Now I know my A B C’s
Next time won’t you sing with me?

“Tell me why I’m doing this again?” A very nauseous Amy asked her daughter.

“Because you’re insane,” Maria informed heartlessly. She leaned over to snag another sandwich.

Amy turned even greener, if that was possible, as Maria practically waved the food in her face as she spoke.

“This was your idea, remember? The whole getting married again thing, not to mention having another kid.”

“No, the having another kid thing wasn’t my idea. I’m blaming it on Jim.” Amy dropped her head onto the kitchen table.   “And he’s the one who proposed, so that’s his fault too.”

“At least you’re consistent.” Maria got up to rummage through the cabinets. “Don’t you have any Tabasco sauce?”

Amy didn’t even turn her head. “Top shelf. And why is it that I’m getting all the morning sickness here? Where’s yours?”

Maria shrugged as she sat back down, Tabasco sauce in hand. “I don’t know. After the bus ride down here, mine went away. Cody was the only one I had bad morning sickness with.” She poured the sauce over her sandwich, and took an experimental bite. “I woke up every morning at 4 am. I would puke twice, then go back to bed. It got to the point where Michael wouldn’t even wake up anymore. Jerk.”

“I still can’t believe I’m a grandmother twice over, and I’m about to be a mom again.” Amy moaned, lifting her head to blink blearily at her daughter.

“And a grandma,” Maria reminded her, patting her own tummy proudly.

“I don’t want to be a grandma again. Don’t you have enough kids?”

Maria laughed. “Mom, don’t you think it’s a little late to think about that?”

“Yeah, yeah. Details.” Amy picked at one of the sandwiches.

“You know,” Maria chewed thoughtfully on her sandwich. “Michael has reacted the same way every time I’ve told him I was pregnant.”

“Really?”

“Yep. He looks like I hit him over the head with a board. You would think he would know what to look for by now. After two kids, anyway.”

“Jim just stared at me like I was speaking Greek.” Amy sighed and buried her head in her hands. “What the heck am I doing?”

Maria patted her head. “You’ll be fine, Mom.”

“But its been so long! What if I don’t remember anything?” Amy looked miserable and panicked.

“You know how to change diapers, you’ve done enough of that with my kids. Same for feeding them. And nothing can prepare you for labor, I don’t care what the Lamaze coaches say,” Maria did her best to soothe her mother.

“I guess.” Amy still looked uncertain.

“Look, Mom,” Maria leaned forward. “Did I turn out ok?”

“You turned out wonderfully. Well, except that whole Michael in your bed thing.”

“Funny, Mom. Did Kyle turn out ok?”

“Yes, I guess so,” Amy sighed.

“Then you have nothing to worry about. You know how to do this. You have done this with me already. Remember how I fell apart with Cody?” Maria reminded. “Jim is excited, you’re excited. And Kyle, Tess, Michael, and I are close by when you need back up, ok?”

“I know.” Amy smiled a little at her oldest daughter. The room was quiet for a moment as mother and daughter returned to their sandwiches.

“So have you decided on a name yet?” Maria asked.

“No.” Amy answered glumly. “You?”

“I don’t know. Michael is pushing for Ulysses, but I told him I’d kill him.”

“Good plan.”

“I thought so.”