Did You Just Call Me Fat?

Having gone on the pregnancy ride once already, I thought I would sort of know what I was expecting. I have never really blogged about my weight, getting bigger or people commenting on these before because it didn't really happen when I was pregnant with Abigail. With Cletus, I don't know if people are just getting more brazen or society as a whole figures that when it comes to pregnancy, no topic is taboo. (Minor tangent: I have noticed that since I am pregnant people figure that they are welcome to discuss my belly, body, nipples, cervix, medical decisions, labor, Cesarean sections, and, my favorite, my breasts. These are not topics I like to discuss with most people let alone at work...)

Now, I know that women start showing with second pregnancies earlier than their firsts but some of these comments I can't even immediately comprehend. It is as if I am saying "Did you seriously just say that?" Most of the time the look on my face says just that and I have been witness to some fancy backpedaling. While most of these comments have been made by men, which is expected, most of them have children and I can't imagine what they have said to their poor wives. But I am getting a lot of comments from women too. And of course most of those comments are from women who haven't been pregnant in over 50 years. It is hard for them to understand that things do change over the years.

I am convinced that people are just trying to say I am fat. If I encounter a comment from someone, I usually just have a quick comeback of "Did you just call me fat?" While I know they usually aren't, that comment right there makes them rethink what they just said. So there!

Here is the bottom line...I gained 32 lbs with Abby. I lost it all within the first 6 months (though I actually had a relative argue with me that I didn't lose the weight 2 years later. Ummmm. Yes, I did. She just came back with "Well then you just look like everything shifted." Thanks. I lost the weight but apparently don't look like I did). So far with Cletus, I have gained 20 lbs. I have 7 weeks to go and have gained less weight that last time because I am chasing after a 2 year old. I don't feel that it is a lot or I am doing anything wrong so I am happy to announce that it is just 20 lbs.

In case you are wondering, the average person is recommended to gain 30 lbs during a normal pregnancy.

However, here are the comments I have received:

• "Are you sure it isn't twins?" Yes. I have had three ultrasounds and they have only found one baby.
• "You are enormous!" Really. Someone decided to use the word enormous to describe me.
• "Are you going to make it?" Yes. I have 7 more weeks...not 7 more days.
• "At least the weight is all out in front. That will make it easier to lose the weight later." Again. It is only 20 lbs and it is not just 20 lbs of fat.
• "You are eating again?" Yes. Pregnant women do have to eat and it is normally recommended for all people. Even animals and insects.
• "Make sure you don't gain too much weight." I am not trying or not trying to do anything with my weight. When I am hungry, I eat. When I am full, I don't eat. Very simple.
• "You sure are getting bigger." I am incubating a human. Did you expect her to get smaller?

I even have non weight related comments:

• "You look so tired." Try working a 40 hour week, being in your 8th month of pregnancy and have a 2 year old at home. Then let do it every day and let me know if you feel awake enough to run a marathon. (Most of these come from men who probably don't even do their own laundry. Of course they have time to sleep.) OR
• "Better get your sleep now!" Yes, we can store it up like squirrels for the winter and just pull out a few hours of sleep when we need it.
• "Will you be able to travel to Australia for work in July?" I can't even lay flat on my back right now and you want me to sit in a seat to travel for 32 hours?

I am sure I am forgetting a few comments here and there but these are the ones that I get...weekly...Here is a photo from two weeks ago so I will let you be the judge.

And I don't even care what your comments are because, trust me, I have heard them all!