During my daily lunch duty a sweet second-grade boy raised his hand. I walked over to see what he needed. He asked me one simple question:
"Mrs. Walrus," (the younger children don't quite have my name right yet :-p) "Someone told me you were going to have a baby. Is that true?"
I was wondering how long it would be before a student, or even another teacher asked me that question. I am the right age, there has been an epidemic of pregnant teachers at our school, and my stomach seems to have a natural pooch that looks like I'm a few months pregnant. Exhibit A:
Anyway, I can't blame the children for thinking I'm pregnant. I don't know if someone just made it up or if they are getting me mixed up with another special ed. teacher who announced that she was pregnant just yesterday.Either way, I laughed and adamantly told him, "NO, NO NO! I am not going to have a baby! My belly sticks out a little bit, but I'm not going to have a baby!"
Now that that is cleared up, I can't help but wonder how widespread this rumor has become. I made sure I loudly told the story in the teacher's lounge during lunch in case the rumor spreads to the teaching population at the school where I work.
This situation is both funny and sad. Funny for obvious reasons, but sad because I wish it was true. I really am okay with waiting a little longer to have a baby, but it's harder when I'm at work. Last year a teacher had a baby in December and another teacher had a baby in April. This year, one teacher had a baby in December, one is due this month, and another just announced her pregnancy yesterday (and this is the same girl who had the first baby last year), as I mentioned already. And I have a sneaking suspicion that one other teacher might be pregnant too, and just not talking about it yet (I shouldn't guess things like that, because that is precisely how rumors like this spread). Anyway, when I'm at work in the lunchroom, the only things I hear about are babies, toddlers, pregnancy, morning sickness, and breast feeding. All the teachers compare their stories, and all I can do is sit there and listen and ask questions. I just wish I could join in sometimes! I wish I could be the one to announce to everyone that I'm pregnant!
Although I am feeling a little jealous, I'm actually doing a little better than I was a year ago. I know that every day that passes is a day closer to the day that I WILL have a REAL baby bump (and not a french fry or cookie bump :-P) Also, knowing that summer is near makes it easier. I wouldn't want to be pregnant when we go to Cedar Point or Disney World/Universal Studios. I wouldn't want a really pregnant belly during bathing suit and tank/halter top season. I will not be one of those woman wearing a bikini to the beach or pool with a pregnant belly. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just know I wouldn't feel comfortable. So anyway, knowing that summer is coming makes it a little bit easier too.
I am glad I'm not pregnant at this exact moment, but that doesn't make it any more fun to know that people think I'm pregnant when I'm really not. Even if it is a bunch of second graders :-P I hope I don't hear anything else about this rumor tomorrow!
I totally know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteI go through this mess of emotions just about every day!
ReplyDeleteI feel this every day! My kids do this all the time! Like, "When are you having a baby, Mrs. C?" "Can we throw you a baby shower, Mrs. C?" "So when will you start your babies, Mrs. C? Isn't it about time? Don't you want one?"
ReplyDeleteTo which I want to scream, YES! But I just smile and push it off.
And I also worry about the rumors. Seriously, how far have they gone?
But I wouldn't worry! Your belly really doesn't stick out at all!
Wow, I COMPLETELY understand what you mean in this post. We're waiting a while longer to have kids (unless God chooses otherwise!) but there are certainly days when I find myself placing my hand where a baby-bump should be.
ReplyDeleteA couple times when we had "scares" and I had to take a PG test, it came back negative and I always ended up shedding a few tears. Hubby never really understands the tears, knowing that we have decided to wait... but I guess there is a part of me that will always be disappointed until the day it comes back "positive." I think God planned it that way...for women to be lifegivers and nurturers. We have baby names picked out, and sometimes I even have dreams about our some-day babies. But God knows...and someday, the timing will be perfect.
Hang in there, girl.
I know how you feel. I don't teach but sometimes it seems like everyone but me is pregnant. In time though no need to rush these things it's a big deal.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel too! I'm surrounded by pregnant women and babies lately, and it's hard to convince myself that it would be good to wait a little longer. But the Lord has His plans, and it'll all work out when it's meant to.
ReplyDelete