boys :: personal story

photo by kirstie pence

in honor of mother's day, i wanted to share a little story with you:

when i was pregnant with "the monster", i was in the dr's office about to find out what the gender of the baby would be.  i was alone.  i was cheerful and anxious.  i just knew i was going to have a little girl.  i couldn't wait to dress her up in extravagant baby clothes, craft her way thru school, braid her hair and vacation in europe together when she was a young adult.  we had plans, that little girl and i.

the nurse came in, turned down the lights and smeared on the blue, cold gel onto my very large belly.  after a bit of small talk that i can't recall, she announced i'd be having a little boy.  i remember my heart sinking and the severe disappointment that hit me.  i'm sure this nurse thought of me as a complete b-word because i'm not sure if i even asked if the baby was healthy.  i couldn't talk...  i just kept swallowing that large lump in my throat that was forcing it's way out along with giant tears.

i knew nothing about boys.  the thought of having one completely terrified me.  i cried and cried and cried my way home where i promptly took a nap to cure the exhaustion of it all.  i just knew that i was most certainly in. for. IT.

now.  fast forward 5 years.  to today.  i love my little boys.  i love them, love them, love them.  and the truth is, when i was pregnant with my second child, "bump", and i went to that same type of revealing appt, i was terrified i'd actually have a girl!  so, here's to little boys.  and here's to all the mothers that although they say "i don't care what i have, as long as the baby's healthy" and what they really think deep down inside is that they secretly want a certain gender.  it's ok to have dreams of your child and what they will be like.  but, the reality is indescribably better.... boy or girl.

10 things i love about little boys:

1. they can pee outside.  although i know it's looked down upon to let your child pee outside when there is a perfectly good toilet inside, i have to admit that the ease of this sometimes outweighs "the right thing to do".  especially if there are muddy shoes & hands involved.
2. boys clothes may not be as darling as the female options, but they are definitely easier.  there is less to choose from and less money is spent.
3. give'm a toy car, truck or dino and their happy for hours.
4. they love bugs and will kindly capture any that i'm personally afraid of.
5. low drama (most of the time)
6. high energy (all of the time)
7. they make excellent weed-pickers, rock-pullers, and wheelbarrow-pushers.  this also extends to luggage carriers in airports.
8. boy hair.  messy and crazy little boy hair.
9. they are more likely to grow up less burdened by their physical appearance, whatever that turns out to be.  this can be tough for girls.  especially in our society.  i hope they'll realize that self-esteem must be built on something more than being thought beautiful and desirable by others.
10. they like adventure.  i have never had to talk a boy into anything fast, high or new.  now, talking them into going to bed...  that's a different story.