Sunday, October 28, 2012

It's a Girl!

I've already posted it on my other blog and instagram, but I can't keep a family scrapbook without including some of the happiest news I've ever received—another pregnancy! And a GIRL, no less!

Even though a lot of people were asking, I didn't tell any of my local friends exactly when the ultrasound was (Thursday, October 25), because I knew I would need a little time to process afterward. My heart has, of course, always longed for a girl. On the other hand, the longer I get to know my boys, the more I adore them. BUT, I also knew I was going to have to gear up for a third boy, if that were the case. Toddler boys are buuuusy...and loud!

The point is—I was praying for peace no matter the gender, and by the time the ultrasound finally came around (seriously, it felt like forever), I really did feel at peace with either.

Then, during the ultrasound, the tech initially said the baby looked "girl-ish"; she wasn't quite sure yet. Ryan said later he was thinking, "That will not do for Erica!" But even in that moment—with the possibility that we wouldn't know for certain—I still felt peace. As the appointment progressed, the tech became more and more confident that it was a girl, and the radiologist confirmed that it was "definitely a girl!"

It literally took a few days to sink in. I guess it still is! Pulling out the little set of girl clothes that I have helped it feel more real. With Trenton, we chose not to find out the gender, because we had absolutely no preference either way. I still treasure getting to hear Ryan say "It's a boy!" in the delivery room.

But the strange thing about not finding out the gender is that for 40 weeks, you imagine your baby as either a boy or girl. In a way, you imagine it as both. After I had Trenton, it took me a couple of months to put away the small set of girl clothes I had accumulated—not because I was disappointed in the slightest with having a boy first, but simply because I still wanted the little girl I had imagined as being a part of our family. (Reading this, I realize it may not make sense to anyone but me. Heavens, I doubt it makes sense to Ryan! But it's a part of my motherhood journey, so I'm including it all anyway!)

But now it's time for our girl! And I'm so grateful we'll have her to wear those clothes and to round out our home.

On another note, the boys are adorable about the baby! Trenton is so excited for when he can feel the baby kick. They regularly talk about where the baby's carseat will go in the backseat of the Carolla. They both are more than willing to give the baby pats and tell her they love her, and they've taken a greater interest in other babies, especially newborns, we see. The other day Chase found a pacifier and said, "This for our baby!" He also likes to say he's excited for when the baby "pops out!" (Hoping it's not nearly as dramatic as that!) At 2 1/ 2, I'm surprised at how well he seems to get it. It's going to be such a different experience this time around, having kids who are actually old enough to know what's going on when we bring our newborn home!

Last random note - It was our first ultrasound where the tech didn't say, "Wow, you have a very active baby in there!" And I even ate a candybar beforehand!

17 comments:

  1. How exciting! You barely look pregnant. Seriously, you look like how I look after a big meal. :) Girls are wonderful. Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks, Marisa! I do joke that the size of my belly still depends on how much I ate the day before. This was taken first thing in the morning. I'm sure I look a bit different by 9pm! Thanks again for your cute comment! Btw, your recent family pics are GORGEOUS!

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  2. I am very excited for you. I have to admit - I have a stash of girl clothes, too. I tell myself that if I never have a girl, maybe my sisters will, or else they'll make good baby shower presents. Of course I would like to use them, but I am almost convinced the next baby (even though I'm not pregnant) will be a boy.

    I knew my first was a boy and when I was pregnant with my second I wasn't sure; even though I had a couple "hints" along the way. I knew I really wanted to be a mother to girl at that point; but after my second was born, that changed. I felt completely at peace at the thought that we might have all sons. And I still am. Either way, with the next one, I'll be happy! I guess I am trying to say that I understand what you are talking about with putting away the girl clothes, and becoming "at peace."

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    1. Thanks so much, Alison! I'm glad you can relate. Though it took some time, I felt at peace with being a boy mama too, which is why I was so shocked last week. Maybe you'll be shocked one of these days too! :) Either way, I know your kids are incredibly lucky to have you.

      I do wish we lived closer too! Between writing, cooking, fruit picking, photographing, and raising boys, I'd say we really do have a lot in common! Who knows, maybe one day the stars will align. We'll just have to keep in touch in case that happens! :)

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  3. That's great news--I know what you mean! Congrats on the pregnancy. It'll be great for the boys to dote on their baby sister.

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  4. Congratulations!! I'm so excited for you!! Little girls are SO much fun!!! I can just imagine your little girl and Kimber's up there in heaven playing together and making plans to go to EFY together and be roommates at BYU!! SO fun!! Lots of love to all of you:)!!

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  5. Congratulations Erica! We LOVE girls! I can just imagine you being the perfect little Mommy to a baby girl and the boys being such good big brothers to her.

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  6. Such exciting news! I'm so happy for you. Its so strange how emotional it is finding out the gender of your baby and how real it makes it all! I love hearing how cute Chase and Trenton are about it and how excited they are for a baby, in their own way. Love you and again, so happy for you guys.

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  7. Erica!! I am so very thrilled for you. What exciting news. She will be absolutely lovely, no doubt!

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  8. Congrats! I had a feeling you were pregnant :). I'm excited for you to experience being the mom to a sweet girl - they are so much fun!

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  9. Congratulations on expecting a GIRL! Here's an old saying for you to think on: "A son is a son till he takes a wife, but a daughter's a daughter all of her life." Lots of love!

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  10. I have been out of the blogging world for far too long! Hooray for a girl!! So excited for you Erica.

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    1. Thanks, kate! It's great to hear from you! I need to hear more about how your cute family is doing!

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  11. Congratulations! I didn't even realize you were pregnant... I'm pretty behind on my blog reading. Little girls are wonderful!

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  12. Ahahaha, candy bar. You are awesome. It will be so magical! Other than being tired, I have no complaints about mothering 3 - thanks to iPad help to keep Elliot busy while nursing. You will be so great and that baby girl will be so loved!

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  13. Oh my gosh! I'm so far behind! now that you're about to have your baby ... I finally catch up on your news!! I obviously missed this announcement, and in the few times I've skimmed your blog didn't notice you were pregnant (because that's how cute you are!!). Congratulations! YAY for thinking pink! Can't wait to see what a cute Nielsen baby girl looks like! Love you! Wish we were closer!

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