The early days of this pregnancy were miserable. I was sick (which I've covered), there would be some issue with the baby (because I'm of advanced maternal age now), and because my insurance policy at the time covered 0 (zero!) maternity costs. Things are better now but at the time I had a long, long list of concerns.
Shortly after the first sonogram, my son brought the picture to me and asked, "Mama, this looks like a black baby. Are we having a black baby?"
Without missing a beat, I launched into a speech. "I haven't even thought of that, sweetie. Maybe I can ask the doctor if she can tell. God will give us the baby we are supposed to have. You just never... know... for sure?"
And then my brain caught up to my mouth and I realized that even though there was this long list of things I did not control, ethnicity was one I did.
I can pretty much guarantee, even without any prenatal testing, that I am not having a black baby. Or a blonde baby, for that matter.
Because there are some things you really do know.
Cute post.
Advanced maternal age...how quickly we start to fall into that category...how few married women actual fall into the optimal maternal age anymore! And insurance, that's scary...but there's no arguing a baby is worth the cost.
Posted by: Diapeepees | February 29, 2012 at 06:26 AM
advanced maternal age, pshaw! they told me that when i was pregnant with my fourth because i had just turned 35 :( switched to a midwife and it was never mentioned. and i just had another, 2 months before i turned 40 and nary a word about advanced maternal age was said :)
Posted by: amanda {the habit of being} | February 29, 2012 at 06:48 AM
Oh, you never know: two dark haired parents can absolutely have a blonde (or redhead!) baby as blonde (and red!) are recessive traits that can be tagged to the dominant gene for brown or black hair.
Posted by: Ellie | February 29, 2012 at 08:55 AM
I nearly choked on my own spit when I was referred to in the hospital as a "geriatric mother" - at 39. Geriatric? HA! But you know what? It got me a private room in the hospital. :) Also, Stu and I have dark hair and our baby is blonde! If he was born black though I dare say I'd have been in a bit of bother explaining that one away...
Posted by: Amanda | February 29, 2012 at 03:05 PM
I know! Id gladly welcome any baby, but yes. There would be questions. Especially from my husband.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 29, 2012 at 03:11 PM
And also Amanda: I thought 'advanced maternal age' was offensive, but 'geriatric'? That's much, much worse.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 29, 2012 at 03:12 PM
LOL!!
And, yes, they really do call mothers of advanced maternal age, geriatric. Isn't that awful? :)
Posted by: KC | February 29, 2012 at 07:38 PM
LOL!
My doctor calls it "elderly" - elderly multigravida. Great.
Posted by: Amy | March 01, 2012 at 08:25 AM
I needed to laugh til I cried this morning.
Posted by: Chrissie | March 02, 2012 at 05:32 AM