It's just an old wives' tale, right?

I know old wives' tales mean nothing. For example, "they" say that if you have bad heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have tons of hair. I had raging heartburn with Mabes, and, well...

Exhibit A:

So I keep telling myself I'm just being silly when I start to wonder if the ultrasound was wrong. I mean, "they" say children have stronger instincts and know what the pregnant mom is having. Mabes was absolutely convinced it was a boy. "They" say if you're carrying low and out front, you're having a boy. I'm carrying much lower this time; some days it looks like I'm shoplifting watermelons. I keep pushing those thoughts out of my head, but the other day at the grocery store the checker asked, "Have we discussed what you're having yet?" I said I didn't think so, but I'm having a girl. "No you're not. With the way you're carrying, that's definitely a boy."

Exhibit B:

Now, I know I should trust the sonographer more than the Harris Teeter checkout clerk. But it's still nagging at me. With Mabes, I had two ultrasounds and saw the shot from a couple of angles. Definitely girl. With this one, since I closed my eyes for the gender part, I only have one picture. One angle. Things can hide, right?

I'll be happy either way, but I'd just like to know. Especially given Mabes' reaction last time. Now that she's happy about a girl, I don't want to throw her for a loop again. And I'd like to know if I should buy a blue sleeper or two. So reassure me: it's just an old wives tale, it's full of crap, and I'm carrying lower because this is a second baby, right? Anyone? Mom? Sarah? Bueller?

My 4-year-old, the name snob.

Mabes and I were in the car today, and she was asking me how the baby was doing, if she was hungry, if it was dark in there, etc. (Mabes has been talking non-stop lately, perhaps in an attempt to avoid awkward silences. They really aren't awkward, Mabes...sometimes silence is nice.) The conversation shifted to names, as we're still working on a short list. Or any list, really. I had already vetoed Nickanot, Boyla (would you want the word "boy" in your name? she gave that one up quickly), and Airplana.

"What about Adelaide?" I asked.

"Um, mom, I don't fink dat's a real name. I fink you made dat up." Ouch. By the way Mabes, it is a real name and was before it was a city in Australia. But thanks for your input.

"What about Margaret?"

I don't love Margaret, but I love Maggie as a nickname. But I won't use a name that ends in -y or -ie as a given name, since our last name ends in -y. It just doesn't sound right. Maggie was my Grandpa's nickname for my Grandma, because her maiden name was McGee. I would love to name a kid after one of them, but given their names (Orval and Cleoma), Maggie is probably the closest I'd get. And Margaret is definitely growing on me. In part because of this ancestor on my dad's side. I mean, sure, a lot of people can say they're named for a great great grandparent. But how many can say they're named for a Countess who King Henry VIII had executed at the Tower of London? Plus, she's a slammin' hottie.

Mabes, however, was not impressed. "I fink Mar-brick is a boy's name."

"Well, what about Maggie?" I asked as I pulled into the parking spot. No answer from Mabes, so I turned around to see her faking sleep in her carseat. Okay, guess she's tired of talking about names. I helped her out of her seat, we headed into Home Depot, wandered around Christmas decorations, and I decided to revisit the topic. "So what do you think of Maggie?"

"Mom, didn't you see me sleeping in da car? I don't fink Maggie is a good name because it makes me fall asleep. I fink baby needs a name dat makes me wake up and say 'Wow! Dat's a great name!' Like Emaline. Not Maggie--it will make people sleep."

(To clarify: I haven't done the whole you're-so-boring-I'm-falling-asleep-midconversation thing in ages. I have no clue where she got that. Instinct?)

Bora.

I often hear people say, "I want to have my kids close together so they'll be close." I have to laugh, because it somehow implies that if your kids are farther apart, they're doomed to ignore each other for the rest of their lives. Now, Laura and I weren't best friends growing up, but we got along. I'd play Barbies with her when she was little (something Jeff would then tease me about), but we admittedly grew apart as she entered that obnoxious Hanson-obsessed tween phase. Fortunately, she outgrew that faster than most, and despite our five year age difference, she's been one of my best friends ever since.

For some reason, while writing this post, I've been trying to come up with reasons why someone might not like Laura. I can't think of any. Laura is incredibly easy-going (a tamed redhead?), silly, smart, and just plain hilarious. As I've said before, conversations usually start with "so I don't have anything to say" and end an hour later. She's come to visit us everywhere we've lived and she's always a welcome guest--having her around is just fun. I really can't put her awesomeness into words. She's just a fun person to be around that you end up hugging a lot. And maybe cuddle up on the couch with. And giggle and eat candy. And play Harry Potter Guessing Game.

Happy birthday, Bora. I'm going to miss you tons at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so come visit soon after that, okay?