"Whatcha got in there?"

I went back to college when the twins were just two years old. Each morning, I would drop them off at daycare, and be on my way to class.

Ms. Cassie was a wonderful teacher! Every afternoon, she would fill the parents in on the events of the day.

I knew the twins were comical, and I knew Kaleb was one to speak his mind without any forethought. So, with this knowledge, I never knew what to expect as I stepped into their class each evening.

It was finals week for me. I was taking eighteen hours during a condensed summer session in an effort to graduate early. For the weeks prior to the final exams, my thoughts were completely wrapped up in pharmocological terminology, algebriac equations, sociological quandaries, empirical investigations, dimensional analysis and the principles of qualitative and quantitative science--SENSORY OVERLOAD!

On this particular evening, the exams were finally over, and I felt pretty darn good about them. I walked into the daycare with an overwhelming sense of relief, knowing that I could finally breath easy, relax, and just enjoy being with my children.

Upon entering the classroom, though, all that just went out the window.

"You will never believe what Kaleb did today, Mrs. McCoy," Ms. Cassie said with a shocked expression on her face.

All the while, I'm thinking, 'Oh good Lord! What has this child done, now?'

In reaction to my facial expression of concern, she continued, "Don't worry . . . it's not a big deal. In fact, looking back on it all, I think it's hilarious!"

Ms. Cassie was expecting her first child, and Kaleb had already expressed a few pondering thoughts to her concerning the size of her belly.

On this particular occassion, though, he had decided to fully investigate the mysteries of a pregnant woman.

"They were all playing at the sand and water table. I tried to sit on one of their chairs, but my belly is getting too big to do that. So I pulled up a staff chair, leaned back and stretched my feet out" she explained.

"This is when Kaleb climbed up on what's left of my lap, and just stared at my belly for the longest time."

"Whatcha got in there, Ms. Cassie?"

"I could tell he was very fascinated with the size of my belly, and figured I'd just let him know in the simplests terms possible."

"Kaleb, I have a little baby in there! You will get to see her after she is born. Do you want to feel her moving? She's kicking right now."

Kaleb pressed his little hand to her abdomen, and felt the tiny kick. His eyes grew wider and wider. His eyes were fixated on her stomach, waiting for the next thump from within.

He began sliding down her outstretched legs, so he adjusted his position on her lap to stay close to the action.

His eyes met hers. "You got a baby in there, Ms. Cassie?"

"I sure do, Kaleb," she replied.

He glanced back down at her abdomen, and was in the process of looking her in the eyes, once again, but stopped halfway in between the baby and her face. Then, he quickly turned his eyes back to her belly . . .

To the boobs . . .
to the belly . . .
quick glance to the boobs . . .

"I could tell he had more questions. He was silent, though. He just stared and stared, shifting his eyes up every once in a while, but only for a brief second or two."

Quick! Eyes on the belly!
Now, boobs!
Belly again.


Finally, his curiousity had won! As his eyes slowly journied to meet hers, he removed his hands from her belly, quickly cupped what he could of her breasts, and began squeezing several times.

"Whatcha got in there, Ms. Cassie? You got a baby in those bumps, too?"