August 11, 2008

Nope, I'm the Mommy

Them, "So, how many kids do you have?" Me, " I have three." Them, "What are their ages?" Me, "3,2,1" Them, "Oh wow. So, is that all you do? Stay home?"


I just stepped off the airplane with Jacob strapped to my back while holding the other two on leashes so I wouldn't loose them. I was flown by myself with the three kids since Luke couldn't come. I walked out to find my family that I had come to visit and just before I reached them someone approached me and said, "Cute kids! Are you the nanny?" Feeling rather indignant I replied, "Nope, I'm the mommy." They didn't say anything to me after that. 



It was a last minute idea to stop by the park to let the kids play for a while after running some errands. After a little while a few more moms and kids began to show up. I was sitting in the grass, playing with Jacob while the other two kids were playing on the playground. My ears pricked up when I heard the following remarks. First lady, "Man, I can't believe she is pregnant again! Her kids will be so close together! I would slit my wrists if I did that!"  Second lady, "Oh I know, My first was 2.5 before I even THOUGHT about having another, and I'm good with two." First lady, "Oh, I know, one is enough for me! Besides, my husband hates me when I'm pregnant, I get really mean." I turned to examine the two speakers. One was dressed in designer clothes with perfectly manicured fingers and toes, the other was dressed like a punk teenager with a black rock band t-shirt and short, spikey hair that was streaked with black, brown, and white. 
I couldn't help but smile to myself at the last comment I listened to. "Well, I just can't believe she is having another one, its just crazy! I would never do it!"
First of all, I don't care how many kids people have or how they are spaced or what a mom can handle. And if I could get my nails manicured, I probably would. I just found the conversation so amusing because I could have quite easily have been the "crazy woman" they were talking about.
Well, it was time for us to go home for naps. So, I stood up, put my sunglasses on and called after my kids. The lady with the designer clothes turned to look at me and since I had my glasses on I could easily follow her gaze from my stomach, to Jacob, to Savannah and Joseph. She kind of stared for a while, then turned away. I almost laughed.



Now, I will be the first to admit that being a mom is hard and everyone knows I hate being pregnant. But it is so much fun to see my kids looking out for each other (when they're not trying to kill each other of course). I confess I feel a source of pride when I see Savannah telling some other kid to "Give it back! My brother had it first!" or "Don't talk mean to my brother!" Even Joseph gets in on the action although he tends to get a little extreme. I have seen him beat up child, teenager, and adult, while screaming, "Give it back!" after they have taken something from one of his siblings. (sigh) He's going to be a handful.
I hope they will all look out for each other and be best friends. I wouldn't have it any other way... well, the whole stork bringing the baby idea is a good one! I would go for that!

7 super cool people speak:

Monica McCoy said...

That is so funny, I love the cartoons!

Meagan said...

Wow. How could you possibly be the Mommy? You look too young and beautiful for one. It is a crazy world we live in to see someone with kids and assuming that they must be a nanny. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

I so remember...all the commments made to Garvin or myself...when people would learned...I just had my 7th child...and our oldest was "8"...One of the funniest...was the day I put a TWO piece suit on...and I was walking through a church building...when someone grabbed me...opened up my SUIT JACKET and said..."YOU DO HAVE A WASTE!!!" (smile)

The Clifts said...

I love it! It took me quite a while to not take people's comments personally. But now, all I have to do is look at my kids and think. "I love them, they love me, they are healthy, semi-clean, and happy." And that is all that matters.

Garvin Smith said...

I remember one Saturday I took all (then) seven of you to Albertsons in Wekiva, after doing some yardwork. I was wearing grubby, dirty clothes. Oh the looks I got!

Kent said...

Just wait til those ladies are old and lonely with no kids or memories of their many kids growing up to hold them over....even then they probably won't realize what they're missing out on.

E said...

I get those looks all the time too with my brood. Got to love the people who really don't know what they are missing! I am proud of you Serene!!!

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