• Home
  • Parenting
    • Motherhood
      • Relationships
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby (0-1 years)
      • Breastfeeding
    • Toddler (2-5 years)
      • Potty Training
    • Kid (6-9 years)
    • Tween (10-12 years)
    • Teen (13-18 years)
  • Hygge
  • Creative
    • LEGO
    • Perler Beads
    • Wreaths
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall/ Autumn
  • Life Style
    • Pets
    • Financial Life
    • Our Life
    • Reviews
  • Health
    • Heart
    • Narcolepsy
    • Special Needs
  • Meet Tove Maren
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Statement
  • Shop
    • Best Selling Shirts
    • Sarcastic Shirts
    • Sleep Humor Shirts
    • Heart Mom Shirts
    • All MITN Shirts
    • Hygge & Happiness Books
    • Book Club Worthy Books
    • Parenting Books
    • LEGO Gifts

Mama In The Now

Boy Mom Life With Humor and Hygge

I use cookies on this site to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze traffic. I also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Privacy & Cookie Policy

“Four Boys?! Oh Boy!” – Part 1

Sharing is caring!

1 shares
  • Facebook1
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Threads

There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

“Hi! Yes, I know, my belly is really big. No, I am not about to pop, although it may look like that. Nope, it is not twins, I am certain. Yes, we know what we are having – its our fourth boy!” “Four boys, yep – “Oh boy” is right!”… and that is approximately how every conversation with complete strangers goes these days.

The general public’s reaction to our growing family is, by a majority vote: “Four boys?! Oh Boy!”. The comment is followed by a look that screams “remind me never to invite this family over for a dinner party. Their house must be wild”, and then we part ways…

Little known reasons to have a large family - from a mother of four boys!

I am what you would call a big and happy pregnant woman. I know from experience that I gain A LOT of weight, due in part to my incurable Starbucks habit, but also fluid retention from living in our subtropical climate. The weight gain seems to bother others MUCH more than it bothers me – or the baby. The comments I get from strangers and friends alike are not for the faint of heart – but seeing how this is my fourth and (probably) final pregnancy I have learned to have a few quick-witted one liners ready in retaliation for the insensitive comments.

[bctt tweet=”Little known reasons to have large #family – from a mother of four boys! #FourBoysOhBoy #Motherhood”]

It should also be said that we do not have babies in our family. We give birth to viking-sized toddlers, which also explains the basketball belly and the equally as large counter-balance in the rear! Jacob weighed 9lbs 1oz, Jordan topped him at 9lbs 7oz and then there was Jansen – our little record and scale breaker, weighing in at 11lbs 5oz. Baby Jonah is estimated to weigh less than Jansen, but probably more than his two oldest brothers.

pregnant mama, 2 days before delivering an 11lbs 5oz boy

pregnant mama, 2 days before delivering an 11lbs 5oz boy

Apparently, once you break the mold of the average American family and venture into the three and even four children family size, you are looked upon as something out of this world. Generally people jump to the conclusion that you and your spouse are either certifiably insane, you have never heard of birth control or there must be a religious reason for the unstoppable quest to populate the world.

In our case, none of those reasons apply. It must be love then – love for chaos, love for sleepless nights, love for loud noises, love for waking up with diapers or feet in our face, love for the bear cub-like wrestling matches, love for Lego imprints on the soles of our feet as we dodge the little pieces of plastic scattered all over our floors, love for each other and being a self-contained family unit!

Next time I will share some of my real-life, yet unbelievable conversations with strangers and coworkers – all focused on my growing belly.

Mama in the Now Signature

Filed Under: Our Life, Pregnancy Tagged With: brothers, family, Happiness, live in the now, Pregnancy

Comments

  1. Kelsey says

    November 6, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    What a great post! My belly as well almost looked like yours! I had 3 children and wonder if people will not invite us over as the years keep passing and the kids keep getting older. Life is funny and so are our kids. Never judging just loving. I love having 3 and would never turn back! Congrats Tove!!

    • Mama in the Now says

      November 6, 2013 at 11:00 PM

      Thank you, Kelsey. We decided to venture into the world of FOUR kids because having three was honestly such a breeze. I tell friends that going from one child to two was WAY harder than going from two to three… so let’s see what it’s like to go to four! (I think as parents we just get used to being outnumbered).

  2. Sara Connolly says

    November 6, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    Love this post! Being pregnant really opens us up to the world in a unique way. I remember random people talking to me and smiling at me and not realizing why for a long time. I think you look amazing and just love that you are filling your home and our world with sweet little boys!

    • Mama in the Now says

      November 6, 2013 at 10:57 PM

      Thank you so much for your sweet words, Sara. I also remember the first time I went to the store WITHOUT my baby – when he was an infant. All of a sudden people didn’t smile and make random conversation with me. You are truly interesting and open to any type of commentary when you are in public pregnant or with a baby. Funny!

