Boy or Girl?

I know, I know...I've already done a gender post. But what can I say? This is what being "team green" is all about...obsessing over which it will be for nine months. And as D-Day approaches, I'm becoming more and more eager to figure this out.

So who do I turn to? The Old wives of course! They always know what's up. So here's where we're at:

The Chinese Gender Chart: BOY--now when using the Chinese Gender chart, you have to make sure you are going by the lunar calendar...not just any calendar. I did it up right, and came out with the boy result.

Stolen Beauty: GIRL--They say that girls 'steal your beauty'. If you gain weight in your face, have bad acne and generally look a little worse for wear during your pregnancy, then you're having a girl. Well check, check and CHECK my friends. If there's a girl in there, she is going to be mighty beautiful

Ring Test: BOY--Josh and I did this waaaay back in the first trimester. It was firmly a "boy" answer.

Carrying Low: BOY--this kid has been below by belly button for almost the whole pregnancy. Definitely a low baby.

Carrying all over: GIRL--I'm not going straight out, but to the sides, which allegedly means I'm having a girl

Morning Sickness Avoided: BOY--I was never nauseous for no reason, which indicates a boy

Craving Sweets: GIRL--for the first time in my life, I can down a bowl of ice cream. Josh is a boy who looooves his ice-cream, but a sweets craving is supposed to indicate  girl.

Mother's Intuition: BOY--I have felt from day one that this kid is a boy. Allegedly, strong feelings aren't  complete B.S. when it comes to pregnancy. Mothers are able to guess right about 70% of the time, according to an article I read on the internet (I know, I know--great source). We had our boy name chosen in like.... week 6. The girl name.... still working on that a little bit.

Draino Test: I am not peeing in Draino. Who the hell does that?

Heart rate: BOY--for a long time the heart rate stayed firmly at 140 (the deciding line for this old wive's tale). For the last few appointments though, it's been in the 130's, which is a boyish heart rate.

So...damn. Those old wive's are having some trouble agreeing there. I guess mostly they indicate we're having a boy, which is what I have been expecting for most of this pregnancy. It only recently sunk in that I could seriously have a daughter in ten weeks--I mean, obviously I knew that was a possibility. I'm not an idiot. But I have been so certain that it was a boy for a long time, and suddenly I'm not as sure anymore. A little girl would still be a bit of a surprise. That would mean that my mother was right all along!

So place your bets folks--What will it be?

Dreams for Our Bumblebee

We're starting to get so excited for our little bumblebee. His or her arrival has seemed so far away up until recently. But now all of a sudden it's close--less than 10 weeks until my due date! And the baby could arrive safely in about six! It's crazy how fast time goes by.

Josh and I have taken to talking about the Bee, all the time, wherever we go. We have a lot of dreams for this little baby. We'll snuggle in bed in the morning, pull the blankets over our heads, and talk about what we want for the Bee, and what kind of parents we should be. Josh wants to be home when Bee gets home from school, give him a snack, talk to him about his day, and help with his homework. I want to read to Bee--every night, if we can swing it. We really hope for our child to have a love of learning and reading.

If the Bee is a boy, Josh wants him to play football, but the idea terrifies me and I say he's not allowed. I would much prefer basketball or karate. We debate about this endlessly. I keep reminding Josh that maybe he won't like sports at all--but my husband shrugs this off and says all boys want to play sports. Josh is looking forward to taking his (potential) son fishing and camping. Josh is also looking forward to teaching his son to shave (allegedly Josh's first shave was a solo event, and it did not go well). We both want him to grow up to be a good Christian man, and to be happy. I don't much care what he does or who he becomes, as long as he can be truly and deeply happy.

If the Bee is a girl, I can't wait to start taking her shopping. I love shopping with my mom, and it's something I really want to do with my daughter. It is important for us that our daughter learns how men should treat her. Josh wants to take her out on dates and show her what dating should really look like--girls need to be made to feel special and honored. I want to help my daughter get ready for school in the morning--braid her hair, and talk about her hopes for the day. And of course, for a little girl, you can't help but dream about her wedding day. I hope that the Bee will find a loving partner, who can make her as happy as Josh has made me for the past four years.

So this entry is sappy....but I'm ok with that. I want to remember these things, even if they are sugary-sweet. It's such a sweet time in our lives--for just ten more weeks, it's just the two of us. And we can imagine our family any way we want to. There is so much love in our family already and we feel so blessed to be adding a new addition.

Hiccups!

Last night, I felt the first round of hiccups from the Bumblebee! I've always heard about in-utero hiccups and thought it sounded so strange--and it was! It's just another reminder that this pregnancy isn't just happening to me--there's a little person in there! (I know, I know...DUH). But it's definitely cool.

3rd Trimester Woes (Already!)

Well, I'm a good week into my third trimester and already, I'm not feeling it. Sleep has become noticeably more uncomfortable. Last night I woke up at 4:30 with sore muscles and couldn't get back to sleep. I'm also more restless in general at night in general--it takes me a good half hour to settle down and go to sleep.

I also am having more trouble bending down. Josh helped me put my shoes on for about a week before he told me we were going out to buy me some shoes that I can slip on (which are really cute by the way...). I've taken to cleaning by sitting on the floor and scooting around putting all the clutter up on the couch instead of bending down to pick up each item.

My belly-button is almost completely flat. I expect it will pop out some time within the next month. I"m carrying the baby really low (which supposedly means its a boy) and all around, rather than straight out (which supposedly means its a girl). I don't have any stretch marks (yet!) But the skin is definitely starting to feel tight. My ankles and feet are also sore most days.

So that's where I'm at, heading straight into the third trimester. I've got 12 weeks to go and I'm only going to get more miserable from here! (or so people LOVE to remind me). In almost exactly two months, the baby will be considered full term and the doctor won't stop labor. Which is comforting and kind of scary at the same time! I'm really looking forward to having my baby in my arms, but I am NOT looking forward to labor and delivery. I'm calling to schedule my tour of the birthing center this week, so I'll update soon about that!