Oh Boy!!!

Well, by now, I am sure that most of you have heard, but in case you haven't...Mark and I had our most recent ultrasound last Thursday (again, sorry about the untimeliness of the news, but with getting ready for conferences and Ethan walking/getting into more and more each day, I just haven't had a chance). My day had been up and down (work wasn't great, but I had just come from dinner with good friends, so I was in a good mood). I had no expectations or desires for my ultrasound except for wanting baby to appear healthy. I did, however, feel in my gut that it was a girl this time. After all, I've been more nauseated with this pregnancy, have been carrying completely differently, and my gut feeling (along with Dad's guess and the Chinese birth chart) were all right the first time, so why wouldn't they be this time?

Mark and I met at the hospital, got checked in, and waited for what seemed like forever before the ultrasound tech came and got us. I had drank so much water (they tell you to come with a full bladder) that I was ready to burst, but she told me to hold off a minute before using the bathroom-"Sometimes it can help or hinder being able to get a clear picture," she said. I got as comfortable as I could and she began looking at baby...here are the baby's arms, here is the baby's heart, etc. I felt kinda bad, but I couldn't focus...I just had to know what it was right away. "Is the baby being bashful or can you tell what it is?" I asked her. "Do you want to know what it is?" "YES!" Mark and I replied. "Well, here is the baby's penis..." Wait...wait a minute! Girls aren't supposed to have penises. I was quite puzzled. The ultrasound tech must've sensed my confusion. "Did you think it was the opposite gender?" "To be perfectly honest, yes, " I told her. I explained how different everything has been during this pregnancy and then asked, "So how sure are you? Like 50%?" I felt bad asking, but I had to know. "About 85-90%." Okay...okay. After I got over my initial shock, I was quite pleased. Two boys. I can handle this. After all, before we even found out we were pregnant with this one, I had said to my mom once that I had a feeling that I would be the mother of boys. All of the mothers of boys that I know (with one exception) are kind, loving people that are teachers or are/were in the teaching profession at some point. They all have 2-3 boys and they all love it! As sappy as it sounds, I knew God chose this for us for a reason and we should trust in him. Mark, always being good with the words, said as we were walking out of the hospital, "Think of all the money we're gonna save..." Okay, true, but not the first thing that popped into MY head (I was thinking more about what good buddies they'll be)!

However, that being said, most everyone that has heard our news has been excited for us. Not everyone, though. Mom and I were craft saleing last weekend at St. Tim's. A lady from our parish (and former St. Tim's school secretary) came up to me and said, "Oh, I bet you're hoping for a girl." I quickly told her I didn't need to hope for that because we were having another boy. "You're having another boy....I'm sorry!" Why? What's so bad about it? Another lady selling her wares overheard me talking to a friend (who also has two boys) and said, "Another boy? That's too bad!" We both just gave her the evil eye and despite her trying to redeem herself, I refused to buy anything at her station.

I recently emailed another friend of mine (a mother of 3 boys) to give me advice on how to manage boys or rather, what's great about them, so when people say/do hurtful things, I can come back with a truthful, heartfelt remark. Here's what she sent me:

"I can tell you lots about what's great about having boys:

1. They keep you active :) You probably haven't gotten to the crazy, bouncing off the walls level of activity with Ethan yet. But when you do, you'll find yourself outside often-- walking, running and biking after your boys. Great for keeping fit.

2. Brothers are the best of friends. I've found that their intentions are typically purer than sisters (who typically have an ulterior motive at work). Boys look out for and stand up for one another. When they get old enough, they will be entertainment for each other, playing for hours in the sandbox or with cars.

3. Even when they do get in a fight, they make up quickly, by just pretending nothing ever happened -- and they never hold a grudge.

4. Boys love their mommy like she is the queen of the world (and you always will be to them).

5. I have found one of the most rewarding parts of parenting boys, is watching their own relationship develop. That relationship that I am not a part of. Sometimes they get lost in their own little world. I'll catch them giggling about a little secret that they have. I remember the first time I noticed this. I'll never forget that moment or the realization that having more children is really the greatest gift I could ever give THEM. Up until that point, I thought children were an amazing gift to US. It warms my heart in a way that you will soon get to know.

So this got a little long, sorry about that. I just love being a mother to boys and I know that you will love it and be great at it as well.

God Bless :) "

I think she's absolutely right! So, while we'll have to pack up the princess room (forever, Mark says, but for now, I say), we will have another adorable little boy who will have all of his brother's clothes, along with his own, toys galore, friends and family who love him to pieces, a big brother who'll be his best friend, and a daddy and mommy who'll absolutely adore him! :) Now it's just a matter of coming up with a good middle name (his first name has likely already been determined-it's just figuring out how to spell it)...