And the results are in...

Well, Brady totally won. By all indications, we are having a human baby. Whew. As for prizes, you mainly get the satisfaction of having made a good guess.

"So you want a girl?" This seems to be the question written on my face, because everyone keeps asking me that. They assume that since I have a boy, I must be pining for a girl. The perverseness in me wants to tell everyone I want a boy, just to be contrary to expectations. Because I'm like that. In reality, I don't care what I have. As long as it's healthy (and human), I'll be happy.

Now, with my little rant over, I can tell you that I was right. And so were many other people--Sofia will be having a girl cousin. They're probably both in heaven being friends right now.

The receptionist at the ultrasound desk gave Nathan a sucker (his first). We let him play with it, since we figured he wouldn't know what to do with it. We give our son too little credit. First he chewed on it still in the wrapper, then somehow pulled its plastic covering off. So by the time I got home, I had a sticky green son chewing on a pulpy sucker stick.

Seven Days

Seven days to go. If you'd like to make any predictions, feel free. If you're right, you'll have the satisfaction of being so. Just leave a comment if you dare to publicly commit yourself. I admit, I'm curious to see what people think.

Next Wednesday is our big ultrasound. I'm excited...

Also next week I have to take my first glucola test. I've been trying to be really good about eating healthfully and exercising, to lessen the chances of developing gestational diabetes. Which is why, I am sure, all I wanted was brownies for dinner. Thank goodness the husband took dinner into his own hands.

Signs you may need more sleep, dear son.

Yesterday I took Nathan for a shopping trip. We got done about naptime, so he was pretty tired and fell asleep on the way home. As I carried him through the kitchen, I picked the binky up off the counter and gave it to him, because he will not sleep in his bed without it. And being the good mom I am, I decided to not let him sleep for three hours on a poopy bum.

As I laid him on the changing table, he relaxed like it was the best, most deluxe, plushest bed. Ever. He only opened his eyes a little bit, and seemed totally unaware that I had his legs hoisted over his head and was trying to clean every nook and cranny of his bum. I was not extremely gentle. You have got to be tired to sleep through that.

By the by, is it possible to be nesting at four months? I have been possessed today with an intense need to throw things away. The thought of my crawlspace, full of boxes, furniture I don't have space for, and broken electronics, would not let me rest. If this lasts, my house may be empty by February. So, anyone with some clutter, invite me over. I have absolutely no problem throwing away other people's junk.

A job well done.

We love to play cars. This morning Nathan enthusiastically drove two cars around the basement, up and down my arms and legs, and on and off the trailer. Then he gave me one car (how sharing he is!) and picked up a train. Now, trains are very neat. But they do not fit on the trailer, which was made specifically to fit the cars that came with it. But no matter. Nathan determinedly drove the train up the ramp again and again. He was going to make it fit.

Then, inspiration. He picked the train up and set it, sideways, on the trailer. Never mind that it covered the other car on the trailer. Never mind it would fall off the second the trailer was moved. It was on. It fit.

"Yeah!" His satisfaction was complete.


When was the last time I was as satisfied with something I accomplished? Adults lose out on a lot of enjoyment by being perfectionists.

I lied.

We did take some pictures in August. And the good news of today is... I got to sleep in until 8:00. It was heavenly. I don't expect it to last.

Up Before the Birds

Sorry, no pictures again. We apparently did not take any pictures the entire month of August. There's not even an August file in my 2009 pictures. I could post old pictures and see if anyone notices that Nathan's regressed to being toothless. Or I could just find the camera and charge the batteries. He's been doing some cute things lately that have not been documented.

One of the things he has been doing is not cute. Nathan has decided against sleeping. When he hears dad up, he knows that Important Things are going on and he must be a part of them. This would be fine at 7:00. But 5:30 is too much. This morning he was fine on nine hours of sleep, but I was running on less than five, and it was less than pleasant.

So what's a mom to do? This is my second day running of taking naps. Naps are beautiful. And I will probably continue taking them as long as I can, especially if this early rising continues. But my napping days I fear are numbered.

A while ago, Heavenly Father and I had a talk. My side went like this:

"What!? Already?"

"Are you sure?"

"Okay."

"Really really sure?"

"Just checking."

So I'll stock up on sleep while I can. So for all of you that haven't guessed what this post is about, how does February sound for a new baby? Is that good for everyone? Just checking.

Excited? None more than me, I assure you. I can even imagine an end to when brushing my teeth doesn't activate my hair-trigger gag reflex. This morning was less severe than usual.