Baby Mine and Hers

Last night we went to the elementary school for the last event ever and watched Samantha slide from the playgrounds and recesses of her childhood school up to the grand and glorious adventure that is High School.

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This got me waxing pretty sentimental about years gone by. To think that now all of my lovelies are in High School or College, to know that our elementary school days are behind us? I was both proud and a little sad. I loved having little children.

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(This is a totally gratuitous shot of two of my three daughters being nice to each other.)

It is no grand secret that I am partial to babies, and I think it should be no surprise that I am especially besotted by the girl babies. When my friends are expecting, I am always and forever hoping it will be a girl. I think this stems from having had only girls myself, it’s like I can’t properly imagine that they come in the boy flavour. Adoring my daughters as I do (and especially as I did when they were so wee) I feel that a daughter is the best one can hope for, and this leaves me wishing through all my friends and families pregnancies that they will deliver up girlchildren.

(I recognize that it is a good thing for the earth’s gender balance that I am not in charge of this, and that girls and boys keep getting born in almost equal proportions.) When a boy is born, I’m always a little bit surprised (why, I can’t tell you) and then even more surprised that despite my clear bias, I love them to bits nonetheless.

A baby is, as we speak, almost finished over at Lettuce Knit. Darling Megan is expecting her third, and although nobody knows for sure what is in there (other than a human child, one hopes) Megan has been confident that it is a boy, and naturally, I am opposed. From the word go, she’s said she thinks she’s making a boy, and I’ve maintained that I would prefer that she make me a girl. (This has fallen on deaf ears. Mostly because I think that Megan isn’t actually procreating just to please me.) These last several months I have been trying to bribe her with feminine little sweaters, darling hats with flowers, itty-bitty bits of lace….hundreds of promises of knits to come if only she will make me a girl. Megan has made no promises in return. Finally, accepting my lack of control over the situation, I contacted my friend Tina at Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and dragged her into it.

I explained how I felt, and I asked for two new colours, invented to commemorate the birth of….well, whomever is in there, of either gender. One should be for a girl, I told her, something for if this is “baby mine”, and something for if it is a charming little boy….” Baby yours” is how I think of it. They should be nearly solids, I said, having in mind a project or two. Tina, being entirely in love with Megan (as all folks of good sense are) agreed to do it. Imagine my surprise when the queen of colour mailed me these.

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I love them, they are exactly perfect, and Tina and I had a wonderful time naming them.

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The sky blue is Nyame, the Ashanti god of the sky. (I like him too because one website said he was an “emergency substitute god” that an Ashanti could pray to if they didn’t know who to pray to. Considering the worlds general confusion, I like that a lot.) Story tells that every soul is taken to Nyame before being born, and he gives them their destiny and puts a drop of the water of life in their mouth.

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The pink is Quilla. Named for the moon goddess Mama Quilla of Inca lore. She is the ruler of the moon and lunar calendar (that puts her in charge of menstruation as well) and strong protector of women. When she cries, it is drops of silver.

I think they are good and fitting starts for a very welcome new baby and two sweaters…”Baby Mine” and “Baby Yours” that I have in the works. Boy or girl, this child will be clad in wool and my stitches.

187 thoughts on “Baby Mine and Hers

  1. having a boy, I’m biased now towards boys, but I still think it’s more fun to knit for a girl! 😀 There are more cute things for girls. Both colours are so gorgeous and the baby should be thilled to wear either.

  2. Your daughters are lovely.
    I have one child in each flavor myself, and both are quite nice. Mine are still in grade school for quite a while yet.
    The yarn will make a lovely sweater for Megan’s baby. We can’t wait to see the sweater (modeled by the wee one of course).

  3. Pretty yarn!! And I agree–girl children are just a bit more special (full disclosure–I have a daugther and I have a beloved niece and both are the best kids in the whole world).
    Then again, I have a husband, whom I adore, and I’m guessing that he was a boy child…I haven’t quite come to terms with that fact.

  4. Damn, I was close! I feel honored! Hope you get your chance to knit both adorable colors! The names are, to use German superlatives, hervorragend! (which is a very large magnitude of awsome!)

  5. Beautiful yarn! I love the names too. I’m such a name person and always end up reading too much into them, so I love when the names of things actually have a story… especially one that matches. : )

  6. You do realize that when Meghan has a little boy that you are going to love him with all your heart and call him baby mine, don’t you?
    i am writing from an airport and am so glad that you are not in one. As I flew in last night we passed Toronto – I knew because a pilot was my seatmates – and I waved to you.
    Catj

  7. Wow, your girls have certainly grown up into lovely young ladies! It is always interesting to see pictures of them and hear about their current adventures (and knitting, if there is any.) Congratulations to Samantha on her graduation, and best wishes for high school. The baby colors are beautiful, and so lovingly named. Please keep us posted on the status of Megan’s baby and your resulting projects.

  8. In other people’s children, I can’t say that I have any strong preference for boy or girl babies. All babies are adorable, and I can’t always tell gender by looking at them (like when a bald child is dressed in a green romper). But I’ve always hoped to have at least one girl, myself. I think I would be a bit sad if I had only boys.
    But fortunately, there’s beautiful yarn to suit either gender! Tina did a fantastic job with the colors!

  9. LOL…having two boys, I can’t imagine what it would be like to have girlbabies…I thank the stars every day that I was sent boybabies. =) It’s good to know that you are out there loving the girlbabies enough for both of us!
    Gratz on raising two beautiful young women.

  10. I love the yarns and the stories that go with them.
    I just sent my oldest to Middle school(grade6) last year and it was much harder than sending him to school that very first day of Kindergarten. Something about knowing how fast the other six years went made it all to real as to how fast they are getting ready to leave. I know that is the goal and I know that he (gasp it’s a boy LOL) will do just fine in the great big world as will his brother….it seems we grow boys in this family.
    Hope you have a really great summer with your family. May the sun shine bright and the wind blow gently.

  11. Steph, your daughters are sooooo beautiful; I envy you. I was one of three girls and knew only that growing up (my poor father). I was blessed with three boys. I had no idea what to do with them, but in hindsight, I think I did a better job than I would have with girls. I have never been a girly girl. Didn’t play with dolls, I read. Didn’t play with makeup or my hair, never learned to flirt. God knows what he/she’s doing when he makes those gender decisions. And boys aren’t all bad. You’ve got Joe, right?
    The yarns are beautiful, I love the colors and the names. I want some.

  12. Both colors are divine!
    I felt the same way about girl babies, and was not the least bit surprised that my first was a girl. I fully expected the second to be as well, and promised my husband that we were absolutely having another girl…and then we had a little boy (so much for intuition). And then I became the one thing I never ever expected to be: one of those mothers of sons who is, well, rather crazy about his guyness. In spite of having two parents who don’t know a baseball from a football, my son is interested in all things traditionally BOY. And now we think dinosaurs and skateboards and trucks are actually rather interesting. I have no idea how this works, but clearly someone who is in charge of the universe is very smart.
    PS – an added bonus: my son loves yarn and tells me all the time how much yarn he is going to buy for me when he’s grown up!

