Our Christmas Guest

Hank and Katie let us keep their littlest family member, George, over Christmas while they were away. He has been so fun to have. He makes Alison laugh all day. Her dream finally came true tonight when he was just so tired that he fell asleep in her bed while we were finishing night-time routine. Unfortunately, George woke up minutes later and realized he was in a room with two little people and the thought put him in a nervous frenzy until he was let out to join the adult world. Every day, several times a day, Alison asks me how many more days he gets to stay with us. I think she's formulating a plan to will him over.

The Baby

We found out a few weeks ago that we're expecting a baby girl. Alison was thrilled. Stuart, not so much. The ultrasound tech wrote the gender on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope. We opened it together as a family that night.

Stuart just stood there with his mouth open, stunned. It was as if he had never considered it could actually turn out to be anything but a boy. Alison is thrilled. Stuart asked if we could send it back and get a brother instead and Alison got so defensive and upset. I assured her that we couldn't send it back and that Stuart would love the baby girl. (To which he said, "I'm NOT playing with that baby sister ever until I get a baby brother. I already have a sister.")

Alison still occasionally asks me with concern, "Mama, we won't send her back, will we."
Stuart maintains that he just wants a baby brother. (He even asked after my next ultrasound, "Mama, did the baby grow a penis?")

Duck vs. Baby

Stuart: Mama. What are you doing?

Mama: I'm cutting this material out to make a little jacket for our new baby.

Stuart: That will be cute.

Mama: (Thinking that perhaps Stuart will indeed warm up to the idea of a little sister before spring.)

Stuart: Remember that baby duck. He was SOOOOO CUTE (said with extra adorable).

Mama: Yes I remember that baby duck. He was very cute. Is our baby going to be cute like that duck?

Stuart: No. Babies ARE NOT cute like baby ducks. Ducks are so tiny and they swim and they are fluffy. Our baby is not going to be as cute as a baby duck.