This is what I feel like saying to all the lovely questions and comments I've been getting lately. In the past 4 months, I have been asked 4 times if I'm pregnant. The last two happened Tursday and Friday of last week. Another one was by my aerobics instructor AFTER having worked out for an hour. That did not go over well. The first, in September, was in a room full of teachers at my school, and the teacher who asked was a Spanish teacher who didn't quite understand my quietly embarrassed "NO" the first time around, so she repeated "When are you due?!? The baby?!?" To which I said, quite loudly this time, "I am NOT pregnant!" And so, dear readers, I ask you, what would you do in this situation?!? I have gone from tears to laughter on this one, to finally just telling people, yeah, I've got a gut, it's been hard to get rid of since the last baby. And in my dreams I add, and my, your butt is big, really going hard on those chips and chocolate these days, hey?!? My lovely physio friend told me to tell people that I have a curvy spine and that it just makes my stomach stick out more and that there's not much I can do about it. She even had a fancy anatomical description of it, which I fail to remember. And I throw in my lovely Celiac disease to explain some bloating which adds to my pregnant look, but to be honest, since changing my diet I feel less bloated than ever. But whatever will help, right?!? Of course people are somewhat flustered and apologetic afterwards, but I must say, the last two didn't even seem too embarrassed. The one lady even went so far as to tell me that I should maybe see a doctor about it, as her one friend was asked for years if she was pregnant and finally went to the doctor about it and found out she had a humungous cyst even though she felt terrific. That was helpful. And the other lady tried to make me feel better by saying, "but you're so tiny everywhere else!!" as if that was supposed to make me feel so wonderful. Anyway, free tip for all of you out there...IT IS NEVER APPROPRIATE TO ASK IF SOMEONE IS PREGNANT!! What if I was and just not telling anyone yet (not the case, fyi)? What if I was emotionally unstable and that put me over the edge? (It kind of did for a while, honestly). What if I'm just going for a fat look? What if I just really can't give up the chocolate addiction? Feel free to flood the comments section with other inappropriate questions and embarrassing moments, I need to know I'm not alone :).
In other news, I haven't yet started my Christmas shopping. Appalling to some of you Christmas fanatics, I'm sure. I almost bought a Christmas decoration for $10 at Superstore the other day, but I really struggle to justify a $10 purchase of a silver little tree when people are starving out there. Sorry for the soapbox, but it's a real struggle for me. I'd love to make all gifts or just donate to a charity or something, but I'm too lazy (for gift-making) and fear people wouldn't like it, and can't seem to quite take the charity plunge for fear of offending family members. In the end, we will buy something, feel partially guilty, but somewhat glad for not going over the top, and try and find more places for stuff in our house and also be grateful for these gifts that were lovingly bought and chosen and do truly bring some joy and fun to the holidays and joy felt in the giving as well. You should check out
the advent conspiracy for some good Christmas inspiration. Don't get me wrong, I love getting stuff, and giving stuff, and I see value in that too, I just don't know what's reasonable anymore. What do you do for Christmas? Do tell, I'd love to hear.
And finally, a picture of our little 3-year-old trapped in a 1-year-old body with 1-year-old coordination. Sammy has decided that he needs to sit in Luke's booster seat now, and eat like a "big boy". It's disastrous but watching him throw a fit if we try to contain him in his highchair isn't much fun either. And this is entertaining, albeit messy. We do win sometimes, fyi, even though I have been referring to Sammy as "Bam Bam" lately (remember the Flinstones?!?) because he's ridiculously strong and tough. Anyway, here's today...boy child eating yogurt.
That's worth a perma-mommy-tummy, right?!?
8 comments:
oh Corinna, I feel for you! I think that would send me over the edge, too if people were asking me that when I wasn't prego. And I agee that it is never ok to ask if you're pregnant unless you are VERY sure that the person is! And I have to say for the record, that I have never thought that you actually looked pregnant (well, except when you were!)...and I can't believe people would comment on it. I think you look great!
I am sorry people are so rude and insensitive about being pregnant (or not being preg.)! Sammy is SO cute eating that yogurt; definitely worth your "perma-mommy-tummy" whatever size or shape it is in. I can easily join the club of having a "perma-mommy-tummy":)
bam bam bam bam!!!! Love it.
Sheri-Lee
Dear Corinna... I just can't believe all these insensitive, strange people!!!! It really is rude! That really would send me over the edge too. Dido to what Heather said... you look great!
It's hard to believe the insensitivity/lack of common sense/just plain stupidity of people. If the person hasn't told you or you haven't seen the positive pregnancy test, DON'T ASK. It should be your goal to make these people as uncomfortable as you can. "No, why do you ask?" or burst into tears, "No, but we've been trying for years." or just "No. Don't you know you should never ask someone that?" If they have the nerve to be so direct, you should do the same.
All that being said, while I have never asked someone if they're pregnant, I HAVE said some very stupid things in my lifetime.
And I think you look awesome.
I agree with l up there - is that you, Ellen? No longer self important "I"? I know many people this has happened to. You should respond to all fat people, "Nope, not pregnant. Do you get asked that a lot, too?" (And I'm not saying YOU are fat, Corinna! I've never even met you!) Or maybe you should say "No, but I really need to fart. Do you mind if I let one rip?"
Sam is so cute. He is very much like my little Pudge, who we also call Bam Bam.
As for Christmas, I actually sent an email to the families I sit for stating that in lieu of presents (for me), I'd prefer they donate to animal or children charities as I will be doing the same in honour of their children. Unfortunately, I am having a heck of a time choosing from the World Vision catalogue as my gift to them!
Oh man, 6 wks earlier you and could have make Sam a little Bam Bam costume. He'd be totally adorable. Put a bone in Neve's hair and there's your Pebbles!
Wow. I can't believe how rude some people are...
I saw this happen once in church (and graciously handled by the young lady with: "Oh, I'm hitting 30 so I understand my metabolism is slowing down..." or something... but seriously... who asks that??)
Though, I should say, IF someone has 3 children AND they make a post with a heading that includes 'announcement' and it ends with the 3rd child being quoted as saying "Is the number 4 a boy or a girl" and we're asked what we think... I think it's acceptable to possibly assume that was a pregnancy announcement.... ahem.
Good post though on various topics. Sorry I can't post more... Heading out soon (just up with Embot - who needs to sleep).
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