Surprise…it’s a girl!

Posted by: Nate
Posted: Fri, September 18 2009 at 9:41am

Well, I’m not always one for surprises but this one was a good one.  My wife, our 17 month old daughter and I were expecting to add a little boy to our flock when our second child was born in late-August.  We had bought a few blue clothes, a blue teddy bear, and a few other boy-themed accoutrements.   When our little one joined the world we were greeted with the doctor’s eyes instantly popping wide and the statement “It’s a girl!”  After a half a second of mental confusion we were more than overjoyed.  She was quickly shuttled away to be cleaned up and warmed up.  My wife and I looked at each other and smiled.  Since my family is almost all boys my wife was surprised by having a single girl, let alone a pair of them.  We had a girl’s name just in case we were surprised and it’s good that we did.  So, we named her Maria Grace.  She is more petite than her big sister, just a bit under seven pounds, but over an inch shorter; and, thank goodness, she looks like her mama.

Maria’s older sister, Lily, thinks the world of her.  She loves to touch her head and give her lots of kisses.  She’s not quite sure what Maria is all about but she thinks she’s pretty cool overall.  We were concerned about a little jealousy but so far so good. 

So, this past couple weeks has been all about trying to discover what our new reality will be with two little ones.  So far our new reality involves less sleep, something resembling a zombie-like trance, and a bit more crying around the house.  Remembering back to our first daughter in her younger days I realize that these trying days are short-lived and thus I try not to be too stressed by it all. 

Just before my first daughter was born I was interviewed by a TV news crew about being a C-Leg user.  They asked what I liked most about my C-Leg and I mentioned how excited I was to carry my little one and not worry about falling down.  Now that joy is multiplied!  The original “little one” is a bit bigger now and her little sister is tiny but I could carry both of them and not be concerned about falling.  That quality of life is priceless.

I’ve got to get back to my girls now.  Until next time. 
Nate

Otto Bock HealthCare pays Nate a small fee for his essays.