  13. I totally understand where you are coming from about girl babies. I had 3 sisters & 1 brother & 2 daughters. My extended family is just as heavily weighted in favor of the female gender. I always thought I wouldn’t know what to do with a boy baby. Imagine my unease when DD had not one but 2 boys in a row. I had no idea what I would do with them! (Ironic since I was so committed to a gender neutral upbringing for my daughters.) Fortunately, I discovered that boy babies like the same things as girl babies to a large extent, especially being read to. And the 2 boys are the sweetest, gentlest children ever. Then along cam little sis, who captured her brothers’ hearts from birth & who loves to do everything they do & more. She is absolutely fearless when it comes to climbing & other daredevil behavior but shares her brothers’ love of books. However, it is so much more fun to knit for girl babies.

  14. I’m with you. I like girls so much better than boys. Well, in the abstract.
    Part of my bias is because I had a little girl, and she has grown up to be my best friend, and provided me with two wonderful granddaughters. Actually, she was my best friend before she was 8 months old.
    But I have a friend with a little boy, and he is SO loveable!!

  15. My baby just graduated elementary, which here means that she is going to “middle school”. Her older brother and sister say that she is going to “be eaten alive”.
    As for the new yarn colors they are perfect. I just wish I could touch them…am such a tactile person.

  16. Stephanie,
    8 of my friends have been pregnant in recent months. 7/8 of them have had or are having girls. And the last one is holding out for a suprise, so we won’t know.
    I’m with you, firmly planted in Team Pink!!!

  17. Well, Steph, I am also a lover of babies, being a lactation consultant, and the baby who will be covered in your stitches, in these lovely colors, will be one lucky baby.
    WOW. Really soft and beautiful looking. Love, Kathleen in WIlliston, Vermont

  18. Be it MANY MANY years down the road, but you do realize your grandchildren are going to be mainly boys.
    I have 2 girls and a boy, and my son is actually the sweetest of the three. He is my baby, and just finished elementary school. In our district, elementary only goes through 5th grade, so he is off to middle school in the fall.

  19. Beautiful colors–well done, Tina, and love the names.
    I remember how strange it felt in some fundamental way that my female body could birth a male one. I got two of each. But my first, I so much wanted to be a girl, I so much understand where you’re coming from on that one, and when she turned out to indeed be a she, I totally threw the doctor by suddenly exclaiming (maybe yelling, but we won’t admit to that), “YES!!!!”

  20. As the mother of two daughters, I’m with you. Whenever I used to change the diapers of boychildren for friends, I was always shocked to find something in there — I guess I am too socialized as the mother of girls! I’m loving those colors, and particularly the idea of a god to whom one prays as the default backup 🙂 Megan’s baby is lucky to be swathed in such loving knitting, no matter what it turns out to be.

  21. PS. I am the mother of three girls too, and I love their “girlness.” I almost don’t know what I would have done with boys. People say that girls are harder, but I doubt it. I am glad of my girls…..

  22. Both are beautiful and so are the names. You have a natural gift. 🙂
    I’m the same in thinking that all babies should be girls. Unfortunately, my husband is the last chance for his family name to continue, so we’re hoping to have one boy eventually. (I would prefer one of each, he thinks there are too many girls in his family already – which is why he’s the last chance.)

  23. I resisted saying this during the franklin photoshoot, but let me just say, your daughters are gorgeous.

  24. Beautiful, beautiful yarn & great names! I guess it really helps to have friends in high places. Never having had either, I’m totally non-partial as to gender, but yarn-wise I always lean toward blue.
    Being as gaga over babies as you are, I’ve wondered if you ever place your knitting needles into any of the wee ones’ hands? (very carefully, of course) You know, as in the knitting myth that says if a Master Knitter places her needles into a baby’s hands, that child will grow up to also be a Master Knitter. According to legend, since Master Knitters tended to be a bit jealous & guarded about their skill & status, occasionally large quantities of alcohol were involved in prying the needles from said MK’s hands. Seems in your case, it might take just a bottle of beer & some squeaky cheese!

  25. My two nephews (born on the SAME DAY to a sis and a sis-in-law) are almost cute enough to turn me into a baby person. Not enough to have my own though: my mother’s mother told her “I curse you with daughters” and it worked, and I’m not willing to risk the heartbreak I put my own parents through.

  26. When it became obvious that we were going to have a baby who wouldn’t be in the world long, we chose different names. I let my husband choose the boy name, and I chose the girl name. I liked the boy name, but I was so convinced that this was to be a girl.
    I was so surprised when the midwife handed me a boy. I marvelled. I was astounded. This totally didn’t fit in with what I expected. I understand this desire for a girl.
    Gabriel was all I could have hoped for. But I’m still surprised that he was a he.

  27. Very clever of Tina to have concocted two such luscious colors, because my guess is that she’s going to be dyeing not much else for the forseeable future. My daughter’s talking babies…surely it would be only prudent of me…

  28. I too have one of each, and it’s been quite the challenge. But I’ve enjoyed venturing into the blue section of the various children’s clothing stores, and I’m going to try to keep an open mind when my son asks me for the latest action figure. He’s 13 months old and already goes “Brrrrrrrrrr” when playing with his trucks.
    That being said, I’d love to have a third (I’m pretty sure that whatever comes out, I’ve already had), and see how, even when they’re the same gender, they can be completely different. Now I find that I can Scully all the differences between them with “Oh, well it’s because he’s a boy/she’s a girl”).
    I think both colours are absolutely beautiful. Megan is lucky to have such a good and thoughtful friend!

  29. “emergency substitute god” – this is a good thing. One does not always know to whom she should be asking for help.
    Having just the one boy, I’m leaning towards team blue, however, a part of me wishes for more pink in my life – the knits are so much cuter. And then I remember myself going through puberty and what I put my Mom through – Maybe it’s not a bad thing I have a son…

  30. I have a girl and a boy, and I can tell you that each is the best flavor. That said, boy babies pee on you more. (Can I say pee in your blog?)

  31. Okay, I hate (HATE!) pink, but that pink…it’s so wee and wonderful and OMG please please please tell me that Tina is going to be making these available to the larger world?

  32. Having had first three girls and then, surprise, a boy (he’s now 22 and quite well-schooled in the ways of women, thanks to his sisters), I am now looking forward to my first grandchild, due this November, and find that I really don’t mind who comes along, boy or girl. And thanks to a post you did last year, and thanks to the helpful people at Lettuce Knit who do a great job of mail order. I have a Tulip and a Rocketry cardigan all ready for whomever.

  33. Love those colors!!! And the names!!! Need some now!
    I had 1 daughter and 3 sons – they are all 40-ish as we speak. Loved doing girly things with my daughter, but the boys were lots of fun, too. To my amazement – as I had nothing to do with it – I now have 9 grandchildren – 8 girls and 1 boy and I LOVE it!!! The girls are all girls and the boy is a prince, but I have to admit that I love having more girls now.

  34. Oh, you’ve made me weepy – I have a lovely wee girlie who you christened with knitting needles in Ottawa way back in 2006, and just found out that number 2 is a boy. I was – frankly – completely gobsmacked and quite certain the ultrasound technician was wrong. (You know you’re in trouble when you announce quite confidently that you ‘don’t have boys’ … especially when you’re not the one wielding the ultrasound wand). Your girls are beautiful creatures – and keep wishing more girl-children into the world!

  35. And what a lucky baby that will be, no matter what flavor it turns out to be, to have a lovely knit out of such beautiful yarn!

  36. My older is a girl and my younger is a boy – when I found out that my boy was a boy, I think i was in shock for a month or so. “Babies are Girls! This one can’t be a boy – it’s supposed to be a girl!”
    Funny how just being around girls (I have two sisters) and girl babies (all of my friends with babies have girl babies) for 30 years made that idea more of a Property Of Babies than just an observation on my part.
    ps, my son is beautiful and didn’t mind at all being dressed in pink every once in a while.

