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
Heather 02.16.2018
Congratulations!! I have followed your blog since it was just you and Ben. So happy for you and your growing family. My two girls are 21 months apart. They are 20 and 18 now.I know,how busy you will be but enjoy this time! Seems like you’ve got alot of family around to help you. Take all the help up can!! Congratulations!! P.s. I loved having little girls!!
Kathy 02.16.2018
Congratulations! I just found out I am going to be a grandmother for my #3. My son and daughter in law will also have 2 that are 2 and under.
Kendy 02.16.2018
Congratulations, Kristen! I’m in Iowa for a long weekend visiting my sisters and nieces and at lunch today, one of my sisters said, “did you read IGE? She’s having a girl!” ? We’ve all read your blog and we kind of talk about you like you’re a friend of ours. Lol! And, I was making your cheesy, ham, broccoli rice for our lunch…so you’re a friend who shares good recipes! ?
Jessie 02.16.2018
I just had my third in September 3 boys- 3 & under. I will say- this third baby was a total GAME CHANGER. it’s just a totally different ball game being out numbered. It took me a good 3-4 months to really get my groove back. Loading and unloading the car is an Olympic event. I refuse to go to the store with all three. It’s just not happening. Play dates and outings are hit or miss. It’s chaotic, crazy, loud, but we love it. I highly recommend the double city select with a kick board. Easiest way to get through a parking lot with all 3 contained. We have a suburban w/ bucket seats and we’re shocked to find it that the third row only has one top tether anchor SO we did the 3.5 yr old in the 3rd row, infant in third row, and 2 year old in one bucket w/ the other bucket folded down. I’m begging my husband for a van– something I thought I’d NEVER do! Congrats! I’m jealous you’re having a girl!
Terri 02.16.2018
Must be something in the water…another gal I know just found out she’s expecting her third child. She also has a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old and works full-time outside the home. Eek! I don’t know how she does it. Congratulations on baby #3.
Michelle 02.16.2018
Congratulations! I’m so excited and happy for you!
Mindy 02.16.2018
Congratulations!! I’m due with #3 in June!! We also have 2 boys but didn’t find out this time ? I love my double bob. Best purchase ever! We’re moving our oldest to the 3rd row of our suv. He’ll be 5 in July and has the buckling Down so that will be a help!
Bernadette 02.16.2018
Congratulations! We had two boys and then had a girl too, it’s so much fun! She brings an extra measure of light and joy to our family and helps balance out her brothers. She’s a spunky little thing though, I attribute that to a healthy dose of learning to stick up for herself at a young age, those girls gotta be tough when putting up with big brothers! I hear you though, when she was born my oldest wasn’t yet 4, so 3 kids under 4 was a definite challenge. Adding her was easier than adding her next older brother though so you can do this. It was nice for the boys to have each other while I was taking care of the baby. They’re 6, 8, and 10 now, and I love these ages, time does fly! You can do this mama, we’re all here for you!
Katherine 02.16.2018
Congratulations to you and your family! I’ve been following your blog since you and Ben got married and I love reading all about your family. So happy you’ll have a little girl!
Mari 02.16.2018
yes being childless is heartbreaking…but I am very happy for you.
Alyssa 02.16.2018
Congratulations! I have no advice, but best of luck!
Megan 02.16.2018
Congratulations!! When we were expecting our third we switched to the minivan and I LOVE it. It’s tough to find narrow enough carseats to go three across, although I hear the Clek brand is one of the narrowest options! We went with a Chrysler Pacifica and have no complaints! The step up into the van is easy for the older two, the sliding doors are amazing, and I can crawl from front seat into the back when necessary (awesome when it’s bad weather!). I say go for the minivan! ;)
JC 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! I had two boys and then a girl all under 4 and it is the best thing I ever did (although I now wish I had went ahead and had 4). It was great having them all grow up together. My little girl will be married in June. Enjoy-it does go fast :).
Brittany 02.16.2018
Congratulations! Girls are SO fun!! I promise I’m not just saying that either! I have always been a tomboy and hated pretty much anything girly growing up….I don’t even wear makeup (probably cuz I’m too lazy!!) Anyways, I have 2 girls (ages 4 & 2, they are 22 months apart) and they love to play in the dirt in their dresses! They are the sweetest little things ever! They love with their whole hearts and are so caring!! They are also your’s and Daddy’s biggest fan and want to do everything you do! It’s simply adorable and melts your heart watching how your husband gets wrapped around their little fingers!! And shopping for girls clothes…eek…talk about breaking the bank on some serious cuteness!! I suck at doing hair, but I’m learning slowly! You will do great with a little girl!
We have a highlander with bucket seats in the 2nd row. If we have a 3rd, I’m not giving up my cool card for a mini van! My 4 year old can open the door and buckle herself in her high back booster, so she’ll be fine in the 3rd row by herself. I should add that I might be a little scarred from when I was in HS and had to drive my mom’s mini van before I got my first car!
We got a double stroller (Countour Options Elite Tandum Stroller) when I had #2 but it wasn’t anything to write home about. It did fit through any door, had multiple arrangements of seat options, huge under basket, and folds up nicely. I didn’t want to break the bank on a stroller that we would only use a hand full of times, like when we go to the zoo or state fair. If we go on walks, the oldest rides a bike or scooter while I push the youngest in the jogging stroller or push bike.
Eileen Keune 02.16.2018
Congratulations! Wonderful news, you will love having a daughter. They are all unique and adorable, especially when they are yours. The boys will watch over her.
Melanie 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!
Kelli 02.16.2018
Go for the van. Me and my hubby are 33 and 35 and we just got one and LOVE. The sliding doors are a game changer!
Erin 02.16.2018
Get the minivan! I wanted to hold onto my cool card too and my husband talked me into it. I only have two kids and I don’t know how I functioned without it!!
Caitlin 02.16.2018
Congrats, Kristin! That is so exciting! I had my first daughter in November of 2016 and I am also 8 weeks pregnant with my second. They will be 23 months apart. CRAZY!!!
Trisha 02.16.2018
Congratulations! How super awesomely exciting for you all!! I won’t pretend to know what it’s like to have a toddler and an infant, but as a twin mom I can recommended rhe Delta LX side-by-side double umbrella stroller. I would imagine a sit and stand will be best for your “main” stroller with their age difference, but this Delta would be good for when baby girl is a little older, but Cameron isn’t quite ready to always be walking on his own. It’s perfect for quick walks to the park, parades, etc. and we plan to roll it through the airport on an upcoming trip. It runs $50-60 at various outlets so it won’t break the bank and you don’t feel too guilty if you don’t get as much use out of it if you planned. But it DOES fit through all ADA code doorways, so it is convenient for sure!