Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hugging Babies, Not Trees....Part II

Random Acquaintance:"Oh my gosh, Susan, every time I see you, you are pregnant!!"


Me:"Yes! And, I can't wait for you to meet my beautiful family!" 


Me: (in my mind): "Yes, and thank goodness, we've only seen each other 5 times in the past 10 years!....."
Anticipating Andrew...

Waiting for Benedict. Whoa!
Getting ready for George....



















(I couldn't find any pics of my pregnancy with Henry, they are all in my memory for now!)
I have been contemplating for some time the idea of writing a post on family size, particularly the idea of "big" families - "big" being any couple having 3+ children. This seems a fitting description for families of that size today, since the average number of children per family in the U.S. is 1.2.

What has encouraged or motivated this post is two things:
1.  Joy for my own family and,
2. The opportunity to respond to the numerous comments and remarks made by individuals (mostly strangers) to myself or to my husband regarding (either directly or indirectly) the size of our family.

I would love to share a few of these comments with you (there are so many)!
(Side note:  All quotes from my mind must be read with the best British accent you can muster - and do not hold back on the sarcasm for any reason!)


Comment #1: "My, you sure do have your hands full!"
Me:  "Yes, full of love! Thank you for noticing!"
My Mind: "Great Scott!! Why, I truly had no idea!!"

Comment #2: "You know how that happens, don't you?" (This question is asked mostly by men. No need to explain that one.)
Me: (Laughing) "Oh, you know, my husband and I are just perfectionists! (Wink, wink - the winks always make them a little uncomfortable.) Can you believe that after 10 years of marriage, we still have the hots for each other??!!"
My Mind: "You're a cheeky little fella aren't ya! Would you be so kind as to fax or e-mail me your favorite explanation/diagram asap?"


Comment #3: "Boy, you must be busy with all those kids..."
Me: "Everyone is busy - I'm just so blessed that God has chosen to "busy" me with such cuties!"
My Mind:  "Heaven's no! I have a nanny, a housekeeper and a masseuse.  Excuse me, I have to get home for Oprah."

Comment #4 (This one has only happened once, and most recently): "Where is your head, girl?"
Me:  "It is in the right place, that's where it's at!"
My Mind: ..."Unlike your own, which has apparently been in the hands of a Nazi feminist brain washer and an inexperienced hair dresser!"
Following Comment:  "Forgive me for being so honest, I just can't believe you're pregnant again."
Me:  (To my regret, charity has flown out the window at this point...)
"Don't worry, I'm used to people making ridiculously unreasonable comments about things which they simply know absolutely nothing about."
My Mind:  "If only we weren't at a country club Sunday brunch buffet line.  I would love to sit and visit with her about why I find the baby in my womb to be a blessing and not a burden...."
So, given the opportunity for me to visit with the lady who voiced comment #4, I would have happily shared a number of beautiful, logical and exceptional reasons as to why we have 5 children and as to why a couple might consider having more than 1 or 2 children.  Stay tuned for the 3rd chapter of this post.....I have to go smother my kiddos in hugs and smooches now!





1 comment:

  1. People need to tend to their own business and keep their "thoughts" to themselves !!!!!

    ReplyDelete