Well, It Really Is About Time

A little more than two years ago, a baby train came trucking through our family and our group of friends, and since then we've welcomed 13 babies into our lives—each one giving me a perfect excuse to troll the baby section at Target without looking too pathetic. Out of 13 babies we have welcomed 13 boys. NO. LIE. What are the odds of that? No, really, what are they? I'm just horrible with statistics. Now, you should know, I'm a huge fan of baby boys. In all honesty, if someone floated down from above and gave me the option of having a healthy baby boy or a healthy baby girl (no discerning differences whatsoever), I would choose a boy. (Even though, HA!, no-one seems interested in making me that offer.) (Also, Mike and I cannot agree on a boy's name TO SAVE OUR LIVES but we have two [TWO!] girls names we love. That's ironic, isn't it?) There is just something about the way a little boy loves his mother or how floppy a little boy's hair is or their energy, smell, smile, and I physically feel that I'll mother a boy one day. Obviously this feeling has led me to adore each and every baby boy in my life—my nephews, especially. But, it became almost comical, how void of little girls our lives had become.

About three months ago, Crystal—one of my best friends and, if you remember, the reason I have a ridiculously hard-to-pronounce last name—and I had dinner, as we do quite often. And, as I was rattling on about this or that (most likely how Mike records 27 of the same Survivorman episode and ha ha I kind of want to punch him in the head when he does that), she interjected to tell me she and her new husband were expecting a baby.

Yesterday she told me they are expecting a baby girl.

I finally get my girl—to shop for, to fuss over, to spoil, to babysit—and if you know Crystal, if you've ever been lucky enough to spend even a minute with her, you'll know what a perfect mother she will be to an adorable, dressed-all-in-pink, sweet baby girl. 

When you surround yourself with good people, their joys become your joys. It's the true beauty of life—that when you do it just right, every happiness is multiplied and every grief is divided. As your friend's heart grows to encompass all the good in her life, yours grows as well. As you watch her dreams come true, it's almost as if yours are coming true, too. Because you want—that deeply—for someone else's happiness.

Crystal, I love your daughter already. (Molly is a bit concerned you won't have time for hugs now, but I assured her there was—say it with me!—always time for hugs. She'll need you to convince her of that next time she sees you.)

And, Internet, look how cute this kid is going to be:

Comments

[Someone Being Me]

Congratulations Crystal. I am so jealous. I hope my next one is a girl. The easter dresses about killed me with the cuteness this year. Although I wouldn't complain about a boy. Don't be too sure what you are going to get Jennie. Me and my husband both really thought we would have all girls and yet here we are with a boy. I wanted a boy but I really thought I was going to have girls. One never knows. God has a sense of humor like that.

[jodifur]

You totally tricked me with that post, I thought it was going to be news about you.
As for boys loving their mother, I have the one son in the world who only ever wants Daddy. Really.

[ali]

boys are fantastic....but ohmigod are girls AWESOME to shop for!!! ;)

[Jenna]

You have got to be kidding about 13 out of 13 being boys. OMG. I have two girls, and I still want that boy. But, oh my, you will have so much fun shopping for your friend's little girl.

[moo]

How very sweet! It seems like there are a LOT of boys being born recently. It's good to hear that SOMEONE is gestating a girl.

And you're right, Jennie ... boys are AWESOME

[moo]

Ack, my comment was eaten.

To recap: lots of boys being born.
boys = awesome.

[bethany actually]

How wonderful, for Crystal and her husband, and for you to have a little girl to shop for.

As for boys vs. girls, I always, always thought I would only have boys. When I got pregnant, I and everyone else in the world thought it was a boy...except Troy. He knew it was a girl. And he was right! And though I would still love to have a boy someday, I gotta say, as someone who never expected or prepared for a daughter: girls are pretty awesome too. :-)

[Amanda Brown]

Jennie, you are such an awesome friend. Crystal is lucky to have you in her life and so will her little baby girl.

[Loralee]

I want a girl with the power of a thousand burning suns.

Sigh.

[Rachel]

What a cute couple, and I know that being the only girl out of 13 of your friends that have had babies, she will be SO spoiled.

And I agree with you, if someone gave me the option of boy or girl...I would definitely choose a boy. We aren't married, but we are the opposite. We have a great boys name picked out but no girls names. We are hoping that we don't have to pick one out. Haha!

[rebecca]

What can I say about little girls? It is the best adventure I have ever had. gracious, what is it about your posts that always inspire one of my own??? :) Have to go write now. Congrats to her, and to you...

[Mom]

What great news for Crystal and her husband -- now you can finally shop for a baby girl. Please tell her that I'm thrilled for them, as I can definitely see her raising a little girl.

[Heather B.]

"When you surround yourself with good people, their joys become your joys. It's the true beauty of life—that when you do it just right, every happiness is multiplied and every grief is divided."

I love when I'm looking for a quote for a post and one smacks me right in the face. Thanks!

[Kerri Anne]

See, it's hilarious because Chris and I have twelve! (I'm really not kidding) baby girl names picked out, which automatically makes me think we will have four boys. Or one boy. Or, you know, not a girl.

Congratulations! to Crystal. They make a lovely pair.

[Trigger]

So, this post was beyond great. You are such a gracious person, to view the joys of your friends through such a positive light, even during your trials surrounding the same process. Seriously, everyone who is close with you must feel so incredibly lucky to count you as a friend. And someone as great as you, will most certainly get a lovely, healthy, cherubic little one. I just know you will.

Alright, end of my gushing, on to my nerdiness. The probability of 13 out of 13 kids being boys is... 0.01%. That's right, one one-hundredth of a percent. (Count along at home with me: multiply 50% chance of any baby being a boy, by the same 50% chance of the next baby being a boy, for 13 times - or 0.5 * 0.5 * 0.5 * 0.5...until you've multiplied 13 0.5's...THAT'S RIDICULOUSLY SMALL, what do they put in your water??)

[Kristabella]

Oooh, girls are so much fun! I thought it couldn't get better than little boys until my niece came along.

[Andrea]

Thirteen boys! Wow!