Big Girls DO Cry

by Alison Friedman in Mommy's Musings, Pregnancy

This morning, it happened. I turned into the C word. Ew, get your head out of the gutter. The C word, in the land of pregnancy, is “crazy.” Or, more clinical, probably: hormonal. For the love of all things pituitary, there I was, driving in my car with sobby, snotty tears streaming down my face. And why?

Because of a song! One that I had never even given a moment’s consideration in the times I’d heard it in the past.

So there I was, minding my own business and driving to lunch on the 101 and I heard “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and as I listened to the words, I bawled! And it wasn’t even the real Frankie Valli singing with The Four Seasons. I was listening to “Jersey Boys” because not only am I apparently an emotional wreck, but, newsflash, I’m a huge theater nerd! So anyway, there I am listening to a showtune cover of a du-wop boy band and having an Oprah moment.

And I realize I’ve heard this song a zillion times. And then I realized even further that this song is usually associated with weddings or first loves or big fancy marriage proposals. But here I am thinking about my little girl. It was weird but then I had an epiphany: Do you know how many times the word “baby” is in the lyrics? I mean, really, it’s like overkill for a 38-week pregnant lady. It’s actually about 21 times because of all the chorus repeats. But, as crazy as it sounds, it totally works as a love song to a new little girl.

Even though I haven’t seen her yet, I know she’ll just be too good to be true and I won’t be able to take my eyes off of her. And after 10 long months of carrying her, I do want to hold her so much. Every lyric just lined up so nicely with how I’m feeling about our daughter who’s due any day, and I’ll admit, I felt like wannabe Frankie, John Lloyd Young, was totally complimenting my kid through my Jetta’s stereo, calling her a pretty baby and all. I answered back like a prayer lady in a Southern Baptist church: Mmmm hmmm, sing it!

I dried my eyes in time for lunch, transformed back to a normal person, and carried on with my day. But now I know I have a new song to love and a new reason to love it. During the drive, I had mini daydreams and visions of being up with the baby at night in her room, gliding her to sleep, and telling her all about the adventures we have in store. Because just as much as she needs us to thrive, we’re excited to need her in our lives. It’s amazing what music can do for the soul.

And no, we’re not naming her “Sherry.”

You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I’m alive
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you

Pardon the way that I stare
There’s nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it’s real
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you

I love you baby and if it’s quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don’t bring me down I pray

Oh pretty baby, now that I’ve found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you

You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I’m alive
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you