Baby boy Thomas!

23 March 2018

Friends, we are adding a baby BOY to our family! What?!?

Yep, that’s how I felt when we opened the envelope! (Though apparently this news won’t surprise most of you – the guesses leaned heavily in the male direction on my Instagram post!)

A few things to discuss:

With June, I 100% knew we were having a girl from the start. Just knew. This time around, I did not have a strong feeling either way. I think in my heart I knew we were having a boy — I just perhaps wasn’t ready to admit it to myself, as I was fairly open about the fact that I was hoping for another girl.

Why was I hoping for another girl?

First, June is just the best, so of course we’d want a repeat!

Second, having a boy is definitely more of an unknown, considering I grew up with two sisters and mostly girl cousins and friends. I know it sounds dumb, but I’m not even sure what you do with a boy?? (Answer: pretty much the same thing you do with a girl, especially at the beginning.) We’ve already proven ourselves to be successful parents to a girl (at least thus far), and another girl just seems like the easier route.

I’m also a bit sad that I won’t be able to have back-to-back girls to recreate the sister bond I grew up with, which was very precious to me. I think I benefitted in many ways from growing up in a family with only girls, and that’s no longer a possibility for our family. (Side note: John thinks I would have greatly benefitted from growing up with a brother, so there’s that…)

Finally, as you all know, I rely heavily on my parents’ example in all things parenting, but I’m left without a road map for this particular twist. I don’t know how my Mom and Dad would have parented a boy! What would they have done differently? What would they have done the same? I don’t have a trustworthy, up-close example to follow now for our multi-gender family, and I’m a bit unsure of my abilities to pioneer this path.

We found out last week, and since then, my shock has turned to wonder, in the best way. There are at least four reasons for this.

1. I use the word “wonder” because I am truly excited to see the incredible things God works in our family and in my life through this addition of a boy. It’s already guaranteed to be good, but God is known to do amazing things that we could never predict or foresee. I am humble enough to know that my desires do not always match up with what would actually be best for me.

2. John was a ridiculously adorable child, and the thought of our boy looking or acting like him at all makes my heart swell to twice its normal size.

3. The excitement of other mamas with boys has been nothing short of delirious. One friend (ahem) literally jumped up and down and squealed when she found out, and everyone else wasn’t close behind. They all claim there is something uniquely precious and sweet about having a boy, and though I obviously adore having a little girl, I’m willing to bet there’s something to the unanimous enthusiasm.

4. As I wrote when I first shared our happy news, my biggest challenge with baby number two has been keeping my expectations in check. I think it will be SO much easier to approach the newborn days (and really all the days after them) with open hands now that I know this baby is a boy. Logically, I might know that all babies are pretty much the same, but the switch from girl to boy is enough to trick my brain into thinking “Oooh, new experience! Who knows what to expect? Not you!” :) To which I say, GREAT!

Thank you, as always, for sharing in our story, friends! Grateful for each one of you!

P.S. OBVIOUSLY I am heartbroken that all of June’s adorable clothes I’ve been saving will not get used for this sweet baby. And completely befuddled that there are not analogous boy clothing items for leggings and dresses. Dressing a baby/toddler girl seems SO MUCH EASIER – but that is a post for another day :)

P.P.S. Speaking of girl clothes… this dress is my favorite right now!! A few of you asked me about it, so here ya go!

All photos by our wonderful friend Graham Terhune of Anagram Photo!

Subscribe
Notify of

41 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Wanda
March 23, 2018 7:03 am

Oooooo! Exciting news!!!!! I was thinking boy for some reason too! You’ll be great parents to this new little one, I have no doubts! Congratulations ????

Victoria B
March 23, 2018 7:52 am

Congratulations! I do not have a little girl but I love having my baby boy! June is going to be a great big sister. I can definitely understand your thoughts though. When I was pregnant I was hoping for a girl and I wanted another girl so they would have the sister bond I grew up with and loved. But I love my sweet boy so much and couldn’t imagine our family any other way. :) I know you will feel that way too! Boys are definitely harder to dress, or at least less fun.

