It's Wilder

Dear Pea,

Almost every day someone asks me if your dad and I have picked a name for you.  Nope.  You're still just Pea!  I'm hoping we can agree on something by the time you reach first grade Christmas.  I never thought that naming my child would be so difficult, but for some reason it is.  We do have a "short list," and have even started calling you one of those names to see if it sticks.  The problem is, nothing seems...special enough.  And we have gone through a LOT of names.

 

On another note, you do have a nickname (other than Pea)!  Your Daddy Ben has taken to calling you "Wilder."  He is very big on nicknames and everyone in our family has one.  Your dad is "Ravishing Ronald" (sometimes just "Ravishing" and sometimes just "Ronald") because he is tall and has red hair like Ronald McDonald.  Yep...our family is pretty...creative?? 

 

You are "Wilder" because Daddy Ben is convinced you are going to be a wild child.  He has made the following predictions about some of your extracurricular activities: you will tear our house down to the studs and/or burn it down, you will turn Bailey's litter box into your own play area, and you will turn your dad's smoker into a cannon. 

 

If any of these predictions come true, I will need to find a good therapist for both of us!  Daddy Ben  knows your dad has a mischievous side, and you will probably inherit some of that.

 

I do hope that you have more of your dad's outgoing personality and are not shy and reserved like I am.  There is nothing wrong with being shy or quiet, but our society values extroverts more.  Also, I think shyness causes people to hold back and miss out on some great things in life.  I want you to enjoy life to the fullest.  I hope you are never afraid to be your own person.

 

Wilder, calmer, or in between, I know you will be the perfect fit for our family.  You already are loved so much!  In the meantime, I'll keep working on the perfect name for my sweet and (possibly) rambunctious little boy :)

 

Love,

 

Mom

 

 

 

 

The Pea is...a HE!

Dear Pea,

 

Yesterday morning a small entourage (your dad, Nana, and Uncle Brad) and I went to the ultrasound where we learned....that YOU'RE A BOY!!!  So much for old wives' tales :)  Although I was definitely shocked, I am so, so happy and excited to be a "boy mom."  Your dad, of course, is thrilled!  He wanted a boy from the very beginning! 

 

I do feel a bit guilty that my maternal instinct was "off."  I truly, truly thought you were a girl for four months!  Only your Daddy Ben (maternal grandpa) and Mama Suzy (maternal great grandma) thought you were a boy from the very beginning.  Daddy Ben said a "bad little red-headed boy" is all that your dad is capable of creating, ha!  You may be red-headed (which will make me so happy), but I don't believe for an instant that you will be bad!  So far, you're a very "chill" baby and have made this pregnancy very easy on your mama.

 

And now for some stats....

 

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of Baby: About the size of a mango

Total Weight Gain: 7 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I can no longer fit in my pants (other than work out pants).  I ordered some cute things from Old Navy during their Columbus Day Sale and I'm excited to wear them once it gets cooler.

Gender: Boy!

Movement: I can feel some slight movement; it's like getting butterfly kisses inside of my stomach.

Sleep: I am sleeping well, but I still feel tired all the time. 

What I Miss: Having clear(ish) skin!

Cravings: Dairy products- milk, ice cream, cheese...

Symptoms: Acne, all over my face.  Please make it stop :(  Also, my "bump" is much more noticeable.

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out your gender and sharing it with friends and family!

Other Notable Updates: Dad is hard at work on your nursery and should be finished painting it this weekend!  Also, I'm getting ready to wash and sort all of your cute clothes this week.  You'll be the best-dressed baby thanks to your God-brothers' hand-me-downs!

 

Of course, we are all so very excited to meet you, Sweet Pea!  We're almost halfway there!

 

Love,

 

Mom

He or She? What Will Pea Be?

Dear Pea,

 

Tomorrow is a day I've been looking forward to for 19 weeks!  We will find out if you are a boy or a girl!  Right now you're known as "Sweet Pea," or more often "The Pea."  If you're a girl you will have a real name by this time tomorrow!  If you're a boy...you'll still be The Pea (possibly until you're in kindergarten).  Your dad and I are having a hard time with boy names!

 

I'm a little nervous (and a lot of excited!) about tomorrow, because it's the first piece of definitive information we will have about you.  Your dad and I are so very different that I have no predictions or expectations of what you will look like or be like.  When I find out your gender, it will be easier for me to think of you as YOU-- a part of your dad and me, but your very own unique person. 

 

Just for fun, here are some old wives tells that are supposed to indicate your gender. 

• Doppler heart rate (140+)- at 16 weeks, your heart rate was 151- GIRL
• Food Cravings- sweets; salty sounds disgusting (but this is how I always feel, even when not pregnant)- GIRL
• Chinese Fertility Calendar- GIRL
• Mayan Gender Predictor- GIRL
• Skin Condition- over the last few weeks, my acne has exploded (gross)- GIRL
• Morning Sickness- none, much to my surprise/delight- BOY
• Carrying High/Low- middle-ish?- UNDETERMINED

I should also note that since I found out I was pregnant, I've had a very strong feeling that you are a girl.  I truly don't have a gender preference,and will be delighted with a baby boy or a baby girl.  However, if you're a boy, I will need a few hours to get used to the idea!

 

No matter what, I hope you always know that your entire family loves you and wants you and cannot wait to hold you in our arms!  I cannot wait to see your squishy face tomorrow!

 

Love,

 

Mom