The Big Reveal!

Dave and I went for our big sonogram appointment on Friday June 17th. The big anatomy scan not only identifies the sex of the baby, it also looks at the spine, heart, limbs, etc. to make sure they are all looking healthy. We were both nervous and excited for obvious reasons. I haven't been feeling very "pregnant" because my stomach is still not very big and I don't feel much movement. However, as soon as the ultrasound tech put the wand on my belly and started pushing, it was like I could feel every part of the baby! We told her we did not want to know the sex of the baby and she would need to write it down on a piece of paper for us. So, she made sure not to focus on the nether regions. We never got to see the legs moving around, but she told us it was definitely kicking and we could see the arms moving. Both times we have had sonograms the hand has been up to its mouth! She showed us the spine, arm and leg bones, stomach, umbilical cord, heart chambers, head, face, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. She said everything looked great, including my placenta, which had moved from it's low-lying position. Whew, we could breathe a sigh of relief!  The baby was facing away from my belly button so it was hard for her to get a good profile shot. She tried tricking the baby to roll over but no such luck. She said the baby's head was up by my belly button. I could not tell that at all, but when she was pushing on it I definitely felt it! She also took the heartbeat, which was 150 bpm, and the weight, about 11 ounces. We were able to admire our baby on the screen for about 30 minutes and then she said, "ok, time to turn your heads". While she checked for our baby's sex, Dave watched my eyes like a hawk. He was determined to make sure I didn't peek! She told us she would make sure she was confident because she was told wrong with her first child! I was worried we wouldn't get a good shot because of the baby's position, but she assured us she knew what it was. While I was in the bathroom, she wrote down the sex on a piece of paper we brought and sealed it in an envelope. By the time I was out, Dave had it hidden in his pocket already. As soon as we got home, the envelope was hidden in the house somewhere under lock and key! I don't think either of us got a good night's sleep that night, we were too anxious and excited!

The next day, Saturday June 18th, we got ready for the big picnic. I used Dave's leftover box from his John Deere cart and wrapped it in pink and blue wrapping paper. I had also picked up a bag of pink and blue balloons and borrowed a helium tank from a friend. About 2 hours before the party, we walked everything over, including the sacred envelope, to our neighbors' house. We had selected them to blow up the balloons for us. Jaime and Brian have become our good friends since living here and we wanted them to help us out with the surprise. They were honored that we would pick them to know what our baby was before anyone else, EVEN US! As soon as we were walking back home I knew Jaime had already opened it and knew! I was beyond excited. The next two hours drug on and I could hardly stand it. Once all of our guests arrived I alerted Jaime that it was time! Brian and Jaime walked the huge box over and we found a place to open it. Everyone gathered around and here is what happened next:

Blue balloons came flying out of the box!!! We were shocked and excited! Although we never really said it out loud, Dave and I were both certain we were going to see pink balloons in that box! As you can tell in the video, everyone was excited and emotional! A baby boy! After things settled a bit and pictures were taken, we had a few gifts to open from the always-prepared new grandmothers, and "Aunt Autumn". We received our first Phillies baby shirt, 2 little boy outfits (yes my mom had a pink and blue bag in the car, just in case), a bib and book from Walt Disney World (Thanks Aunt Kitty and Uncle Bobby), books, a stuffed giraffe, and even the stacking ring toy that Dave and his brothers used to play with for hours. We have no doubt this little boy will be treated like a prince! After all was said and done, the phone calls, and text messaging began. One special friend who could not make it to the party was Crystal, my sister from another mother :). She was having fun at the Kenny Chesney concert and was awaiting our phone call. When she heard the news she appropriately suggested the name Kenny. Another member of the family who couldn't make it was Dave's younger brother Jimmy. He could not get off work but was there with us in spirit! :)
Once everyone settled down it was time for our feast. Those of you who know Dave know what an excellent cook he is! Our baby will have the best homemade baby food around! Aunt Lauri and Cousin Cruz stopped by, giving us a look at life with a 2 and a half year old adorable boy! Uncle Blaine came over too to play cornhole with the guys. The rest of the night consisted of all things baby boy-name choosing, looking at baby bedding online, and choosing grandparent names. Again, not much sleep was had that night, we were all TOO excited, and in disbelief!
Here are some more pictures from the party:

Gigi and Mimi posing with the baby!

Gigi, Pops, and Mimi with Mommy and Daddy :)

Gigi and Grammie wearing blue and pink

Its a Boy!

Gigi, Mimi, Pops, Mommy, Daddy, Grammie, Grandpa and Uncle Mike

Mimi and Sophie STILL alerting her elite social network :)