March 23, 2018 7:56 am

Congratulations, Emily!!!! I have all these exact thoughts about having another girl (except that I didn’t have a sister—I just always wanted one!), but everyone always says it’s the most fun to have boys and to get to have both genders in your family. So many exciting new experiences ahead! YAY! indeed. :)

Victoria
March 23, 2018 8:11 am

YAY YAY YAY LIFE YAY!!!!!!!

This news absolutely thrills my soul!!!!!! I can relate to so many of the different feelings you shared in this post.. Before I had Beau everyone said I was “such a girl mama” and they couldn’t imagine me with a boy, so that took me a quick second to adjust to when I found out I was having a little fella. But having Beau has absolutely wrecked my whole world in the best way.. I can’t even put words to it but having a son has been the best surprise of my life. I never would have been able to anticipate how much I love it, especially because I can’t really articulate it now. But every single time I look at Beau my heart breaks into a million pieces. And then fast forward to baby #2 and now everyone is convinced that i am “such a boy mom” and I find out we’re having a girl.. which has truly been a dream, but there’s 100% an element of wondering how I’ll handle the differences.

So moral of the story is.. like you said, God carefully knits together our families and the anticipation of that is the sweetest thing in the world. I can’t wait to see you rock it as a boy mama :) Also, where there’s a will there’s a way with boy shopping. It’s incredibly discouraging the ratio of girl to boy clothes in stores so 90% of Beau’s clothes come from online but I’d highly recommend the Janie and Jack sale rack especially for some newborn goodies, and I actually ended up being surprised by how much I’ve loved dressing a boy.

THRILLED HAPPY YES YES YESS!!!!! XOXOXOXOX

Kelly
March 23, 2018 9:00 am

Yay!! I knew it was a boy! :) So exciting!

Kelly Strawberry
March 23, 2018 9:23 am

So EXCITED for you!!! Congratulations!!

I come from an all-girl family too and I agree with you on the sister bond! My dad was the perfect “girl dad” to me and my sister. When I found out I was having a boy, I think my parents were thrown for a loop, but they are loving it now!

My husband was partial to having a boy and I honestly can’t picture him with a daughter, so I was glad to be having a boy. One of the sweetest moments was when we were at the gender reveal ultrasound and the technician said it was a boy, my husband teared up. He never cries! I think he would have panicked had they said girl, ha!

I want two kids eventually and I 100% hope that our second will be another boy. I already have all boy clothes, so that would really help too lol. Me and my son have an incredibly strong bond – you will love it!

Aleigha
March 23, 2018 9:34 am

Congratulations to you and your family! I grew up with a little brother, and while I secretly wish I had a sister too, he and I share a very special bond!

Zoe
March 23, 2018 9:38 am

Well this news has made my day! As a boy Mama I can tell you it is the very best thing in the world. There is something about having a son, that reminds you of your husband, and your father, who you love with all your heart, that is just THE BEST. You’re going to love it. And there is a bond between a mother and son that is different to anything else I have ever experienced.

As for the clothes, certainly in the UK I have had no problem finding him super cute things. A small boy in a shirt: literally nothing cuter. I will say my frugal heart is glad we had a boy first as, if God blesses us with another, boy clothes are easier to wear for both genders! Xx

Emily
March 23, 2018 9:56 am

Congratulations on a baby BOY! We also have a little girl and are expecting baby #2 (which I suspect is a boy). I have so many of the same thoughts/feelings you shared in this post, and I also grew up in a family of all girls! We don’t find out the gender of baby #2 for a few more weeks, but deep down I will be shocked if the ultrasound tech tells us anything other than BOY. Your description of shock turning to wonder is such a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness in the face of unknowns. Happy shopping for darling baby boy clothes, which does seem to require a lot more effort than finding precious things for girls!! xoxo

Stephanie
March 23, 2018 10:46 am

First of all, congratulations! What an exciting time! I am a girl mama myself, but I’m also the only sister to two brothers (and I’m the oldest), so I can tell you from experience that brother-sister relationships can be so sweet and so rewarding. My little brothers are two of my very favorite people in the world. They not only offer me a different perspective on the world (which started really young!), but as we grew up they have both become protective of me in the sweetest way. Brothers are the BEST. And I know you are a Cup of Jo fan, so I will echo Joanna Goddard’s thoughts on having boys–according to my mom, Joanna is spot on.

