Out of the house

During the winter, I was totally reliant on babysitters to ever get a run in. I could bundle Claire up and take her in the running stroller, but after about 20 minutes she just wasn't that happy. Now that it's nice out, joining me for a run is one of her favorite things -- she just sits back and takes in the scenery, occasionally cooing or sticking a foot in her mouth. She likes it so much that I almost prefer running with her to running alone, even though it's definitely harder to run while pushing a baby in a stroller.

One of the great benefits of this is that I can now use the times that I have babysitters to do other things. Yesterday Mom and Dad kept Claire for a couple of hours because Dad is in Atlanta for the rest of this week and didn't want to go that long without seeing her. I went shopping, for summer maternity clothes and a slew of baby shower gifts, and it was awesome. Claire loves to wander around stores, but only in the Bjorn, and it's too much of a hassle to try on clothes when you have to keep taking that thing off and putting it back on.

I hit the jackpot at TJ Maxx, by the way -- a half-dozen cute, cheap summer dresses and skirts and extra-long camisoles that work already (I'm wearing one of the skirts right now) and will carry me all the way through the warm months with a big belly. Shorts aren't flattering on my best day, so I'm not going to even try them with a belly band.

This afternoon Ron kept Claire for a couple of hours. He's recently returned from the Caribbean and is ready as always to report for babysitting duty (he's coming again tomorrow, then Mom's on for Thursday. I know how lucky I am). I decided to use the time to write a story that's due soon.

I have gotten in the habit of going to the hospital to do my writing. It was Dad's suggestion and it was a perfect one. There are lounges with wireless Internet everywhere, but I usually set up shop in the labor and delivery waiting room; it's fun to be around people who are excitedly awaiting a birth. My usual corner has plenty of electrical outlets and comfortable chairs including an ottoman, and is about 10 feet from vending machines, water fountains and bathrooms. Plus, the hospital is only five minutes from our house, parking is plentiful, and unlike coffee shops, there's no subtle pressure to buy anything.

I usually overhear at least one interesting tidbit per day when I have my headphones in and people assume I'm not paying attention to them. (For the record, I am listening to music, but quietly enough that I can hear people too. If the music's too loud, I can't concentrate on writing. And it's bad for your hearing.) It's like watching people with your sunglasses on, but less creepy, or so I like to think.

Today I heard a mother tell her son, "Thirsty is not a word." Really? And last time I heard a guy tell someone on the phone that he was at Jersey Mike's. Also false.

Gonna go eat a ham sandwich before Bible study.