Slugs and Snails and Puppy Dog's Tails....

Someone asked me yesterday if I wasn't just a little disappointed that I had all the girl stuff that I did...the cashier at Target asked this when she rang up the CUTEST little onesie (Daddy's little wingman for $1.48--couldn't resist) and told me she wished *she* was having a boy but was having a girl instead. After telling her about the girl room we had before we learned (or were confirmed, in my case, ahem) Matthew was a boy, she said, "Oh...that stinks. All that for nothing."

Well, not really. There was a total and completely thought out plan for the last nearly two years and that plan, though not what we'd choose, was exactly what we were supposed to follow. We've *met* people we'd never have met, had our eyes opened to situations we'd never know about and wouldn't be exactly where we are--which is just a few weeks away from my sweet baby boy.

And while I admit that I see sweet little girl things all over the place and think about how precious they are, I cannot emphasize enough how absolutely in love with the idea of a baby boy I am. I've said it before, that I feel especially honored to be the mom of a son, but more than that, I am really excited about the things that mommies and sons share. Not so much on the snakes, but....no one can deny it--boys sure do love their mommas! I also think that the last several months of have been ones in which I have had lots of opportunities to really learn about the differences between boys and girls and I'm really excited to foster an environment where my little boy *doesn't* feel like he has to be a fabulous reader at 6 months old and that he'll be allowed to explore and learn the way he and lots of other little boys do. I am committed to not pushing him to be anything other than who he is, even if that goes against every Type-AAA gene in my body! I told a friend the other day that if he decided to go to community college before he went to Tech (which, of course is where he'll have to go--on that, we can't negotiate!) so that he could really be sure about what he wanted and to give more time to be ready to be on his own, I'd be FINE with that and I really will. If he brings home Cs and that's the best he can do--well, we'll thank God he did the best he could and celebrate whatever successes we can.

If he's hyperactive and a handful and keeps me on my toes every second of my day, I will thank God for the opportunity to watch His wonderful creation in action (and be thankful for any sleep or rest I get)! His daddy and I might fall in the category of 'highly energetic,' so who better to keep up with that than us?

So, to answer the cashier at Target (who of course was maybe all of 19 and had the luxury of even thinking she could be picky about the sex of her child, instead of being grateful for the miracle of the child itself) who asked if I wasn't a little disappointed, I can firmly and wholeheartedly say, "NO!" I am thrilled beyond belief, and cannot wait to have my sweet little boy to cuddle with and love and help grow into the man God created him to be one day. Not too long now....

Happy Mommies Make Healthy Babies...

...that's probably one of my favorite things ever to come out my husband's mouth! I love that he thinks that and I love that he voices it! And, obviously I am pretty happy because after our high-risk screening today, I am reassured that M is healthy and happy....though not when I kept moving my belly to make M move!

I am simply amazed at technology, but more amazed at the miracle that life is. Watching that baby move around, kick little legs, stretch...un-flipping-believable. We were there for the nuchal (sometimes spelled neuchal) translucency test, which basically, based on the amount of fluid in the fold of skin behind baby's neck, predicts risks for chromosomal abnormalities. The sonographer said the skin looked "Perfect." I also had some blood taken for some more testing, but in truth, we really were more interested in seeing baby because results of these tests would not really influence us to make any decisions about continuing or not continuing pregnancy. I tell my kids, "You get what you get..." and the same goes for us. So essentially, screen all you want, but I was there for the pictures!

We got to hear the heartbeat for the first time! 171 beats a minute! Amazing. We saw baby wiggle and worm around, and we even got some 3D pictures. In the one I am going to post, I swear, baby has my chin and pout! Which actually is my mom's chin and pout, so I have to say it is one of my favorite pictures.

The biggest news? Well, even though it is early (12 weeks tomorrow) and she told me not to go shopping because it was not as definite as later, the sonographer told me she thought "It's a GIRL!" Of course you know that I have been dead-sure that we were going to meet Matthew in November, but then the doctor (totally awesome, by the way!) came in and moved baby around too. He said, "Well, I think Mari's (the sonographer) right. I think it's a girl! But it's still early...so don't go shopping!"

SO, there we have it. Two medical professionals thinking we are going to be meeting Miss Molly. And I have to tell you, I'm just tickled pink. Literally! Don't get me wrong, I'm still banking on showing everyone and saying, "I told you, he was going to be a boy!" but I would also love it if they were right! I think Daddy's wrapping his head around the idea also, because he's already told Dixie that she wasn't going to be his "only girl"...which means that I'd end up 3rd on the totem pole, but I'm okay with that!

Now, without further ado, here's M...cute, huh?

"Stretch...why are you bothering me?"

(Baby's arms are up top over head and legs stretched out)

"I see you! Let me outta here!"

(Baby is looking right at us with hands on either side)

"I'm trying to sleep here...and I'm pouting about it!"

(The little chin and mouth right under the left fist look just like my chin and me pouting!)