Pregnant in China

Today’s the first time someone gave up the seat to me on public transportation. I had deliberately missed one train on the subway so that I could be first in line for the next train and grab an available seat. My destination was at least 40 minutes away and I didn’t want to spend it standing up. There was only one seat available in the car that arrived and it was almost mine. Two teenaged girls got to it the same time as I did and one of them took it. I had a second of annoyance on my face before the lady sitting next to her took a glance at my belly and my standard pregnant woman apron dress, widened her eyes, and got up to let me sit. The second teenage girl almost sat down in the seat but I didn’t hesitate this time and squeezed into the seat as I said thank you to the lady that stood up. I guess this instance was proof of good and bad manners of people in Beijing.

Today’s also the first time I bought baby clothes! There’s a boutique by my house that is having an end-of-lease sale, so I got a green with yellow polkadots onesie and a yellow sweater for baby. SO CUTE! Both 100% cotton and although made in China they are “export quality”. They didn’t shrink after the first wash, so all is good. Although my heart wishes to buy baby organic cotton brand name clothes, building a whole wardrobe with it doesn’t seem frugal nor practical. I read that some study out there took a sample of children clothes in China and found that a majority of them have some residue of pesticides or whatever chemicals, so I have to be very careful about whom I buy from and always wash before use. This boutique owner is very knowledgeable about where her stock comes from and the quality of the products. That’s as good of an assurance as I’ll get for now in China.