“Dad, do you have a lot of girls on your side of the family?”said the technician during our 20-week anatomy scan with our third pregnancy. I knew it right at that moment. We were indeed having our third girl. Emotions flooded me. A third little princess in the house! Are we ready for this? More pink, tutus, Barbie dolls and glitter (the glitter in my house is literally embedded into our kitchen table ya’ll…).
She confirmed it was a girl. At first we were laughing and saying oh my goodness…it’s really another girl! Of course we knew it could be a girl or a boy, and we were truly happy with either! Had we hoped for
a boy? Sure. I would be lying if I said we didn’t think about having a son in our family someday. When we decide to add another child to our family though, our deepest wish is always for a healthy baby.
My husband and I held hands as we watched her delicately scan over each body part. After the initial shock of the gender confirmation, I had an overwhelming sense of thankfulness and gratefulness fill me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I was so thankful for a perfect and healthy baby. Each time the technician said each part of her body looked great, I felt so relieved. I know that this anatomy scan can look so different for other families, and I am BEYOND grateful for another healthy daughter.
You see, my husband and I discussed the number of children we wanted before we were even engaged. We have always wanted a big family, regardless of our children’s gender. What I didn’t know is how shocking and how much of a conversation starter having all girls would be. I didn’t know the gender of my child would open up the door to so many comments.
It happens every single day we are in public. As I am tackling three kids ages five and under through the aisles of Target , I see it coming as a woman approaching us glances at my kids, then does a second glance to see they’re ALL girls.
“Wow, THREE girls? Your poor husband!” is probably the most common remark.
Other comments include:
“Good luck with three teenage girls in the house!”
“Three weddings in your future, sucks to be you!”
And don’t forget, “Are you going to try for a boy? Didn’t you want a BOY?”
What I want people to know when they make these comments is that my daughters are listening to them. Their tender little hearts are hearing every word you say. I don’t ever want my daughters to feel like they are second best or that they would be loved more had they been boys.
What I want you to know is that my whole life all I ever wanted was to be a mom. I prayed to be a mom and I have had that prayer answered three times.
What I want you to know is that I loving having all girls. I love my daughters with every ounce and fiber in my being, and I am SO happy they are who they are.
What I want you to know is that my husband does not appreciate the pity. He doesn’t want it. Take it back. He is delighted to have three girls.
What I want you to know is that the gender of my child doesn’t define my love for them.
What I want you to know is that I am tremendously blessed to have 3 healthy, smart, confident, thriving children.
What I want you to know is that although I’m sure you are genuinely not trying to be hurtful or harmful in anyway, please leave the comments to yourself unless they are positive and uplifting.
As for me, I embrace the princess parade around here. I welcome it with arms wide open. The bows, the shoes, the nail polish and makeup..and yes the tears, screaming and hair pulling as well.
Rock on, fellow girl moms!
