Belated Post - Baby's Little Secret Gets Exposed!

The following is a blog post from October of last year (2014) that I wrote, but never got around to pressing that pesky little "publish" button.  Cause I thought my life was too "crazy" back then.  Heh.  What did I know?

In any case, enjoy!

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Well here we are... it's late October & we're rounding third base on this pregnancy.  It's been quite the ride!  So many new experiences, most of them physiological or emotional (certainly not all of them welcome), but all of them a part of the roller coaster ride that's brought Chris and me to a whole new place together.  I'd be lying if I said it's all been just so magical (unless you count the fact that there isn't a visible worn out trail in the carpet from my bedside to the loo - that's got to be some kind of miracle), but that's not to say that there hasn't been any magic at all; there has been plenty and I'd like to share a couple of my favorite magic moments with you over the next couple of posts.

(34 weeks and 5 days pregnant)

Baby's little secret gets exposed!

We were very fortunate that our 20 week mark hit during the month of July, since that month in Utah means non-stop evening festivities full of one of my favorite things - Fireworks!*  With the national holiday at the beginning of the month and state holiday at the end of the month, there are a large number of days where lighting off fireworks is perfectly legal, so we took advantage of this opportunity and decided to have a "Gender Reveal Party".  (Google it.  It's a thing. I promise.)

 

If you spend much time with Chris and me, you'll soon find out that we love surprises!  So, we asked the technician during our gender reveal ultrasound to please not give it away and write the gender of the baby on a piece of paper in a sealed envelope.  Five days later, we gathered as many friends and family as we could round up in person and about a dozen more who tuned in through a group Google+ hangout and/or live video feed on YouTube that Chris set up.  Our dear friends, Tara and Steve, were kind enough to host the party in their driveway and front yard where we had tables set up with goodies and drinks mostly made by another friend, Megan, and help from many others.  Everyone brought camping chairs and fireworks to share.  We enjoyed our goodies (and some Del Taco) and watched as my dad burned through about 50 or so pre-show fireworks at lightening speed, as everyone was anxious to get to the main event!

Finally the time came and after a couple of technical difficulties with trying to make sure those attending online got to see as well, my Dad and Chris' dad took the prized envelope containing our baby's little secret with them into the middle of the circle with two large fireworks -one pink (a girl, of course) and one blue and green (a boy).   Together they opened the prize and bent down to light the appropriate firework -with the rest of us held in suspense that seemed like forever!  (has this story been dragged out long enough yet for you to feel it too?!?)  Chris and I stood hand in hand, eyes focused on the sky, with our family cheering behind us.  I had no idea what would happen next, no mother's intuition that I felt sure of.  Chris leaned over and revealed to me in a whisper what he thought it was going to be... but as the explosions shot straight up above our heads and the sparkles of vibrant color fell down, oh boy were we surprised!

So there you have it!! Hopefully the video link worked for you.  The colors didn't translate as well on video as we'd hoped, but I think the commentary answers the question with enthusiasm!  I was thrilled to think that we were having a son and Chris was so surprised and excited, he was beside himself!  Since that night, through all the planning and preparation, our anticipation for his arrival has only grown stronger every day.