We're having...

a BOY! We found out yesterday at my 16 week appointment. This is the earliest we have found out with any of my pregnancies. Apparently my OB's office will do an ultrasound this early just to check for gender. It costs $25, and I debated all month whether I would cancel the appointment and keep our money, but I finally talked myself into keeping the appointment.

We were both kinda surprised. Mike was sure it would be a girl, and I've been thinking this pregnancy has been so similar to the last two, I was leaning that direction too. We're both excited but actually a little nervous, if that's the right word. I feel like I know what to do with girls, but a boy is totally new territory! But it's going to be awesome, and I'm excited to see what he will be like! Plus I get to shop for boy things, and redecorate the nursery!

Elise is excited. She has been saying for a while that we need a brother, because Dad is the only boy in our family. In that respect, Mike is really excited to not be so outnumbered anymore! Mike's so cute with our daughters, I can't wait to see him interacting with a son.

So anyway, here are some ultrasound pictures of our tiny little boy (profile of his head, and the "it's a boy" pic):

Please tell me that's not poop!

Last Sunday morning after breakfast we're hanging out downstairs, and Lydia smells stinky. We send her upstairs to bring back a new diaper and a couple wipes (a job she is happy to do). After a few minutes she hasn't come back, and I go up to check on her. I find her calmly sitting at the table eating the breakfast she hadn't finished, so I decide not to bother her for a few more minutes. Well a little while later she comes downstairs and walks up to Mike looking like this: Mike and I look at each other both thinking the same thing and I say "Is it poop? PLEASE tell me that's not poop!" He quickly determines that it is, in fact, chocolate milk powder.
Phew! It was such a relief, that all of a sudden the mess was the funniest thing ever and we both burst out laughing. I couldn't resist taking this pic.

Mini "Pioneer Trek"

Our Primary had a great activity today to teach the children about the Pioneers crossing the plains. The children were invited to come dressed in pioneer clothing and bring wagons decorated like covered wagons.Here is Elise with Lydia in our wagon. I stuck pool noodles in the cup holders and made a little tarp with ropes sewn into two ends to cover our "covered wagon." Pure genius, right? Just kidding but sometimes I remind myself of my dad, making cool stuff like this. We started from a house in the neighborhood, "Nauvoo", and made a "trek" about a mile long, stopping at different points along the way to learn about different church history sites. They had "Winter Quarters," "Martin's Cove," "Emigration Canyon," and the "Salt Lake Valley." It was a really cool idea for an activity, and the girls had tons of fun.

Luau!

In my family we have begun a tradition where each married child takes a less-celebrated holiday (or invents one), and invites both sides of their family for a yearly party.

My sister Shaunda and her husband Dave have Pie Night. Not an official holiday, but an awesome invention. A few days before Thanksgiving we each bring a pie and sample what everyone else brought. It's great, because you actually have room for pie.

My brother Dave and his wife Krista have St. Patrick's Day. Krista always makes really good corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes, and the rest of us bring something green to share.

My brother Eric and his wife Marianne have a Halloween costume party. Marianne always does such a good job re-naming ordinary foods to sound like something from a witch's pantry.

Mike and I used to do Cinco de Mayo, and have Mexican food. It was great but Mike's sister could never make it because her in-laws had the same idea. So, last year we initiated Lei Day (May 1st, because "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i - although this year we did it a month late so everyone could come).

We have a luau and cook Kalua Pork in the oven. It tastes just like we buried a pig in a pit full of hot rocks, but without all the digging.


Here's our family in our Aloha attire:

My parents with Lydia and Elise:

Marianne and Elise making fish faces:Eric trying to give me a heart attack (just kidding, he's always in complete control. He'd make a great male cheerleader!):

Elise's Recital

Elise's dance class recently performed a routine in their Spring recital. It was so fun to see her perform what she has practiced, and she did a great job.Her dance was set to the Blues Clues music, and they had cute blue costumes and magnifying glasses for props.Here is Elise with her cousin McKenna:

Elise and Mike's mom:

Elise and my mom:

Elise and my dad:

Early Christmas Present

Mike and I have never been good at keeping secrets. Surprisingly, we kept this PREGNANCY a secret for weeks! We finally told our families at the end of May, when I was almost 12 weeks along. We wanted to spill the beans sooner, but people kept going out of town, and we wanted to tell all our parents in person.

Now for the answers to the FAQs:

The due date is December 9th, but I'm kinda hoping it will come the end of November.

I'm feeling mostly fine, just a little nauseous sometimes, and exhausted.

We won't find out the sex for a few more weeks. We'll let you know!

Yes, Mike is hoping for a boy! He feels a little outnumbered at this point.



Here is our early ultrasound, about 9 weeks. I seriously can't make heads or tails of it, but at least it proves theres something in there!