  3. Lauren Markman says

    November 7, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    It really bothers me that strangers/friends/family members think that they can say whatever pops into their heads about a pregnant woman or comment on her size. You are beautiful! You are glowing and happy and about to have another little man in your life who will love you forever. (To be surrounded by men who love you – what a joy!) Congratulations!

    • Mama in the Now says

      November 7, 2013 at 10:32 PM

      Thank you so much, Lauren. Even tonight I was told by a relative “you are wider this time around” – ha ha ha – I told my husband and he said “oh no – I smell another blog post coming up”. I DO love my band of little men – they make me feel secure and OH SO loved!!!! Thankfully I have tough skin… so I can handle the comments – but they still amuse me to no end.

  4. Sara M says

    December 1, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    Love the belly picture!! Curious about #4 how much did Jonah end up weighing? By the way, congrats on baby # 4. We have 4 boys & 4 girls, so I know what you mean about people thinking you are crazy.

    • Mama in the Now says

      December 1, 2013 at 10:58 PM

      Sara – you are my new hero!!!! Wow! Right now I have 7 weeks to go and he’s already over 5lbs… so we are steadily on track for 10lbs+! You will have to check back in January for a weight update! 😉

  5. joyce says

    November 17, 2015 at 4:44 AM

    I have six kids. At the grocery store I’m often asked if they are all mine……..

    • Mama in the Now says

      November 17, 2015 at 5:46 AM

      Hahahaha – I get that too! Or “you sure have your hands full!” 🙂

  6. Mother of four says

    February 4, 2016 at 8:54 PM

    I just found out we are having our fourth boy. I was a little sad because I was hoping this was a girl. But I got over it. I love my boys. I connect with them very well. I myself have two older brothers and no sisters so I was a Lil Tim bog growing up. We love football!!! Lol!!

    • Mama in the Now says

      February 5, 2016 at 8:42 AM

      Congratulations!!!! Four boys – it’s all the rage! You will be the most-loved, best protected mama out there! (But get ready for the stink… I am not sure WHAT it is, but they smell…) 🙂

  7. petrellamomma says

    June 23, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    For real tho, I’m in tears. You love being parents as much as we do. People just do NOT “get” this! Is it soooo insane to love our children and, in turn, want to have more??! It is just unfathomable, right? I have three, and at my job as a server my day is literally an all day explanation to strangers why I’m 26 with three kids- it gets unbelievably tiresome! Thank you for this totally relatable post!

    • Mama in the Now says

      June 30, 2016 at 4:38 PM

      Thank you for your kind words! Yes – parenting is a blast – as much as it is tiring. It’s really a gig you have to be knee-deep in to fully appreciate! 🙂

  8. Nicole says

    July 19, 2016 at 8:35 PM

    I loved the post ! I recently gave birth to my 5 th child. Yes 5 children !! My oldest is a boy and the other four are girls ?.

    • Mama in the Now says

      July 19, 2016 at 10:37 PM

      Congratulations!!! 5 – I bet it’s just like having 3 or 4… because once you are outnumbered it’s fair game. BEST OF LUCK!!!! Enjoy!

I am a Danish American mom of four boys parenting with heart, humor and hygge. Join me on this crazy ride. You will laugh more than you’d expect!

Don't Miss Out! Subscribe to the newsletter for all the latest

STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST TO HELP YOU PARENT WITH HEART AND HUMOR WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Search This Blog

Must-Read Posts!

elf on the shelf ideas
Enjoy motherhood again, stop feeling overwhelmed. Take control and get organized. Being an organized mom will save your sanity. Tips from a mother of four.
elf on the shelf shortcuts
Letter to the mom sitting across from me. A heartfelt letter to a fellow medical mom. As we raise our special needs kids we will find a common bond like this in most waiting rooms.
How to get creative with Perler beads, Hama beads and melty beads. How to use Perler beads. Creative Perler ideas for preschoolers, toddlers and kids of all ages. Perler bead inspiration. Perler bead ideas. Perler bead patterns. #PerlerBeads #PerlerBeadPatterns #PerlerIdeas #PerlerBeadCrafts #MamaintheNow
Easy DIY red, white and blue patriotic ribbon wands. They are so easy to make that a preschooler can make them! Preschool activity. Perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day or any other parade or reason to wave a ribbon wand!
Tove Maren Stakkestad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Privacy Policy and Disclosure Statement

Please read our full Disclosure Statement and Privacy Policy. As an Amazon Associate, I could earn from qualifying purchases. This site uses partner links from other advertising partners.
Copyright ©2025, Mama In The Now. All Rights Reserved. Design by Pixel Me Designs
1 shares
  • 1
 

Loading Comments...