."

~ From "Little Plastic Castle" by Ani Difranco


This is one of my favorite Ani Difranco songs because I love the image of a shiny little fish swimming around, rediscovering a castle every few seconds. "Ooooh look! A castle!"

Lately, I think I know how that fish feels. With six months of pregnancy officially completed, I no longer wake up in the morning surprised about the strange lump in my belly or the ache in my back. I'm pretty used to them by now, and I don't forget that I'm pregnant anymore. But there are lots and lots of other things I do forget. Like where I put my car keys. Or if I've taken my medicine yet today. Or when the baby is due.

On Sunday, for example, I told Mom's friend I was due March 19.*

"I thought it was February," Mom said.

"Oh yeah." I said.

Part of me is afraid my subconscious is trying to prepare me for a baby who takes her time. I'm not very pleased with that idea. But I do take comfort in the knowledge that however poky she may be, I'm sure my doctor won't let her hang around an extra month.

I also take comfort in the fact that although my memory is bad, my sense of smell is freakishly good. Like a bloodhound's. Although, come to think of it, maybe that's not such a good thing. More often than not, what I smell is poopy or rotten or charred. Not a great endorsement of my homemaking skills, is it? Oh well. I'd still be happy with my olfactory gift if only I could use it to locate my car keys. Let me know if you see them lying around.

Oooooh look! Car keys!



*My actual due date, February 19, has been confirmed to the day by two ultrasounds, in addition to the doctor's little slide rule chart.