So happy for you guys!

March 23, 2018 11:04 am

Congratulations!

Bethany Howe
March 23, 2018 11:04 am

How exciting!! I totally agree with you on the ratio of boy/girl clothes. And one of my first thoughts was that you won’t get to use the cute clothes that you saved, ha! I’m curious, do you have a boy name picked out yet?

When I was pregnant, my husband and I settled on a boy name very quickly, but it took us AGES to agree on a girl name! We’re in trouble if we have another girl! I think boys are definitely easier to name. :)

Congratulations again!

Sarah
March 23, 2018 11:22 am

How exciting! I am also one of three sisters, and currently expecting a baby boy (my first, due Memorial Day!). I have to admit my initial reaction was along the lines of “how is this possible? I’m a girl!” along with a lot of worry about how to raise a boy without having grown up with a brother. BUT, I am luckily married to a boy who was clearly raised right, and I think it will be good for me (and our marriage) to truly rely on him for boy-specific stuff, more so than I probably would have if we were having a girl. The truth is, I have A LOT of pre-formed opinions on certain “girl” things (don’t get me started on when it’s appropriate to get pierced ears or wear makeup haha)and I think if we were raising a girl I might have bulldozed over my husband’s thoughts on parenting decisions at times (not proud of this tendency, just being real). With a boy, I of course have some opinions, but some of it is completely foreign to me so I know I will be forced to fully rely on and listen to my husband more often. The reality of us truly working together to raise a tiny human is so exciting to me!

Also, #3 has been 100% true for me as well!! Lots of tears were shed when we shared our “boy” news, often from people I wouldn’t have expected. It really helped build the excitement for me!

Leigh
March 23, 2018 12:04 pm

Congratulations Em! I have a 2yo son and knew all along I’d be a mama to a boy- my husband has 2 brothers and we have 3 nephews, so a girl would have been a surprise… I was nervous about it, though, since I’m an only child and most of my cousins are girls, too. What do you do with a boy?! Well, outside features prominently, at least for our family. From long walks during my maternity leave to exploring the yard this week for daffodils, my little man loves to be outside (preferably with a stick or leaf in hand). Good decision to get your back yard project finished! With your thoughtful approach to parenting, I can’t doubt that your little man will be loved, understood, and nurtured. Cheers!

Holly M
March 23, 2018 1:24 pm

Congratulations! I only have one sibling – a sister, so when I was pregnant with my first I was really hoping for a girl because I knew nothing about boys. But the instant my husband said, “It’s a boy!” in the delivery room I started sobbing tears of joy and absolutely fell IN LOVE with my little guy. Fast forward four and half years and now I have two boys and just love them so much. I couldn’t imagine a life full of hair bows and dresses. :D As far as clothes: I adore rompers and overalls on little boys. Old Navy and Gap sell the cutest ones and I would put them on my eight-month-old every day if I could. Church clothes for us equal nice pants, a button-down shirt, and a sweater vest on days when we need to look particularly dapper. And My 4.5-year-old can rock a hat and suspenders like no one else. LOL Plaid shorts and tshirts/polo shirts in the summer are just the cutest on little guys. And we buy a pair of crocs every single summer and that’s what he uses as play shoes. They’re so easy to clean, get on and off, and are comfy on their little feet. You seem like such an easy-going, fun mom that adding a boy to your family will be so natural and sweet. Enjoy!

