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| Each Tuesday my colleagues and I at the blog Two Writing Teachers host a Slice of Life Story event. Teachers, students, and writers from all over the world share a short, focused story from a small moment in their own lives. See more Slices by clicking here. |
Little L. and I were sitting at the kitchen table.
"I'm hun--gry," she whined.
"Dinner's coming!" B. called from the stove.
This was our nightly routine now. Me, too pregnant to move, in charge of keeping L. relatively entertained while B. cooked dinner.
L. and B. continued back and forth, but I didn't hear what they were saying. The baby did a gigantic flip-flop in my stomach. Weird. Amazing. Mostly weird though. My thoughts were interrupted by L. poking my shoulder. "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"
"L., your baby brother is moving, do you want to feel?" L.'s face lit up. She hadn't felt him move yet. Every time she tried, he would just hold still.
L. put her tiny hands on my belly and stared intensely at my tummy. "Move baby!" she commanded. He didn't move. L. moved her hands around a little, sliding them back and forth. "Come on, baby brother," she said sweetly.
We waited for a long quiet pause. Then, suddenly, he did another big flip-flop.
"Ack!" Little L. looked horrified. Her eyes were as big as saucers. "He moved!" She looked as though she'd seen a ghost. "I could see it! That was disgusting!"
I laughed. I knew what she meant. Seeing a little bump reaching through my own stomach was definitely disturbing. You spend your whole life seeing just a regular stomach there, nothing moving inside. It's just not what you expect to see.
But then I couldn't help thinking, I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come. She's so excited about having a baby brother right now. What if he finally arrives, and she's like, "Ack! That's disgusting!"
Well... we'll just have to wait and see.
Wow, this Slice took me right back to a couple of years ago when I was pregnant with Katie. I didn't know if she was a girl or a boy and I certainly didn't know what Maddie was going to think. Turns out that Maddie loves Katie as much as I do and is a wonderfully kind big sister. I have a strong inkling that your L. will be the same! I can't wait to see the little fella!
ReplyDelete(and I agree... it IS weird!)
You totally captured what was happening in your head and in L's. I find it fascinating she said it was disgusting. I can imagine it being quite creepy to see that happening for the first time, esp. when you're just four years-old!
ReplyDelete"Disgusting" is one of L.'s favorite words. At her preschool a while ago they had this book called "Disgusting Animals" that she became obsessed with, and ever since then everything is "disgusting."
ReplyDeleteMy 6-months-pregnant sister recently sent me a message that referred to her stomach as "a scene from Alien." I agree, it is weird. I can only imagine what my little one is going to think.
ReplyDeleteThis took be back to a similar time in my life - but my Elizabeth discovered that her brother was a terrific playmate after all, and they have remained the best of friends.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, this takes me back. Those big flip flops are a little creepy at times. I remember sitting in a staff meeting with a rather patterned maternity top, super pregnant and it looked like a side show at a carnival!
ReplyDeleteMy first husband didn't like to feel the babies move. I loved it. It is something I definitely miss.
ReplyDelete