Where do Babies Come from?

I've tried to blog for what seems like forever now...but it seems as though my thoughts always come at the most inopportune times: frequently while grocery shopping, laying down to sleep, while sitting on the....well anyway - I never seem to sync the time my thoughts come to me with the time I'm sitting in front of a keyboard. Today, the stars aligned.

My kids and I have a pretty good relationship, but on this particular day, I felt that my limited interaction with them was spent telling them to 'stop doing that,' and raising my voice. So, I made us all lunch and sat down at the table with them for a few minutes of bonding. While I don't consider that move a mistake, this is the result of that decision:

Abby: 'Mommy, how do babies get in mommies' tummies?'

While this is a perfectly normal question for an ever so curious 5-year-old, I was totally not ready to even make up an answer to this question, even being the most prepared parent I know how to be. This only happens in TV sitcoms! On top of that, Byron was not closeby to distract her with a milkshake or come up with some witty answer (she believes everything her daddy tells her).

Me: Uh....uhhh.....well.
(as she looks at me with a great expectation for the right answer)
They just grow in mommies tummies!

Abby: yes, but how do they GET there?

At this point, I start sweating (literally) all the while thinking about how I can't wait to 'tweet' about it and get a few good laughs in about this oh so awkward moment.

Me: Well, the mommies and the daddies...see...they...they...well, they ASK for them to be there!

Now we KNOW that can't be right! Sure, most of us WANT kids at some point or another, but REALLY? They ASK for them to be there?? I look at her with an expression of hope, fully expecting her to demand a better explanation...

Abby: ohhhhh...well

Josh: Hey! Abby look at Mariokart!

And they go on with their day.

I am off the hook. Until next time.......