Ella has a specific request these days. She’s currently enamored with babies and she’d like one. In particular, she’d like to order up a baby sister. A couple of my friends have babies, one a boy and one a girl, and she has a tendency to call them both “her” and “she,” even though she knows the difference. She’ll run up to them, grab their little hands, and declare, “Look Mom, it’s _!”
Over the past month or so, we’ve had some interesting conversations about babies.
Ella: “Mom, can we have a baby sister?”
Me: “Well, mommy can try to have a baby, but God decides if it’s a boy or girl.”
Me: “Would you want a baby brother?”
Silence.
Ella: “Why don’t some mommies have babies right now?”
Me: (thinking this is complicated and need to simplify). Uh…not sure I did such a terrific job. “Some mommies are done having babies and some don’t have babies right now, but might have one in the future.” or something to that effect.
Ella: “How do mommies get babies in their bellies?”
Birds Chirping.
She is just (nearly) 4, so I wanted to go simple on this one. I think I went with “When mommies and daddies are married and love each other, they can make babies and mommies carry them in their bellies.”
Ella: “Can you and daddy make a baby?”
I’m trying to recall exactly how I answered this one, but the gist was “We’re working on it.”
My kids are just a little over 2 years apart, so Ella didn’t really understand much of what was going on when I was pregnant with Ezra, or care much for that matter. She just knew that it was trickier to sit in my lap after awhile and that I brought home someone to compete for mom and dad’s attention. But I think a future pregnancy could be a really magical thing for a 4 year-old (at least I hope so).
Yesterday, as she asked about a baby again, I thought about how far along I’d be in my pregnancy if I hadn’t miscarried this year. I felt sadness, but tried not to dwell on it. For now, it’s exciting to know that she is enthusiastic about another baby (at least if it’s a girl). And I’m just trying to enjoy life as it is now because everything changes with a new baby.
My husband and I are working on being ready to have another baby. I know it’s a lot of work and I need to be ready for it. Hayden hasn’t really expressed interest lately in wanting another sibling – although a few months ago he kept wanting a baby sister (but I don’t think he really understood what he was asking for). He will be at least 4 before a baby comes along… I think it will be neat to see how he does with it (assuming it happens). I think he will be a wonderful big brother… assuming he gets that opportunity.
Good luck with the baby making and production. I hope it all works out for you and your family.
Definitely enjoy your time now! Oh, those sleepless nights! My oldest wants a baby sister. I told him that I would probably have another brother for him if I had another baby. He informed me that we’d give that one back and try again until he got his sister. LOL
But, at 3 kids, we’re done anyway.
Btw, I had told him awhile ago that people get married and then they have babies. So, we were at a wedding this fall, and right after the couple got married, he asked everyone “Where’s their baby?”
Sounds familiar! Yes, at 4 (or 5 or 6 or whatever) she’ll love the pregnancy. My older 2 are both loving it, but especially my 4 yr old daughter. She, too, wanted a sister. God gave her a brother instead. She was very sad about it at first, but now she is just excited about a baby in the house. She talks to him in my belly all of the time.
Still praying for you and know God has a plan! Hugs!