Kasia
March 23, 2018 2:26 pm

Aww, congrats! As a boy mama of a two year old with another one (we don’t know yet – eeee!) on the way, I can tell you I LOVE having a boy :) I was president of my sorority, then worked for my sorority — and my sister and mom are my best friends. I couldn’t imagine having a boy at first — but now I can’t see it any other way! Xavier makes my days interesting, fun and so sweet. There is nothing like a little boy saying luhhh you, Mama before bed :) (And I might be biased, but I find dressing a boy so easy. We make sure everything goes with navy, and dress from there! Check out Gap from great solid color basics :)

Brett
March 23, 2018 3:34 pm

We have a girl, Avery who will be two next month (time flies!!!) and are expected a boy in May. Like you I had 3 sister and my husband has 2 sisters, so I only assumed we would have another girl. Literally called the doctor’s office to double check when I opened the envelope with the “it’s a boy” paper inside. Feel the same way about clothing. I’m not super into clothing with too many graphics and feel at a loss looking for boy clothing.

Amy
March 24, 2018 6:26 am

Congratulations! Super silly non-baby related question: where is your dress from? I love it! Always looking for dresses that are easy to throw on but still look very “put-together”.

Megan
March 26, 2018 9:11 am

So excited for you! I wouldn’t know first hand, but I adore my little nephew!! I loved having a younger brother, close in age to me, so I know June will love her new role! Boys can add lots of rough and tumble, but mine always introduced me to cool things I probably wouldn’t have been interested in otherwise. We definitely bonded over legos, air hockey, and tons of games while growing up. We always rode bikes or roller bladed and jumped around in a creek behind one house we lived. We would net crawfish and play for hours! I love precious baby clothes and have hoarded a few vintage rompers and a bubble or two already in case we ever have a boy! I think there is nothing sweeter than a baby in a bubble to show off their baby rolls and thighs, girl or boy! Though, I will likely be guilty of dressing a boy “like a girl” ( as my brother says, when I give my nephew bubbles) or like a baby for way too long!! And I love me some matching sibling sets!! Probably too much.

Em
April 2, 2018 11:23 pm
Reply to  Megan

Ha! Love all of this. And though I’m not a huge clothes person, I do think some matching sibling things would be very cute!

March 26, 2018 12:16 pm

congrats!! so amazing!
i am a boy mama through and through and, yes, it is AMAZING!
on boy clothing: you’ll be surprised at how many hand-me-downs come your way. it’s a really wonderful community of mom-sharing with boy’s clothing! haha
for toddler boy: definitely joggers! they are great and the closest thing to girl leggings. my boy mainly wears this style and he can run, climb, and take a nap comfortably! :) <3

Em
April 2, 2018 11:24 pm
Reply to  emma

Um yes. My greatest encouragement came when my friend Sam said she would lend me her boy clothes. I’m actually considering asking her to write a post on how to dress boys because I’ve never seen anyone do it better!

Abby
March 27, 2018 11:16 am

I have a fifteen-month-old son, and was similarly taken aback when I found out I was having a boy. He’s been such a sweet surprise every step of the way, and it’s a pleasure to see how this unexpected child has made our lives so much better (and in a way, I am glad that our family looks different than the one I was raised in with a younger sister – we are making our own path!). It’s also a privilege to know that we have the responsibility to raise him well in a society where boys and men are often the perpetrators of terrible violence. I am sure your son will be so lucky to have a wonderful older sister and caring parents. (On a lighter note, I love Cat & Jack for toddler boy clothes – they’re super comfy and cute, and usually on serious clearance.)

Em
April 2, 2018 11:24 pm
Reply to  Abby

I love all of these sentiments, Abby! It is a great responsibility!

March 27, 2018 12:49 pm

Quite behind on reading blogs, but so happy to have had a moment to check in with your blog and see this incredible news! It goes without saying, but you will be fantastic boy parents :) (Not that I know from experience, I just think you’d parent any kid well!) Thrilled for all of you, especially big sister, June!

April 2, 2018 1:37 pm

I adore this post and all your honest emotions sweet friend.
All your feelings are so real and valid, and so many that I thought the same when I once had a feeling that we were having a boy but how exciting for your sweet family.

And I hopefully I get to meet him at the Fall MTH Conference :)
x