Is it A Boy or A Girl?

We're expecting our third child in early June! We've always talked about one day having three kids. And now here we are: two healthy, beautiful sons and another little munchkin on the way. At first I really wanted the gender to be a surprise. My husband on the other hand has been in suspense since I announced the pregnancy. So, we've been in disagreement about whether or not we should find out the sex at the ultrasound, which is scheduled for today around noon.


Last night as I sat in the car waiting for our older son to be dismissed from CCD, I stared up at the cross atop the parish center and asked God to help me decide what we should do. To find out the sex or not to find out the sex: that was the question. I asked him to give me a sign that would help me know what the right thing for us would be.


When you have two sons and you're expecting another baby, there's a lot of pressure to produce a daughter. A lot! Well-meaning friends and family root for a girl, or try to "think pink" for you, but at the end of the day, its gender has already been determined for quite some time. Like every other fetus, it's just waiting to present itself to the world. Of course, my husband and I would love to have a daughter since we already have two sons. So what if the news we are given today to share with our friends and family when we get  home is, "It's another healthy, beautiful son!"? The truth is, the reception will be different than if the announcement is, "It's a girl!" Not bad necessarily, but different. Likely, happiness but with less enthusiasm. But we know that a third healthy child is a blessing in and of itself, regardless of gender. We are very aware of how lucky we already are. But still, we can't help but hope a little.


Anyway, when my son got into the car, I switched the radio station and on the next station was the Beatles' "All You Need is Love." It was the part where John Lennon sings,


"There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love . . . "


Was this the sign I had asked for? I'm still not sure. It could have been coincidence; it's only one of the most popular songs in the world, so while it wasn't a miracle that it was playing on the radio, maybe the timing of the lyrics was the miracle. Maybe God was trying to tell me: 
"You may not know right now what your baby is, but I do. It is what it is. 
And whether you choose to see it today or wait to see it at the birth, it doesn't matter.  
The type of reception you may get from others doesn't matter. 
And the type of gift I've given you doesn't matter because what I've given you is what's meant to be. 
All that does matter is the love your family has and the additional love I'm giving to you with this baby. It's easy."

Friday, 1/13/12, 9am
Well, we had decided we'd ask the tech to write the gender down on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. So yesterday, we brought the envelope to the bakery, asked them to open it, read it and decorate a cake for a boy or a girl. We'd be back after lunch to pick it up, take it home, begin preparations for our son or daughter, and enjoy some cake!  We drove home, placed the box on the dining room table, and opened it to read "It's a girl!" We are very happy and feel very blessed. But pink or blue, we are one very grateful family. And more importantly than what the cake read, it was fresh and delish! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk