While organizing some photos last night, I came upon one from my baby shower with Phoebe.  I can recall the conversation like it was yesterday.  My dad and uncle had learned in medical school that ultrasounds are often times wrong.  I knew I was having a baby girl, as confirmed by an ultrasound.  However, my dad and uncle both said, “Don’t paint the nursery pink.”   Sometimes ultrasounds are wrong- more times than not with the mistake on thinking it’s a girl, and it coming out a boy.  Then you have a nice pink themed bedroom for your baby boy.  (While pink is fine for a boy–it is most associated with girls)

This was ok, because I had never planned to have a pink room for my baby girl.  She was going to be different.  She was going to be special.  Her room was blues, reds, and yellows.  Her theme was bugs (lady bugs, bees, butterflies, etc.).  I didn’t want to overwhelm her world with pink and pink things.  I wanted her to be like me…a little girly, but also a little athletic and well-rounded.  I didn’t use lace, or ruffles.  I painted her room myself, and it was adorable.  It was different, and unique.

Little did I know, I had set a precedence for how this baby would be.

She was Phoebe:  Different.  Unique.  Sort-of girlie.  Loves sports.  HATES bugs. 🙂

Autistic.