Girl or a Boy, Boy or a Girl - It's still a mystery!

I've been asked more than a few times if I have a feeling as to whether this baby is a boy or girl, or a girl or a boy. The truth is I don't know for sure, but there are reasons to believe it could be one more than the other, and depending on which day of the week it is, that is the answer you'll get.

Why it could be a boy:
1. I feel like I'm predisposed to have a boy based on the number of boys surrounding me in life;
2. Food tastes REALLY good, especially spicy-full flavored foods;
3.While I haven't gained a lot of weight right away, in the past 2 weeks I have bloomed and my stomach just appeared right out in front, like a big soccer ball - just like I did with Owen.

Why it could be a girl:
1. See number 1. above. There are so many boys - the girls deserve another on our team!
2. See number 2. above. Food does taste really good, but more than spicy food, I've been loving any baked-goods made with Buttermilk. Let's just say I've made more with Buttermilk in the past 5 months than I have in my entire life.
3. See number 3. above. When pregnant with Owen I gained 10 pounds in the first 8 weeks because of the insatiable desire to eat. This time around, weather I'm subconsciously suppressing the desire because I know I can't deliver another almost-9 pound baby or because I actually had some queasiness in the first Trimester as there was a fine line between eating too much and eating too little, I gained 10 pounds in the first 20 weeks.

Owen has said that he would like a sister but if the baby was a boy, "I'd still like the baby." He knows that it is a mystery and that either way he'll get to share his room, his baby toys, and teach it all the things he knows. I think this is one of the best things about baby #2 - enjoying the mystery and talking about the possibilities and experiencing the freshness through the eyes of a 4-year-old.

We talk often about the baby-in-my-belly, and Owen knows it isn't really in my belly; it is in my uterus. He knows there is an umbilical cord that will be cut after the baby is born (although his concept of understanding was illustrated when early-on he said "Sophie is the mama pup (in the living room) and Pupsters is still attached to the umbilical cord (standing in the kitchen)" We then explained the cord was actually quite short and once the baby was out of the uterus, the umbilical cord would be cut -- it wasn't like a dog-lead at all: )

The best thing that we know about this baby so far is that it is developing at a great rate and the risk for quite a few disabilities is greatly reduced. It is extrememly active, as we found out at our week 12 ultrasound at Farmington where they were looking for brain fluid amounts to determine rate of risk for Downs Syndrome. The baby didn't cooperate too much for the nurse but when the Doctor put the ultrasound device on my abdomen the image showed the fetus, standing on its head and the spine formation made it look just like a dancing fish! I won't forget the imagery for a very long time. Since then, we've had 2 more ultra sounds and this baby was exercising one time and boogying the next, so the technicians and the mid-wife haven't been able to get a good image yet. In its own way, not knowing is exciting and has only enhanced the suspense of waiting to meet baby #2!

A Fluttering Feeling

While we weren't able to tell what the gender of this next baby will be, we've been thrilled with anticipation since I've been able to feel more fluttering and movement in my belly. One night recently, Matt was able to feel the little movements himself - finally, it seems since my girth has grown and my belly seems to have just "popped' right out: )

In less than 2 weeks we'll go to the doctors office for another check and perhaps another try to see what this baby will be. The more time that goes by without knowing the gender the more I don't feel consumed by the need to know. Even if we waited until April, we'd still have 2.5 months to dream about how this baby will look, what their temperment will be, what he/she will be like and how our existing family is going to welcome the newest addition. Honestly, we don't care if it is a girl or a boy, we just want the healthy baby that all parents hope and pray for.

St. Patrick's Day Countdown begins!

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays, and the older I get the more I love it. I'll attribute it to fond recollections of my Grandma Mickey, Mary Elaine O'Connor - my mom's mom, whose grandmother was born in either Monaghan or Cork County, Ireland. So my great-great grandmother, Catherine Kelleher was the daughter of an Irish couple James Kelleher and Catherine Kelley, both of whom we believe we born Monaghan County. There is research to be done, records to validate, and inquiries to be made; I renew the vow to make this a focus of my time this coming spring as it has been on my mind for what seems like years.

Matt and I celebrate our anniversary for a week between Christmas Eve and New Years each year and I've adopted the same philosophy for St. Patrick's Day this year as it falls on a Wednesday. Sunday March 14th we'll head up to the Worcester, MA St. Patrick's Day Parade, weather permitting. St. Patty's Day will be traditional fare at Mom and Dad's house. We'll wrap up the celebration by inviting everyone to our little cottage in Dayville for Potato Crusted Salmon with Bailey's Irish Cream sauce and Cabbage. I intend to impress with authentic Irish Brown Bread (so stay tuned).