Notes from a teetotaler
31 May
Last night my darling husband got drunk. This is noteworthy because as a consistently responsible drinker, getting intoxicated is a rarity for him. I felt like he was finally letting loose and having a good time because it was the first big event in which he didn’t have to take care of me. When I was drinking, I always complained that he never got drunk (misery loves company). Then once I was drunk I would chastise him for always telling me to slow down…even though just a few hours prior it’s likely that I asked him to tell me to stop if I started getting out of hand. I tried doing the same for him last night and I got the same result – a slurred “i’m just trying to have a good time.” I had to stop and laugh. I know those words too well. Luckily for him, he does not. His good times don’t normally result in mornings greeted with a massive headache and followed by hours of self-deprication.
Yesterday was just one of my strange sober experiences. Now that summer is unofficially here, I am sure to have many more. It’s funny that most people will just think it’s because I’m pregnant. They know nothing of what it took to get to where I am, and little of my drinking demons. That’s okay. Giving up the drink for pregnancy and motherhood sounds far more glamourous than being an alcoholic. Although, hiding it isn’t something I plan on. Clearly.
I told someone the other day that I feel like I am cheating sobriety by being pregnant. When the little lemon is born I will have one year under my belt, but just 3 of those months will have been conscious efforts. Then comes several (fingers crossed) months of breastfeeding and before I know it, it will be well over 18 months since I had my last drink.
Well, nothing too exciting here…just typing out some thoughts to quiet my mind before bed. Have I mentioned how crazy tired I have been? Goodnight.
Once those 18 months are up you’ll be chasing a toddler around and that doesn’t leave you any time to reach for the bottle! Before you know it years would have gone flown by – keep strong!
Ummm. . .you still totally get credit for not drinking during pregnancy. My doctors have all told me that a glass of wine a week (one even told me one a day!?!?) is okay during pregnancy. So do it for the baby and for yourself, but make sure you give yourself all the credit, I’d say.
I was thinking about you the other day regarding this very same topic. At least now it saves you from having to explain to people why you’re not drinking.
Do you find that some people you told gloss over it like you’re exaggerating your addiction? I can just see that reaction from some people .