Yesterday we were treated to a basketball game at Butler University. I graduated from there nearly fifteen years ago (gulp! gasp! ack!) and my parents have season tickets. Their seat neighbors were going to be unable to attend, so we got to go instead.

We began in the West Gym (where I suffered such stupidity as flag football and made up games when it was too cold outside for “lifetime fitness” class). Little Man got to eat a hot dog, chips, popcorn and pretzels. He got to run around meeting other little kids, and he got to see from about three feet away the new bulldog mascot, Trip. He was having fun!

Let me pause here to mention the game began at 2:00. Prime nap time.

Next we climbed the ramps to the upper level and then walked down to our excellent seats. We paused to meet a male and female cheerleader and have pictures taken with them (LM *loved* this sweet college gal & she was very kind to him). We passed him back and forth. We danced to the band ( who played the same songs we played when I was in the band!) and the music over the loudspeakers. We were fine during the National Anthem.

Then began the saga of “All done basketball game” and “Too loud”. Keith took him for a walk, but he is currently injured and using a cane; not exactly easy on daddy to carry a toddler up and down stairs and manage a cane! So they came back and LM wanted to snuggle with mama. He kept saying, “Nap” and “Too loud.” So he and I retreated back to the West Gym where he promptly fell asleep sprawled across my lap.

We spent the second half walking the halls of Hinkle Fieldhouse. He was happy to look at everything; I was happy to recall my college days. I loved college, and I loved all the time I spent in Hinkle as a band member all four years. I only wished I had the stroller, because it was a beautiful day and we could have escaped the noise for a quiet stroll through campus. Note for next time.

After the game LM got high fives from the team as they ran off court to the locker room. Then he got to run around the court and pet Blue, the current mascot. He also appears briefly on the local news station broadcast of the post game interview with Coach Stevens! Well, in the background, anyway.

But, none of that was the most interesting part of the day. Here is the most interesting part:

On the drive to the game, we passed the hospital where LM was born. I pointed and said, “There’s where you were born, Buddy!”

And LM said, “Mama big belly,” and I don’t know if it was a question or a statement.

“Mama big belly.”

Now, I have a number of friends who are currently pregnant; women we see every week. I talk to LM about Miss R and Miss C and Miss H having babies in their bellies.

However, we also discovered a new game this week where LM lifts my shirt, tickles me and talks about my belly.

So was this just a random announcement, or…even though we have told him his birth story countless times, does he think he came out of my belly?

My immediate reaction was to tell everyone in the car about our new game. But it was truly bittersweet. While I have no desire to be pregnant, I do sometimes wish I had given birth to my son. And it makes me sad sometimes that he didn’t grow in my belly.

I thought I would have more time before we had to start having these conversations.

So that was our day yesterday: basketball, and big bellies (both mentioned and caused by yummy lasagna, garlic bread, asparagus and red velvet cake at our house after the game!).

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