I wasn’t going to write this post out of sheer embarassment. I haven’t even told my family what I did the week-before-last. Greyson and I only told some close friends the stupid, stupid thing I did. I’ve tried hard these last eight months not to “blame it on the baby.” But, I can only chock this dumbness up to my progesterone fueled body.
I didn’t believe that “pregnancy brain” was a real thing. There has been research as to whether the hormone filled, sleep deprived brains of pregnant women and new moms do cause forgetfulness or “brain fog.” I’m slowly getting over the embarassment. I’m posting this on behalf of pregnant women everywhere. This is my confession…
We were getting ready for a three hour drive to Charlotte to see the Carolina Panthers play Sunday-before-last. We were feeling hopeful even though our team is the worst in the league. Greyson was getting ready. I stopped at the ATM and grabbed us some breakfast to eat in the car.
I drive a 2005 Jeep Liberty. It’s the first big thing Greyson and I ever bought together back when we were engaged. It’s the first brand-new car I’ve ever owned. I lovingly call it the “Baby Jeep.”
I noticed the Baby Jeep’s tank was only half full so I decided to top it off. Responsible right? You’d think. By the time I got back home and we loaded up, the engine wasn’t starting correctly. Last time I had the oil changed the mechanic said I was almost due for new spark plugs. Greyson said, “Well, we’ll have to take it in tomorrow.” We hopped in his car and off we went to see another terrible football game by our beloved Panthers.
The next day I followed Greyson as he drove my poor, sputtering, exhaust spewing baby down the street to the auto mechanic. I then went to the OB’s office for my appointment. Right before they called me in he called my cell. “Hey, so apparently you got a bad tank of fuel, ” he said. I said, “What! Oh my God!” We deduced that indeed the problems started after I filled up the tank the day before. Like most Americans we were cursing BP and planning to sue them. “How dare that company pollute our car and the ecosystem off our Gulf Coast!”
I was waiting for the Doctor alone in the exam room and it hit me. I replayed the previous morning in my head. I tried to think of every step I had taken at that BP station near our house. I thought, “Oh my God I did not do that! Did I?” I called Greyson, “Hey, I mean, you don’t think I put Diesel in the tank do you?” Silence. We contemplated this as my blood pressure rose. He finally spoke, “Amy, did you put Diesel in the Jeep?” The doctor came in at that point and I had to hang up.
The doctor did all her usual 3rd trimester checks. She then asked me if everything was okay. I told her how apparently my mind had become unleaded and was looking for a little reassurance. I said, “I mean, surely I didn’t put Diesel fuel in my car!” She looked at me with kind eyes filled with pity and said, “You probably did. Pregnant women often do things like this.” She went on to explain pregnancy brain and it’s symptoms, of which, putting Diesel in a car you’ve been fueling up for 5 years could be one.
We caught it in plenty of time before any major damage was done. To the Jeep that is. My brain was already too far gone. It cost a lot more than anyone expecting a baby should spend, but the engine got flushed out and it’s driving fine. We even got new spark plugs.
My husband did make some cracks about how I drive a Jeep and not a tractor. But, for the most part was extremely kind to say things like, “I mean, I could’ve done it. It happens.” But, the damage to my ego was done. I felt terrible and ashamed. I had poisoned my Baby Jeep. I’m blaming it on the baby for now. Let’s hope pregnancy brain subsides so I don’t poison my human baby. Then who would I blame it on?
that is hilarious…
I almost did this one morning on my way to work… I realized after the first squeeze of the handle, just before any made it way in…
you have a lot on your mind… much more important things than gas vs. diesel.
This exact thing happened to me about two weeks ago, EXCEPT that I kept trying to get the nozzle in the tank and it wouldn't fit. I was getting really irritated and confused, and then I looked up and saw it was Diesel. The tank had been designed not to accept a Diesel nozzle, or vice versa. Anyway, the nozzle was too big. I think this was in my husband's car which is pretty new, so maybe they've now come up with a means to safeguard against pregnant women putting Diesel in gasoline-powered vehicles. Anyway, sorry about that, but baby brain is very real. In fact, I just forgot the other thing that I was gonna write, and I will blame the baby. It's worse after they're born when the sleep-deprivation sets in. Then you start to get your sanity back, but just marginally. I think this explains why daughters think their mothers are crazy and totally out of it.
Don't feel bad – I watched a non-pregnant woman put diesel in a non-diesel suburban one day. (and i've seen many people attempt to but the nozzle won't fit.) Of course I would have said something to her but (1) I was a couple rows over from her and (2) she was being a raving lunatic bitch to whoever she was talking to on her cell phone. so I just watched and laughed a little to myself.
And pregnancy brain is very real. As is baby brain. And mommy brain. Once egg meets sperm our brains are never quite the same again.
You have to love pregnancy brain! At least you have a good excuse!
my friend did that when she was pregnant. you are SO not alone!!!
Honey, I could easily see myself doing that NOT pregnant. Half the reason I live in Jersey is so I don't have to pump my own gas.
If you'd like a sneak peek at what an outing with a 5 year old can entail, check out my latest post:
My Life as an Amusement Park
http://bit.ly/9rLRtS
Remember, forewarned is forearmed!
Oh girl… that sounds like pregnant brain to me! At least you caught it in time!!! I can totally relate – wouldn't have been surprised AT ALL to do the same thing!
Amy, if it makes you feel better I did that a couple years ago….well tried to put Diesel in my car but the spout is bigger so it wouldn't fit. Maybe it is hereditary not pregnancy. I say you blame the gas station, damn BP. Love you! Did a little catching up on the blog today and loved every minute of it.
[…] That I will have a moment of pregnancy brain like I did last time. You may recall this $600 mistake. […]
Oh Amy! …. I did this several years ago, only I did not have pregnancy brain to blame for it. I was just in a hurry and not paying attention. I wish that the nozzle didn’t fit, but it did and I filled the tank with diesel. That was only problem #1. I was driving the company van – Problem #2! The company that I was working for? The Baptist Children’s home. So, when the van came to a halt on I-85 leaving us stranded, I was stranded with 6 teenagers – Problem #3. Not only were we stranded, I did not own a credit card at the time and had little to no cash on hand – Problem #4. We called a sister children’s home to come rescue us and were finally able to carry on with our day.
It was not until the next day when I was refueling the borrowed van in order to return it that I realized my mistake. To say that my boss was irritated would be putting it lightly.
A few days letter a memo was sent out to the entire staff and faculty of the Children’s home detailing that all vehicles were indeed unleaded and that our gas cards would no longer work at the diesel pumps.. Now the whole world knew of my mistake. Just to make sure they sent the same memo out to the folks at the home where we borrowed the van.
To rub it in a little more, my coworkers took said memo, framed in in a lovely gold frame and hung it on the office wall in our cottage. Shameless.
You are not alone – we all do crazy stuff from time to time. At least you have pregnancy brain to blame this one on.
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