When Mia was about a year and a half and Soph was a few months old, we went to my niece's first communion and my nephew's christening. My sister-in-law combined the two since they were happening so close together. As you can imagine, having a 1 year old and a small baby in church for such a long period of time had me more than a little stressed. My focus was on keeping them contained and quiet. There was some time between the end of the communion and the start of the christening so we were just hanging out trying to keep Mia entertained so she wouldn't lose it for the second half of the festivities. I was so focused on my two munchkins that I hadn't even noticed that there were two little, old ladies (nuns, I think) sitting behind us. At some point one of the ladies asked Steve if Sophia was a boy or a girl.
Before I proceed, I just want to tell everyone how much this annoys me. First, my kids are typically in very girly outfits. This day was no different. Sophia was wearing a purple, ruffle dress and had a purple bow in her hair. I am all about being open-minded, but come on! Obviously, a girl. Second, who cares? A baby is a baby. It doesn't bother me as much when someone else has a baby of their own and asks because I think it a matter of relating to the other person (kind of like, what are you dealing with? Circumcision and getting peed on or lots of crevices to clean and yucky rashes? Because if it is (fill in blank), I get you).
Ok. Back to my story. So, this lady asks Steve if Soph is a boy or a girl and he tells her that she is a girl. I swear you could feel the pity emanating from this lady. "Oh well. Maybe the next one will be a boy." She then proceeded to tell us, and this is the really disturbing part, that she taught a natural family planning class and that there were "things" that we could do, naturally of course (like that makes it any less disturbing), to increase the chances that we would have a boy. She talked about her success rates with such pride. Steve and I both listened out of respect because she was so old and we are pretty sure that she was a woman of God...didn't want to get in trouble with the big Guy for being rude to a nun. When the conversation was over we went on with the rest of the day but it stuck with me and really bugged me.
I am not sad that I have two little girls. I love the fact that they will have the opportunity to be each other's best friend (maybe), share clothes (wishful thinking), and be a team for the rest of their lives (this one is a given, they have no choice!). Not to mention, I love all things girly. The clothes, the toys, the movies. Everything. I am not even sure how I would handle a boy. I get drama. I don't get football (stereotypical, I know, but just making a point). I have mastered changing girl diapers. I enjoy not having to deal with the rogue pee. I just get girls. A boy would be a unique challenge for me. That is not to say that I wouldn't love to have one. But, the truth is, I don't really care either way. I just hope the next baby (if there is one) is a healthy baby. So, I just don't get why this woman felt bad for us. It is not 1950. We do not live in a male-dominated society. Boys are not superior to girls. There is no advantage to having a boy. It's the girls that stick around to take care of you, right?? Sure, I will go broke paying for clothes, college, and weddings. But I will enjoy every minute of it!
Of course I would be lying to you if I said my curiousity wasn't piqued. I looked up online what these "things" we could do were. Well, let me tell you, they are NOT things that a little, old lady nun should know about. I don't care how "natural" she thinks they are. I bet your interests are piqued now too...just be warned!!
Until next time...
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