  37. having all bosy myself, I completely understand where you are comming from. I’ve got the boy thing down and I’m not sure what I’d do with a girl (and the world will never know!). I dread the teen years – the driving part in particular…

  38. I love both colors and I hope they will be available to the rest of us. I especially love how subtle and pale the pink is (at least on my computer monitor it is.)
    I have two girls and a boy. I think I had a preference for girls originally but I must say that as sweet and darling as little girls can be, boys are so much easier to raise. Less emotional upheaval during those teenage years!

  39. That pink breaks my heart– not because it makes me sad, but because it is so beautiful. I love pinks that are so pale as to be almost white. I also love pinks that are so dark as to be almost red, but that’s not relevant here.
    Great stories with both coloways. Thanks.

  40. This just proves that you and Tina are more creative than I am, not that anyone will be shocked to hear this. In your shoes I would simply have bought some lovely green yarn (I am currently enamored of the Dream in Color Blue Lagoon colorway, which, despite its name, I believe to be green) to symbolize fertility and growth in whatever guise or gender it may choose to appear. I like yours better. I may require that pink. And the blue. Perhaps together in the same garment.
    Your daughters are very nearly as beautiful as mine.

  41. In spite of always wanting at least one girl-child, I was blessed with 4 boys. (Yes, God does have a sense of humor!) Although my older three turn their noses up at most things knitty, my youngest admires and encourages my yarn crafting – to the point of even assisting in the “occasional” stash-building!! Even when he was littler, (he’s 6’3″+ now) and I took him to the yarn shops, he was entranced by the yarn and a perfect gentleman (much to the surprise of the shop owners!).
    Maybe there is a granddaughter somewhere in my future…………
    Your daughters are quite lovely. If they are half as talented, smart and wonderful as they are good-looking, you and Joe had better bar the door!!!

  42. How perfectly perfect.
    BTW, I want to thank you (I think), for getting me knitting again. I bought your books along with yarn for one tank top and now I have a stash and 3 WIPs.
    Hooray for yarn! And babies!

  43. They are both lovely, but I favor the blue. If you do get the girl you are hoping for, I have a 7 week old baby boy at home (my grandson) who would look smashing in that blue. 🙂 Happy knitting!

  44. What beautiful daughters you have! I have two daughters both out of college. Th empty nest is difficult which is why I took up knitting. The colors of yarn and names are brilliant. I too hope girl babies are in my future in the form of grandchildren.

  45. Great colors and wonderful names…
    I got all three boys and concluded later (tho’ I had wanted a girl in there too) that the universe knew what it was doing better than me.
    And I did eventually get two granddaughters for whom I do girly things. It’s better now because when my boys were small putting a girl in something pink would’ve been considered treasonous by feminists! Thank heaven we got over that stage.

  46. Heh, I’m always glad that there are mothers (and fathers) of girls out there. After my first boy, I realized that I really wanted..another. And got one. When we had a third (on purpose, even) everyone always asked if we were “going for the girl.” My stock answer was always that I might now be ready to raise a girl, as long as she only wanted to play with trains and dinosaurs.
    Thankfully, number three came out just as I had secretly hoped — another boy. He joins his two boy cousins on his dad’s side — the dad who is one of three boys, as well. Not a girl on that side!
    So, it’s good to know that there are other baby lovers (absolutely the best when they’re wee, I’ll agree there) that are evening out the population on the other side.

  47. But is there a rule about making gender-specific sweaters? Just asking. . .

  48. Having four sons, adored as they are, I often vote of girl babies. I knit every red, blue and train sweater imaginable during my sons young years and, darn it, I want to knit pink, kitten and ballet shoes! Hope for granddaughters? Many years in the future yet!

  49. Girls are something special for sure, but as someone with one of each, I have to say, I am loving the pre-teen boy thing.
    The yarn is gorgeous as are your daughters. Congrats to all mentioned in your post.

  50. Lovely and perfect colors–and so aptly named– the poet in me is giddy with joy, as is the knitter, and the mother, who also loves the wee, happy bairns that are soon to be blessed with wool. (I didn’t think I”d like boys–they grow big, like St. Bernards, and they break shit and their feet stink, and they listen to loud music and they like action movies…and, oddly enough, I’m just like that. Me and my boys get along fine–but so do my girls.)

  51. I too have one of each. I have to say though, that I was more comfortable once they were about 6 months old…newborns still frighten me.

  52. I have one of each flavour too! they are so different, girl: vegatarian, art student and boy: meat eater, engineer. Both are wonderful it there own way..some days more than others.
    This whole discussion makes me think of a childrens book called “The Rainbabies” by Laura Krauss Melmed, amazing illustrations by Jim LaMarche. If you can find it you will love it…its part of my book stash.

  53. Lucky, lucky baby!
    My first thought upon delivering my son (after having had my daughter two years earlier) was, “I don’t know how to raise a boy!” But both he and my second son are the most delightful boys around. (Completely unbiased, I am.) Plus, babies are so gender-neutral in the beginning that you just get to fall in love with the babyhood of them and then… who cares? (As an aside, having boys helped me understand my mother-in-law a little bit more.)
    Congratulations on your lovely, lovely daughters. You (and they) are an inspiration to a (relatively) new mom like me, who is only just beginning the elementary school rounds.

  54. Stephanie, I rarely weep when I read posts, but I did at this one – I am moved that there is someone in the world who has a friend who is as true as you are. What a lucky girl (and baby)! She must be very special indeed.

  55. Having grown up with all boys around me I thought they all came out boys. Then I had two girl babies. Now I’m all confused. I think if I had a boy I wouldn’t know what to do. How exactly would I change THAT diaper. Oy. lol!
    Beautiful yarns. Thanks for twisting Tina’s arm. They are lovely colors.

  56. What Cat wrote… well except for that flying over Toronto and waving business…
    Having two sons I was sure more than ready for my Havala.
    Whoa… Samantha going into high school, it’s that ‘time marches on’ thing.. great photo, they’re so beautiful.

  57. I have been working on my younger sister to have me a niece for YEARS. Impudent wench that she is, she declines even to have a child, citing trifling complications such as loving her job and her life the way they are now. So, much of my charity baby knitting is pink and decorated with ruffles and flowers.

  58. I’m the same with girls- I have identical twin 2-year-olds that I love to pieces. Like another mom of girls said to me, “boys are fun, but girls are like your little best friend.”
    Maybe until they grow into teens? Anyway, I love them now, and can hardly imagine having boys when we have more.

  59. I, too, dearly and madly loved my children when they were little. And survived my son’s teen-aged years and early twenties by the skin of my teeth. I truly believed that he was determined to end up dead or in jail. Thank God for my darling, and completely sane, daughter. But I have my “revenge”. I “mother-cursed” him. You know the one – “I hope that you have two children that are exactly like you. And then you will know.” Imagine my surprise when his darling wife and him had twin sons!! They are the most adorable little boys I have ever seen. And they are almost two and head-strong like their father. And I just smile whenever he says to me “Do you know what they did now?” Because I know that is the curse and joy of having children. Just wait until your babies have babies!

  60. I have a Boy! And have enjoyed all 14 years so far 🙂 My sister has girls, the oldest is Bipolar and the youngest is even more manipulative than her sister. I think between the 3 I’d def rather have my boy! Oh the best thing about him…he loves handknits!

  61. I’m just behind you with leaving the whole primary school thing behind. My 4th son is in grade 6 (and is school captain, so we finished the whole primary thing with a bang) and there’s only 6 months to go.
    Unlike you though, I can’t wait. I teach at the secondary school my kids go to, and next year will be the only year that all 4 of the boys will be there with me. Imagine us all in the mornings, sitting in the car going to work, singing happy family songs and being convivial…..

  62. On the subject of gender, I have one of each. I love them both dearly, and wouldn’t trade them for anything, but let me tell you, the difference between them is night and day.
    My 5 year old son is so laid back, quiet, eager to please, while my nearly 3 year old daughter is the epitomy of rebellion (and I don’t think it’s just the terrible twos). She will argue just for the sake of arguing, has a temper beyond all belief, and does exactly what you tell her not to do (reverse psychology works well, though). She is truly a free spirit, and with an infectous giggle and an ear to ear smile she wins hearts whereever she goes. But oh, how I dread her teenage years.

  63. you are an evil enabler! I promised myself on Monday I would not buy any more yarn until after my vacation at the lake in August. (it’s Wednesday, and I was doing so well) I have a guest bedroom FULL of yarn. I keep telling my husband it’s for my retirement (he’s not really buying that, he just stays out of that room). I love STR – I had to have the pink and blue. I have 3 grown sons (24,26&28) FINALLY, one of them is engaged to the most wonderful, sweet, perfect girl. They’re getting married July 2009, after their college graduation. So, my excuse is that eventually, I’ll have a grandson or granddaughter and Tina might not have these colors any longer! (are you buying it? thought I’d try it on you before the yarn arrives and my husband asks why!)

  64. The pink is so amazing!
    My sister has two girls (in fact, the reason I took up knitting was to clothe them in special crazy-aunt birthday attire) I am convinced that she could not have boy babies, as my mother only had girls as well. She was destined to give birth to two little girls (at least one bearing both the delightful attitude and physical beauty of my sister’s younger sibling- preferably both falling into this category so that the would both drive said sister crazy as she deserves) I am also convinced I will have to provide the boy babies in the family. Having grown up surrounded by women, and now having only female nieces I don’t ever really know what to do with little boys. I’m perplexed.
    Hopefully I’m just being superstitious but my mother and sister believe this as well.
    Will that pink be on sale on their website?

  65. Your daughters are gorgeous – the one on the right looks just like you, don’t you think? And the yarn is gorgeous, too – can’t wait to see what you end up making!

  66. Scientists have actually confirmed that fewer boy babies are being born worldwide. They are worried that pollution, chemicals in the water, etc., are to blame and are concerned about the ramifications for the future of mankind. (They even acknowledge that, from a scientific standpoint, women are indeed the stronger sex and the male of the species is more vulnerable to changes in the environment.)
    Something to think about in the whole

  67. I had 2 girls and then a boy. I didn’t know the genders of any of my children beforehand, and didn’t have a preference. However, my husband desperately wanted a son. He is the only son of an only son of an only son. We just had to have a boy to carry on our family name. I only had one problem raising my son. How, exactly, are you supposed to potty train those little guys? You know, when they’re two and a half and they want to stand up to pee like Daddy, but they’re too short? I never did figure that one out. Your daughters are absolutely beautiful. I am sure there are boys swarming around your house like besotted bees.

  68. my child order was: boy, girl, boy, boy, boy and finally, when I had lost all hope, a GIRL in my 48th year (I was too stubborn to give up, or was it the novena for a girl that her older sister made?) Anyway, she is the cutest thing, even at 7 years old. Full of ginger and lots of energy. I love my boys, but my girls are MYSTERIOUS!
    Mary

  69. Hmmm…I have one of each and am not so sure about wishing girl young-uns on unsuspecting parents-to-be. Of course, Soccer Chick (my daughter) is 16 and quite rebellious right now. Perhaps you are the mom with the golden touch (along with the golden needles), and your children skipped this phase due to your amazing parental talents.
    Congratulations on this big step. Your daughters are lovely, and you have every reason to be proud.

  70. I can’t resist commenting, although I usually just lurk. First, my younger child just graduated from high school, which for me was a bittersweet moment. Yes it means that both my children are grown and are now legal adults, and I’m not quite ready for that yet. But this time last year, my daughter had just gotten out of the hospital and graduating was a distant and possibly unobtainable hope for us, so graduation also feels like triumph.
    I had one of each gender and am glad I got to experience both. However, I will say that although girls’ clothes are cuter, that doesn’t quite make up for when they are 13 and in the 8th grade. There ought to be a law against that. I think there’s a Noble Prize awaiting the scientist who figures out how to move them from 11 to 15 and skip middle school entirely!

  71. babies! My sister-in-law had a baby boy just yesterday, and I know 3 other women who will have babies by the end of the summer.
    I think that your blue would be lovely for a girl… just think, a girl could wear both of those colors! 🙂

  72. Having three girls (the youngest and likely last three months today *whimper*), I am constantly asked if we are going to “try again for a boy.” As if being blessed with three healthy and lovely daughters wasn’t miracle enough!
    I’ve given up trying to answer honestly – I just tell ’em my brother has three boys, just down the street, and so things are even in the family.
    The yarn is delicious! Very baby-worthy.

  73. I don’t have any kids, but I do love knitting for them. The last *six* born to relatives, friends and colleagues have been boys. It’s got to the point when I’m hoping so hard that I’ll be able to knit something girlish that I haven’t started anything for my friend’s baby due next week…

  74. I love the names and the stories behind the names for the yarn colors.
    I had one girl- and three boy-flavored who grew up and made 2 boy-flavored and 5 girl-flavored grandchildren. The thing is I think they are all about done with making grandbabies and that makes me kind of sad.

  75. I’m old enough so the concept of knowing baby gender ahead of time is still somewhat weird to me (and kind of creepy the way people insist on aggressively advertising the boyness or girlness from birth, but that’s another story). However, a neat think about fact that someone reminded me about – when you have a girl, since girl babies are born with all the ova they will ever have, you also are in a way also giving birth to your grandchildren.

  76. Oh, now I’ve gotten all misty. I just put my 17 year old first born girl onto a plane bound for Frankfurt and the off to Serbia. She will be gone for 11 days. I sure miss her already. I have 2 others, one boy and one more girl. I knit for all of them, hats and mittens mostly. Having kids is sure a bittersweet adventure.
    And, Dang, that yarn is incredible!!!

  77. Congratulations to Samantha! And the family who helped get her there.
    Lovely names for the yarn.

  78. Be forewarned: I’ve just sent this URL to the attention of 11-year-old Quilla Franquemont. 😉 She will undoubtedly insist that her aunt knit her something Quilla.

  79. And in my zeal to hit “post” I forgot to tell you that I was certain I was growing a girl, years ago… and when the child was born, lo and behold, ’twas a manchild. I was, as you might say, utterly gobsmacked. We named him for his grandfathers and I’ve come to grips with his maleness, but the shock of realizing that it was actually POSSIBLE to go through all of that pregnancy crap and everything, and produce a *boy,* was quite palpable.

  80. let’s see. first time i KNEW it’d be a boy, it wasn’t and it now looks me in the eye, demands better cellphones, and rolls it’s eyes at me. then, again, i KNEW it’d be a boy, it weren’t. it’s 9 and told me last week that i was AT LEAST as smart as a talking donkey. then, i thought i’d have another girl and i didn’t and it’s 2 and i’m the best thing in the world because i can pour the appleberry! and his favorite thing to yell right now is I WUV EWE MOMMEEEEEEE! i love them all!!!

  81. I guess I missed the memo about boys and girls coming to earth in equal proportions because I have FOUR little boys in my house. However, it must work out somewhere…a friend in church has four girls. My boys have to grow up and marry someone’s daughters, right?
    I have to rely on friends making baby girls so I have a chance to knit with pink now and again. Makes it all that more special since I don’t get to very often. For the past year and a half everyone in my circle of friends have had boys. Lots of them.
    I love the new yarn that was dyed for you! What specific Blue Moon yarn is it? It looks wonderfully smooshy and squashy for baby wear.

  82. I to have a child of the girl variety. I find her simply grand.
    I have been knitting lots of baby stuff because there are tons around me that are about to spring. It helps me get over the loss we just had in April. But there is nothing like new wee ones to knit for to help a gal get through losing hers.
    Those yarns are lovely. But where are the green, orange and purples?!?!?!!!!? Boys and girls can look lovely in a purple.

  83. Pretty funny. I had only boys, and I’m always intrigued to check out the “other flavor”. Female infants seem very exotic. Love those yarn names.

  84. What wonderful colors and names and ideas for baby-sweaterdom! I really can’t wait to see how they come out (though I admit a leaning toward the boy-child as that is all I have).
    And I have to say, your daughters are just beautiful! That’s a great picture of them together…

  85. I love the idea of an emergency substitute god. I can sure use one about now. I am sending one child to college in the fall, and I will have one each in high school, middle school and elementary school.
    When each one of them was born I held out for the surprise to be revealed as well – how many surprises as lovely as a new baby does one ever get in life? So in my family I have a boy, then a girl, then a boy and then a girl. Some of each and in alternating flavors, just far enough apart to forget what the other sort was like! And here we have the added fun of the younger wanting to do what the sibling who is six years older is doing.
    Both girls were born in April, so that made the clothing recycling a little easier (same size, same season). Unlike the boys, who were July and February.
    But they are all endlessly amusing. Since my youngest is 9 I can sympathize entirely with wanting a “baby fix”. Sadly, I am too old to make any more of my own – and I sure don’t want my own babies to hurry or anything!
    Can’t wait to see the knitwear!

  86. I envy all the babies around you and understand completely the love of baby girls. Mine girl babies are now 24 and 27, and gosh I really miss the little girls they once were…Every time I look thru old videos or photos I am reminded of who used to live in my home and I miss THEM. Now they are grown and far away and a long way from bringing new babies into my life. Give each and every one of your babies a hug for me and enjoy the baby knitting. Beautiful yarn. Maybe I should start knitting something baby….just in case.

  87. You ARE starting the pink one first, right?
    And with your knit history – that is, no child is born before her sweater is knit – if you time it so that the sweater is finished just before she is born (ok, so that might be a bit tricky), there is NO way it could be the other kind.
    Me – one girl baby. I congratulate myself that I made my own best friend.

  88. When I had the first ultrasound and the tech told me I was going to have a boy, I admit my first reaction was, “A what?” But after having two boys–with a girl as a chaser–I just have to say, until you’ve got one you just can’t imagine how adorable a little boy can be.

  89. I am also biased toward girls as my Girly is so much fun and such a love. I have to reluctantly hope for a boy when we do try again, but secretly, I will be thinking Girl thoughts.

  90. I grew up with 3 sisters. Never married, have no idea about the boy flavors at all, but they do look awfully cute in those little jeans and baseball caps.
    But what I really am commenting on is how beautiful your daughters are, and how I think you should know I gasped – literally gasped – when I saw how absolutely grown up Sam is. Last I saw her she was clearly younger. She’s beautiful. You should be as proud as you are – for her, her sisters and the wonderful job you do as a parent. Brava!

  91. You keep hoping for the babies and then pass them on to me as toddlers. I take after my Mum and only really start to get gooey over kids when they start to walk and talk a bit!

  92. All right! I give up!
    My sister-in-law is pregnant with her second. At work (there’s something in the water) there are 11 of the girls expecting within the next little while. We will not discuss how it is in church. My mother has started dropping hints on how she truly does enjoy her four grandchildren and one great grandchild (yes, I am a great aunt before I am a mother. The great aunt that knits no less.) she wouldn’t mind another one. And now this post.
    My husband and I go through extremes: if he wants to be a father, I don’t want any children and the other way around. Obviously the universe is trying to tell me something.
    Or maybe it’s just mentioning that I should get some of that great yarn to make baby things for all my expecting friends?

  93. I like the way you say Megan’s baby is almost finished. It makes it sound like she’s been knitting it. “Ooh, I just have to knit the ears, and the baby will be finished!”

  94. How wonderful to have a friend that not only knits for your babies, but uses wool in specially named colors just for you! I too like the “Pink Ones” as my husband calls them.

  95. We have four sons, and six grandsons, and one, just one, little granddaughter! I was worried before she was born, that she might be a girl, and hoped, even though ultrasound said she was, that she might be a boy after all. :O/ I was worried I wouldn’t know what to “do” with a girl after all those boys!!! Thankfully, I’ve figured it out, and she’s one of my most favorite people in the world. :O) And more fun to knit for!

  96. Girls are *very* nice, but you really can’t appreciate the special bond between a mother and her son until you have one of your own. I adore my dear granddaughters. And I absolutely cherish the memories of raising their father. That being said – oh my! those are GORGEOUS colors of yarn! Megan’s baby will be blessed – either way – with what ever comes from your needles and that yarn. Congrats to your “baby” girl in her latest accomplishment!

  97. Your girls are so lovely. You must be very proud of them.
    Yes, maybe it is because I have a girl, but I too want all babies to be girls, and feel a tiny twinge of sadness when a girl turn out to be a boy, but then end up loving the boy just as soon as I hold him. Crazy, but true. I also love when babies are breast fed, but really can’t hold that against them if they are not. And I love knitting for babies… right now I’m working on a fancy version of Knitty’s Katja. So much fun.

  98. Yet another impossibly touching gem of a story, disguised as a tale of yarn.
    Congratulations to all your girls! Mine will be entering elementary school in the fall and it is indeed bittersweet.
    (And in case the voted aren’t in your favor, I’m with you on the girl baby thing.)

  99. what a wonderfully touching gift for Megan. You are such a great friend.
    When I found out my first was a boy, my mom was quite surprised (I suspect she may have a penchant for the girlbabies too- she used to smock). She said she’d always figured that I’d have girls. When I asked her why, she replied “Because, well, you’re a girl?”
    Gotta love that logic!

  100. Your girls look lovely, not at all like the slobs who trash your home when you are on book tours. I can relate to your school transition tale…my oldest starts high school, my second starts middle school and my youngest is in elementary…all in September. But no more mentions of fall as summer seems to have just arrived in St. Paul!
    Love the yarns – and the names are much better than cornflower blue and blush pink.

  101. Actually, the Y chromosome is a “mutation” of sorts of the X. It’s like an incomplete X basically. And so it’s normal to be surprised, even though the probability of getting a girl is the same as a boy. That’s how I’d rationalize it anyways.
    If you would control the gender of children being born for a couple years, you’d probably balance out the problem in China, which is too many boys. ^_^

  102. i was reading “the dark tower: the drawing of the three” by stephen king and he says something about the guy’s “dirty white underwear, like whore’s panties” and i nearly fell off of the can.
    what? i can’t knit on the can, and reading USED to be my favorite past time. . .

  103. Clad in your wool, your stitches, and much love.
    BEAUTIFUL photos of your girls.

  104. “Emergency Substitute God”–LOL!
    Your daughters are beautiful – and so grown up! My daughter’s going into third grade in the fall, and she’s already growing up too fast for me. (Oh, gawd, I’m tearing up. How pathetic!)

  105. I had this idea that I wanted a girl first and if I had a boy I’d be disappointed, therefore throughout my pregnancy I thought of the unknown as a boy so I’d be ready for it either way. Must of worked, I’ve got the best little boy in the world. Except that he just woke up at 10:36 pm

  106. Ah, I wore pink and all pink for 9+ months and as my child was born the docter asked “what where you hoing for?” my reply “a girl”
    My son just graduated high school. I love him to bits and thank God every day he gave me a boy. I have been around a lot of girls since his birth – it was good I had a boy.

  107. Umm…Wow…And we wonder why there are less male knitters out there. Yikes!
    Boys and men are (can be) lovely. Being a mother of boys is (can be) wonderful. Being a mom of three boys is a lot of fun. Knitting for them is great. Too bad there aren’t better/more knitting patterns out there to make great projects for them. That’s why I make up my own patterns for them most of the time. Maybe more designers need to work on creating quality patterns for men/boy instead of people just wishing for girls.
    Sigh. Gets off soap box.

  108. I am the mother of four grown boys. When I was pregnant with my last one evryone I met said to me, “I bet you’r hoping for a girl this time!” I wasn’t. I was perfectly happy with my guys. Even the dog we had at the time was a boy.
    One of my friends decided that because SHE wanted me to have a girl, she would throw me a “Think Pink” Shower. All the guests wore pink. We drank pink punch and ate pink cake. The presents were all wrapped in pink and contained lovely little frilly things that I wound up returning after I delivered my 10 pound 5 ounce baby boy! LOL

  109. I think this might be my fave of your blog entries. I only have boys, so I feel the same as you, only in reverse – and hope for my own girl someday. 🙂

  110. Those are absolutely delicious colors.
    Funny…I had three girls and then SURPRISE! Fourth-n-final was a BOY! Whaaaaaaat? But…but…all the baby stuff we own is PINK!
    I’ve gotten used to him, though. Mostly. The energy is definitely different, though! And with MY boy…man oh man. “Why think about what happens next? Just jump and find out!” {splat!} “Oh. Hey. That kinda hurt.” {pause} “I’m gonna try it again, ONLY HIGHER!!!”

  111. After being absolutely certain and the doctors and nurses concurring that I was probably having a girl both times, boys were born. Wonderful little boys. They are certainly very different, those little male people. But I really loved having them. And now they are all grown up, too. Your daughters are lovely people. You are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and I can tell by reading about your life’s journey that you know that. Knit on with Nyame and Qulla knowing that the little sweaters keep babies warm and comfy. Hugs, Mama Stephanie.
    Sara

  112. I have some of the same inclinations, except backwards because mine were three boys. Somehow girl babies seem a little exotic to me, like tropical birds.
    But girls are more fun to knit for, absolutely. Even little tiny boys can be vocal in their opposition to anything pretty. My oldest designed the perfect sweater when he was 5. Tyrannosaurus Rex with LONG talons and great big sharp white teeth…and green eyes. Did I mention the big sharp teeth.
    Gotta love those little boys though. Always squirming to get down, get out to the next adventure.
    Llinn

  113. Your daughters are lovely girls.
    I have two boys. They are wonderful, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had boys (nothing at all against girls). Isn’t that funny? But fitting for a mother, eh? It’s nice to be happy with who you got. 🙂

  114. many happy new days for
    today and all the new years
    waiting just for you to arrive

  115. I love the names of the yarns and the stories behind them – makes them extra special!
    Happy baby knitting, for whichever flavor it may be…

  116. I’m pregnant at the moment, and already have a son, but would love a daughter this time round. Does that make me a bad person? Also, is there any way to tell (other than the ultra sound) what you’re having? My pregnancy has been so different this time. I was sick every day with my son, and I’ve not been sick at all. I burped and had heartburn all the time last time – this time no burping and very little heartburn. Am I reading too much into this?

  117. Well, I must say this baby will be well clothed. It’s interesting that I’m partial to boy babies. I’m sure that’s because I had only a boy. At least I’m helping to keep the balance.
    I love the new yarn colors. What a lucky baby!

  118. I teared up reading that. I also am partial to little girls. I’m pregnant with child #3 right now and am hoping that the ultrasound on Tuesday will reveal to us a third girl. I just can’t wrap my mind around having a boy. Surprisingly and happily for me, neither can my outdoorsy, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, mountain man of a husband!
    It’s amazing how the years fly too. I was amazed Tuesday night when my oldest (8) stood in front of me all dressed and dolled up for her dress rehearsal for her dance recital and she wasn’t a tiny little girl anymore. She was decidedly a “big kid.” Ouch.

  119. When I found out that my second child was to be a boy and not a girl like my first, I cried. Growing up with a sister and having a daughter, I didnt know boys. Looking back it was all kind of funny because all I really wanted was a healthy baby, like everyone else of course. In my opinion boys are much harder than girls. Girls have those crazy mood swings and emotions thought and thats always fun! Your girls are beautiful!

  120. I saw an interview with Will Smith last night and he commented on the difference between raising boys and raising girls: “With boys you can just say, ‘Here’s the rules, and until you can lick me in a fistfight you gotta follow them.’ And the boy sizes you up and says,’Okay.’ But with a girl, you gotta, you know, TALK, and LISTEN, and stuff.”
    I agree with you. Girls are my choice.

  121. Your daughters are beautiful! You did good, Stephanie.
    I asked for a girl, planned for a girl, and with 11 nieces I was prepared. My son is now 15 years old; smart, handsome and charming and I even taught him to knit.
    We still need boys though: Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, (insert your husband’s name here) … see what I’m saying?

  122. I hear you- I am one of 3 girls and my mom was one of 3 girls and my father an only child. He always told me boys were to be brought to Mt. Olympus and sacrificed! Imagine my shock at birthing 2 boys- who I kept and love dearly!

  123. OK what is with me – I looked at your sentence above and saw that souls go to Nyame before being born and he gives them their dentistry…

  124. Funny. I feel the same way about having girls. I have two of my own and get very excited when someone’s expecting a girl but a little surprised when they are expecting a boy. I guess I don’t know that much about having boys.
    But I do know a lot about being around boys, since I was the only girl in my family (oldest thankfully) of 11 grandchildren in total. My older daughter was the first girl to be born in the family for 28 years (since I was born), so you can imagine I think girls are precious.

  125. You are not alone in your preference. Of families that wish to adopt and that specify a gender preference, something like 80% of them specify a girlchild.
    I think I’d be better at raising boys (my experiences with and observances of mother/daughter relationships frankly terrify me), but I’m so desperate at this point I’ll take anything! 🙂

  126. You (and those like you) just amaze me!!I have never understood why people like babies and small children, they are just plain icky to me (I am 44 and never a mother). But, I am glad that I am a minority, our world would be in a terrible state if there were too many like me! I get amused anytime a woman brings a baby into the building where I work, a crowd gathers to touch and smell it. They will even fight over who gets to change the diaper!!! Very weird!!!!
    Of course, if a kitten or puppy comes in I’m all over it!!
    Cheers to all you moms and “baby enthusiasts”!!!

