Clearly my mother’s intuition needs a little recalibrating…after all, I thought FOR SURE I was having a girl.
Convinced of it.
So did my jaw ever drop when the doctor announced “It’s a Boy!“.
I have to look at the ultrasound print outs multiple times a day just to kind of remind myself that there is a BOY in there.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy about it. I’ve always wanted Henry to have a brother. And if I had to have my pick, I would have said a boy…you know, to even stuff out.
(Although let’s face it, if Henry grew up with three sisters, he’d be an incredible husband someday!)
But no one…and I mean NO ONE…was more excited than Andy.
The second the word Boy left the doctor’s lips, there was a fist pump, and loud clap, and an audible YES! One would think he just made the game winning shot in a championship game with only 1.8 seconds left on the clock. In fact, I’m certain that if the doctor wasn’t a woman, he may have done that jump-in-the-air-and-bump-chests-thing that guys do.
I just kind of stared at him.
Walking out of the appointment, my husband…practically SKIPPED through the parking lot.
Daddy and his Boy. 4th of July 2009….just days before the girls were born!
Now, I want to just remind you: my husband is not a sprite small boned guy. He’s 6’3″ and he has the build where people reguarly ask if he played football (he didn’t). He also likes to act really tough…except, you know, he’s a total softy.
So, watching him half walk/half skip around parking spaces and continue to cheer…like 10 feet ahead of me…proclaiming “how excited he was”, I finally said:
“Okay, seriously…this is kind of SAD. What if it had been a girl????!!!!”
And this, my friends, is what he said:
“I would have been happy if it was a girl too. But you don’t understand. Now, I have more help with the yard work, and fixing stuff around the house…” (he’s getting even more animated at this point, if that’s even possible) “…and that’s one less wedding, and one less prom to pay for!!!! Dude, we just made like a hundred grand right now!!!!”
To which he turns around, and continues his skipping gyrations through the parking structure….while I stand there in shock.
It’s funny the things guys think about. The lens through which they view life. Always the provider. Always thinking 15-20 years ahead.
In contrast to me…who was doing her own skipping through the parking lot because in the minutes in the room waiting for the doctor to come, I had a full blown panic attack…convinced/terrified that there would be no heartbeat. Suddenly mourning the loss of the others. Regretting bringing Henry…you know, in case there was bad news.
When I saw that goofy little baby squirming around, and that gorgeous flutter of the heartbeat, it was as if the world’s most giant weight was lifted. I, for the first time this pregnancy, was really genuinely excited. I felt the old giddiness of carrying a baby…the way it should be. I’m still secretly worried that the other shoe will drop in the coming weeks…but it’s not nearly as bad.
And isn’t that quite the picture of the difference between men and women?
All wrapped up in a parking lot celebration.
Daddies worried about providing for their families. Mommies worried about hugging their babies.
Take that Sociologists. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Dear Baby,
I’m so sorry to break it to you, but you have chores lined up…and you’re not even born yet. Take it up with your Dad.
Love, Mom.
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That’s my boy! I can just picture his animation in that conversation. You are such a good writer!
love it!
Great post. Love this: Daddies worried about providing for their families. Mommies worried about hugging their babies.
and this:
Dear Baby,
I’m so sorry to break it to you, but you have chores lined up…and you’re not even born yet. Take it up with your Dad.
Love, Mom.
:)
Congratulations on the boy news. As a mama of two boys, you are going to be amazed at the brothers relationship.
What a great post! So relatable!
Janice´s last blog post ..CMA – Hairy Expectation Monsters
TOTALLY sounds like my husband (and we have 2 girls!!). He mentions weddings and such whenever discussing the possibilities of having more daughters. I’m like, “TRAV. That’s a least 20 years down the road. I THINK we’ll be okay!” :-) This all from a man who, when asked to list the reasons why he wanted to marry me (to our premarital counselor), his first reason being “Tax Deduction.” So romantic.
Jenny Fugler´s last blog post ..why you’ll be seeing this post for awhile
Andy read this and LOVED it. “That’s so awesome!” was his response. Sigh…
for robbin´s last blog post ..Boys are Funny
I love this post. It truly made me laugh out loud. Such great writing.
PS You were right about the Biebermentary. That’s all I’m saying. ;o)
HA! i told you it was decent! makes you kinda like the kid now, huh?
jeannett´s last blog post ..Boys are Funny
Excellent Post! From a household of three girls I’m afraid Dad never got to celebrate like this.
Dana
Dana @ Bungalow’56´s last blog post ..Never Say Never: Granny Glasses Are Da Bomb
Hahahaha! Congrats to you guys! I’m so happy to hear that you’re excited..I can understand your hesitation I was the same exact way after we lost our first baby. And I did the same thing everytime for the next three! Ugh…
Love the title of your post because its SO true boys are funny! I’m the only girl in our house ;)
This is so funny. So happy for you guys!
Lesley @ the floyd boys´s last blog post ..ok I confess..
haha… classic Andy:-) He is one big soft teddy bear!! So excited for your little boy… can’t wait to hold him!!!
I felt the same way when we lost one of our twins (I am still 29 weeks pregnant with the other baby). After we lost the one at every dr appointment that followed I would get all tense worrying that something was wrong, there would be no heart beat on this baby too, etc etc. When my husband found out our baby is a girl he immediately said “gotta start saving for a wedding.” Ha. Congrats to you!!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed)´s last blog post ..5 year anniversary + babymoon surprise
i loved this post. not only was it funny, but i am so glad you aren’t living in constant fear of the other shoe dropping. enjoy it!
Love it! Congrats
Matt Regusci´s last blog post ..Valentine Helper
Congratulations! I’m so thrilled that everything is ok and you’re having a boy!
But, maybe you could mention to Andy that girls can do yardwork and DIY too? And hey you don’t HAVE to pay for their weddings?
I mean, it’s really sweet that he’s concerned about providing for you family but your poor kid isn’t even born yet and he’s already got him mashed into the stereotypes. Which is a bit sad.
Cannot.stop.laughing.
Best punch line ever… “Dude, we just made like a hundred grand right now!!!!”
Happy he is so enthused. My own “it’s a boy” delight was simply the joy I knew it would bring to an elderly grandfather to see his name passed down.
But really – how utterly wonderful to see that heartbeat and to know that your BOY will be joining you for those chores!
Rachel´s last blog post ..Our Town
I’m with Andy on this one! Weddings are exPENsive! And yes, line up those chores! :D
Kara´s last blog post ..Introducing…
Congrats again! We are having our second in July also and it’s another boy! My husband had a similar reaction. He first comment was “whew, no weddings to pay for” and then “and now I don’t have to do those father/daughter dances either”. Anyway glad you and the baby are well!