Queen for 3 more weeks

Over the past month or so, I’ve noticed something interesting:  Coloradans have become nicer.  Drivers let people cross the street without growling.  People open doors for others.  Some shoppers have let others cut in line ahead of them!

Is it because it’s Spring?  The snow has melted, the sun has come out, and people are more chipper?  I dunno. Maybe it’s just me.

Actually, that’s exactly what I think it is.  I think it’s me.  It’s the pregnancy factor!

I’ve noticed lately that visibly pregnant women get a little extra special treatment.  People give up seats for me and say “excuse me” even if *I* run into *them.*  I even had the most relaxing time as a bridesmaid in early May; most of the bridal party were doctors, and they wouldn’t let me do a thing.  According to them, my only job was to “eat, relax, and not go into pre-term labor.”  Can’t beat that!

There’s one drawback, however. When I see women pushing a stroller or toting a few kids around, they don’t get the red-carpet treatment.  Once the child is actually *outside* of a woman’s body, the magic disappears.  This observation was confirmed last weekend when I met a couple at Starbucks.

I was picking up a few drinks for my family at a Denver Sbux when a lady congratulated me out of the blue.  She asked how far along I was, do we have names picked out, and all that.  We chatted for about 5 minutes, and it was a fun conversation.  Then, at the very end, the husband said, “Just be aware.  People treat you really well now; shoot, you could walk across I-25 and all the cars will stop for you, smile, and wave.  But the moment that child is in a stroller or a baby carrier, the kindness is gone.  People will go back to being irritated.”

He said it with an air of humor, but it did confirm what I’ve been observing lately.

So now I’m wondering:  How can I milk this treatment over the next 3 weeks?  I’m at a loss.  I feel like I’ve been given a free pass to something, but the ink on the ticket is smudged and I can’t read what it’s for. If you have any ideas, I’m all ears!

Well, worst-case, I’ll just keep enjoying the little things.   It’s just too bad that it only works for pregnant women; I wish Julie & Alan could carry around their adoption application and get the same treatment!