  127. Congratulations, Samantha! Have a wonderful 4 years, and make the most of all the (educational) opportunities.
    Dear Harlot, they make both girl and boy babies as an opportunity to knit more sweaters. Glad to hear you are doing so.

  128. I always wish for girls, but that’s because I have 4 boys… and I long to knit something pink for a change.
    I would have totally bought yarn named Baby Mine and Baby Yours 😀

  129. I just found out that (they’re *mostly* sure that) I’m having a girl! So, even is Megan disappoints you 😉 there will be another baby coming to Lettuce knit later in the fall.

  130. I have one of each flavor so I am not biased either way but I think girls are much easier as they get older (my dd is/was very needy as a baby and toddler she is 4 going on 30 now!) ds is needy now (he is almost 7) but he is needy in a different way like me trying to keep him from killing himself by climbing too high in the trees or riding with no feet or hands on his bike (that he just learned to ride this spring)(shakes head and covers eyes!) Dh says it is just him being a boy and make sure the insurance is paid up! Plus my dd loves everything I make her and tells people that I made it too…the girl knows how to get more handknit stuff!!!

  131. If it helps at all – I”m having a little girl at the beginning of september! 🙂 (my first child… 🙂 )

  132. My first baby was a girl and when I was pregnant for baby #2 I could only picture a girl. I was infuriated when a stranger in a supermarket told me I was going to have a boy. “Where does she get off?” I asked my husband. I knew a boy was a distinct possibility but I had my heart set on raising 2 girls. But when I was in labor and the nurse told me “You’re having a boy. They’re the ones who kick while you’re having a contraction”, I figured I should get used to the idea of a boy. And I ended up loving my son just as much as I love my daughter.
    Now I’m hoping that grandchild #1(in a few years) will be a girl.

  133. Ohhh…pretty yarn (my inner yarn magpie keeps reaching for the screen).
    I had a girl first and also felt a bit bewildered by the whole boy thing (I also only had a sister – boys were a foreign concept). When Alex was born my first thought was “what the hell am I supposed to DO with him?” It took my husband and I three or four days to stop calling him “her” and “she”.
    Its okay though – those early days of identity crisis don’t appear to have affected him at all. Somehow, he is still a lovely little guy I wouldn’t trade for the world. I have learned more about men raising a boy than having boyfriends or being married.

  134. Ok, I have a twinge of envy. You have beautiful daughters. (How do you manage with only 1 bathroom?):) But really the envy – you have a good friend who makes wonderuly spectacular colored yarnny goodness. My good friend plies me with peanut butter snickers cookies that my husband and I hide from the kids. I ply her with yarn and patterns, since she was the one who taught me to knit and sew when I was 5. (I love you Gramma!)
    My oldest son (he loves ‘yarn socks’) saw my box of sock yarn and decided he needed new socks because he is a big boy now (at almost 4). I am trying valiantly to get these wool socks off the needles fast. Just in time for 90F weather!
    Out of 1 girl, 2 boys. It is nice to have at least one offspring who likes and actually requests handknits from their mom! (Though I could see this coming to bite me in the behind in later years – this boy has always been off those percentile charts- I can see me knitting size 14 socks – and vast valleys of stockinette huge sweaters! Hmm….maybe I should work on the stash enhancement before he gets that big!)
    Happy Knitting!

  135. Your daughters are stunning and such life-sparkles in those eyes! I can’t wait to see what creations come off your needles for Megan’s third child.

  136. it’s so sweet of you to knit lovely little things for baby yours and baby mine. and I’m partial to girls as well, I have two of my own, and one adorable grandaughter, and I always felt it was easier to potty train a girl. 🙂

  137. As a woman who grew up in a culture where boys were cherished and girls considered second best, and people would tell parents after they had a girl that they should try again for a boy but tell parents who had a boy that since they had a son they’re already complete, this post was a joy to read. How wonderful to know there are people out there who not just content to have daughters, but *want* daughters. Thank-you so much! ^______^
    Your daughters and the yarn are lovely too. It’s always such a joy to read this blog.

  138. Having had two quite spectacular daughters myself, I know just what you mean. They are both still in elementary school and I have a very hard time imagining a time when they won’t be. (mostly because I know my youngest is going to be the one a true love of every single boy that sets his eyes on her) (my oldest on the other hand will be so smart as to intimidate all but the most brilliant of men)
    Good luck with this new age of daughterness.

  139. We must be biased toward babies who are like our babies were. I love little biracial girls with soft curly hair. And that pink! OMG, that is the most beautiful color I’ve ever seen! Can we see the baby items when they’re finished?

  140. I still can’t believe how grown up Sam is looking. Beautiful girls Stephanie! How is Amanda?
    I have only one son (all grown up at 21 now), but my sister has three girls like you. They are 16, 15 and 8. They are the loves of her life, and mine too. Four years ago she finally added a little boy to the mix. I’m not sure, but I think she was hoping for another girl! 🙂

  141. Beautiful girls. I am a mom of 2 stunning daughters and I have found it hard to convey my besottedness of girl children as perfectly as you have here. Being the only girl child in our family and then having the only 2 girl g-children, we have a special duty to carry on the fabulousness. You have captured my heart as well as you did on 6/17 when you mused about our craft. Knit on!

  142. Great story and gorgeous colors!! BTW – I knew you did La Leche but didn’t know you were a doula too until YKnits. That’s fantastic! I had a doula for both births and wouldn’t trade her for the WORLD. Even the midwives left us alone and both births were perfect. My doula was especially helpful since I’m a ‘precipitous’ birth person (a surprise on the firstborn!) and I’m sure the doctors would have pissed me off in their care.

  143. You have every right to be proud, you have two beautiful daughters both in looks and in spirit.
    It is funny how God knows best. The whole time I was pregnant I wanted a boy and got a girl which I now look on as a blessing. Then when my daughter was pregnant we both wanted a girl and got a boy who has been the light of my life. I have a lot more in common with him than I would have a girl. So I firmly believe we get what we need. Either way I hope it is healthy and sound.
    The yarns are perfect and I love the names. Being a quarter Choctaw myself I appreciate the Gods of our ancestors.

  144. this is too funny and uncannily timely. just last weekend, I went to my LYS sidewalk sale in search of Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, which I automatically bought in two shades of lavendery-purple, because even though no one knows yet, I subconsciously assumed that my expecting sister is going to have a(nother) girl. the idea that she might have a boy didn’t even cross my yarn-fumed mind, even though I *know* she is specifically hoping for a boy. I didn’t think about it until someone else asked “so she’s having a girl?”. My jaw dropped and I realized I may have jumped the gun….

  145. My dearest Harlotta – since “baby mine” and “baby yours” are giving me fits at the duck pond right now, your blogging is most timely. They are my babies but no longer babies (“yours” is 14 and “mine” is his almost 17 year old sister)I wish frequently to go back and do a few things over to see if it would make a squeak’s worth of difference. I suspect not much, but I’d be willing to try it.
    Having a boy is an interesting journey in so many ways. I am a girl, I have only a sister and my first child is a girl. God sending you a girl and then a boy is the first trick of fate…they are pretty different from the get go. Though my husband learned much to his surprise and delight that you really do kiss on boy babies just as much as girls. He didn’t think he would. I love my boy just as much, but there are some bonding areas you just don’t have hard as you may try with your son. Though they will tell Mama things they will never tell anyone else on the planet.
    Time passes for us all Steph…I think the break for you is more jarring since down here elementary is over in 5th grade. We have either middle school or jr. high for a few years, then on to high school. Both of the ducklings will be in high school this year as well, for one year until her babygirl self goes off to college.
    Your daughters are lovely and I encourage you to keep taking their photos as often as possible, even if you have to start Kinnearing their happy moments. Fric and Frac at my house are very glad you waxed sentimental today even though they don’t know it. It may just keep me from throwing them in the rec room together, locking the door, and seeing who comes out alive.

