That was a first

Will: Elana... I saw your belly button!

[Elana laughs]

Me: Hey, what's a belly button?

Kids: The spot on your tummy!

Me: But what IS it? Do you know?

Kids: Uh...

Me: It's where you got your food when you were a baby in a belly!

[Kids laugh]

Will: Who was in your belly first? Me or Elana?

Me: [totally caught off guard] Oh hey we forgot to read about tarantulas in your encyclopedia!

[Kids run to get the book, I tell Colin that I panicked]

Colin: Why? It's a good opportunity to talk about it.

*At this moment I know I need to answer Will's question. And for the record, we are not trying to hide his adoption. But I see this sensitive boy wondering why parts of his story are different and trying to figure out how that applies to his place in the family, and I want the info delivered in the most compassionate way possible. I firmly believe we should always answer his questions. I firmly believe his birthmother is a very valid connection (even if we never know who she is). Colin and I talk often about age appropriate and sensitive ways to teach Will about his background.

But this was the first time Will had asked so directly and it was hard to be honest. I can give you a million reasons why I think it shouldn't have been hard... but it totally was.

Me: Will, you asked who was in my belly first; it was Elana.

Will: And then me?

Me: No, then Sam.

Will: But what about me?

Me: You were in someone else's belly, in Vietnam. That's where you were born, remember?

Will: Oh, yeah.

[Will turns to the encyclopedia, I gently take his hand]

Me: Do you have any other questions?

Will: No.

And just like that he was on to the next thing.