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.
Holy crap. Your blog is like….the most popular blog ever.
I remember Blaine's family discussing (when I was pregnant with Gwen) how they thought a boy would "start the family out strong" and I was like…what the bleep is that supposed to mean?
Blaine said he wanted a boy first, and then in the ultrasound he was sobbing like a fool, but in a good way. From the second he heard he was having a girl Gwen had him wrapped around his little finger.
And I have to say, having alternating gender kids is the way to go. We didn't care what we had first, either was exciting. We didn't care what we had second, a boy would be novel, but a girl would be less expensive and fun for Gwen. Then after Bentley…same thing, a girl would be novel, a boy would be fun for Ben.
And the people who have kids all of one gender? They are lucky too. Because probably their kids actually play together instead of just yell at eachother. But whatever : )
Am I still talking?
You and Bart will be splendid parents and I am confident your girl will start your family out strong (still don't really get that.).
PERFECTLY said!!!! I have three older brothers and frankly, it wasn't that great! I have noticed when a girl is born first the other children are very loving, nurturing (not to say a boy born first isn't) but that a girl just sets such a lovely tone! I have to hear a lot of garbagefrom memebers of my husbands family (who want Ryan to have a son to carry on the family name-whatever!) and I personally, would love a family of just girls!I don't truly care either way what are next one is, but oh how I am SO grateful for our little girl- and daddy's have such a soft spot in thier hearts for little girls!I even grew up hearning my dad say to my brother- oh you are my boy, I'm so glad to have my boy- what is that? I was(still am) an awesome amazing daughter! whatever! I didn't care if we had a boy or girl first but really, little girls are just AWESOME! I'd love another little girl (or boy!) next-doesn't matter! and Ryan had a big sister and she was scaier than any big brother I ever met!(when it came to girlfriends!)
I'm delighted you're having a girl, Janssen! And I agree with your comments. I was an only child. And a girl. And had to field many such comments. But my dad, who was heavily into scouting and young men, etc, always made me feel like he was so happy he could just leave them all at the door and come home to his girl.
Now, I'm excited to follow how the name search goes. 🙂
So glad I can finally start shopping! 😉
Thumbs up to girls first!
I grew up with an older, extremely bossy older brother so I think an older sister would be wonderful. All the older sisters I knew were very nurturing! Congratulations. I just know you are thinking of unique names for this wee baby.
As to the importance of the first born being a male, just look to history. Some religions still preach that the first child must be male. Some teach that males are smarter and are therefore superior. Some families still pass these beliefs down generation to generation. (Sore subject. Don't get me started! Grrrr)
However, having boys first used to make sense, because they could help with the hard physical labor that was needed to provide for the family.
My first child was a boy, but the gender would not have mattered to either my husband or me. All we wanted was a healthy baby.
I feel like making a comment on your dad being FINALLY pleased with Crawford being a boy is completely ridiculous. Why would anyone ever say that? Out loud, I mean?
For that matter, I knew a family where the dad was itching for a little girl, and after three boys, they had little Betsy, and he was over the moon. So, what about that? It is really so case-dependent.
I come from a family of all girls and it's so wonderful, we wouldn't have it any other way. My dad is especially great.. dads and their girls are so special!
I like girls…but I'm biased since I only have one! 🙂 Congrats though. I'm excited for you!
My mom had three girls, and she was sure each one of us would be a boy! So we spent our first years in blue clothes instead of pink, and we turned out fine…
I don't really have a preference, only that I'd like my family to be mixed. All boys or all girls would be perfectly lovely of course, but I'd like to have a little of both…
A girl! How exciting! It will be wonderful to have a daughter!
Girls ARE wonderful, but I was so hurt that after my husband and I found out our first was a boy (and we didn't care either way) that many people responded by saying "It's ok, you'll get your girl next," and "Oh, you must be so disappointed walking past all the dresses and bows."
It goes both ways, and either way it's AWFUL! Whatever you have first is PERFECT.
I think I've told you this before. But when you think of the traditional character traits of the oldest child, when those are attributed to a boy, he is a great leader. When they are attributed to a boy, she is bossy. But, I do think those gender issues are changing, and it is becoming a better and better thing for women to be more ambitious.
Congratulations!! I completely agree that having a girl first is a lovely thing…
I am so happy and excited for you!
Congratulations on a baby girl! I am the eldest as well and both my siblings (brother and sister) can attest, I was bossy and could play with the best of them (being a tomboy).
dito.
oops..that is actually ashley.
I must admit that I'm one of those people that had hoped I'd have a boy first, but certainly would not has been disappointed if Aiden had been a girl. I have an awesome older brother that any girl would be lucky to have. I do also have 2 older sisters that I wouldn't trade for anything. The oldest sibling is a girl who was at times more of a mom to me than my own mother. Maybe what I'm trying to say is, I was blessed to have 2 amazing older sisters and a great older brother, all of whom would do anything for me. Congrats on your first being a girl! They are a ton of fun!