ROCKFORD, Mich. — A western Michigan couple with 12 sons are waiting to find out whether baby No. 13 keeps the streak going.
Jay and Kateri Schwandt’s baby is due Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day. They’re sticking to their tradition of not finding out in advance whether they’re having a boy or girl.
They said they’d be shocked if the baby is a girl.
“The odds are not in our favor,” Kateri Schwandt, 40, told The Grand Rapids Press. She said she doesn’t have her heart set on having a girl this time.
“It doesn’t matter at this point,” she said. “If we had a little girl, that would be neat. But I would be just as happy if we had a little boy.”
The Schwandts live Rockford, which is north of Grand Rapids. Kateri Schwandt has a lot of experience with big families, growing up as one of 14 children, and said she finds motherhood to be “very rewarding.”
“Your children are a little piece of you. Every day is Mother’s Day,” she said. “They will bring me flowers that they pick in the yard. Even if it’s a dandelion, it’s special because they were thinking of Mom. “
Jay Schwandt, 40, said he is expecting the baby to be another son but would be happy if it turns out otherwise.
“My thoughts are, it’s probably going to be a boy,” he said. “But if I could put my order in, I would root for a girl. I’ve done all the boy stuff. I’d just like to experience it from the other side once.”
Kateri Schwandt said her pregnancy has been smooth and the baby is doing well. She said she has had experience with babies arriving after their due date. Her husband said he’d love it if the baby arrives by Sunday.
“That would be neat if it was born on Mother’s Day,” he said.
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