I'm not Buddha!

This week in pregnancy, which is 17 weeks and 5days (Not that I'm counting), has surfaced "the Bump" and some of the new glorious issues that come with "the Bump."

1) Let's face it. I'm gaining poundage like I've never gained poundage before, and have pridefully avoided until now. There is a sense of relief that I'm past the I've-got-me-a-gut phase to the "Oh, you're starting to look pregnant" phase. You'd think the latter comment would continue my sigh of relief. But, no, there is that part of me that is shrinking inside knowing that I'm now publicly bigger. Honey, it ain't gonna get any bit easier. I know, I know, I know. Thankfully I'm back on track weight-wise after unknowingly gaining to much my 1st trimester. I'm hell bent on staying within the 25-30 recommendation and staying active throughout (another blog entry entirely, I digress).

2) While it's inevitable that I'll be faced with MANY more upcoming "Bumps" in the road, so to speak. Namely, random comments from people impressing me with with their bump whisperer talents informing me that I'm are having a boy or girl depending on how the bump has morphed this which way or that. It's probably best to stave off all these up and coming bump adventures for now...as this will be unfortunately blogged about in the weeks to come. 

3)What inspired this blog occurred earlier this week. Waking up and momentarily forgetting that I'm pregnant. I reached under the blankets to rub my would-be flat tummy between by hipbones and - ?! A BUMP?! Oh, yes. That's right. I can't be the first woman who has forgotten that they are pregnant as they rouse from slumber. Can I? Well, later that day, I'm asked by someone I hardly know at all if they can rub my Bump. The same Bump that didn't exist earlier this morning. Okay, okay, okay. I realize that touching a pregnant woman's belly or bump is this huge cultural thing. Keep in mind that I wasn't mentally prepared to be asked so soon in my pregnancy. I was off guard. I happen to think it's rather creepy to physically assault a pregnant woman's bump whom you hardly know. I'll tolerate it from people I actually know (friends, close relatives, fellow human factory making women, etc). I also understand kids under the age of 8 being really curious about it. But, for the love of Pete, I'm pregnant - not Buddha!

What I really want to know is not why do people want to feel the bump but why do people think I'm a total crazy for not wanting new people to touch my stomach? Are they aware that the bottom of that bump they want to grope is my who-ha?! And do other women enjoy everyone treating their pregnant belly like public property?