Roses are red, violets are blue,
I’ve got something to share with you!
We’ve got two boys, they are our whole world,
which it’s about to expand by one little girl.
A party of 5 is what we’ll soon be,
and this little family is filled with glee!
Guys, there’s a very clear reason I haven’t written a poem since the 6th grade. Thank you Rhymer.com for help with…whatever that was…but yes, we are having another baby. I still almost can’t believe it!
As I mentioned in my post announcing our pregnancy with Cameron, I am very sensitive to the feelings of the women and men who are praying to God and pleading with the universe to bless them with a precious little one. Please know that I see your desires and struggles and wish nothing more then to be by your side with a supportive squeeze and listening ear. You got this.
But yes, a baby girl. Sugar, spice and everything nice! I am full of feels. ALL the feels, hahaha! Shock, excitment, nervousness – did I mention shock? I’ll admit I’ve raised a proverbial eyebrow in the past when people claim to know the gender of their baby before an anatomy scan, or having the baby of course, but the eyebrow is forever lowered because I knew from day one this child was a girl. My pregnancy with both boys was identical but since the day I got a positive test, everything’s been different. Crazy nausea, headaches 24/7, insanely vivid dreams. If that wasn’t enough, the moment she popped up on the screen during our first ultrasound at 11 weeks (I’m 17 weeks right now – due in late July) all I could see in my mind was a giant red heart. A girl…I just knew it.
Fast forward several weeks later and I got a call from our doctor’s office with the results of some blood tests that would also tell us gender. “Um, how accurate are these tests?” I asked the nurse on the phone. “Hmmm, let me check,” she said while rifling through some papers. “Oh, here it is. 99.9% accurate.”Â
Ok then!!
Hey listen, I have two brothers, two little boys, and am the least girly girl on the planet to boot, so to be honest with you I had a minor panic attack when the news I’d felt in my bones since the beginning was confirmed on paper. Barbies, bows and nail polish are foreign territory, but I can handle it. (**Edited to add: of course being a girl doesn’t automatically mean these things – I was a tomboy!) Where my thoughts immediately went was mean girls. Peer pressure. Body image. BOYS!!!! Which is weird since I had a mostly normal and happy teenage existence. I just very quickly realized how big of a part I’ll play in raising a strong and independent, kind and responsible woman. No pressure! Luckily my sister-in-law wisely advised me to focus on the here and now – aka picking out an adorable, ruffly onesie for her to come home in.
Everyone asks how Ben is feeling about having a third, and a girl. Umm, Ben is probably the most excited! We both grew up with two siblings and have always felt like a full house was a fun house. Lincoln is so so pumped, and Cameron has no idea, poor thing. We’ll get him a doll in the next month or two so he can start practicing. He and little sis will be 21 months apart.
Ok, parents of 3+ and/or 2 under 2, talk to me about:
- Double strollers. Lightweight, jogging – let me have it.
- SUV car seat configurations (what we currently have.) I’m all for becoming a mad mom in a minivan but Ben is insisting we hold onto what’s left of our cool card for as long as possible.
- Literally everything else. Give me all your good stories and advice. I feel WAY less nervous about having this baby then I did Cameron for about 100 different reasons, but being a mother to three precious children under five is still somewhat terrifying.
Thank you for allowing me share our wonderful news with you – oh my gosh, it feels so good to not hold it in anymore! I think this may help connect the dots as to why I’ve felt a bit preoccupied lately too. I’m finally past the “I’m so tired all I want to do is stare at the wall” phase, but being pregnant with two little boys and a business is no joke. So that said, thank you also for your understanding if things get a little willy nilly here for awhile. I am grateful to have the best, most loyal and supportive readers in the world. <3
Holly K 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! That is SO exciting! As a veteran mom of 3 that we had all within a 4 year span….2 years and 3 months between #1 and #2 and then only 18 months between #2 and 3, those early years are kind of a blur, but a soft, warm fuzzy blur that makes me smile because I have no idea how we did it but we did and I look back and smile at the wonderful chaos it was or maybe it’s blurry from the exhaustion of that time…Hard to say! ;) There’s something awesome about having them close together like that and having this tiny tribe of little people surrounding you. My 3 are all teenagers now and we say all the time how glad we are that we had them close together for so many reasons. It’s worked for us and I’m sure it will work for your precious family!
Nancy 02.16.2018
So happy for you all, with this news of your growing family! Praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby girl. PS: she doesn’t have to be all frilly and wearing pink everyday to be a girl?
Tina 02.16.2018
Congratulations to all! I have three girls and one son.I love them all of course.Now just waiting on some grand babies.
Rhonda 02.16.2018
Of course I should have started with Congratulations!! Love your blog!!
Rhonda 02.16.2018
I also have two boys and my youngest is a girl. I imagined having a partner in crime to go shopping with and do “girly things”. Well, she is the least girly girl you’d ever meet. :) She plays club soccer, lives in active wear, hasn’t voluntarily worn a skirt or a dress in years, and has been trying to keep up with those brothers since day one. In fact I’d say her whole goal in life is not only keep up, but surpass. She’s an excellent athlete and skier and has no time for girly nonsense. It’s actually really refreshing. Now that she’s in middle school, her focus on sports and school and NO DRAMA is fantastic. Enjoy the ruffles and bows while you have the chance because she may be the type to box up all her barbies (mine did) to make room for legos.
