So after another teacher in the building said something about my growing tummy in front of my whole class, I decided I better tell them the news before someone else did. (Luckily they didn't figure out why the other teacher was talking about me getting bigger). Towards the end of the day I decided to play hangman with them. We started out with our spelling words and then for the last one I did the word "baby". I told them that it was not a spelling word, it was a surprise that I was going to tell them about. So they figured out the word and just stared at me blankly. I said, "Why do you think I might have picked the word baby?" And they started guessing things like..."Because Christmas just passed and Jesus was a baby...." and "Babies are born for New Year's..." I said, "Actually, someone you know is going to be having a baby." It took them a few guesses (that included "your cousin!" "my mom!" and "the principal!") but they finally said, "YOU!!!" They were all very excited and one of my little boys said, "But you're skinny!" just like my brother did when he found out! They asked a lot of questions about it being a boy or a girl, what we would name it, and started giving name suggestions - Oscar, Tony Hawk, and Jiggles being my favorites. But they let me off the hook by not asking any hard-to-answer questions.
Well...I guess the kiddos went home to think about me being pregnant and came back this morning with some interesting questions and comments. Here are some that I remember:
"Mrs. F, I saw this thing on tv once about this baby with two heads. Do you think your baby will have two heads?"
"We know that we can't make fun of you for getting fat. That's just what happens."
Random point in the day - E: "Can I feel it?" Me: "Feel what?" She comes over and puts her hand on my stomach. "Ooh, I feel the baby!"
"Mrs. F, if you are going to have a baby, why aren't you fat yet?" this comment was followed by "Well, her tummy is a little chubby."
"So...when the baby is born, can we keep it as a class pet??"
Aah, kids. I'm glad they're so excited, though. They told all the other classes at lunch and every teacher they passed in the hallway. At one point a kindergartener came up and hugged me and one of my little girls says, "You just hugged the baby in her tummy."
I do have one little girl that is not so enthused. She has never experienced a pregnant lady before, so she was pretty confused when the other kids started talking about my stomach getting bigger. She came up to me later and said, "Mrs. F...um, is there really a baby inside your stomach?" I said, "Yes." (not wanting to tell her its not really my stomach...). She puts her hand on my belly, shivers and says, "Gross." All day today, every time she saw me she made a face like she smelled something nasty. Thanks, kid. Glad to know you appreciate the miracle of life. :)
I always know it is time to take a new picture when my class comes in and more than one student tells me I grew. I look bigger in that picture, though, than I feel like I really am. I am doing well with weight gain so far. As of my doc's appointment this week I have gained 5.5 pounds total. Not bad! I've been worried about weight gain because I'm not the best about choosing healthy snacks. I will pick a chocolate chip cookie over a granola bar anyday. I have been snacking on bananas and yogurt, though. I do the best I can....I just sometimes feel the need for some icecream. Or cupcakes. :)
