A Girl
I truly didn’t feel like I had a preference for a boy or a girl when I got pregnant. I think about how darling my two younger brothers were (and Crawford still is, of course) and I love the idea of having a boy. I think about my nieces, how cute and fun and dramatic they are, and I think girls would be great.
If I’d had to make the decision, I really don’t know which one I would have chosen.
When we found out we were pregnant, though, I did feel like it was a girl from the beginning and that sense just got stronger as the weeks ticked by, so much so that when we were waiting in the ultrasound room for the tech to come back with the results of whether it was a boy or a girl, I suddenly felt incredibly panicked that she might say it was a boy, because it would be like losing the girl I was so certain we were having.
I do, however, have a secret pet peeve (how secret can it be if I’m blogging about it?) toward people who have this sense that having a boy first is somehow far superior to having a girl first, that children that do not have an older brother are somehow greatly deprived.
To be sure, I’m not exactly unbiased on the topic since I just so happen to be the oldest child, and I tend to think that I turned out just fine without an older brother and also that starting your family with a girl is a perfectly lovely way to go. (My sisters, who put up with a lot of bossiness from me, might think their lives would have been far improved by an older brother rather than me, but they aren’t the ones writing this post).
I am particularly glad that Bart did not have a strong preference one way or another either. I have never felt for a second like he’s even remotely disappointed that he’s not having a son instead of a daughter or that he’d be slightly more excited if our house was filling up with blue clothing instead of pink (although he does say blue is a snugglier color than pink, whatever that means).
As a daughter who never once felt like my dad was at all disappointed that I was a girl instead of a boy (oh, how it annoyed me when Crawford was born and people said, “I bet your dad is so glad to FINALLY have a boy”), I am beyond pleased that my daughter will also have a dad that is thrilled to have her, without any regrets that she’s not a boy.
Yay! A girl! Congratulations! I think I would have a slight preference toward having a girl first. And I never ever ever got the feeling that either of my parents would have liked to have a boy instead of us two girls, and I am so glad your daughter won't have that issue either!
So thrilled for you!
Amen! Ben is SO wrapped around his daughter's finger it's funny to think that we were ever looking forward to her being a boy (before her ultrasound). Congrats on the girl – she is so precious already! (I'm the oldest and a girl too;)
YAY!
Also, YAY for being the oldest child AND a girl.
Finally, people make weird comments to my dad about having all girls. He always tells them that he wouldn't have it any other way. (Who ARE these people, anyways? Seriously).
I'm the oldest and a girl so I assumed that's what would happen when I had kids. Wrong! This time around I was pretty ambivalent until the weekend before when suddenly I really wanted a girl and was relieved when they said GIRL! (Two techs, not just one opinion!) My kids will be the opposite of what I know (G, B, B) vs (B, B, G). I think Mike is thrilled to have a baby girl to spoil too.
Hooray for girls! I had an older sister and no older brothers, and I loved it. Also, my first is a girl and I love it! So excited for you!
Congratulations! I won't lie, I was one of those people who thought the oldest should be a boy, until I was pregnant the first time. My husband told me with certainty, as soon as I was pregnant, that it was a girl and the ultrasound confirmed. And I never, even for a second, felt like that was the wrong way for things to happen. Having a daughter for your oldest is a beautiful thing.
I was the one in the ultrasound who was sure she was having a girl and it turned out I was wrong. I was so sure…thought of my baby as a girl and was coming up with all the possible girl names…so when the tech said BOY I was like "WHAT!?!?"
I was not unhappy but surprised…I had to totally switch my thinking and expectations somewhat. I guess you might say that I did mourn a tiny bit for the girl I thought I was having…but like any true mother would say…I wouldn't change it for the world. My little boy is my most favorite thing about me:)
I am excited for your little girl and for all the amazing things that will come with her (and the hardest experiences as well…be ready for that too:)
I agree with Sam, who are these people anyway? Some people should just keep their mouths shut.
Oh, and I think it might just be wishful thinking. Sure, a lot of oldest girls wish they had a big brother, lots of youngest children wish they had younger siblings, and plenty of girls wish they had a sister, etc. I had a friend tell me that she wants to stop now (2 boys 1 girl) because the youngest should always be a girl. What?
Obviously it isn't a big deal either way, but most people in my extended family agree a girl is an excellent first child to have … that she keeps the rest of the family in line. 🙂 Congrats!!
You come from a long line of STRONG WOMEN. I'm sure your daughter will fit right in and find her own impressive way.
I don't get the people who think having a boy is preferable to having a girl. I'm the oldest and a girl in my family, and have three daughters myself. I just don't quite get anyone who asks me if we are going to keep trying (which is another pet peeve since I really think it is no one's business) for a boy- as if our family is not complete without a son. ARGH!
Because I know you are simply dying to hear my thoughts on the matter:
I LOVED having girls first. Especially now that I have a boy (whom I love and adore) it's just so much more fun with a girl. There are just more options, more bedding choices, more clothing, more accessories, more everything. Shopping for modern, hip, and awesome boy clothes is darned near impossible. I'm so glad I could frolic and enjoy the fun of having a girl. (And I would have never pegged myself as a girly-girl… it just turns into fun) The joy that radiates from my darling sweethearts when I give them a fluffy tutu- it's magic. Sheer magic. You're in for a real treat!
And besides, I was the oldest. And I love watching the girls dote on their baby brother. It's precious. And I can't wait for my two big girls to be protective when he goes to school. How they'll continue protecting him when he brings home girlfriends. It is equally amazing to have big sisters.
My dad is father to two girls. He spent a long time hearing how sad it was that he didn't have a son to carry on the family name. He could care less and has never been bothered by the idea. As a matter of fact, when I was pregnant with my first and found out it was a boy, he was disappointed to hear that we weren't giving him another little girl to spoil (my mother only told me this many years later). And when we did have a girl (we have boy, girl, boy), he was pleased as punch and told my husband that he thought every man should have a daughter. So think of it this way, you are awfully lucky to be getting some sugar and spice first in your life, no matter how many children you go on to have (or not have if you have an only). And we oldest girls turn out pretty darn strong and impressive, imo. 🙂
Aw, congratulations! I'm an oldest sister as well. We're the best!
In Japan it is considered ideal to have a girl first and then a boy. So I guess it depends on the culture you come from! Since I never had a brother, older OR younger, I'm just happy for my girls that they get to experience having a brother at all.
I'm the oldest child (and a girl too). I'm sure my four younger brothers are much happier to have a bossy older sister than a bossy older brother. 🙂 Jim loves our three sons, but when we finally had a daughter, she wrapped him around her little finger. There is something special about a father-daughter relationship–lucky Bart and your daughter!
I also think big sisters are the way to go (pretty shocking huh?). I think you are sure to have a beautiful, brilliant, sweet daughter who will be very lucky to have such loving parents!
I agree. That's a pet peeve of mine as well. I guess people think the boy can be the protector of the siblings. But that's stupid to me. I think the mom and dad will do just fine protecting the siblings. Congrats on the little girl. She'll touch your heart and make you so happy I'm sure!!