Heather 02.16.2018
This is beautiful news, wow! Congrats and bless you all!
Kathleen 02.16.2018
Congratulations on your wonderful news !! I was nervous about having a daughter as well. I am not a girly girl and I just didn’t think I would be any good at it. I had my son first and boys are definitely different…lol ! Fast forward….I have a 7 year old daughter and she is the best as is her brother….they are different but they are the best of buddies and I can’t imagine life without them. I try to keep the body image etc. in mind and I am careful what I say about myself now because I don’t want her to develop a negative self image. You will be great !
Carol R 02.16.2018
Congratulations! How wonderful to know ahead of time the what the newest member of your family will be. You’ll do just fine with all three of them. I had three little ones all 3 1/2 and under. The last two being 17 months apart. Must remember that the new little baby will be sleeping much of the time and you still can give your attention to the other two. Relax and enjoy the time with them. Read, play forget the dust. Routines change a little but the newest member just fits in with it all.
Miranda 02.16.2018
Congratulations! So happy for you!
ShaNae 02.16.2018
Congratulations! I am so thrilled for you and your family! Children are a blessing!
I have a 12 year old son, and over the past 2 years, things have happened and I cannot have any more children. At first I was so upset and a little angry that that choice was no longer mine. Then I came to realize, my younger friends are still having babies, and I get to help them not only with the baby, but with their other children. They are younger than my son, but that’s ok because new friendships have been formed, and my friendships have strengthened. Everything happens for a reason, and I am as excited for you as I was when I was expecting. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who has a life growing inside of her. Prayers for you in helping with the headaches and nausea, and also for a safe and happy pregnancy.
P.S. my sister has 3 boys then a little girl, and her brothers take care of her like no other. It is so cute.
Kelly 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! How exciting!
Sara 02.16.2018
This is the BEST NEWS on a Friday!! How fun for you all!! You will love having a girl-and she will love having brothers to teach her all the boy stuff. My daughter can be girly when she wants but also loves sports and all the outdoor stuff. Congrats!!
Heidi 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!!! So happy for your family!
Katie 02.16.2018
Congrats! So happy for you and your family and can’t wait to follow along via your blog :-)
SarahV 02.16.2018
Congratulations to you and your family! You are my favorite blogger and I look forward to your new addition. ?
Shannon 02.16.2018
I had my first baby girl in 2002. We found out we were pregnant again in 2005 and were blessed with twin boys in April 2006, but their 1st year was not without complications healthwise. One of them had to spend 2 months in the NICU and then had ongoing specialist visits for the next 6 months – this magnifies new twin tiredness exponentially. Imagine our surprise when we found out I was pregnant again with a baby due in April 2007. I actually had to have a conversation with my ob about scheduling my c-section around my twin’s first birthday! We had 4 kids 4 and under. I know baby stuff has changed a ton but I recommend a sit stand stroller – we had one by joovy. They make one for 2 babies and 1 older kid. It will seem like you are never going to stop changing diapers but you will survive and when they get older you will love having multiple pre-teens/ teenagers (not being sarcastic – they are tons of fun).
Mollie A 02.16.2018
Oh my goodness. So exciting! Congratulations! I wish you a healthy and enjoyable rest of your pregnancy.
By the way, you can easily do 3 kids in a newer SUV. Our Honda Pilot accommodates as do most of the mid sized SUVs. Resist the minivan!
Congratulations, again! ?
Sarah 02.16.2018
Aw. Girls are a bundle of feels, but they also are so spicy, lovely and fun. We have three girls, so I live in girl-land all the time. My friends with two boys and then a girl have found that little sis is beloved and tough. No matter what the gender combo, three healthy little people is a blessing, and there are many who would love to be in your shoes (as you mentioned).
Strollers – I liked having a sit and stand with three close in age. I had a double jogger, but I rarely used it after #3 appeared on the scene. That first summer going to swimming lessons, library and the park the sit and stand saved my sanity. If you can handle the weight, I put all three of them on there. Baby in the carseat clipped on front, #2 seated and #1 standing. Getting through parking lots became much easier. I think I may have even used that method two summers.
Dena Lindeman 02.16.2018
I had 2 boys and then a girl. My oldest was 3.5 when the baby was born. The middle was 21 months (exactly the same as your last two). So I had 3 that were under 4. I wouldn’t change a thing! Yes, it’s a little harried sometimes, but mostly it’s just FUN (with a side of anxiety). I can’t help with the suggestions on gear since mine are now 22, 20, and 18, but I can tell you, now that they are “grown”, that it’s a great life! Congratulations – ENJOY!
Jill Weinreb 02.16.2018
Hey there, I have been reading your blog for years and have never commented before BUT after reading this one I JUST HAD TO. I am the LEAST girly girl on the planet, was so nervous about having a girl (well a baby of any kind ) and now she is 5 and adorable and sweet and just fine with the fact that I am HORRIBLE at hair and nail polish, I mean how is it supposed to stay on the itty bitty nail and not on the skin? Congratulations!!!!