It only takes about 5 seconds after finding out that I am pregnant for the next question to be asked.
"Do you know what you are having yet?"
I respond, "No, we are not finding out."
It is amazing the emotion this stirs up in the other person. Some people are super excited, but some seem almost defensive about our decision.
The most common response is, "Oh, I could NEVER do that; I am too much of a planner."
Yeah, me too, sister. Believe me, me too.
The most common response is, "Oh, I could NEVER do that; I am too much of a planner."
Yeah, me too, sister. Believe me, me too.
So, why is this planner with perfectionistic tendencies not finding out the sex of their child? Before I share the reasons, let me be clear, I am NOT saying finding out or not finding out is a right/wrong decision. I believe it is perfectly wonderful for parents to find out! These are just mine and Stephen's personal thoughts, and reasons for our decision.....
1. Our journey to this pregnancy was one in which God has taught us to fully rely on His sovereignty. We have learned to be content were we are instead of fretting about our plans and our timing. It just seems that not finding out will help me embrace this lesson to an even greater level. I believe it will help me fight my temptation to stress over having everything "perfectly planned."
2. I think that not knowing our baby's sex will help me fight of the materialistic temptation to buy more than what we need. The cute boy or girl outfits don't call my name when I go to the store. I am thinking more about buying the things we need rather than the cutesy stuff. I am not saying it is wrong to buy cutesy things; I am sure I will at some point. However, we have decided to become more frugal over the next few months and that means needs trump wants.
3. Lord willing, we would love to have a BIG family. Unisex equipment and clothes will be much easier to hand down from one child to the next.
4. We have opted for a natural water birth. (Did your eyes just bulge?) In the midst of labor, I think it would be a motivation to anticipate wether I will meet my son or my daughter.
5. It appeals to me to have either Stephen or myself announce the sex. I think it would be much more exciting for us to be the first to say, "It's a __________, " than to hear the ultrasound tech say it.
6. If we were to find out, I would want to have a reveal party. However, with our family living so far away it is highly unlikely that all of them could be here for it.
I will admit, it is hard. Really hard. I really want to know. I want to say "he" or "she" instead of "the baby." I want to call baby Powell by name. But, I really think it will be exciting and rewarding if we stick to our plan. Hopefully, our resolve will remain strong!
By the way, feel free to offer your guesses! I honestly have no clue.
I think boy. I don't know why but that is my guess! I love that you are waiting to find out. I think I am going to show your list to Doug when our "next time" comes. He is the tough one to convince to wait.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are planning a natural water birth! You will do great!
Maria, thanks so much for the love! I like the idea of a boy. Praying you get to use the list soon! :)
DeleteHow exciting! I think it will be extra rewarding to wait! And I think the water birth sounds wonderful. I feel so blessed to have had such a short labor that I could make it without an epidural. I really wouldn't mind connecting with a doctor or nurse who is supportive of a water birth too (for the next time)!
ReplyDeleteStefanie, thanks for your comment! We have a bit of a drive to get to a place that would allow us to have the kind of birth we wanted. But, I believe it will be worth it!
DeleteMegan, I love your journey to this and your thought process behind waiting. Josh and I are struggling with children and our whole journey together has always gone to our plans as far as timelines and what we wanted. The one thing that has not gone to our plan is having children as we are struggling, but God's teaching us that it's in his timing and not ours. He is teaching us, as he did you, that he is sovereign and we need to fully rely on him in this process. I'm happy for you guys and look forward to reading more about your journey!
ReplyDeleteAshley, I am humbled that you would share about your struggles! Oh, sweet sister I know it hurts so much. I hate it for you. But, without a doubt I know God will bring something beautiful out of your struggle. Hold on. And know that you now have one more person praying for you as you walk this road.
DeleteI think it's great that you guys are waiting to find out the sex! Ryan and I were contemplating doing that as well, but got I couldn't decide... and well, we finally decided to go ahead and find out - however, it wouldn't have mattered anyways, because BEFORE the doctor could asked if we wanted to know the sex, I had already discovered and blurted out, "ARE WE HAVING A BOY??!!" LOL. Although we didn't wait to find out the sex, we did wait to reveal the name, and that was fun. Hard, but fun.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping if we are blessed with another that we will be able to keep the gender a secret, and be surprised!
P.s.- I think it's great that you are doing a natural water birth. I went through the pain of getting an epidural, and it didn't even work. So I now know that I can deliver naturally if need be. Which is good to know.
I am always encouraged by your baby updates, and am joyful for you guys that God's hand has been with you from the beginning, even before you and Stephen met, He had it all planned perfectly. :)
Kasey,
DeleteThank you so much for your affirmation. It really means a lot, sinceI was scared to offend some of my readers who "found out" though that definitely was not my intention! I, too, fear that I will accidentally see something on the sonogram. So, we plan to tell them we don't want to know before they even lube my stomach!
I have a friend with two little girls, and they didn't find out the gender for either pregnancy. They did, however have names picked out. So, throughout the first pregnancy, the baby was referred to as George-Margaret, and the second was George-Helen. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was cute, although hard for the first few days to remember to refer to the girls as just Margaret, and just Helen. Just an idea, if you want an alternative to "Baby."
Sarah... I LOVE THIS IDEA! Thank you so much for sharing. I am definitely going to run this by the hubs tonight! This makes me very EXCITED!
DeleteSo cool you guys have decided to wait to find out! And I completely understand all the passionate responses you will get when you tell people your decision... I feel like I get those even now when we tell people we know we're having a boy! I've had a couple ladies tell me it gave them motivation (through labor) to wait and discover the gender. That is definitely going to be an exciting moment!! So happy God has blessed you two with this child. And I am going to guess... boy. :) But, I'm biased right now. hehe
ReplyDeleteTruth be told I am slightly boy biased and Stephen is slightly girl biased. :) Isn't funny how people have suce strong reactions?
DeleteI think it's neat to wait! What surprise and you're right- great labor motivator! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Calley. One minute I think, "It will be so awesome." The next, I think, "What am I doing? I want to know!" Lol. So, on top of all the above reasons this will also be a chance to practice patience!
Deletei wouldnt be able to wait:) im so excited to find out im really hopen a girl and hub is hopen for another boy. i was just wondering if you had any cute boy names.. we find out in 6 days and its our 5th. one of which we lost full term, i have to finish my blog about soon. briley marie is my girls name i have elizabeth emma and aeron and had a jonah,and my brother has a tyler, bentley and landyn. : )
ReplyDelete