Boy or Girl?

When you don't find out the sex of your baby, which apparently is pretty rare these days, the most common question is "do you think it's a boy or a girl?" I've had fun with putting the question back, especially with the kids I teach and my nephews (though I question how much my two year old nephews or really know what a boy or girl is, so that's probably pretty unreliable). One first grade student this summer without hesitation said "boy" and in response to what should I name it, he said again without hesitation "Bob. Baby Bob coming through." I laughed so hard mainly because I understand that the baby does kind of "come through" but I don't think he did.

I really haven't had any strong feelings either way. Sure I had a dream early on that we had an ultrasound done in the mall by our Pastor and they commented that the baby had a striking resemblance to Suri Cruise, despite the third leg protruding like a tail. And I've probably had one or two other girl dreams, also early on, but not as memorable. Those I always attributed to talking about the subject or the just plain crazy phenomenon we call dreams. Part of me has tried hard not to convince myself either way, so it can still be the ultimate surprise, however as I'm nearing (gee how long have I been saying somethin along the lines of "I'm nearing") the official meeting day I may have a thought.

First off I should start by saying Danny thinks we are having a girl purely based on either slip ups or regular occurence at the doctor's office. The ultrasound tech said "her arm" and the doctor said "she" and then corrected herself by adding "or he." While excited by the possible truth of this, I have since scoffed it off as purely coincidence that both those medical providers always use she.

This morning I started to think maybe the baby is a she. Not based on Danny's reasoning or the common response "the way your carrying it must be a (fill in the blank)" (which by the way I think I have gotten pretty 50/50 responses based on the way I'm carrying, some truth that theory brings). You see I think the baby might be a girl because I'm getting a sense of personality. Boys may test you physically like "so you think I won't through this expensive vase, watch me" but girls test you more in a "I'm right, I'm the boss sort of way." The personality I'm sensing is the latter.

As I have been anxiously awaiting the baby's arrival (I was convinced the baby would arrive around 38 weeks, boy was I wrong), I have had several instances, probably everyday, of sensations wondering if this is it. After waiting a little while it always ends in a big fat no. It's not the physical drain, but the mental drain of this constant, "do we call, do we go in battle" that is taking it's toll. And again I truly believe boys test you more physically girls test you mentally. Last night after several of what I think were bladder pains that took my breath away, we decided to call. We knew they weren't contractions, but weren't sure the harm a bladder infection would do to the baby if I had one. And of course after talking to the doctor I was left with the, "it's really up to you if you want to come in." The decision was emotionally draining on me, the doctor said there wouldn't be harm to the baby I would just get increasingly sick as time went on if it was an infection, however I was so tired the thought of sitting at the hospital only to hear "it's just the baby sitting on your bladder" seemed like even worse torture (not that I want it to be an infection, just to clarify). I was so sick of gasping from the stabbing pain when I would that everything was starting to frustrate me, the sound of Danny working on the computer, the stupid movie playin on tv, etc. I finally decided I was too exhausted to want to go into the hospital at that point, if a fever came I would have gone immediately, and went upstairs. I really felt this was more of a how can I mentally get through the frustration of not being able to move or sleep or always feeling like I have to go to the bathroom.

So that's one test, the other is I really now think the baby might come on the due date, for the pure "I told you so" factor. I know, none of you can imagine a baby saying that with hands on the hips and a glare in the eye but fast forward 13 years or ask any mother of a teenage girl and I bet you can. September 28 has been our due date all along, from the internet predictions to the first ultrasound and every apppointment since. So now, one day before, I wonder if the baby is a girl and her first sentence is going to be, "I told you so." If I'm wrong, then clearly you can see I have way to much time on my hands to analyze things.

Gear

So people say you just need love to have a baby, all that gear is just material things. And yes I agree love is the most important thing you must possess to have a child, but inevitably you will have a lot of gear. We have had the extreme fortune of having a sister who had children before us. Not one but two (twins), so needless to say she has an excess of gear that fortunately she is not ready to fully get rid of so we were able to borrow some. Yesterday I walked into the room to find Danny testing out one of those pieces. Hmmmmm is the Daddy Breastfeeding Nightgown next to come (doubtful but that would be hilarious). Here's a glimpse of Danny gearing up.

Last of the Bump Pics and Nesting

So, I've been nesting from like day one, but it seems to be changing and I'm pretty sure Danny is too. I've been pretty exhausted, out of breath and having back pain the past few days and since I'm not able to do as much physical, my nesting seems to have turned into mental. I have been feverishly researching vaccines, having second thoughts on whether I should interview another doctor for our baby since we only met with one, have three books all of which I got tonight, one on vaccines, one on breastfeeding and one on "babyproofing your marriage" and I have this urgency to read them all by the end of the weekend. I guess that's just what happens when you can't physically nest. Actually I've kind of been mentally nesting this entire pregnancy too. I've never been much of a researcher when it comes to choices, but suddenly I've done a 180 and literally get obsessed with it, fortunately each obsession only lasts a short period and I move to the next. On a less crazy note, I have taken up crocheting and am working on crocheting a baby cocoon. So far it's taken the shape of a beanie, but it's coming along. Thanks to Deb for being patient in teaching me, and likely finishing the cocoon if I go into labor.

Last baby bump picture taken 9/18. Definitely lower!

August baby bump.

Premier of Baby Coyle Coming Soon

Well, we only have two weeks left to our due date (though the doctor said any time now would be fine for the baby, I'm hoping sooner than later!). The last two weeks since I posted have surprisingly flown by. Despite not working I have kept busy getting stuff ready and on days when I need it relaxing. I'm not very good at doing that days in a row though, so I always hope if I have a rough day that the next one will be full of energy and for the most part it has.

For the most part things are still going really well, other than I'm fairly miserable at night, I'm feeling good! Our hole problem, at least the major one with the baby's door knob, has been solved. Leave it to my dad to have a door knob lying around that fit! Last weekend we had a blast taking some last trips out of town (not willing to chance it any longer, I don't want to have the baby out of our HMO, gotta love insurance) to the Brewer game and my family reunion. Danny got to carve a pig that was roasted and milk a cow. I think farming might be in his blood, come on Farmer Danny, how perfect is that.

Today there has been some serious cleaning and organizing going on, mainly by Danny. I think he is nesting too. They say nesting is a sign of early labor, I've been doing it all along but hmmm, I wonder if spousal nesting means the time is near :) We still don't know if we are having a boy or a girl (and won't until the baby is born) and have not officially narrowed down the girls names. We've decided from this point on to keep any top girl names a secret, though here's a hint one of them is in the name of a song that a Brewer player bats to. That's not why we picked it, we were simply enjoying a late night conversation about names on the deck the other night and both liked it. It seems for me whatever we pick may just end up being what's on the top at that moment. Each time I add a new name they all seem to shift downward for the girl choices.

Well, the Packer game is about to start. I have said all along it would be a great distraction to start early labor during a game. I don't think it's going to be tonight though.