My boy is sweet. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and worries more about how others are feeling than what he feels. As he grows up, I see a lot of me in him. Since his outwardly looks are so much like his father, I assumed that he would end up taking on his personality: popular, charismatic, boisterous, and loud (but in a good way). He’s on the path to friendly outcast and peace-keeper, just like Mom. Also, just like Mom, he’s very protective of his family and continues to go out of his way to be the best helper and supporter he can be. This is why I knew I had to make a small event out of telling him the sex of his new sibling.
There were so many gender reveal options on our list. We could write it in a note and place it in his lunch, or we could even have a bunch of pink or blue balloons waiting for him in his room. We could just tell him outright at the dinner table, or have him accompany me to the doctor’s office to find out. We decided to keep it more intimate. Just him, Dad (with the camera) and me. Oh, and my belly.
He loves to hug and touch my belly. This was true during my last pregnancy with his sister, as well. He also had a love of singing and reading to her. I find it no coincidence that almost 4 years later, his little sister still loves when her brother reads to her. So, for this little memory, I asked him if he would like to ask his new sibling what sex they were. He looked at me in a peculiar fashion, but complied because…he’s compliant. My sweet boy.
This is the moment we told him it was a boy. He was shocked and excited and immediately proclaimed, ” I’m really happy but I think my sister isn’t going to like that it’s a boy.” He was right. She isn’t. But, that’s another post. He went on to say that once his little brother turns 8, he’ll teach him what it’s like to be a teenager, since he’ll be one by then.
That’s when I lost it. My big boy is going to be a big brother, again. By the time his little brother is his current age, he’ll be 16. He’ll be dating and picking out colleges to apply to. He’ll go to dances, house parties and learn to drive. Time moves way too fast. This moment, this memory, was supposed to be something special for him, but I think it was just as special for me. The outcast and peacemaker in me is still so protective and proud of her family, and now my first born is following suit.
Oh Amiyrah. I was so excited upon learning you were expecting and I’m even more excited now that you’re having another boy! Congratulations mama. I’m also over here crying because I can relate to a lot of the emotions and thoughts you’re having about your oldest and him being a big brother for the second time…I feel and think the same with Bren, who has turned out to be a lot like mama too-friendly outcast, peacemaker. I can’t wait to see how this baby boy fits into your family and who he is!
Thank you so much, A. And now I’m crying too! You and I really are kindred spirits.
Oh, he’ll be the perfect age to baby sit too!!!
Ha! Yes, he would, but I’ll probably not do that to him. Since my sister and I are 14 years apart, I was constantly stuck babysitting instead of going out with my friends. Not fun.
YAY!! Congratulations!
How sweet! Congratulations! I was 8, 10 and 12 years older than my siblings and it was a very interesting dynamic – I became like a 2nd mom to them and much closer as we grew older. Now they come to me for all sorts of advice!
Thanks Quiana! I’m 14 years older than my sister and the dynamic is…interesting. I’m hoping my sons will be close, even with the big age gap.