Finding Out

"Let's talk about having a daughter."

I remembered those words that Tim said to me after we made up over arguing about whether we wanted more children. While Tim was against having more children (he wanted to stop at three boys), I wanted to try for a little girl. Although I loved my boys dearly (I wouldn't trade them for anything), I wanted a little girl. I wanted to dress someone up in dresses and bows. I wanted to see stuffed animals and everything associated with little girls.

I started wanting a little girl after my sister, Carol, had a little girl. Well, I had wanted one in the back of my mind long before that, but it overcame me after that. At first, I thought (and hoped) Mark would be a girl, but he turned out to be a boy. I wouldn't change a thing about any of them and I loved Mark when I first saw him. Still, the desire was strong for a girl.

Being in a house full of testosterone (male hormones), I was outnumbered one to four. While I liked soft and gentle things, the boys liked things like cars, trucks and tools, normal guy stuff. Now, Mark likes some of the stuff I like, but it's not the same as having a daughter. I couldn't do his hair or doll him up. I couldn't have tea parties with the boys or later bond over girl things with them.

Anyways, that was a month ago, but, I had been having signs that I might be pregnant again. The biggest one was that I missed my last period. It had been a week or so after I was supposed to get it and it wasn't there. That set off warning bells in my head. Either I was pregnant or sick. I was never late or early to have my period so something was wrong.

Along with that, I was feeling more tired than usual but I had assumed it was because of something else. I'd take naps in the middle of the day and fall asleep earlier at night which had concerned Tim. Along with fatigue, I had nausea and vomiting. Every few hours, I'd vomit in the toilet, but I had assumed I had a bug so I didn't think it was pregnancy, but the signs were starting to click. My breasts had started to hurt and they were tender. If I touched them wrong, they hurt. I also was starting to bloat so I was worried.

We'd keep the baby of course, but it was an unexpected time to have a baby. We'd given away all our baby stuff so we'd have to buy more, but that was the fun part. I loved the onesies.

I had decided to take a pregnancy test to make sure I wasn't pregnant, but I had a good feeling I was. The symptoms were just too coincidental. There could be no other answer other than that I was pregnant. I knew Tim would be in shock as would the boys, but they'd warm up to the idea. I knew my mom would love to have another granddaughter as would my dad. Tim's mom only had Brad, Randy and Mark so she'd love a granddaughter.

I grabbed the pregnancy test and sat on it, peeing in the toilet, anxiously waiting. The results could and would change our life dramatically. I would be needed at home more to change and help the baby but I'd have another child to love. I'd see little feet pitter patter and I'd be called Mommy.

"Jill, what's taking so long?" Tim knocked on the door. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Tim, go away please."

He left and I got up, anxious to read the results. I sighed and looked at the results. It had two lines as clear as day. It looked like two Roman numerals. I was pregnant! I would be having a baby boy or hopefully a girl!

"Tim! Tim!" I ran out and found him and the boys sitting on the couch. Brad was watching football with Tim and Mark while Randy was working on his homework.

"What? What?" Tim gave a playful smile and looked at me. "Are you okay? Are you sick?" He felt my forehead. "You never yell my name out like that except to say, 'Oh, Tim.'"

"Ew! Dad that's disgusting," Brad looked at us and Randy finished his homework, joining his brothers in watching TV.

I made a face but smiled. "I'm pregnant! We're having another baby!"

Tim's mouth dropped wide open and I chuckled. "You're pregnant? No joke?"

"No joke. I took a test! I'm pregnant!" I looked at Tim with a big smile.

Tim and the boys shared looks of pure shock which I hoped would turn out to be good. I knew Tim would warm up to the idea of having another child and the boys would too. It'd be someone they could train to be just like them. Still, I felt kind of hurt, but that was the pregnancy talking.

"Congrats, Mom! Are you guys going to find out what it is?"

I had forgotten that we were now able to find out what it was. Technology had changed but I had found out what Brad or Randy were when I was pregnant. I wanted to be prepared with them and be ready when they arrived. With Mark, I wanted the element of surprise.

Tim nodded. "Now, go upstairs until supper please."

The boys and I looked at Tim who had a mixture of happiness and worry on his face. I could tell he was worried about me, but I figured we'd be fine. The baby wasn't hurting me and I knew by know pregnancy like the back of my hand. I wasn't about to give up our unborn baby without a fight but I knew he'd want it.

"Tim, are you okay with having another baby?" I looked at him. "You seem upset."

He nodded. "I'm alright, honey. It's just big news and yes I'm thrilled. Another little tool boy to train."

"Or tool girl. It could easily be a girl too."

He laughed. "Yes, or tool girl. Whatever it is, I'll love it with endless love."