Snakes, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails!!

We are having a boy! Josh and I couldn't be happier to bring a son into this world in March. He'll pass along the McKenrick name, always love his momma, and play Legos with his architect dad. Knowing what this little thing is that has been moving inside of me for the last few weeks and growing inside of me for five months (really, it's been 5 months-I am so proud of myself!!) goes a long way in the "hang in there" department. Now I get to call him by his name--a secret that Josh and I are trying to keep until he comes. I get to think about what he'll play with as a little boy and what he'll be like when he grows up.

I'd just like to comment briefly on the way that our baby's gender was revealed to us. We eagerly informed the ultrasound tech that we would like to know the baby's sex. She just as eagerly reminded us that it may not be possible to find out during the hour long exam (I mean, really 1 hour for measuring nearly every body part and you can't guarantee that you'll be able to see if it's a boy or girl). OK, I had come to terms with this possibility--even though I was pretty sure that no son or daughter of mine would disappoint his mother and father by being too shy. Plus I'm pretty sure that I can get it to move around fairly on cue at this point with a cough or a little jostling. Getting back to the exam, it began as normal. I was in awe of how big our baby had grow in the last 8 weeks since we got to see it. Then amongst the other talk of "here's its arms and there's the spinal cord," she just said "well, it's a boy." No build up or warning at all!! I would have appreciated a little bit more anticipation. Maybe "alright you want to know the sex? It's a....BOY!" But she was truly unimpressed and went on naming the body parts that affirmed her statement that it was a boy. In fact we have 2 photographs that highlight the proof that we are having a son. Believe me, these will be something that I show his fiance one day.

Boy or Girl?

In less than a day, we will know what gender our baby is...well, hopefully. My health insurance does the big 20 week sonogram and will tell you the sex if the baby is cooperating (meaning if he/she is showing off that area). Most people who know me would peg me as a someone who would want to find out. I admire those that wait the full nine months (I have 2 friends who are doing this; one just had a beautiful little girl and the other is due in December). But I am a planner and I really don't like surprises in general. I have been counting down the days until our big appointment next Monday. Let the flood of gender-related paraphernalia from grandmom and grandpa begin. My money is on a boy--for the record. But Josh keeps reminding me that it's a 50-50 shot. So we'll see!

I feel like I have hit a stride with the pregnancy and come to terms with my hesitant feelings about it.

More pictures of the belly

Petey loves the baby, too!

A Growing Belly

This picture was taken about week 15 or 16. Just a little bump.