Our oldest daughter, Sarah is having her third child sometime in May. The first two children are near-perfect little boys, but boys they are. Caiden is almost 5 and Grayson is not quite 2. Sarah, In the Midst Of It, has already paid the plumber a hefty bill to remove lincoln logs from the toilet, ditto to leggos from the vacuum cleaner (twice), she's memorized the name of every dinosaur who ever walked the planet. She's discussed the rule of "no reptiles ever!" She's explained - boys wrestle - girls don't. She's already bought enough jeans and tennis shoes to outfit a team of some sort. She's seeing the need to explain that certain bodily functions are not dinner-discussion appropriate, nor entertainment for visiting uncles, even if said uncles think certain bodily functions are hysterical. Especially done in unison. She's bought tool sets, trucks, cars, fire engines, and Easter baskets that look like basketballs.

What she hasn't done is buy much pink. We found out on Christmas day that this baby, this final baby, is a girl. We saw her 3-D ultrasound so we truly saw her. Her cheeks and her little closed eyes. We declared January "Pink Month." Every other day in January I sent her something pink - pink gum, pink hair bows, pink tights, pink blankets, pink bonnets, pink earrings and bracelet. I literally went on pink shopping trips. All in my efforts to convince her this baby was indeed special. Because it's a girl.

Fearing a third baby would have nothing special about it in the eyes of our family, Sarah has chosen to keep the name top-secret. Only a few chosen ones know. I'm not one of them. I, who gave birth to Sarah. I've decided that's a compliment - it's obviously important for her to feel I find this baby very special. I've chosen to feel special by being left out!

Caiden and I talk on the phone at least once a week; this week when we spoke I asked him, "So, what are you doing today?" He very innocently said, "Baby ........" then I heard a blood-curdling scream. "Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He was instantly removed from the phone, and the secret was safe. I really just thought Grayson was somewhere in the house, doing something awful, being a boy.

Not only are we thrilled for all a little girl will bring to the mix of grandchildren, it will clean out the basement. Who on earth ever decided to call it "empty-nest" when kids move out was clueless. The kids move, the nest stays full. Full of scrapbooks, old toys, books, uniforms, graduation gowns, wedding gowns. With two grandsons I've long ago mailed the baby blankets, booties, onesies that are left from Sarah's babyhood. I've even given Caiden and Grayson some of Sarah's younger brother's toys, in an effort to clear out. I've mailed the special books, piggy banks, etc. What's still around are 50 barbies and their500 outfits, cheerleader outfits, prom dresses with shoes to match, old jewelry that once meant she was "grown up", love notes, yearbooks, and a wedding gown. Now that we have a girl on the way, I'm ready to buy boxes and call UPS! Watch out - Barbies comin' to ya!

It's likely, when we do find out the name of this little girl, we'll think it's strange, then someday wonder how she could have ever been named anything else. No doubt we will think she's truly special. Not because of her name. Not because she's a girl. Just because. By the way, if you happen to know my daughter personally, and she's confided in you this baby's name, I'm willing to pay big-time to find out what the name is. Post a comment and where to mail the check!

Labels: Dusty Stuff