After 3 Boys, We Gave Up Our Dream of a Daughter—Then My Husband Called Me to the Hospital and Said, “There’s a Baby Here”

Babies are expensive even when people donate clothes and family members arrive with diapers.

We reviewed our budget.

Canceled things.

Adjusted savings.

Marcus’s employer allowed a temporary flexible schedule.

I reduced some work.

We looked at actual numbers instead of simply saying we’d make it work.

That phrase had become dangerous.