I'll probably jinx myself by saying this, but no stranger has tried to reach out and touch my abdomen yet. The only Metro encounter I've had so far is a woman who asked when I was due, followed by whether I had experienced workplace discrimination yet. Um ... maybe she was an employment lawyer looking for a new client? She — and the woman sitting next to her — then informed me I was carrying a boy. I guess we'll see about that ...

I think pregnancy lasts 9 months because it takes at least that long to adjust to the concept that you are having a baby, and it is growing inside you, and your life's about to change in ways you cannot imagine. Or ways you can try to imagine — my subscription to "Parenting" magazine has started and I'm wondering if it was such a good idea. It almost seems like too much information at this stage. I want to remain naiively romantic about life with my new baby as long as possible before the reality of diapers and sleeplessness and toys in every corner comes crashing in.

And here's the theme of the nursery (otherwise known as Tinkle Crinkle by Lambs & Ivy) ...

Several people have now told me I'm "glowing." I think it's what people feel like they should say when you're so obviously pregnant that there's not much else you can be complimented on. I don't see any difference, personally. And half the time, I've got blush on anyway. Then again, I should take whatever praise I can get!

Meanwhile, I'm officially in full on leaning backward while waddling, can't see my toes when I look down, can't bend over, protruding bellybutton mode. A hair over 13 weeks to go. It's a long time when you're sleeping badly most nights, but not very long at all when you realize that labor and delivery — not to mention parenthood itself — awaits at the end of it.

Finding child care looks like it's going to be an even bigger challenge than I'd thought. The highly recommended Bright Horizons chain's downtown and Silver Spring locations are essentially limited to government employees since they get first preference and there are only 10 infant slots open at a time. And Monday Morning Moms has no providers offering part-time care which, as they explained, is a rarity, especially in Montgomery County. Nanny share may turn out to be our only option. But I can't be the only woman going back to work full-time and needing part-time care. What the heck is everyone else doing?