One Stop Boy Shop

As a mom to 3 boys I frequently get asked if I wish I had a girl. The short answer is “No”. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

When I was a little girl, I was the youngest of a family of 4 girls. I rarely played with toys but I did have one doll that I was fond of and I called her “Mary”. I still have Mary and had planned to give her to my little girl one day.

My oldest son is technically my step-son but I call him my Heart Child because in my heart he is My Son and the word “step” does not belong. I have been “mommy” to him for 8 of his 11 years and we are bonded like any biological mom and son are.

After a miscarriage and several years of infertility we were thrilled to finally be pregnant with my second son Ian. My husband and I and my then 6 year old son went to my ultrasound appointment to find out the babies gender. I remember chanting to myself “i hope she’s a girl, I hope she’s a girl”. My son was hoping for a brother and wanted us to name him “Yugi Oh”. I had no boy name picked out as I was certain I was carrying Mary Brianne. The technician asked “are you ready to know?” and with 3 nods he typed out the words “it’s a BOY!” on the ultrasound screen. I immediately started crying but I tried to smile and said “yay”. My defense to my reaction is hormones.

On November 18th, 2004 when they handed me that beautiful baby boy it was love at first sight. All thoughts of baby girls fled my mind forever.

In 2006 after more fertility issues and a tubal pregnancy, we were thrilled to be pregnant again. Everyone kept asking if I hoped I was having a girl. My answer? No. I was hoping for a boy and his name would be Zachary. After all, why break the mold? I already had 2 boys and knew what I was doing! When I held that baby boy for the first time and looked into his beautiful face I proclaimed “his name is Nathaniel” which means “Gift from God”. Looking at that angelic face I realized right then and there that he was truly a gift.

Sure there has been a lot to learn. I’ve had to learn and embrace the rules of baseball, learn about Japanese animae, learn to roar like a dinosaur and make engine noises like a car and a motorcycle. I’m constantly subjected to potty humor and rough housing and I’ve learned how to be a referee. I’ve had to be taught what feelings a boy experiences while on roller coaster rides (anatomy wise) and had to learn how to work Transformers. There is nothing like the unexpected to keep each day fresh and new.

I’m sure my opinion is subjective since I’ve experienced nothing else but I think there is a huge bond between a Mommy and her sons. My pregnancy days are now done. My family is complete and perfect. I have no regrets. My boys are loving, affectionate, caring and everything that a Mom could want and are everything to me. They are my pride and joy.

As for my baby doll Mary? Well maybe I can give her to a granddaughter someday. I can not imagine any greater joy than being mom to 3 boys.