Our "Tell" Plan

Have I mentioned my husband is a cheater? The pumpkin eating kind, most definitely. Thus, this baby around, we are going to find out before he/she arrives whether she is a boy or a girl.

On a side note, did you know that 90% of parents find out now? NINETY percent? That's crazy! First of all, it makes surprise lovers like me super frustrated when trying to find neutral things (ha! barely exists! although, now I know why...) and 2ndly... what's wrong with the surprise? Oh, I know, I know, "I'll be surprised when I find out." I've heard that line from almost every single person who finds out. "Oh, I'm a planner." "Oh, I just have to know." Yadayadayada.

I'm not trying to say you're a bad parent or something if you find out - it just makes me... sad? that no one else wants to savor the unknowing. Not knowing with our Boyo was just so much fun! Guessing, wondering, waiting - it was delicious expectation. And this from someone who begs everyone to tell her what she got for Christmas.

And then - at the birth - oh the wonderment. I was pleasantly unsurprised by our little Boyo - I had known it was a boy for a few months by then. (Oh alright, I was totally surprised, but a little part of me that thought boy said, Yesssssss, I was right!) It was such an endorphin high, post-labor bliss, all his little boy toes and little boy nose. True blue love :)

The best, and most special part though, was that Mr. 2nd Lt. was the first one to tell me (ok wow, I'm tearing. Back, pregnancy hormones, back!). We had just thought about him maybe cutting the cord (Mr. 2nd Lt. wasn't sure he was interested), but the OB asked during a prenatal visit if Mr. 2nd Lt. wanted to be the first to tell me. Ooooh, I said, Yes! And he was.

Whoosh! The super push that brought our little son to us (this time? Sweet and slow at the end, sweet and slow - It's my new mantra!). WAaaahhh! Someone was not happy to be cold and out of the comfy dark. "Lina, hes a boy." My husband's sweet voice.

Ahhh, memories.

So anyways, this time, no waiting, no wondering, just lots of knowing. Its only fair after all - its his turn to pick. So, I'm embracing the know - happening next month, so stay tuned! I'll enjoy the knowing in a different way, I'm sure and then come next baby, I get to pick again :)

That being said, I told my husband - it was special finding out with monkey boy. Having the ultrasound tech say, "hey, your kid's a _____ " ? Not so special. We need a plan. I want my husband to be the first to tell me this time as well.

So here's the deal. We go in for a our sonogram and explain we want to know but we don't want them to say it outloud. Oooh, and I just decided, Boyo will wear his new "Big Brother" shirt.

I want complete non-expression on everyone's face; he writes it on a paper, Mr. 2nd Lt. can look at it, he puts it away. We oooh and aaahhh over femurs and spines and heartbeats (maybe some thumb sucking?) and then, we leave.

We then go out to a "Yay! Its a _______!" Lunch (at Panera of course. Can you go anywhere else for lunch?) In the car are two baby gift bags, packaged by Mr. 2nd Lt. last night (part of my Klingon adventure) and securely tied so I can't see inside. I had originally wanted identical baby bags, but I refuse to spend money on baby gift wrapping when I have so. much. but not two of the same. Before we eat delicious yumminess, he gives me boy gift ala this cute outfit and lovey, hand picked by big brother:





or, girl outfit and lovey, handpicked by a super refraining Mama who didn't also buy matching socks, headband, shoes and purse (bloomers came with!)



Then, we eat delicious Panera and go over to Target to return the other baby gift that isn't needed. And, um, I reserve the right to purchase the mentioned accessories if it is indeed a girl. I'm just sayin'....