3 girls 1 boy

We have always found out what we were having. I didn't see a reason why not. It's a surprise either way in my opinion. At one point we don't know and then we do. With the first two we found out the usual way. The ultrasound tech said it ... and that was that. We knew.

When I was pregnant with Delia I thought for sure it was a boy. My only reason for feeling that way since I had never been pregnant before so I had nothing to compare it to was that we had finally settled on a boy name ... well actually we came up with three boy names we both agreed on all in the same evening ... if only we could do the same with girl names. We had Delia picked out for a while. But since we suddenly had a boy name I felt sure it was a boy and his name would be Jude. So when the ultrasound tech (UT) said girl. I was slightly shocked. And even remember thinking to myself, "NuUhh! Are you sure?" But it didn't take long for me to get used to the idea. Seriously like maybe 2 minutes. She was a girl. She had a name. And that was that.

Then we got pregnant again. I kept telling myself it was a boy. I figured we already had a girl. This one will be a boy. And his name will be Jude. Deep down inside I knew she was a girl. Everything about the pregnancy was the same as my first. So I wasn't all that shocked when the UT said "Girl!" I was happy that Delia would have a little sister. Someone to play house with, dress up with and do all the other girly things they do. It did take me awhile to "like" the name Madeline though ... and now I couldn't imagine any other name for our spunky second born.

And then we got pregnant again. And this time I was pretty sure it was a boy. Everything about the pregnancy was different. At this time people were starting to do parties to reveal what their baby was. I liked that idea. So we went with it and at the ultrasound we had the tech write "boy" or "girl" on a little card we purchased. Along with the ultrasound picture showing the "info" she placed the card in the envelope and we took it to the local bakery. Rather than a cake we had them make a sweet cinnamon bread with either blueberries for boy or cranberries for girl inside all covered in a delicious cream cheese frosting. We picked up our bread and headed to our hometown. Where we had a mini party with family and close friends. After dinner we sliced into the bread and revealed the blueberry center. It was fun and exciting. I loved that our families and friends got to be involved. And I finally got my Jude.

And then we got pregnant again. And this time I REALLY had no idea what it was. Everything about this pregnancy was different from any of my previous ones. This has been by far the easiest pregnancy I have had. I haven't even really felt pregnant (aside from the few weeks of nausea) ... I mean I was relieved to see the baby at the ultrasound. It FINALLY made it seem real. One thing I did know though was how much I wanted this baby to be a boy. It would seem there has been a pattern here ... huh? I REALLY REALLY wanted Jude to have a little brother. They would be 2 years apart. I pictured them building forts outside, catching frogs, playing Cowboys and Indians, and picking on their big sisters. In the end I couldn't tell you what the baby was based on my instincts or past experience. And that made it fun. What also made it fun was having the UT circle girl or boy in the card I made and then passing that card to a dear friend. She then took that card and taped the correct colored (pink or blue) balloon to the inside of a HUGE box and then stuffed it full of lots more pink and blue balloons. That way we wouldn't know what the baby was until all of the free balloons floated away and the lone balloon stayed behind. It was so much fun seeing both colors jumbled together and waiting for what seemed like forever for them to clear out so you could finally see that last balloon! And what a surprise it was! I was VERY shocked. Even though I had no gut feeling as to what it was my heart wanted a boy. I hope that doesn't sound sad or mean. It really doesn't matter what the baby is. I'm happy SHE is healthy. She will be and already is immensely loved. She will have two big sisters to play with her. And a big brother to watch over her. She will be cute and I CAN NOT wait to get out all the girl clothes that Delia and Madie wore. I love seeing them wear things worn by older siblings. It brings back great memories ... memories that are always there but sometimes hard to remember. I love wondering what she will look like. If she will resemble Delia or Madie or Jude. Or if she'll look entirely different. In a sense I have gone through a sort of mourning process for the baby boy that won't be. I had to totally change my mindset to a girl. And though it is taking some time to change ... it is changing. I love that I had no say in what this baby is. I love that ONLY God can decide that. I love that he knows exactly what we need. That he is knitting her together in my womb and that he has known from the very beginning before even I was formed that she would be. That to me is a wonderful gift. That to me makes everything seem perfect. This is the little family he has had in mind for us all along. How can I not be excited and grateful and so in love with her already?! She will be the perfect addition to our family and who knows maybe someday she'll have a little brother. ;)

A few pictures from the party. (I'll post more from the party tomorrow)

Getting ready

No Idea!! 

 Another little sister for Delia =)

 Even Zeke got in on this family shot.