Because we are once again choosing to foil those around us by being surprised about whether Junior/Flipper is a boy or a girl (thank you to my dear friend for suggesting a better moniker than Junior :)), everyone feels entitled to an answer to their SECOND favorite question:
"Are you having any others after this one?"
First, let us observe how tacky this question really is aside from the fact that you do not ask a 30-odd week pregnant woman to make permanent decisions about ANYTHING. Also, 30-odd week pregnant women are much more concerned about getting THIS baby here safely, which isn't always guaranteed.
But no, the real tackiness is the assumption that the unanswered first question (Boy or Girl?) really plays into the second question (How Many?). "Won't Freak NEED another if its a girl?" Um. Yes. Because the shortage of boy parts around here would be so vexing as to necessitate intervention. We might need an extra kitten.
Now, I have a strong feeling that Junior is indeed a boy (I also swore Tavy was a girl, so I'm not the most credible), but many of my favorite families are all girl families and many of my favorite father figures are the fathers of only girls--including our current President! Two girl families are lovely. One of each families are lovely. Two of each, three of one, and families the size of sports teams are also lovely.
Honestly, we would both love another girl--we have lots of cute girl things that we wouldn't mind seeing a second time, neither of us had a sister to grow up alongside, and room sharing issues would be slightly mitigated. But, a boy would be awesome too. My brothers, as much as they give me heartburn from time to time, were an important part of my life growing up, and I should be so lucky to get to relieve some of their cute antics. K wouldn't mind a child of either gender with an interest in blocks and building. I just want a healthy child who loves, loves, loves sleep, especially that which occurs at night and scheduled naps. We have an awesome boy's name ready to go. We're working on an equally awesome girl's name.
One of the top three events of my life was looking down and discovering that Tavy was a Tavy. Words just can't express how amazing that feeling--the rush of euphoria of her being out and her being her all in one. It transformed me, and I want that experience again. One more time.
I think. One more time. I think we will feel "done" at two for a lot of boring, practical reasons. But babies aren't really boring, practical creatures. And how I feel right now with Junior/Flipper rearranging my innards isn't the best guide for how I will feel later, but yeah, I do have a sense of "this is probably my last baby" going on.
I'm trying to savor each moment, which easier said than done, but each roll, each kick, each aching ligament is something special. And the great mystery of boy or girl is a big part of that for me. The time-before-you-were-you is how I whisper to Tavy and how I will whisper to Junior as well.
*giggle* And you know why. :)
Posted by: Katie B. | May 08, 2010 at 10:13 AM