Outnumbered

Well, if you haven't heard (or did not figure out Colin's somewhat confusing and cryptic post)....

It's a boy!

I know, I am shocked too. Considering how sick I have been this time around, I was certain a little girl had taken over my body. I actually said, "Are you sure?" when the nurse congratulated me on my second boy. Considering it has been determined by a chromosomal genetic test, it is 100% positive that gummy bear is a boy.

Therefore, it is official: I am outnumbered.

Even our dogs are boys! To be fair, I wanted to get a female Boston when we got Murphy Redd, but she was already taken. I tried.

Despite the fact I was prepared for a new adventure with a little girl, I am actually very excited that I am baking a little brother for Jackson. It will be fun having two boys; brothers who can play and hopefully form a brotherly bond for life.

Several people have said that I seem like a boy's mommy. I am not completely sure what that means, but I take it as a compliment. Maybe it is because I like to play outside and don't mind a little dirt. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am not a fan of girl drama (even through I deal with it often as a middle school teacher). I think Colin said it best when he pointed out that I am not a "girly girl".

So, here I am. Completely outnumbered. The newest member of the "Mommy to Boys Club". I look forward to frequent trips to the ER, lots of trucks, cars, and legos, and spending an extraordinary about of time playing outside.

Actually, it sounds pretty fun!

The Year of the Princess

Now that the pregnancy is public, the big questions are:

• Are you going to find out the gender?
• When are you going to find out?
• Are you going to share?
• What do you want it to be?
• What is Colin going to do if it is a girl?

I am only half-serious about the last one. Yes, Colin wants another boy, but he really just wants a healthy pregnancy and baby. In my opinion, he has no idea if he wants a girl or not. Honestly, I think the concept of having a girl is a little foreign at this point. There is no reason to even think about it seriously until it is a reality.

Some people have said, "Colin deserves a girl." Not sure what that means, but it seems a little mean...

I know it is a canned answer, but all I really want is a healthy baby as well. We have been so fortunate that Jackson is so healthy, all I hope for is a repeat (minus the premature status if possible!). I already have the perfect little boy that I always wanted. I can honestly say I am super-excited either way. Another boy would be fun because Jackson would have a little brother to roughhouse with (rather than continue to physically assault me and the poor dogs). On the other hand, there is a lot of testosterone in my house, so a little girl would be a welcome change of pace.

Plus, aren't girls really good sleepers, mellow, and mild-tempered as babies? Right? Anyone?

Oh yea, about the gender. I had the MaterniT21 test done on Wednesday. This is a genetic test they recommend to old people who are pregnant (aka: anyone 35 and older - we are A.M.A. - advanced material age). Apparently, my baby's DNA is floating around in my blood, so if they suck enough out of me they can analyze my baby's chromosomes. In addition to determining if we have any genetic defects to worry about (Trisomy 18 & 21, Klinefelter, etc.), they can also see if I am building and baking an XX or XY human.

If you ask me, it is XX all the way. I don't say this because I necessarily want a girl (I only kind of do). I say this because this pregnancy feels so different. That is my scientific reasoning.

The validity of my scientific reasoning will be determined late next week.

Of course, the big news today is that a princess was born. How does this apply to our situation? I will explain:

• Colin and I got married in 2011, a few months after William and Kate. 
• Jackson came in 2013, a few weeks after Prince George was born. 
• Now, we are due in 2015, a few months after Princess __(?)__ came along.

I told Colin things weren't looking so good for him.....

I am sure I will look as fantastic as Kate does a few hours after childbirth. My hair and makeup team will be on standby.

(Yeah. And monkeys might fly out of my butt.)