This Boy

There is a boy in my belly. A busy, busy baby boy. A brother for Tessa, a son for Wade and I, a nephew and a grandson. I was convinced the first 12 weeks he was a she. I have loved being a mom to a girl. They are cuddly and sweet, play nicely and quietly on the floor, she shops and wears cute clothes and shoes, communicates like a 4 year old and it just seemed natural that she would have a sister. Twas not so, nor was it meant to be. He was a he and and he was meant to be. He showed us fairly early, 13 weeks, that he was proudly and unabashedly a boy. I was worried. A boy? What does one do with a boy? What do you put in their hair? I am no good at ball games of any sort. And the energy...how do you channel that energy that seems to swirl out of them like a tornado? But then I got to thinking, mostly about the boys in my life that I love and how great, totally great boys are. They are rambunctious, less calculating, run fast, and have energy pouring, swirling out of them like a tornado. I wish I had energy swirling out of me. They come with wooden trains, Converse All-Stars and Bee Bee guns. Who doesn't want some family memories that include a Bee Bee gun?

Like I said, he's upcoming arrival has had me thinking a great deal about the male folk most dear to me. My husband and best friend, my dad, my brother and what attributes would I choose for him to inherit from each. I pray he comes with his fathers sense of humor, has the same ease with people in any social situation, in any walk of life, works hard and diligently for those things he wants most, and carries his dad's natural athletic ability. I pray he comes with his grandpa's sense of direction and his dedication to things he deems healthy and good for his life and soul. I hope, I hope his carries he uncle's confidence and surety in himself and in the things he loves, his perseverance in tough times, and even his crazy sense of adventure. I have thought a lot about his Uncle Reid, his closest and dearest relative in heaven right now. I wonder what they are doing together, what life tips Uncle Reid is giving him, what sort of mischief they are up too. I hope for him to have all these things and more, but I want him to look like me. It's only fair, have you seen my daughter?

I am thrilled that Tessa will have a brother. I always wanted a brother (no offense sista's) and I finally got one. I adored him in a way I never did my sister's (sorry again...you know you feel the same way). But I felt slightly cheated as I was 10 years older than him and was gone by the time he turned 9. I can't wait to see the relationship Tessa and her brother build and create together, how they will help and love each other, what they will teach each other, what they will do to irritate and bother one another. They will be a perfect pair. I am excited for trains and balls, baseball games and track meets (assuming Wade and I will get to choose...), surfboards and ski's hanging in the garage. It even makes me smile to think of dirt, skinned knees and bottomless stomachs. Plus, I will finally get to say, "Dude! Relax!" He will add an entirely different element to our home and to our lives and I look forward with anticipation.

He is busy. Busy, busy, busy. Busier than his sister, but also a bit kinder. My back undoubtedly aches, but he has yet to kick me in the ribs, make me vomit, or have me suffer constipation. He sits quite a bit lower than his older sibling, and sticks straight out, making me appear I swallowed a basketball. He tolerated my jogging up until two weeks ago, has been patient with a busy schedule and seems to enjoy cookies. He will have to continue to tolerate and put up with all those things, just by virtue of being the second child. I am confident he'll be a good sport, especially if I keep giving him the cookies he wants.

So mister, mister. We will see you soon. We are preparing slowly for your arrival, if you choose to come prior to January 27th, that is fine, totally fine. Just let me get Christmas put away, make sure you have some clothes to wear that aren't pink and a decent place to sleep. Can't wait to meet you.