Baby clothes don't have to be gender specific, like this outfit by claude. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
I know, I know, it’s incredibly annoying that at 33 weeks pregnant I can’t tell you the sex of my baby. Believe me, it irritates me too. But my husband is old-fashioned and wants to be surprised, so I’m going with it. I’m calling it “Baby Ro” since Hero is the name we’ve chosen for a boy and Rose, for a girl.
The only thing more annoying than not knowing is the reaction I get from outsiders when I inform them of our decision to be surprised. Sadly, the No. 1 comment I get, is “but how can you shop for the baby?”
Seriously? In 2012, people still expect me to be stuck on pink and blue. What’s worse is my own mother is the biggest perpetrator — she’s furious.
“I just need to know what to buy,” she says.
Even though it’s clearly stated on my registry that I would prefer gender neutral gifts, specifically in blue, yellow, white, gray and black, the idea seems to be completely foreign to her.
Every time she calls we have the same argument we were having 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, Collette.
After she begs to know the sex, she badgers me about why we won’t find out; she always asks, “But what if it’s a girl and all you have is boy stuff?”
And to her I sigh and reply, “Mom, that’s kind of the point.”
I already have one saccharine sweet, ballet-loving, baton-twirling diva princess; is there really room enough in the Crosby household for two?
So, yes, I’m a little crazy about my gift registry, and when people ask, I have more “don’ts” than “dos.”
But just in case you’re wondering here’s a quick list: No pink. No glitter. No ruffles. No gender-specific sexist onesies (i.e. mama’s little diva). And absolutely no tutus.
And just in case you thought it was safe to buy boy stuff … think again. No footballs or baseballs, though basketballs are acceptable. No little blue lambs or puppies. No trains, planes or automobiles. And absolutely no cowboy stuff.
I know you’re thinking, “What’s left?” Well, truthfully, not much. The department stores are loaded with pink and blue. But there’s still some stuff to choose from.
Anything from the ’80s. In fact, I’ve already decided that Baby Ro is coming home in a Ghostbusters onesie (classic).
We also like music-themed band T-shirts. Yo Gabba Gabba gear. Cool vintage sports gear. Collette had the cutest Oakland Raiders sweater.
We loved it.
Maybe I’m nuts and just a tad bit too particular. But I am the one who has to carry this thing around for nine months. The way I figure it, since I don’t get a say in Baby Ro’s gender, the least the world can do is let me be its stylist.
