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
Chris 02.16.2018
OMGoodness!!!! Congratulations!!! i have 2 boys and a baby girl (who is now 8) and it is just wonnnnderful. She walked, ran and did everything much earlier than the boys bc she wanted to keep up with them and she rules the house now! It’s absolutely wonderful to have a little girl. As my daughter says girls rule, boys drool ? congratulations again!!!
Laura 02.16.2018
Congratulations I am so happy for you and your family. Love your recipes.
Kimble 02.16.2018
Double Bob, buy the minivan- i don’t know why i resisted… you aren’t cool if you have three kids (4 and under when my third was born)- you’re tired… and things just need to be easy!
Jan Coffman 02.16.2018
The best advice I ever got is Love, Love, Love them and teach them what you know to be true….then let them be themselves. Congratulations, dear one. (I’m a Grammie of two now.) I came from a family of seven, 3 brothers and 1 sister. I learned that it was hard having that many opinions under one roof, but Holidays were just bliss! I wish for you and Ben the best of times with your new little girl. May you be blessed with one just like YOU!!!
Denise 02.16.2018
Congratulations!! How exciting! So so happy for you and your family!!??
Kari 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! Such great news that you guys are adding to your family!!! I can’t wait to follow along :)
Estelle 02.16.2018
This news just made me SMILE! Congrats to you and your family. No doubt at all….you got this!!
Marie 02.16.2018
Oh my gosh! Congratulations! What wonderful news! ♥️
McKenzie 02.16.2018
Congratulations! Mom of 3 under 4 here. 3.5, 2 and 4 months. Also an IA native, relocated to the South.
1. Chaos is normal – It’s really about your perspective and ability to realize that a) getting out the door takes forever and b) a happy Mom makes for happy kiddos.
2. Double BOB. All. The. Way. Coming from the Mom who bought 3 strollers to get to this point.
3. Minivan. Embrace it. My engineer hubby can send you the spreadsheet he used to convince me. The weighted scoring system was shockingly effective :)
4. You got this! Keep your life as simple as possible and soak in every baby and toddler moment bc I guarantee we’ll be wishing them back some day.
Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy!
Renee 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!! As soon I read the “Roses are Red…” I suspected a pregnancy announcement. Maybe because that’s how we announced to family on Valentine’s Day :) I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly!
Leigh anne 02.16.2018
Great news!! Mine are 21 months apart (girl then boy) and it has been so much easier than I thought (though we are only 3 months in). I actually think newborn + toddler is easier than pregnant + toddler. And I always thought I would have all boys but having a little girl has been so wonderful and fun! I’m not a girly girl so I am just letting her find her own way and loving her obsessions with rainbows, owls, and baby dolls.
Courtney 02.16.2018
I swear, I don’t even know you personally, but I’ve cried at every one of your pregnancy announcements. I have no kids, so I can’t offer any advice, but I will say that I am the third/last child and the only girl to two older brothers, and at 30 years old, I can still say my brothers are my best friends, and I am the luckiest girl in the world being able to grow up with them. Congratulations!!!
Elaine 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!
Tina B 02.16.2018
OMG!!! I am so EXCITED for you! We only had two, and they are waaayyyy apart in age, but have been a joy (for the most-lol)! I will soon be sending the first off to college in the fall-whaaa, where has time gone?! Babies for us-well that sun has set, but it’s so awesome to see your family growing! I bet your mom and dad are over the moon too! If anyone can handle three under five you can :)
Margaret 02.16.2018
I love your blog and recipes! So thrilled for you and your family on your upcoming bundle of (pink) joy!
Melissa 02.16.2018
Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! Congrats! July birthdays are the best and having both genders in your family is so fun too. I’m so excited for you!
Ali 02.16.2018
Congratulations and God bless you on your next adventure
Renee 02.16.2018
Congratulations!!!
Julia H. 02.16.2018
Congratulations! What exciting news! I had two wonderful boys 20 months apart and two years later a beautiful little girl. You’ve got this! Going from one to two was the big change. Going from two to three was nothing. My daughter just learned to nap in the car and appreciate soccer at an early age (due to all the practices she attended from two weeks of age). Very happy for you and your wonderful family!
Kristin 02.16.2018
Omg! So excited for you guys! I’ve been a reader for many years and I think yours may have been the first blog I ever followed!
I agree with those who have commented that a minivan is the way to go! They are what all the cool kids (and smart parents who want easy access) are driving these days!