  146. Hey Stephaine, I have 4 daughters all in the early 20’s and I know what you mean about loving little girls. We had our first wedding last July and know the second this November. I am always just broke!!! But I still have 2 in college. My daughters are all beautiful, just like yours, and very educated. They are all professionals or working toward that adn just plain lovely ladies. Can you tell I am an incredibly proud mother!
    My fear is having a bunch of grandsons that htey promise me they will have just to spite me!!
    Wanda

  147. 4
    That is the number of times I had to read this post to make sure Harlot wasn’t gonna be a grandma. I maybe shouldn’t skim when I read. Baby mine baby hers.. and a big pic of your girl??
    Freaked me the heck out… also- when you are a grabdma (whenever that may be) the babies may have to be shielded from the influx of baby knits.
    thnx for the heart attack.
    ps- my oldest graduated from high school recently… the growing up thing happens whether I like it or not.
    Needles crossed for a nice smooth “popping” for Megan;)
    much love ts

  148. First: I think your daughters look like incredibly beautiful and kind people. I think if we were in school together, we’d be good friends. So uh.. I guess what I mean to say is good job mom of lovely ladies. Second: I think that yarn is exquisite. They’re incredibly beautiful and I appreciate your naming :). Anyways, that is all! Take care and have a great day.
    Cheers,
    Leah

  149. all of them are beautiful… the girls, the yarn and im sure the baby whichever flavor it is will be beautiful as well.
    you are such a wonderful person those colors are so pretty.

  150. Knowing that the baby won’t be born until your gift is finished, I’m sure Megan is hoping that you knit these sweaters QUICKLY!

  151. I raised two boys and told them the first one to give me a granddaughter got my emerald jewelry. Well, Elizabeth Grace was born the day after my 50th birthday – in May 2002. So indeed, she is the only granddaughter and will inherit all the jewelry – tho at this point she is very smitten by the diamonds. Bless her heart, she is also trying to learn to knit (I taught her father when he was 19!).

  152. In my family we just assume that babies will be girls. My grandmother was one of three girls. She had three daughters. Between them they had eight children. The first six of us were girls. The other two were not. I still remember Grandpa saying “It’s a what?!?” when the phone call came during a Sunday evening supper that the first boy had been born. Grandma now has seven great-grandchildren, and six of them are girls.

  153. Beautiful colors! And whether it is Baby Mine or Baby Yours, may it be a happy healthy little one.
    And as for your not-so-little ones — congratulations on the graduations, and may they have wonderful lives (although like other readers, I wonder just how they manage with only the one bathroom???)

  154. I, too, always hope for girl babies. In fact, I firmly believe that each baby will be a girl, so fervently that even when tests have been done and all the science-y people are sure the new person will be male, I still maintain a feeling inside myself (quietly, so as not to upset the new parents too much) that that she will in fact be a girl.
    And when girls are born, I am prone to quote Ellie, the fiercely feminist little girl in the daycare center where Doonesbury’s Joanie Caucus worked in the early 1970s, who said when her mother was delivered of a daughter, “It’s a baby woman!!!”
    Which is not to say that I disdain baby boys. Being childless myself (on purpose), I am incredibly astonished by babies of both genders, and every time I meet a new baby I am amazed anew by how absolutely beautiful and perfect and “the best” that new baby is. Nature works every time; each one of those new individuals is an unbelievable miracle.

  155. Your girls are perfect for you!! I have two boys and a girl, and they are perfect for me… Such different entities, they are. This week, my baby turned 10 (he was just born yesterday, I don’t know how that happened!) Kids are everything in one. Joy, heartache, worry, pride, frustration. Motherhood is the most interesting, and challenging aspect of my life. LOVE IT!

  156. I, too, loved having little children, and I remember the sweet sadness of the day the last one finished elementary school. Now he is in college, the other two are launched in the world, and all of them are fine, loving, competent, lovable young adults. I am so glad to know them and to know that they once were mine — even though I will confess in this safe anonymity that I miss their small-child selves so very much. I wish I could go back and knit them each a sweater. They are two boys and a girl. Before they were born I hoped I would have only girls, because I could not imagine how on earth I would figure out how to raise a boy. It has turned out better than I expected, by far. I learned about soccer, and computers, and Nintendo, and Girls. Also, dirty socks, speeding tickets, and referral letters from the Assistant Principal. But my girl, bless her, allowed me to make little smocked dresses, and sit up late talking about Things, and play with hairstyles, and go shopping for prom gowns, and listen to hard-shared stories about boys — plus, now, she cannot wait to have babies of her own. Either way, Stephanie, I promise you, it’s all good.

  157. I am a mother of 4 young boys. No girls. I have to admit that I long for a girl every day of my life. I have always been a tom boy of sorts so I’m not sure of why I have a need to have a little girl to dress and girly pink for head to toe. My boys are a ton of fun; full of laughter and noise. My house is like a circus and I wouldn’t change it for the world . . . I just wish they had cuter things to knit for boys. 🙂

  158. No kids yet, but–I have an older brother. Most of my friends growing up were boys, even in grade school. I still have close male friends. And my family tends more towards baby boys (I’m adopted, though…I might throw everything off). So, boy babies? Yes, please.
    But maybe one girl.

  159. My own treasures, three boys, have not been small in too many years. (Youngest is 15.) After two boys in a row, many said, “Now will you try for a girl?” Nope, it was never our goal. We just wanted a third child, either flavor. But I admit, when my third son appeared, I was so relieved. I knew what to do with this kind!!
    They have filled my heart so full, there was never room to wish for a daughter. Most days, I feel as if I am the richest woman on earth.
    ~ Dar

  160. I have been madly knitting for a friend who had a loss a year and a half ago, but is pregnant again and very excited. My grandchildren have moms who don’t get the wool thing. It’s wonderful to be knitting something for a wool-loving mommy.

  161. Those are beautiful baby colors (much better than the usualy icky shades of pink and blue). Can’t wait to see what you do with them!
    Not to make you upset, but I’m hoping it’s a boy too, since I just had one, and I’d love some tips as to what to knit him!

  162. Couldn’t agree with you more on the baby thing OR the girl thing–I’ve wanted daughters since the day I became one (my first word wasn’t mama or dada, it was “baby” and my second word was “carriage”…I know how weird that sounds)…God was good to me and I was blessed with two daughters so I didn’t have to be cranky and disappointed all my life. I enjoy yours via the blog in many of the same ways that I enjoy mine. It goes so quickly.

  163. i have no baby-preferance. i guess human’s good. mostly. although i like ‘kitty’ and ‘doggie’ very much too, so i won’t commit to that statement.
    my sister has a boy human and a girl human (i just gots a husbandy one). when the girl one was born (the love i feels for the offspring of my siblings is large, and strange), my sister said, “she’s my dolly, and i get to dress her up any way i want.”
    i’m mainly gender-neutral, but as i recall, the boy one has *never* been anyone’s ‘dolly’. pretty generally a guy-guy ever since he popped out. odd.

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