Thursday, October 24, 2013

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

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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