Boys September 21, 2009
Last week we found out that I am pregnant with a baby boy this time. I realized on our way home from the ultrasound that I had been expecting to have another girl. I’m happy to be having a boy – we would be happy either way, of course. But I feel like I have to sort of shift gears now to get into boy mode when my life as a mom so far has been all about one little girl. The morning after the ultrasound I was shopping with Sky when we decided to detour from the toddler clothes to the baby section. Turns out all you mothers of boys are right – there are way more girl clothes available than boy clothes. I still found something cute, though. A fuzzy sleeper covered with little cars. “This is for your brother,” I told Sky, listening to the sound of those words. Sky looked at me blankly and went back to playing with the Velcro on her shoes.
When I think of boys, I think of my own brothers. I think of noise, chaos and mess. Growing up I had to share a bathroom with four boys and it was my job to clean it every week. I’d spend two hours scouring it and walk in thirty minutes later to find wet towels on the floor and grass clippings all over the place. “They’re boys, Linnea,” my mom would say calmly after my tantrum. “They don’t even see the mess.”
But I also think of jumping on our backyard trampoline with my brothers and playing “kick-the-can” with them in our neighborhood at night. I think of sitting in the back of the station wagon on family trips, listening to my dad’s Elvis tapes and laughing while my brother Nelson crammed an entire pack of BubbleYum in his mouth at one time. I think of coffee and talking now that we’re older, and lots and lots of laughing. There isn’t a whole lot of relational drama with my brothers; they’re all pretty fun to be around. And they are my friends. I can’t think of too much I wouldn’t talk about with them.
Today when I look at my growing belly, I wonder what our little boy will be like and how he and Sky will relate. I did my sharing of fighting with my brothers and expect that my kids will do theirs. I’m sure our house will be a little messier next year, and a little more chaotic. But the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I wonder how much my life will change because of the new person about to enter it. I have no idea. But I can’t wait to find out.
I am overjoyed with such wonderful news that your having a boy! You say the word and you get ALL our baby clothes!!!
i have been waiting for SOMEONE to have a BOY! 😀 we love you both! so sorry we are so far away while you become such amazing parents. we really wish we could be there to be apart of this part of your lives! one day maybe! please give our love to your beloved, and the beautiful Sky! and pat the belly!!! 
Everything you say is true! A little messier, a littl more chaotic…but a lot more fun!
Good post, Linni. I love the example of the whole pack of Bubble Yum going in the mouth. That says it all. You endured well, if not vocally, and as a result, you will know more at the beginning of your boy-adventure than most. You already have a wealth of boy-experience! (By the way, you forgot to mention the whole weeble thing on the edge of the bathtub, part of our family lore.)
Boys are fabulous! The love that a little boy has for his mommy is priceless. My only problem has been trying to convince him that I am already married to Dad and he will find his own princess someday!! That says it all!
I’m thrilled! Definitely thrilling news, though I realize what you’re saying- it will be different! You’ll get the whole parenting experience. This baby is an unexpected blessing all around I guess.