It's a BOY!!!!!!

Or maybe it's a girl. We don't know, YET.

However, EVERYONE seems to have an opinion.
I don't mind people guessing or speculating the gender of Baby J.
I don't even mind when they ask if we're hoping for a boy or another girl.

It's the ones that say, "Oh, I bet you're hoping for a boy this time," that REALLY gets on my nerves. Or worse, "Oh NO! What if you get ANOTHER girl!!!" You know, as though having THREE girls would be the kiss of death or something.

Why do people automatically assume I/we want, hope and wish this baby is a boy?

I guess it all ties into the 'American Dream', where everyone SHOULD want to have 2.5 children, of which one is a boy and one is a girl. What about that .5?

What if I tell you I would absolutely LOVE another girl?
What if I tell you I would absolutely LOVE a boy?
What if...what if I tell you how I'd really like to answer the question of whether or not we are hopeful for a boy?

I'd say:
"Frankly, I don't give a flying flip about the gender of our baby! I just hope and pray during each OB visit that when the nurse places the cold microphone-looking wand on my lower abdomen we will hear a strong 'swhoosh, swhoosh, swhoosh.' I pray that in less than a month, the ultra sound technician has a smile on her face as she waves the blue goop slathered sonogram receiver over my naval, and I hope she maintains her smile throughout the entire survey. I pray that sometime in July, I give birth to a screaming crying baby who nuzzles into my neck and suddenly calms down with the peace of knowing I am HIS or HER Mommy. So, no, I don't care if it's a boy, or a girl for that matter. I just want a living breathing baby to hold."

But, THAT wouldn't be the 'nice' answer.

So, in the meantime, when people ask me if I'm hoping for a boy/girl, I will say "Yes." Because I am.

My Girl

Last week, while working with my 5yr old on her speech therapy homework, we came across a list of questions.

One question read, "What do you need to buy something from the store?"

Her answer: "Coupons"

That's MY GIRL!!!!

A WARNING to all Expectant Fathers:

NEVER, I repeat, NEVER ask or say the following to your significant other, who is pg with your child:

- "Who ate all the queso? I only got a little bit when we opened the jar three days ago!"

- "Ranch dip? On _____________ (insert any food the pg woman is eating like eggs, pancakes, peanut butter and tomato sandwich, apples...etc)

- "Wow Honey, you can already fit into my pants?"

- "I am so tired."

- "My _________ (insert any part of the human body) hurts."

Today, we are thankful for...

Yes, it's true. Joy comes in the morning.
Well, it will one warm summer day in July 2010.

Of Husbands and Sleeping

A few nights ago, during S-O's bedtime routine:

S-O: Why can't I sleep in your bed with you and Daddy.
me: Because you have your bed and Daddy and I have ours.

S-O: Why do you sleep with Daddy?
me: Because he is my husband and we love each other, so we sleep together.

S-O: I love you and Daddy. Can't I sleep in ya'lls bed? I don't want to sleep by myself.
me: No. When you grow up and have your own husband, he can sleep in your bed with you.

S-O: I have an idea. When I grow up and get a husband, you can sleep in my bed with my husband and I'll sleep in your bed.

Bless you

Baby Rae sat snuggled on my lap eating her fresh cut apples while we waited for her big sister's dance class to finish.

Seven fellow Dance Moms sat among us.

I sneezed (into my sleeve of course).

Nobody said a word.

Baby Rae twisted her head backwards, touched my face, and said, "Bless you, Mommy."

Yes, indeed, I am blessed.

Innocent Thanks

My not quite 5yr old, S-O, had a project in her PreK class in which she had to decorate a turkey feather shaped piece of construction paper with things that represent what she's thankful for.

We covered it with Dora fabric, added some sparkly jewels, tied a ribbon into a bow and taped a picture of her and her Baby Sister to the top. But the most special part of the project was her list of thanks. The following was written on her feather in a VERY specific order, according to her.

I am thankful for:

Mommy
Diego and Dora
Me
Daddy
Biscuits
My Baby Sister
The Sun
Turkey
Computers
Eyes
Crayons

I couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time while she dictated the words I wrote. I long for such simple thanks. Then again, my list would probably look A LOT like hers.