what are you having?

The most frequently asked question during this pregnancy (and my first), "What are you having?" I'd say about 98% of the time people are shocked we aren't finding out. It makes me smile. It's as if people have always been able to find out and never had to wait until baby arrived. The most typical response is, "oh I could never do that, I'm a planner." Ha! Jokes on you. When has parenthood ever allowed a person to plan things out? If you know me, this is coming from someone who is very much a "planner." From the minute we even started talking about having kids, things never went according to plan. I'm nearly 3.5 years deep into this and still can't tell you how many things happen far different than I had anticipated.

Has it been easy. No way. I find myself wanting to pull out the DVD of the ultrasound frequently. Not a moment goes by that I don't wonder what this little baby is. At the end of the day, this is what we chose and I love it. When I stop to think about "why," many reasons come to mind...

• Does it really matter if we find out at 20 weeks or wait until 40? It doesn't really change anything, baby will still them.
• It drives people nuts, even strangers.
• We typically like more gender neutral things (and that doesn't mean it has to be all gray).
• Great lesson on patience. Hello life in general but especially with a kid.
• Curbs excessive spending. I've found babies need far less than the world tells you. Besides many hours of nursing ahead to do my online shopping after baby is here.
• It's fun to day dream each day. Gives me motivation daily to make it through all the aches/pains/nausea etc.
• Delayed gratification (think being a kid waiting for Christmas morning good, and then times that by 1000%).
• Coming up with both boy and girl names and wondering what we ultimately will pick.
• Add's just that much more motivation to make it through labor.
• Enjoyed seeing individual family members reactions as they met Atticus for the first time at the hospital.
• The ULTIMATE GENDER REVEAL.

Is it for everyone? I suppose not. But I will say it's made both pregnancies extra special for us.

(This is not to say finding out is bad or wrong. Do what is best for you. There are of course pro's and con's to both sides.)

there's always a reason for a party

When your sister throws a birthday party for no particular reason, yes, you should be suspicious.

When you show up and the decorations are all pink and blue, yes, you should be suspicious.

When you notice your sister wearing maternity pants, yes, you should be suspicious.

It wasn't until after the announcement was made that I realized what this birthday party was all about.

Not only were they announcing the pregnancy but this was a gender reveal party!

Say whaaattt?!?!

With a 5 year old in the house you have to keep it a secret cause you know he'll spill the beans.

This was his reaction after hearing ,"There's a baby in mommy's tummy."

We all had to make our predictions... the votes swayed to the boy side.

 IT'S A GIRL!!

This picture.

Grandpa's first granddaughter. Priceless.

first had to test it out with Tanner...complete with my mama photo-bombing.

you get the idea...

This little girl, has my heart already. January 26th can't come soon enough.

p.s. then there's me, chowing down on the cupcakes.