The question on everyone’s lips right now is… what are you having… boy or girl? Actually, we don’t know. Apparently we’re among the very few these days who don’t find out. For me, I just don’t really care. I can wait. I don’t mind what colour it wears or even what it wears – I figure that’s onesies for the first little while anyway.
I didn’t need other people to know and I also didn’t want to be one of those people that did the we know but we’re not telling anyone. Possibly because I’d inadvertently say he or she and let the cat out of the bag. In Austria the article for baby is ‘das’ – it. So that’s just easier. Though I do move between the three and confuse people no end.
I don’t have a feeling about it either. I don’t have those kinds of feelings. I know some people do. Or think they do. At least they like to guess. And I’m not saying that some people aren’t extra intuitive, but in the end, it is a 50/50 chance. And I’m sure afterwards I’ll hear far more of see I told you as opposed to oh, looks like I was wrong.
I have to say that I’ve found people to be pretty respectful. No strangers try and touch my belly. Friends ask beforehand. And no one, at least outwardly, is assuming anything. Are you planning to have a hospital birth, they ask politely, as if I’m the kind of person that would want to do it at home. How would I get drugs then? And who cleans up the mess? Have you got names picked out, they ask, and indeed they’re intrigued but they don’t go so far as to enquire into what they might be. Which is good, because by all accounts that is the one thing to definitely keep close to your chest. We have a few options for both sexes, and we’ll see what it looks like when it comes out. My requirements were quite simple. It should be easy to say, not just in English, but also in German. So no Julia (which you would pronounce Yulia here). And it also shouldn’t be complicated (like Magdalena, 4 syllables) and kind of normal. So no River or Rain or Apple. There’s still plenty to choose from, but it’s certainly not an easy decision or one to take lightly.
So let’s see… how it comes out… and what it looks like. A healthy baby, hopefully, but I won’t be disappointed if it’s a puppy 😉
an aussie in austria 
Regardless of your child’s gender, I wish you the best of health!
Thank you very much – obviously it’s the most important thing!
Thank you for sharing! My partner and I found out the gender but kept it a secret from absolutely everyone – best decision for us! And it was so much fun to surprise everyone else. We didn’t want everyones comments on gender and stereotypes.
Yes for sure! I think though people want to know they also love a good surprise when the baby arrives!
Often the waiting for the surprise is the best part of lots of different occasions. Once you know that’s soon enough because then it’s time to move to the next thing. Just one vert flippant comment: If it is a “puppy” we’ll all be reading about it in all the papers.
Would be a cute puppy though! 😉