Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Gender Bias

Admit it: Everyone has one. Even you. Which is why I need your help.

Next week, we go for the 20-week ultrasound where we can find out the baby's gender. Jay wants to know. I am unsure.

Before I got pregnant, I was adamant about not finding out my future baby's gender, thinking of the in-the-moment reveal as one of life's truly great surprises. But you can be just as surprised when the ultrasound tech tells you, Jay argues. (He's always so logical. I hate it.) But now that I'm approaching that moment, I'm not so sure where I stand. It's like when I was shopping for a wedding dress: I thought I wanted cap-sleeved lace, but wound up with strapless silk. Point being, you never really know how you're going to feel until you get there. Which might be where my new-found ambivalence on the matter comes from.

That's not to say I want to know now; I'm still intrigued by the idea of not finding out. But with no nursery to decorate, and the fact that we are having a really hard time agreeing on names, you could argue that the logical thing to do is to find out. But you could also argue that there is something really great about not being logical about it -- probably one of the last times for a looooong time that we'll be able to ignore the reasonable choice and just see what happens.

So. My question to you...

Do we find out, or do we not? Deadline for responses is 7 p.m. ET Monday. 

Photo: The Mielke Way

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Can We Kick It?

Last Friday was my birthday, and can you believe the baby knew to get me a gift? (Actually, are we really all that surprised that my kid is on top of things?)

I have been saying since the start that aside from my now-huge boobs, there have been very little outward signs that I'm pregnant. In fact, I've often said how I wish I could be like Tom Cruise allegedly was when Katie Holmes was pregnant with Suri and get my own sonogram machine, just so I could make sure the kid is still in there. (S)he has been that chill.

But on Saturday night, I felt something. Like a bubble popping. (Gas, maybe?) But then I felt it again as I lay in bed Sunday morning. Yep, that was definitely a kick. It was exciting and cute, and a very welcome sign of life. (S)he was really kicking it on Wednesday night, and Jay got a feel. (You can't beat the smile on his face every time the kid makes an appearance.)

So, it's starting to feel real -- finally. Though I'm still in a state of disbelief that this is actually happening. Even though I literally want to bury my head in the sand every time someone says, "You're halfway there!" I'm pretty confident that when the time comes, we'll be able to kick it together.