dreams

One thing I didn't know before becoming pregnant was that pregnant women tend to have vivid, and sometimes crazy, dreams. I'm not claiming this as scientific fact or anything. But during my first trimester when I started having racy dreams of all sorts involving all sorts of people (but usually not my husband), I mentioned it to my cousin and found out I was not alone. "I woke up each morning feeling like I had to pray and ask for forgiveness!" she said. I didn't go that far--while I've always had a bit of control over my dreams and been able to either remain asleep or wake up during the dream if I desired, it's not like I can tell myself what to dream and then do it (at least not all of the time). I just accepted the dreams, got through the first trimester, and moved on.

My second trimester was a bit different, looking back. I don't remember having any dreams other than the ordinary, and I really don't remember having any of those. But by then, mom was at home in hospice care and I had moved back in with my parents temporarily to help care for her. (For those of you that don't know, my mother passed away in late November from an unknown type of cancer. She had been bedridden since early July. My old blog gives that story.) That was the same time that my hips started bothering me to the point where I couldn't sleep, and I didn't sleep much anyway listening for my mom to call me over the baby monitor I had purchased early and used to make sure I heard her if she needed anything at night. Dreams were rare and fleeting at that point in my life.

During my third trimester, the "crazy" in my dreams has ratcheted up to a new level. I've already described the night with the most vivid--and humorous--dreams here (including one with my husband attempting to breastfeed our dog, which I hear our friend Will thought was hilarious). Last week (or possibly early this week) there was one that involved practically my entire high school class gathered for who-knows-what (but our current ages) and three of them having a basket-shooting contest (taking place in a ballroom or fancy hall of some sort) full of pomp and hype. I didn't pay much attention to the contest since I don't like basketball and was too busy learning about my friend Rob's life in the intervening years since I'd seen him. He had a several-yearbook (meaning a yearbook that covered several years) detailing all of it. I credit that one to Facebook and all of the recent contact with my old classmates. And last night was one that I can't even begin to explain since I'm quite fuzzy on the details myself. I do know, though, that it involved my distant cousin Jennifer and some horny high school boys who were in love with her; a group of about four (including Jennifer and myself) who could turn into wolves and back at will (not werewolves, though; just ordinary wolves); Hugh Hefner (I watched an episode of True Hollywood Story about him last night, so that explains that one); and a pain-during-labor-and-delivery contest, in which women in labor were on a live feed television show. Whomever suffered the most pain while giving birth without giving in and getting painkillers or an epidural won. Thankfully, I wasn't in that contest; they were all of Hef's girlfriends or wives. And yes, this was all one dream, at least as I remember it.

But now dream time has ended and real life has begun (ha! clever transition :)). So I'm off to editing a book and taking care of the puppy while my husband sleeps. They asked him to work overtime today or tomorrow, but it seems as if he really is sick rather than having allergies or a sinus infection: he almost stayed home from hockey last night (which is saying a lot for him since he pays so much to play and hates to waste the money), only had one beer after the game (also saying a lot; he usually heads to the bar with the others), and was running a slight fever before he left. I told him to rest all day and work Friday if he feels better (he hates passing up overtime; I'm not trying to be a slavedriver!). I feel so bad for him that I told him not even to work on the baby's room or the basement or anything else that I have on his honey-do list today. I guess it's just my turn to earn the big bucks today, but I would like to know: any crazy pregnant dreams of your own? Do share!