by Michelle Stein posted in Pregnancy

This past weekend, I pulled into the parking lot of my local Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us store, ready to pounce on the 50-60-percent-off, store-closing sales -- and hopefully get Christmas shopping done early. That's when I saw it: An open parking spot right by the exit door.
As I started pulling in, I realized the space was reserved for "expectant moms" and "parents with newborns." I hesitated. Usually, I wouldn't dare taking up one of these spaces. Because I know exactly how stressful pretty much anything can be for a pregnant woman/new parents. So why not let them have this one thing -- which makes their lives a teeny bit easier -- all to themselves"

For some reason, though, this sign irked me on this day. "You know what, screw it," I thought to myself. The store would be closing in like 30 minutes. What's the harm" Would they actually tow my car if someone found out I just wanted a close parking spot for the heaping cart, full of discounted toys I would be buying" How would anyone even know I'm not pregnant anyway" I decided to live life on the edge. It wasn't until I put my car into park and took out my keys out of the ignition that it dawned on me.
Duh: I am pregnant.
Suddenly, being legitimately parked in the "expectant moms" space wasn't nearly as exhilarating.

This isn't the first time I've had a memory lapse of this sort. I've eaten plenty of cold...