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.”
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
Ashley 02.16.2018
Congrats, that’s so exciting!! Same experience here on the gender. We have a 14 month old girl and while hubby and I always assumed our future kid would be a boy (?) I just KNEW she was a girl when we found out I was pregnant. Weird how that works!! As for the car sitch, I had an SUV that I loved. But after 9 months with the baby in tow, ditched it for a Honda Odyssey mom mobile and I super duper love it! Love the extra room but also the sliding second row seats (amaze) and did I mention all the room?! Congrats again!
Oh, and I’ve been regularly making your cheesy ham and broccoli rice dish and the chicken salsa verde rice one too and my daughter scarfs it right up! So thank you for those!!
Rebecca 02.16.2018
First of all… congratulations!!! That’s such exciting news. I am a mother of three boys. My youngest two are 20 months apart. There were times that it got hectic, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I made sure to spend as much time with each of the older two after their brother was born. Letting my middle son help out as much as he could to be a part of his younger brother’s life. The oldest one would help when the middle one couldn’t do the things he thought he could do. I used a double stroller that was tandem. It took up less room in my vehicle. I put the oldest child and his carseat in the very back of the minivan and had the younger two in the middle so it was easier to get to them. My boys are now almost 21, almost 18 and 16. Best of luck and again, congratulations!
Beth Ann 02.16.2018
CONGRATULATIONS! I have 3 within 4 years. My oldest is now in middle school and it seems like forever ago and yesterday at the same time when they were all little. First off – I LOVED those times. In the moments when they were all little it felt very chaotic but wonderful at the same time. I had a double stroller and found I didn’t use it much – I preferred the single stroller and then carried my baby in a wrap until they were about 1 years old. I felt like it was easier to have 2 hands free to wrangle the older 2 and not worry about the baby. All the best – it really is wonderful and magical!
Lacey Jones 02.16.2018
Congratulations Kristin and family! So happy for you guys ?
Elizabeth Dixon 02.16.2018
Yay!!’ Congrats!! I have 2 boys and never tried for the girl. Part of me wishes I did! We did a lot of walking when my boys were little so when little brother was born big brother (he was 2.5) was booted out of the stroller and we got a “stroller skateboard” for him to ride on when he got tired. He loved it and never complained about never getting to ride in the stroller. I can’t wait to read all about your crazy new life!!
Erika Myhre 02.16.2018
Congratulations Kristin!! I’m so happy for you and your family!! What a wonderful blessing.
Katherine 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!!!! That is sooo exciting! I had three in about 4.5 years so I HEAR YOU! Being pregnant with toddlers is no joke. Tips: Put biggest kid in the back of SUV, double stroller for sure (I LOVED my side-by-side City Mini–black Friday special), and try to work out “special time” for toddler so you can nurse. Read books, little games, etc. so they still feel special while you have to give such undivided time to newborn. Your middle will need this more than your oldest.
Congrats again!
Brittany 02.16.2018
SO excited for your growing family! I actually squealed in delight when I saw your bump on Instagram, and I don’t even know you (although I’ve followed your blog for years)! I have two kids 2 and under and I love the Contours Elite double stroller. Feels like a fancy one but for a lot less money than the REALLY fancy types.
Dawn Klein 02.16.2018
Congratulations! My parents raised three girls without a station wagon or a minivan!
Amanda 02.16.2018
I’m 21 weeks with my third girl. You’ve got this. Our first two are 21 months apart and my youngest will turn 3 right before sister arrives. I’m sure we’re in for a bit of craziness but we are so excited. Can’t wait to hear the tips and tricks you get from others. Need all the help we can get. Congrats on your growing family.
Nicky 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!???
Kami 02.16.2018
Congratulations! ????
Kim 02.16.2018
My kiddos are 4.5, 2.5 and 4 mo. I would advise to wait on the double stroller and the minivan. Our middle guy is so obsessed with keeping up with big sis that the thought of him in a stroller is laughable. Blows my mind to even consider it. We have the kids three across in my Highlander. The Diono Radian car seats fit just fine. Older two can climb right up with no problem, and our oldest hooks herself in. It’s tempting to buy ALL THE THINGS everyone says you need, but wait to see what works for your family.
Justine 02.16.2018
Diono Radian car seats are safe and narrow! We have two dionos and a Chicco keyfit30 in the backseat of our Subaru Outback. Best of luck with your pregnancy!!
Kristyn 02.16.2018
We have 4 girls, and the first one has never been a “girly-girl”! It was all dogs, blue and green, and sports with her. Even now at almost 15yrs old she is the exact same way. We got in plenty of Barbies and princesses and pink with the next three, but I wouldn’t trade my non-girly girl for the world. And with 12 years experience with the mini-van I say go for it and don’t look back. The sliding doors and space are so worth any hesitant feelings. Even now with our youngest at age 5 the doors are perfect for preschool drop off and pick up. Just imagine coming out of Target with a full cart, 3 kids, and just pushing a button to let them all in while opening the back at the same time to load everything up. Now imagine that in the winter with the winds -20 degrees. Every extra second you have to get in out of the cold is precious!
Good luck, can’t wait to meet you newest family member later this year. Your boys are so adorable.
Kate @ Mom's Radius 02.16.2018
Congrats! Don’t assume that just because she’s a girl, she’ll be “girly”. She could turn out to be a tom-boy like you, and she probably will with two older brothers.
Amber 02.16.2018
Fitting three car seats across the back seat of an suv or car is a pain in the butt.
Being able to open the van sliding doors with a click of the key button is almost as good as a pain free birth – especially when manuvering three kids under 5 by yourself in a parking lot.
spreading the kids out = less bickering in two years
No dingned up back doors from kids opening the door into the car beside you
Still room for more than just the stroller in the back.
Dude, minivans are what all the cool kids are driving.
Congrats on the baby on the way!
Joan 02.16.2018
Congratulations & best of health with your pregnancy! So, so happy for you & your family to add another beautiful child! Love your recipes which we eat probably 3 to 4 times a week, but your focus now should be on yourself & family. Best of luck & always look forward to your family activities & pictures of those sweet boys. Regards, Joan
Nancy 02.16.2018
Happy for you and your growing family! But remember, pink and frilly isn’t the only way to be a girl?
Steve Perry 02.16.2018
WOW not even a hint, you hid that well, Congratulations and you’ll do fine