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
HJ 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!!! I always wanted 3 but it just did not happen. My youngest is a girl and SUPER girly. She is 11 and all about make up, doing hair, etc. My brother has 3 kids – ages 6, 4 and 2. His youngest is a girl. They cram them all in their Honda Accord. It sounds crazy but it’s true. They found the slimmest car seats for the older kids (the boys) and then did whatever for the youngest — whatever is safest. They live in NYC so they don’t drive every day. They came & stayed with us for a weekend. It was SO much fun. Their youngest (a girl) is WILD and way wilder than the boys. You will do great! It’s so fun to have a big family. My coworker’s wife is having a baby in june — THEIR SIXTH!!!! Best wishes!
Francine 02.16.2018
Congrats!! Little girls are so fun! My oldest was four when my third was born, and if I can do it, anyone can! I think if you set your expectations really low and allow yourself a lot of grace, especially for the first three months, you’ll be just fine. With each kid, you realize more that everything is just a phase and the time really goes so quickly!
When we had our second, we invested in a BOB duallie and it’s still going strong! Can’t help with the car seats since we have a minivan (my SUV-driving friends are jealous of the magic doors!) but I’ve heard Radians can fit three across.
Tracy 02.16.2018
CONGRATULATIONS!! I was a mother of 4 under 4 when my youngest (and only girl) was born. You can do it!! One day at a time :) God bless!!
Laura 02.16.2018
Congratulations! Oh and on the car…I only have one kid (so far) and just got a Honda Odyssey. My old car was old, and couldn’t comfortably seat anyone in the passenger when we had to move up to the bigger car seat. I contemplated large SUV but I know we want three kids so it just made sense to go big or go home. Plus right now we have a big dog we take everywhere with us, so he’s got ample space, until more kids come along :). You won’t regret the minivan once you have it, sliding doors are the best. And the low profile makes it so easy for you to get kids in an out of the car, compared a giant SUV. I’m not even 30, Viva la mini van!
Laura Cross 02.16.2018
OMG! So shocked! But happy for you!!
Char Riippi 02.16.2018
CONGRATULATIONS!! I’m thrilled for you! Your sons will make great big brothers! That’s a great idea to get a doll to help Cameron prepare for his little sister! Your going to have so much fun planning for this little girl!
It’s going to be a fun place with three sweet little ones in the house. (do I make you feel any better telling you my niece has 5 (two sets of twins) that are 5 or younger and she is surviving. (and loving it) You’ll do fine…so happy for you. God’s Blessings!
Vanessa 02.16.2018
We only have two (ha, only) and I was dead set against a mini van. But…every day I’m so happy we have one. Seriously. Just do it. (Swoosh)
And CONGRATS!
Stephanie 02.16.2018
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So exciting!
Erin 02.16.2018
What exciting news for your family! Congratulations!
Jessica 02.16.2018
If you don’t already follow fellow blogger Katie Bower at Bower Power, you should! She just had her first girl after 4 boys. I feel like y’all would get along! And Congrats!
Lynn 02.16.2018
Congratulations to you and your family!
Sam 02.16.2018
Congrats!!! I had 3 under 3 ? and we have always done SUV’s… Yukon XL with bucket seats, so the littles go in the buckets (baby behind you) and the biggest goes in the 3rd row! Plenty of room for our double bob jogger—the best! We also use the uppa baby g-link as a lightweight stroller, our kids have struggled with the uppababy vista and the city select…p.s I’m a stroller hoarder. ? hope you are feeling well!
Jerissa 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! So, so happy for you and your family!!!!
Jen 02.16.2018
Best advice from mom of 3 under 3.5= get the minivan!!! Not joining at all, you will end up with one so just get it now and enjoy it for longer :) good luck! Our third has kind of thrown us into the crazy all the time feeling but it’s very nice knowing our family is complete. Congrats!!!
Jen 02.16.2018
Not joking**
Caitlin 02.16.2018
Congrats! do you mind sharing the advice you get? I’ve got a baby due in late July too, and a little one Cameron’s age. I’m trying to figure out the stroller situation mostly! And girl’s are so great, I was a tomboy too and had a little girl, and she’s so much fun (and starting to get so sassy).
Bea 02.16.2018
i am the mom of 3 young women! Congratulations! 2 is a change 3 is nothing you got this oh and she will have your husband wrapped around that little finger!
Maria 02.16.2018
Congratulations! You didn’t say what her name is going to be.
Carla B 02.16.2018
Congratulations! You are in for such a treat! I am also a Mom of 2 boys then a girl. You will be amazed at the difference b/w boys and girls. I would not trade it for the world. Love my boys and love my 3rd being a girl! Being raised in a home with boys can make a little girl be less dramatic (at least in my case it has). My baby is almost 13 so enjoy those younger years. I would go back in a heartbeat. Buy everything pink!!
Katie 02.16.2018
Congrats! I love my city mini gt double stroller. I even bought a single after getting the double because it is so easy to fit in your car, fold, use, etc. So happy for you and your family!
Char Riippi 02.16.2018
I’m thrilled for you and your family! CONGRATULATIONS!! Going to be so much fun planning for a little girl!! (and she’ll have two big brothers to love and watch over her!) Great idea getting a doll to help Cameron get use to a little one. My one great niece has fiove children (two sets of twins) 5 and under. That’s a fun household! Thank you for sharing this news….God’s Blessings to you!!