He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress and for his children it will be a refuge.
Proverbs 14:26

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

GUURL, you are HUUGE!

Anybody seen Madagascar 2?  There's a scene where one of the big hippos comes waddling out of the water and another hippo is sitting there and says, "Guurl, you are huge" and then goes on and on about her huge size and they see hearts floating, fall in love and probably live happily ever after.  Well.  In case there is any doubt- and I confess there could be given my size...  I am NOT a hippo and I don't appreciate the comments on my hugeness from perfect strangers! 

Let me back up...  I am 37 weeks pregnant with my 4th child and getting fairly used to the comments on my largeness from strangers.  Truly the comments from my friends and family don't bother me at all- I am in fact quite large and I know my friends and family love me and are marveling along with me about my belly of epic proportions (to steal a quote from a dear friend).  I get big when I'm pregnant- my belly sticks really far out in front of me and I'm pretty sure I look like I"m defying gravity and will just topple over at any moment (wait, that wouldn't be defying gravity, would it?  whatever..).  Anyway, I get large.  As much as I try to eat healthy foods, exercise (I waddled on the elliptical machine for 30 minutes at the Y this morning!), I just get big- that's how my body works.  And I truly have always loved being pregnant.  I love watching the little miracle grow inside me.  I love feeling/seeing her move.  I love the excitement leading up to the birth etc.  Granted, this time a round it has taken a little more of a toll on my 36 year old body- I have aches and pains in really strange places, I'm not having trouble breathing but I can barely walk, my 11 year old makes fun of me etc etc.  But I love it, I love it all! 

The other day, I was at the dentist (who also happens to be one of the best uncles in the world) and baby girl was moving around so much that he could see my belly contorting out of the corner of his eye while he worked on my teeth.  And just the other day, I had this classic cuddling moment with the current baby of our family who loves to feel her baby sister move...

So much to be thankful for as we prepare for our newest family member!

Again though, let me back up.  I think I lied up there when I said, I love it all.  Let me tell you what I do not love.  I do not love the comments from complete strangers that are just plain mean.  Tell me, would you walk up to a large or obese person and comment on their size.  I think not.  Then why in the world do people feel it is their duty to comment on the size of pregnant women??  Lie and tell them they're beautiful, ask if they're excited about the new baby, but for heavens sakes DO NOT TELL THEM THEY ARE HUGE!  

Here are some examples of things random strangers have said to me recently:
"WHEN are you due?  You're really big!"
"You have 6 weeks to go!  There's NO WAY you'll make it- you're so large!"
"Have you been THAT BIG with all of your babies?"
"It MUST be twins and they are coming any day!"

OH, and here's a good one...  An elderly man approached me at the car repair place and I see him looking at my belly so I brace myself for the comment.  And what does he say?  "Honey, why you got so many gray hairs?"  Sure, knock her while she's down!  Don't bother commenting on the obvious huge belly- go for the overall appearance slam and insult the one thing she is trying to keep looking normal!  anyway...

And the list goes on and on.  But the classic, beat all, end all comment came this morning.  There I was at Target, minding my own business looking for some clothes for the girls.  Feeling pretty good about myself actually as I had just worked out for 45 minutes at the Y and was still mobile.  Anyway, minding my own business and I hear a voice behind me....   "GUUUURRRLLL!"  I glanced back and there was a very large woman (not pregnant, just large) behind me.  She had her cell phone to her ear so I went about my business thinking she was talking on the phone.  Then again, "guuurrrllll!".  I glanced again and this time heard her say into the phone, "I'm talking to this really big pregnant lady, just a minute"  (great, here we go).  I nodded at her and smiled and she starts again, "Guuurrrl, puhlease tell me that baby is coming any day"  
Me:  "I'm due in 3 weeks.  Not far to go!"  (notice my attempt to be pleasant?)
Random stranger:  " Well, you must be havin twins, naw, triplets!"
Me:  "No maam, one baby.  It's my fourth" (attempt to turn around and continue with shopping)
Random stranger:  (to me)"Gurl, you  HUUUGE!  You must always be HUGE if you look that way when you're pregnant.  You always huge??"  (into phone) "this girl be HUGE!"
Me:  Didn't say anything else- didn't know what to say.  Took the opportunity of her speaking into her phone to bolt before I said something I would very much regret.  Something along the lines of, "Did your momma not teach you any manners?"  or "LAdy, you are HUUUGE too and I"m pretty sure you don't have the excuse of being 37 weeks pregnant!  Are YOU always HUGE?"

I mean seriously?  Manners people!  I started out so well today with my workout and what did I do??  Came home and ate two cappuncino muffins!  (thanks dear friend Kellie for reminding me of that fabulous recipe!)

So, here I am in all of my pregnant glory, and yes, I am huge.   But I am happy to be huge and sooner than later will be holding this little bundle on the outside!  And before you ask, no, I don't even have big babies!  The largest so far has been 7 lbs 4 oz- what do you think- will this one be the biggest yet?  (don't worry if you're reading this you're most likely not a random stranger so I won't mind your comment....)



9 comments:

Kendra said...

I can't believe the audacity of people! Unbelievealbe! You look so cute in that last pic - seriously, it looks like you're all belly to me.

BeckyR said...

Hang in there. You are beautiful (now and when you are not pregnant), your girls are beautiful, and this one will be beautiful as well.

Selena said...

You look BEAUTIFUL!!!! And you are so clever with the way you captured the Memphis accent!!! I could hear it clearly!!!

Stacey Dunavant said...

I think you look amazing! At least it's just your belly that is big. I was just HUGE ALL OVER...and I mean ALL OVER! You are beautiful..inside and out! Loved the story...made me laugh so hard!

Grammy Lee said...

This made me laugh, not at you of course, just the experience. Who would ever imagine someone could actually say such things? I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time. No doubt millions of women all over the world would envy your beauty and your pregnancy. The pinnacle of being a woman.

Kelli said...

I think you look beautiful - and no, I'm not just saying that because you asked people to.
You really should have said something back to that lady. If I were with you I would have!

Kelsi said...

You are always beautiful. At least you will get smaller. Some of us are still working off the baby weight 4 years later. I did laugh out loud reading your spelling of "random stranger's" accent and I could also hear the conversation in my head. Hang in there. Can't wait to see the new baby!

kellie j. said...

That story is so awesome! In a crazy, "I can't believe someone would say that to a total stranger" kind of way!! Did she not notice that nothing else about you was huge?! I mean your face isn't even poofy or swollen! Just your cute baby belly! I'd like to see your ankles :). I love you. I love that you get big with your babies. If anyone will go back to small afterward, it will be YOU, my small skinny friend! LOVE you! thanks for sharing this story! Looking forward to being stared at constantly by total strangers (if only I could understand all that will be said about me here:). . .

MST said...

I don't think you look huge at all! You look great, very cute. It is so fun to read your blog!