The Big Reveal

As I said in a previous post, Kevin and I found out the gender of Little One on the Way, but decided to keep it as a surprise for everyone else. After a few months, we decided the secret was not a fun one and the "cover up" was just getting silly.

Due to the availability of relatively accurate ultrasounds, people are used to knowing the gender of their baby and everyone else is used to finding out as well. When people see the belly, one of their first questions is, "What are you having?" to which I would reply, "We found out but we're not telling." I guess it would have been easier to just say "It's a surprise" but we did know so it wasn't a surprise to us so I felt bad lying. The "we found out but we're not telling" response usually just created awkward silence or further questions as to why we weren't telling and was too much in conversing with strangers and kind of sad/awkward with family and friends.

On the plane to visit Kevin's parents in AZ, I had a long conversation with the passenger next to me, and told her the gender. Kevin shot me a sharp look and I just said, "Hey, she won't tell anyone we know." Then I told the flight attendant. Then Kevin told his barber...and then we realized the whole "secret gender" thing was just silly. We were willing to tell people who have no stock in this child's life, but those who care the most aren't allowed to know?

So, here goes...


It's a BOY!


Little Man should be here sometime around June 14th, but the name is still TBA. I really thought this baby was a boy from the very beginning, but when it was confirmed, I was a tad sad that Monica will not have a sister so close in age. I guess, having grown up with a younger sister myself, I just assumed this is something she needs and should have. Now that I've had some time to get used to the idea of having a boy, I'm excited for Monica because she gets the gift of a brother, which I always thought would be fun, though I did not have the chance experience it. Kevin is excited to have a son to share man-things. Not that he can't share his love of hockey, college football, running, hiking and general ridiculousness with Monica, but I think having a son to do all of those things will be special in a different way.

So, on with more adventures in parenting. Ready or not, here HE comes!

The Joys of Toddler-dom: Emerging Personality

One joy (and also a challenge to be honest) as of late has been Monica's emerging personality. She knows more of what she wants and knows how to get it! She is more willful, and better able to express likes and dislikes, needs and wants. She isn't talking a lot yet, but that little face is full of expressions. Even in the past couple weeks she has started making more faces to communicate what she is thinking and feeling. Sounds like someone else I know all too well...let's just say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I wear my heart on my sleeve...or I guess, more accurately, I wear my heart on my face. I've never been a good liar nor adept at hiding what is really going on inside my head. It looks like our daughter is shaping up to be similar.

Short and Sweet

It's been a couple weeks, so here's a short rundown...

• Kevin was in Japan for a week. Monica and I survived with visits from friends and family and lots of prayers. Here's the souvenir Kevin brought back this time. If you're thinking, "Who the world is Anpanman?" check out this site. Good for a chuckle.

• Kevin returned from his trip mere hours after Monica got sick with some intestinal bug...made for some messy, explosive dipes. Ugh. She's healthy and happy now, thank goodness!

• It's been really sunny so we've been outside a lot playing in the dirt and melting snow. Lots of laundry.

• I'm 26 weeks now, and at the point where I feel bigger than is really comfortable. I'm also blaming Mommy MushBrain for the lack of postings. Honestly, I think at least half of my brain cells are on loan to the baby! However, this too shall pass, and I'm making every effort to enjoy my time with one kiddo and nights uninterrupted by a crying infant.

• Kevin is training for the Flying Pig marathon and is in the longest, most draining part of the training (read: running 20+ miles on Saturdays). I've realized it takes the cooperation of the whole family for him to do this, from the time spent training, to the extra food, to buying new shoes more frequently, not to mention those little packets of energy gel.

• Speaking of extra food, I just realized everyone in this house is clinically skinny...except for me. That even includes the dog. Awesome. I think I'll go make myself a hot fudge sundae.