Sunday, February 18, 2007

My Mom Would Hate This Post

A while back, a woman on a pregnancy board told us about a pregnant acquaintance of hers who was told not to come back to a YMCA because she was wearing a two-piece bathing suit in the pool. Apparently, the swim instructor didn't approve of her "bare belly" and said it was inappropriate for children to see it.

HUH?

I was shocked and told my mom about it on the phone... in a "Can you believe this?" sort of way, and Mom promptly agreed with the swim instructor. She told me she thought it was too "risque" and inappropriate for children to see a pregnant woman's belly.

HUH TIMES TWO?

For real. This caused quite an interesting conversation, wherein she claimed to see no difference between baring a belly and baring one's breasts, and that children were bound to ask questions about how babies are made if pregnant women "flaunt" their bellies. And then parents will have to explain the birds and the bees much too early, and morality will decline further, and society will fall to ruins. She's not even particularly happy about pregnant women wearing fitted tops.

I am an endless source of shame for my mom, mind you, because I'm an avid belly flaunter. Give me an excuse to flash someone my belly and I'll do it. The smallest excuse. Like, someone will ask, "How far along are you?" and I'll flash my belly and ask, "How far along do I look?" (At which point they say "11 months" before fainting dead away.) Or someone will ask, "Nice weather, isn't it?" and I'll say, "Let's ask my daughter. Helloooo in there! What do you think of the weather today?"

Mom's getting used to it, bless her. She doesn't complain much when I do it, but she does get flustered and begins babbling to whomever I've just flashed.

So, wanna see my belly?

Ta-DAAA!



I know, it's a sight to behold. Don't tell my mom I showed you.

16 comments:

  1. WOW! Jenna!

    It appears in the picture that you are going to “pop” any day now. God Bless You, Your Baby, and your Family.

    Honor & Respect For You,

    Gary Rogers (AS)

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  2. You show a belly like that around someone like me and you'd get a big belly rub -- another controversial topic among women. So, do you like the belly rubs or do you deem them inappropriate?

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  3. Thanks, Gary! And, ha! Karen, I love 'em. You can rub my belly anytime. :-D (Well, while I'm still pregnant, that is. After that, it'd just be weird.)

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  4. LOL...I'm a belly rubber too! I was just popping in to see how you were doing...I guess I have the big answer!!

    God bless and keep you and your soon to be baby!

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  5. Wow, Jenna, that's one huge (and super cute) belly! No wonder you've gained that kinda weight.

    And, I don't understand that belly phobia either. Like a kid isn't going to ask about big, covered bellies anyway. I swear there are some odd theories out there.

    I didn't flaunt so much because I'm overweight, but if someone wanted to see, I didn't mind showing.

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  6. If you've got it, flaunt it! ;) Take care Sarina's mom!

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  7. Showing a preggers tummy is fine, but one of my pet peeves is seeing a pregnant woman in a skimpy bikini. With a thong.

    Dang, why did I tell you that, now I remember mental images I have to go and get rid of, O.o...

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  8. Preggie bellies are THERE to be shown. And rubbed. And poked. And listened to. If you got it, flaunt it!

    You have really come along. Don't be shy to show us the baby pictures when you finally have her.

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  9. Ooh, aren't you adorable!

    And, yanno, do kids NOT ask if they see you with a big, clothed belly? Or do they just assume you're fat?

    What's the diff? It's like the whole "ahh! don't breastfeed in public!" thing.

    Don't get me started - last freaking thing I need this week is another cause ^_^

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  10. That is the cutest belly! Congrats and you're SO close...blessings for you and your growing family! Got time? Check out my blog at www.sanechoice.blogspot.com

    I enjoy your writing, will check out your books at B&N!!

    Take care,
    Natalie

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  11. I think it's wonderful that women today are proud of the bodies that go along with their pregnancies - it's just not something that older women (like me) grew up with, so it's often hard for some of us to be completely comfortable with this new freedom of tummy expression. I guess it depends on the way we were brought up.

    At least we didn't have to hide indoors like the Victorian ladies did but we surely were covered up. Every maternity dress I could find in '85 and '87, when I was pregnant, looked like a tent and had some kind of big contrasting collar (more like a bib) or ruffles to try and distract the eye from "the bulge".

    I guess we can all thank Demi Moore and Vanity Fair - but remember, that only happened in 1991 so I hope you youngins can forgive us ol' farts our quirkinesses.

    I think your tummy is adorable, Jenna. :-)

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  12. Gorgeous belly, Jenna. I've thought of you often these past months, but haven't been by to see you til now. I'm so happy things are going well. And you're in my thoughts and prayers in your final pregnancy weeks!!!!

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  13. Draw a nipple where your navel is and REALLY freak Mom out.

    Just for GadfreyDaniel's sakes don't tell her who gave you the idea!

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  14. Hah! I found my password.

    VERY cute belly. Flaunt it all you like.

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  15. I don't know. I keep pondering it, but it still looks like a WWII flesh colored torpedo war tip to me.

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Nice to hear your voice! Er... see your voice? See your text? Bah! You know what I mean.