Here We Go Again

It's ANOTHER Boy!!!!!! Unbelievable. I am still in a little shock, but will do my best to compose an intelligible post. We went in for our ultrasound yesterday and found out that another little male will join the York house. Even before our ultrasound technician told us the news, I sensed what the outcome would be. It has been my experience that ultrasound technicians are a little uppity. I have had many ultrasounds, and every time I have very similar experiences. The technicians have a lot of power and information at their hands, and they know it. And they take pride in their job of examining and diagnosing many possible complications with your pregnancy or baby. The whole "boy or girl thing" is so frivolous to them and they will not put forth too much effort to find out. That has at least been my experience.

So it's best to just answer yes when she asks if you'd like to know the sex, and then not make a big deal out of it. So here are some of the signs that I knew the big boy announcement was coming:

• Our very haughty and powerful ultrasound technician asked if we'd like to know the sex. She then asked if we have other children and if they are boys or girls. We told her that we have three boys at home. A minute into the ultrasound she started acting very nice and warm toward us. Clue #1.
  
• About five minutes into the ultrasound she said I could go and empty my bladder if I wanted to. I asked her if this would make it more difficult to find the sex, and she said she already knew and would show us later. Clue #2.
  
• She accidentally expressed, "He just keeps on rolling around," a couple times during the ultrasound. Clue #3.

So when the announcement finally came, I already had 1/2 hour to prep myself for the news. Jakob and I just laughed. We just sat there stunned. Four in a row. I may have mumbled a little, "Why can you only make boys?", but I can't really remember. It's all a blur.

We knew this was a possibility when we decided to get pregnant with number 4. We were willing to take that chance. I've actually done a lot of soul-searching and praying before we even knew to find peace with whatever sex our last baby would be. So I'm very happy and excited for what this means. Here are all the reasons I'm excited for all boys: (Disclaimer: Some things on this list may be very offensive to mother's of girls. Some of the things that I am listing as negatives may, in reality, be positives in your eyes. But, come on. Give me a break. I just found out that I will never have a girl. Show a little sympathy and do not get offended.)

• I will not have to deal with a daughter's periods, cramps and PMS.
  
• No modesty issues.
  
• No Young Women's.
  
• No Girl's Camp.
  
• No piercing ears.
  
• No girly whining.
  
• No girly talking non-stop.
  
• No friend backbiting, gossiping, and all that tricky girl stuff.
  
• No training bras.
  
• No make-up issues.
  
• No girl's listening in on all my conversations.
  
• No emotional crying.
  
• I will not have a daughter who realizes my weaknesses as a mother and holds them against me.
  
• No trying to find modest prom dresses, homecoming dresses, or dance/cheerleading uniforms.
  
• No weddings to plan and pay for.
  
• I don't have to teach a daughter self-acceptance, so I can go ahead with that nose job someday.

There are many more that I can't think of now, but will add to my list. My life will definitely be more simple with all boys.

• Fathers and Sons campouts will also be "Mom's Night Alone".
  
• Scouting ventures will also be "Mom's Alone Time".
  
• My boys will think that I am the best mother in the entire world (until they get married and then their wife can point out all my insane issues and flaws).
  
• We will be a shoo-in for cast of the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
  
• Jude will have a buddy.
  
• We already have all the clothes, all the toys, all the movies, and all the decor for boys.

Again, there are many more things I will add to this list as they come to me.

I do feel like I'm letting an awful lot of people down, though. I think I symbolized hope to the many 'mothers of three boys' I know. And now they ALL have to face the possibility that you can flip a coin and have it land on tails FOUR TIMES IN A ROW. So I apologize to:

Michiko W., Emily P., Kendra W., Gina S., Kim C., Lindsay P., Christy R., Ashley Y., Kathie B., and Cassie S.

These are all the women that I know PERSONALLY that have three boys. Don't you think that's a little disturbing? There is definitely something up in heaven. But I am definitely the President of the 'All Boys' club and I hope, for all your sakes, that nobody dethrones me.

My biggest struggle right now is in choosing a name. We have exhausted our options. I think that 'Jude' was our masterpiece, and it's all downhill from there. I don't feel strongly about any name, but feel so much pressure to find one that I like. I only have 4 1/2 months! So much pressure. If I had known that I was going to have four boys, I would've done something cool like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Or at least John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

On a more spiritual note, Jakob and I have definitely prayed about how many children we should have, and felt very strongly that this would be our last baby, regardless of gender. We have both felt peace knowing that this little boy is completing our family, and feel very excited for what this means and what lies in store for us. We feel very privileged to be entrusted with four future priesthood holders, four future missionaries, and four future fathers. What a great responsibility and I know that, with Heavenly Father's help, we are up for the task.

I remember all the way back in Wyview, there was a testimony meeting where a sister got up, very tearful, and started her testimony, "I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me." She then went on, crying the whole time, to say that she had just found out that they were having their forth boy. But then she talked about how she will have contributed 8 years of missionary work through her sons and I remember thinking that that was really cool. I never even wondered whether I would end up having four boys. Who even fathoms that? But here I am. Now it seems so obvious as to why I have held onto her testimony for so long. (That girl's last name was 'Hammer' for all you Wyviewites out there.)

So that is my last official 'It's a boy!' announcement ever! 'Pepperoni Lovers' pizza for everyone on me!