It was the middle of a steamy Texas summer, the AC was
panting along like a loyal family dog, and our apartment was finally clear of
back-to-back guests.
“It’s time,” my husband said to the receptionist on
the phone. Though his words were as cool as the ice cream I was spooning into
my mouth, there was panic in his eyes. With the corporate rug pulled out from under our
financial legs, we figured that vasectomy we’d been putting off for months ought
to be scheduled before our insurance ran out. Who can blame a guy for not leaping in line to get iodined and sliced down there?
Two days later—experiencing all the tired, aching,
nauseated, late feelings one gets—I held
a positive pregnancy test. Apparently, having a solid month of company didn’t dissuade
us from being in the mood.
I’ll be honest, when I saw those 2 pink lines, I
said some swear words. I was knee-deep into a fabulous love affair with my
evening summer cocktail, was this close
to being done with diapers forever (so I thought), and was holding out hope of
making it to the gut-curdling drop of Disney’s Tower of Terror before year’s
end, despite our recent loss of income. What can I say? I was going through a
selfish phase.
With each passing day of straddling the toilet yet craving
nothing but burritos (literally, ask anyone, I ate so many burritos), I slowly
crept out of denial. I bypassed the crappy first trimester and found out I was going
to give my husband a son. I coolly eased into those magic-middle-months where I
had a cute belly bump and basked in the assurance that I wouldn’t have to push said
baby out for several months. It was glorious. My coworkers wouldn’t let me do
any physical labor, I no longer looked like I just ate too many burritos, and the speculation of names and who the
little miracle would look like commenced.
Until…
Until someone asked me when my “twins” were due.
Let’s be honest. Answering a stranger’s questions
about my body is fun the first
dozen times. And, by fun, I mean tolerable.
By now, in the 8th month, I might as well
wear a bloody shirt.
(You guys have no idea how much I wanted to say, “Yeah.
I know what ‘causes this.’ The same thing that causes herpes!” just so his
shock at the intimacy of our two-second conversation would match my own.)
Instead of growing bitter (who me?) with the repetitive
questions about my body that strangers have no business asking, I figured I’d
publically air some of my own observations. Here are some answers… in case you were tempted to ask.
#1- Yes. I wish I could make a dent into a bottle of
wine. My love of the grape stuff hasn't gone away after 8 months. I’ve been
tempted to buy full bottles just so I can have a sip, but the judgmental looks
of store clerks are a total buzz kill.
#1A- Yes. I’m counting down the days. Yes I have a
cocktail recipe ready to go. I’m about to have THREE kids. It’s how I get through that 11th hour of the
day. Wanna fight about it?
#2- No, Random Lady who walked in on me flossing in
the restroom of Applebees, I’m not an extra on the Walking Dead. Pregnancy =
bleeding gums. It also equals tooth decay, so Imma keep doing this regardless
of that look you’re giving me.
#3- Yup. Having a boy means there’s a wee little
winkie in me at all times. Good observation. And no, unless I ask you directly
for an opinion, his circumcision-or-lack-thereof is nunya business.
#4- Nope. Wasn’t planned. We’ve established this. BUT!
Why is that a question I began hearing after 2 kids? Just because I didn’t plan
it doesn’t mean anyone with more than 2 is a poor planner. Your ideal number might
be 2 (mine once was), but that doesn’t mean others don’t plan to have 5 or 8 or
13. I mean, did you plan that extra 40lbs you’re carrying around? That’s none
of my business? Imagine that.
#5- Yes, that means we got rid of 99% of our baby
stuff years ago. Please don’t remind me how expensive it is unless you plan to
chip in. Cuz yeah, people stop throwing you baby showers after said 2nd
“appropriately desired” child. (This is NOT a hint for anyone I personally know
to run to Target for me. We’ve almost got it covered by now, but thanks!)
#6- Yes, I will have my hands full. Most people with
kids do, regardless of the number. That’s why I became a mother, because I
wanted full hands and a full heart. A gynecologist doesn’t complain (out loud)
about being paged into delivery at 3am—it’s what they signed up for. The
literary agent doesn’t roll their eyes when a requested manuscript falls in
their inbox—they requested it because
they love reading and see promise, despite the long hours and pile that won't go down.
I’m the type of person who chronically devotes
myself to too many commitments. What’s better than devoting myself to another
HUMAN BEING? Not much in this world is greater than that. But, if I’m about to
drop an armful of groceries while my girls cry in the cart and my body tenses
in a Braxton Hicks contraction, by all means, help me out. Don’t just tell me
my hands are full.
#7- Yes
#8- No
#9- Maybe
#10- Absolutely not, are you nuts?!
(I’ll let you play jeopardy and come up with your own
questions for those last answers. Whatever makes you more comfortable about my body
and leaves you feeling like we’re all on the same page here. Go ahead. Whatever
you want. I won’t judge.)
Bottom line, if you don’t know at least one
interesting fact about me (meaning if you aren’t a friend, family member, or at
least a comfortable acquaintance), first ask yourself if your question is
necessary. Most of the time, I don’t mind answering the basics to fill your
need for small talk. I get it. But, don’t be rude, vulgar, invasive, or “funny.”
I’m done with that.
P.S. To the one (ONE!) stranger at my girl’s
gymnastics studio who only asked me
how I was feeling and if there was
anything I needed help with…bless you. Bless your life. Bless your kid’s lives
and their kid’s lives. May riches rain on you forever because you’re a
beautiful soul and I wish I could kiss your face.
