Guess Who's Ovulating?

Okay, two kids later it’s not a surprise I have this wrinkly reminder gathered about my belly button of having brought two beautiful babes into the world. If I wriggle and suck it in the right way, I can almost hide it.

Almost.

During the last few weeks of my pregnancy with Sebastian, people would literally stop me in the streets telling me in French that I looked like I was going to “explode”.

The word “explode” rang in my ears several times a day from complete strangers.

It’s funny how the pregnant belly almost becomes public property. It’s perfectly okay for people to come up and touch you, and talk to you, and tell you that you’re going to “explode”, just because you’re sporting an 8lb basket ball under your shirt.

I believe all these little comments and gestures come from the fact that it is awfully exciting to know there’s a new baby coming into the world, and what a gift it is to be pregnant. (I love you, Amy!) At 5 months, the poor thing still gets the occasional bout of barfing!

While I was pregnant with my daughter, I really started to get a complex about the fact that people kept telling me I was going to have a boy.

“How the heck did they know?!”

The shape of my belly, the way it sat, etc. All these folk legends that some old granny pulled out of a dusty hat somewhere. Actually in both Japan and Canada people would tell me regularly that it was going to be a boy, and since I had decided I didn’t want to know before the big day itself, I started to believe it.

Just about the only clothes I had been gracefully given by others were soccer clothes and little boy outfits. Good thing I grabbed a few snuggly gender neutral outfits. Funny though, the only name we had chosen was a girl’s name.
Shoulda known.

The truth of the matter is that Mika couldn’t possibly be more girl. She practically came out of the womb with her pinky in the air.

And as for exploding, well, I wouldn’t have minded that as a potential port of exit while I was actually delivering that little critter. Given my living conditions at the time (Amy, don’t read this part!) the second child birth was MUCH more painful than the second. Having been a single mom toting a 2 year old and running my own day care with 9 chilren under 4 years old, I worked hard and a lot. When the big day finally came, I was just exhausted and didn’t have the punch it took to make it go on my own.

Geez. What is all this?

I think I’m ovulating.

Before I blast off for a cold shower, let me leave you with this. It used to be posted on my fridge while growing up as a young girl. I had the whole thing memorized word for word when I was 7 years old. Still do have it memorized, and I dare say it shaped who I am today as a Mom. Days like this, I wonder who the heck I would be without those little tigers.

Love those little belly wrinkles–souvenirs of your creative expression! When you finish reading this, close your computer and go do what matters most. You have the rest of your life for online shopping, Girl!

To My Grown-Up Son or Daughter

My Hands were busy through the day;
I didn’t have much time to play
The little games you asked me to.
I didn’t have much time for you.

I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook,
But when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun
I’d say: “A little later, Hon.”

I’d tuck you in all safe at night
and hear your prayers, turn out the lights,
Then tip toe softly to the door…
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past…
A little child grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side
His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play,
No good-night kiss,
No prayers to hear…
That all belongs to yesteryear

My hands, once busy, now are still,
The days are long and hard to fill,
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

Alice E. Chase – 1975

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