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
Gina 02.16.2018
Congratulations! I’m pregnant with #3 as well. I have a 3 year old and almost 2 year old – 2 under 2 is tough but oh so much fun as they get older! My only advice is to get the minivan! We made the jump a few months ago and I’ve never looked back! Automatic sliding doors are clutch!!
Wendy 02.16.2018
Awe, congrats on your special news!! Three will be so much fun!
Lindsay 02.16.2018
Our third baby turns one next week – she’s been our easiest, happiest baby yet! I’m sure that is how it is for everyone ;) We are solidly in minivan-loving territory… Wishing you all the best. So much fun ahead!
Kelli at Hungry Hobby 02.16.2018
Congratulations! How very exciting!! You got this, Momma!
Cindy 02.16.2018
BIG congrats!!!! Love following your blog and social media for both the recipes and lifestyle content :). So happy for you. I’m a mom of 3 boys (6, 4, and 18 months). It’s tough, crazy, chaotic and wonderful. And we knew our family was complete with the addition of our youngest guy. We have the city mini double stroller and I love the versatility – I know there are several out there that convert to a single or double but it’s worked for us (my first two were 22 months apart and I NEEDED the double stroller for at least the first year!). And we also still have our SUV (a Jeep Grand Cherokee) with all 3 in a row in the back seat. We put our oldest in the middle (he’s in a high back booster) and then the younger two on either sides – they are both in Britax marathons with the little one still rear facing and it works. It really is plenty of space for our family. And it’s nice having our oldest sitting in the middle to help with baby bro. Best of luck to you all :)
Heather 02.16.2018
Congrats!!!! I have 3 boys and I’ve always said that I knew #4 was a girl before I even knew/admitted I was pregnant. She’s almost 2 now and sooooo girly. I have no idea where she gets it because it isn’t me. It’s totally ingrained. She’ll be 2 in April and can already pick out her clothes and dress herself. My 3.5 year old boy still struggles-benefits since she loves trying on clothes I guess. Her brother is 21 months older. We have 2.5 years, 3.5 years, and 21 month gaps here
Lindsey 02.16.2018
Congrats, Kristin! Non-girly girl here too, but once I had my daughter I was so fully on board with bows and baby dolls. You will have so much fun.
Jodi 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!
Heather 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! That is so wonderful! I have 3 kids, 4 and under, 2 are girls! With my first pregnancy, I wanted it to be a boy SO badly, because of all the Reasons you mentioned in your post about momming a girl. But she was a girl, and she is amazing, and wonderful, and soooo girly! I was a tomboy, and I actually love it so much! Girls are so so so special, and I’m so thrilled about having girls. Although, I am praying fervently for their precious, sensitive teen years. ? I know everyone is different, but I feel like I’m just now finding some sort of normalcy, 18 months into our third child’s arrival. It has been a hard adjustment for me, trying to juggle them all. I only say this because it took a lot to figure out that I needed to give myself more time than I thought was appropriate. So, give yourself TIME! Congrats again, that’s so exciting!!! ps. You will never regret switching to a minivan with 3 kids. We love our minivan life!!!
Jane 02.16.2018
So excited for you! Our daughter is expecting her first child/girl in July also!! You’re a fantastic mom already, and a little girl will just be the icing on your cake!!
Judy 02.16.2018
Congrats on the girl. You’ll do fine I’m sure of it.
Katie 02.16.2018
Congratulations! My kids are 21 months apart and we definitely have made good use of our BOB Double jogging stroller. It’s great for running/walking on sidewalks and trails and it also fits just fine in store doorways – I am constantly amazed that it fits.
Kayla 02.16.2018
Congratulations! So happy for you all! Little girls are tons of fun. If you want a double stroller, I’d suggest the Combination Twin Sport. It’s compact, lightweight and fits through most standard doorways and store aisles! Good luck!
Ruth 02.16.2018
Congratulations to the whole family!!
Leah 02.16.2018
Congratulations. I gave up my mini van a couple years ago – kids do eventually outgrow them – I still miss it. The auto sliding doors are wonderful – when we came out of a store – my two boys would race to get in there seats and buckle up before I got to the van. I also liked the deep back end – groceries and items back there do not move all over the back end – in my current SUV – grocery bags and things move while driving. There is also enough room that the boys can walk in and out of the 2nd row & buckling up any of them is much easier from the open side of a van then any open door in another vehicle. Enjoy them while they are young – they grow up too fast.
Brooke 02.16.2018
Congrats! Having 3 is amazing chaos. You will rock it! We have a double bob and it is great, but bulky. We tried a city mini double at Disney and I think I liked it better. I went from a Hyundai Sante Fe to a Honda Odyssey. It’s amazing. Having a car with automatic doors when you are wrangling toddlers and carrying a baby seat is a must. My hubby has a big Yukon and it’s a lot of muscle to get that baby seat into it! Congrats again! Little girls are so much fun!
Kelly K 02.16.2018
YAY! :-D Congratulations!
Beth W. 02.16.2018
My kids are 2 years and 10 days apart. My oldest turned 2 and 10 days later we brought home twins! They are now 8, 6, and 6 and we just got a minivan (Chrysler Pacifica) this past July. I DID NOT want to drive a van, but I LOVE it! Those automatic doors come in really handy!! My one recommendation is for car seats – the only thing that would fit across my Dodge Journey are Diano Radian car seats. They are the slimmest ones out there! Make sure you bring your tape measure if you look in stores. We measured every single one and they are too wide. Our Dianos also convert to boosters which is also a nice feature. Congrats to you and your family on your new baby girl!
Emily @ Robust Recipes 02.16.2018
Congrats!!! So exciting!!! ????
Melissa 02.16.2018
So many congratulations! I have 4 (3 girls and 1 boy) and it is an adventure I wouldn’t change for the world. My 2 youngest are 19 months apart and if you don’t have a good baby carrier I would suggest investing in one. Double strollers are cumbersome and baby wearing was a godsend for me this past year. I suggest finding a store that will let you try on carriers to see which one fits best. For carseats look into clek or diono brands. They are slim and can fit 3 across in a seat. Most importantly be prepared to have your heart explode with happiness. Watching your babies become close and develop their own special relationships with each other is amazing! Congratulations again!