We've gotten to the point where nobody's happy to see us. If they see us, then that means we don't have a baby yet. Much more exciting will be the day when we don't show up for something.
My colleagues and students know they'll see me within a week of the baby's birth, so it's not as big a deal as Julie being gone for 16 weeks. But still, it's exciting for students to know they'll have a substitute in English class for a week. And it's fun whenever you know a 29-year-old man-child who's about to be shoved headlong into parenthood. I keep showing up day after day, though, and I'm sure I have at least one kid who asks himself, "Is the wife really pregnant? Is he even married?"
I see the occasional teacher who says something like, "She didn't have the baby, did she?" That's hilarious. Yes, she did, but I didn't want to miss 6th period. Plus, I forgot to erase my white board yesterday, so here I am.
See, pregnancy is just an easy conversation starter. But after nine months or so, people get tired of the same "How's your wife doing?" conversation over and over. Everyone's ready for the "How's your baby?" conversation to take its place. I can see it in their eyes: "Can't you just take her on a bumpy car ride? Come on already!" Soon, people, soon. I think.
Today I left five days of sub plans on my desk just in case. Julie's on the couch as I type this, watching the movie 27 Dresses, not at all feeling like a baby's going to triumphantly spring from her uterus tonight. So I'll be back tomorrow, as will she to her job, to respond politely to "Oh hi again," "You're here," and "Not yet, huh?"
...and the next logical step is to create a blog about it.
About Me
- Dan
- Minnesota, United States
3 comments:
You could always just call in sick one day for the hell of it to really mess with people. Show up the next day to tons of excited questions only to respond with, "I had some sniffles and a little tickle in the back of my throat." Of course, that would mean one more sick day used up, but you must have a million hours by now given your superior youthful immune system.
Well seriously. I have five days of sub plans on my desk, 14-15 weeks of sick days stored up, but I'm coming to school today. Do you know in 7 years I've used one sick day for actual physical sickness? It was food poisoning from Quiznos.
You're like the devil on my right shoulder. I'm coming in today, but man it's tempting to hurl myself on that slippery slope and just call it in.
I would encourage a day at home to rest before resting becomes impossible! Have fun on this new adventure.
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