Saying Goodbye to Being A Boy Mom

Posted by on August 16, 2010 33 Comments

I’ve mentioned here before, and I’ve certainly stated to my friends and family (back before I found out we were having a girl) that I wouldn’t be shocked at all to end up with all boys. My husband comes from a huge family that seems to be overrun by testosterone. I knew what I was getting into, and while I was at a loss at how to be a “boy mom” at first, I quickly came to love it.

Going into this pregnancy, I prepared myself to find out I was expecting another boy. I was quite happy with the idea, to be honest. I mentally embraced being a boy mom long before that big ultrasound. I envisioned my life, a sea of trucks and Osh Kosh overalls, loud noises and  rough and tumble. (That’s not to say girls don’t do or play or wear these things- please allow me to overgeneralize.) I was a-okay with my life surrounded by little men. In fact, the thought was lovely.

But, OF COURSE, I was *thrilled* to hear we’re having a little girl. Shocked, yes, but over the moon happy. I think the best part has been seeing how excited Scott is (though he won’t outright admit it, I see that gleam in his eyes). I think it’s exciting to us both that he might (hopefully) get to experience that same special bond with his little girl that Kendall and I seem to have. And I can’t lie that the excitement, for me, seems to grow every day. I love to daydream about the fun tea-parties, painting tiny toenails, slumber parties and secrets shared. I’ve already purchased more for her than I know I should, but I just can’t stop. The clothes, the shoes, the tiny little bows! Oh, it’s too much to hold myself back from.

But as I make my way through this pregnancy (just about 18 weeks out from my due date- can you believe it?), I find there is a tiny bit of… sadness?? I don’t even know if that’s an accurate way to describe it. Just this feeling that comes from seeing this life, this life as a “boy mom,” fade to gray. It’s not that I’m not in love with the alternative, it’s just knowing that that life that I envisioned and embraced so passionately beforehand will never be, and it’s a little sad (we’ll just say that since I can’t think of a better word) to say goodbye.

Does that make sense? Has anyone else felt this way? I have to say, it’s an emotional experience I wasn’t expecting to go through.

Kendall is 2 & 1/4 and I’m 21ish weeks pregnant.

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Filed Under: Round 2, Terrific Terrorist Twos |Tagged With: |33 Comments

Karma is Cracking Her Knuckles

Posted by on July 26, 2010 54 Comments

And getting ready to BRING IT.

All the drama, the boyfriends, the prom dresses, the makeup, the bad hair day meltdowns, the slammed doors, the (INSERT MORE DRAMATICS HERE)- it’s all coming for me.

It’s. A. Girl! (Also, and most importantly, she looks 100% healthy!)

The tech said she was really, very confident and I had her scan and re-scan that general area several times. Nothing. Not a hint of anything boyish that way. It’s totally a girl.

So, YAY! RuffleButts!

And HOORAY pillowcase dresses and adorable collections from Gymboree!

I’m not ready to embrace all pink. It’s just not in me, but I can warm up to purple, I think. Pretty sure the nursery is going to start with a PB&J inspired color palette of dark purple and light brown with a bit of white thrown in.

And names? Well, don’t even ask. We haven’t even discussed it, and I’m fine with that. We may very well not settle on anything until she’s born anyway, just like we did with Kendall.

I know she most likely will have a birthday very close to Christmas (with a due date of 12/24), but I’m actually excited about what that entails, at least for the first few years. We can have cookie decorating parties and ornament making parties. And then when she’s old enough to get irritated with sharing her birthday with the holiday season, we can celebrate 1/2 birthdays in the summer with pedicures at the pool!

Okay, so I’m a little excited, yes. But also? Terrified.

Totally.

Terrified.

What do I DO WITH A GIRL? Y’all, I’m a boy mom. I don’t know shit about this girl business. How do I be a girl mom? What if I break her?

Kendall is 2 and already excited to share his love for “wowers” with his little sister. I’m nearly 19 weeks pregnant… and that means I’m nearly halfway there… and that means I have SO MUCH TO BUY!!

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Filed Under: Round 2, Terrific Terrorist Twos |Tagged With: , , |54 Comments

So you’re going to be a Boy Mom…

Posted by on December 31, 2009 42 Comments

I know that feeling, that excited but scared shitless feeling when the ultrasound tech tells you they see that extra bit of anatomy. “It’s a boy!” Your heart stops for a moment.

“But what will I do with a BOY?” you think to yourself, never daring to utter the thought out loud because, well, you *are* ultimately happy that it’s healthy… but… but… you don’t know how to raise a BOY.

You’re going to be a Boy Mom, and you’re going to be okay. In fact, you’re going to be great. You’ll love it so much that you’ll never be able to imagine NOT being a Boy Mom. It doesn’t matter that you LOVE being a girl, that you embrace every opportunity you get to dress up, do your makeup, get your nails done. It doesn’t matter that you much prefer shopping for shoes to browsing the sports store. Your love for all things zebra print, pink and soft does not mean you can’t and wont develop a love for “little man” clothes, toy trucks and OshKosh overalls paired with a toothy grin and muddy knees.

Being a Boy Mom means slobbery kisses and hugs that start with a running leap.

Being a Boy Mom means saving hundreds on clothes, even if only to spend that amount or more later in life on ER visits.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a keen eye for bugs and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes they can just be considered an extra helping of protein.

Being a Boy Mom doesn’t mean you won’t continue to be squeemish about things like spiders, it just means your squeels will be entertaining to the boy who taunts you by trying to eat one.

Being a Boy Mom means being the builder of block towers so big they lean and topple, leaving you both in stitches.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a very watchful eye while changing diapers, always on the lookout for that surprise pee stream attack.

Being a Boy Mom means having the pleasure of watching your son learn from his father, and then reminding his father that at a certain age they will start to repeat the F word, even if that F word is shouted at a TV during a sporting event.

Being a Boy Mom means you’ve been given the tremendous opportunity and challenge to raise someone who will grow up to be a respectful, loving and kind man. He may break hearts, but hopefully, with your guidance, he will do so gently, and ultimately he will make some lucky partner very, very happy.

Being a Boy Mom may mean giving up the fantasy of getting your nails done together after a frilly tea party, but it’s replaced by so many fun future memories that you can’t even begin to think up because right now you just don’t know what to do with a boy.

Don’t worry… it will come to you.

This was inspired by my reaction to learning that one of my best friends is having a baby boy. Immediately after she told me the news I teared up and replied, “You are going to LOVE IT! Boys love their mommas SO much!!” I was truly so happy for her, and I had to smile when her response was, “Really??” I so remember that feeling.  For some of us girls it’s a little scary venturing into the world of boys, but we just haven’t experienced just how wonderful it can be yet. I know she’s going to be an excellent Boy Mom, and I can’t wait to meet the little guy.

I’ve been a Boy Mom to Kendall for nearly 20 months

And I’d love to hear what being a Boy Mom or a Girl Mom means for you…

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Filed Under: Headed to Toddlerhood |Tagged With: , |42 Comments