And The Correct Answer to the Poll

It was lunchtime for Ruth and me, snack time for Daddy. I had a sinus/tired headache. The skies were barely holding back the rain fore casted for today. Our appointment was set for 11 est, but we weren't called back until 11:30am.

Brian saw the gender first. I still can't tell what is what on an ultrasound. The tech had to show me the area about five times before I understood. And no wonder, I don't have those parts. That's right, those of you who voted for a boy have the satisfaction of knowing you were right.

I thought I was prepared for a boy but I was not. I was shocked. I had thought we would have two little girls climbing into bed with us on stormy nights and wearing look alike dresses. But now Ruth will have a boy to boss around and they won't have to share clothes. Brian's first words upon finding out we were having a boy were, "Yes! I don't have to paint the room!"

After the ultrasound we were supposed to see a doctor but they were so backed up that they said they would see us in 4 weeks. Ruth and I went with Brian down to a store in Atlanta to deliver a pizza for winning some contest. While there, we bought a few boy onesies and swaddling blankets that were on clearance. I needed to have something blue to look at to start to become attached to a boy. To Grayson. (Have you realized that if he shortens his name it will be Gray Berry? yes, we realize that but are naming him that anyway.)

Sorry we couldn't call everybody. Brian is home for the rest of the day and we are going to enjoy family downtime.

Bedtime for Ruth

Since returning home, we have let Ruth stay up a little later trying to ease her back to her normal bedtime. In Arkansas I let her stay up later, and since it was an hour earlier, that was really late when you thought of it in eastern standard time. Tonight she had a little bit of trouble going to sleep so I sat in the floor next to her crib for awhile. She relaxed and put her hand out to touch me. For ten nights we shared slept in the same bed. I would get so mad at her when she wanted to play instead of go to sleep. But in the morning I was awakened each day with a little voice saying "hi" and a small wave. In the night I was kicked in the back and head butted and everything else. I think Ruth misses sleeping with me and that is why she has trouble going to sleep. The truth be told, I kinda miss sleeping with her too.

Tomorrow is the big reveal of the gender of our baby - if the baby cooperates. Ruth almost didn't when it was her turn. For those of you that have met Ruth, you are probably not surprised by this fact. Ruth is very much a "I do what I want" girl. And today she has wanted to have fun. And we have.

I was so afraid that I would be spanking her left and right when we returned but Ruth has been very agreeable and playful and even, hold your breath, mindful. She was quite the charmer for our friends Kathy and Amanda Stone who dropped by to say hello and give us the most beautiful butterfly lawn ornament. Thank you, Stones.

We called my mom today to say hi since Ruth was asking for her. I could hear the sadness in her voice. After having Ruth with her for eleven days, I am sure the house is empty. Ruth really loved her time there playing with the kitty and Tippy (the dog - by the way, these animals are outside animals and very dirty) and mooing at the cows and twitting with the birds. She enjoyed swimming in the kiddie pool naked and basically getting her way. And I am glad she did.

I was so ready to come home and be in my house with my husband. We had a good visit but by Friday I was tired. I so wish our families lived close enough so they could visit for the afternoon and Ruth could go stay the night with them. But wishing for things that will never happen will only bring sadness.

This is a long post but I have to comment on finding out the gender. If we have a girl I will have two little girls. They can share clothes and wear hand-me-downs. I know what to do with a girl and you don't get "wet" when changing a diaper. But if I have a boy he will get blue toile pillows. Raising a boy scares me. So many people say that boys are mamma's boys. But that term to me means he is a pansy and weak. (No, I don't think all these mothers have weak, pansy sons.) But if I have a son who turns out to be a strong, sensitive, caring man like Brian, then I will be proud to say that I raised that man. If only I can do that.

Thanks for reading this sappy post. It must be the extra tiredness from traveling and the heat getting to me.

Last Day to Vote

Don't forget to vote if you haven't already. We find out tomorrow (!!!) what we are having.

There is No Place Like Home....Even if you live in a traffic overloaded and too many people place....

at least home is where your husband is.

Ruth and I just got back. We have eaten, put Ruth down for a nap and I have had a shower. Now time to watch some of "our shows" on hulu.

I will update tomorrow and check your blogs then.

One Week Down, three Days to go

Ruth and I have been in Arkansas for a week now. The camp is over and I am officially half way done with my pregnancy. I look forward to the day I can say I have delivered. Not that I am ready to care for two people who don't listen to me, but I am ready to be done with the constantly feeling bad and/or hungry.

Tomorrow we are going with Memommy (my mother) to her workshop in Mountain View to stay at a "resort". Now, for those of you familiar with Mountain View, Arkansas, you will find this very funny. Mountain View is a small town (larger than Sidney) and not the resort type of town. But there will be a pool and the weather has turned hot again so the pool will be waiting for us.

We fly home onTuesday and, while the visit has been nice, I am so ready to be home. I am ready to sleep without a 16 1/2 month old pushing me in the back. I am ready to enforce rules like "you eat meals in the high chair or you don't eat" and "the paci is for naptime only".

This child is so spoiled it will take a month to get any sort of rule following back in her.

Rain, rain and no swimming for Ruth

We had rain all day yesterday. In fact, the weather has been very cool the entire time we have been here in Arkansas. Mom said they have had cool weather for over a week. Over the weekend, the weather was sunny and felt just like football weather. Mom had purchased a plastic kiddie pool for Ruth to use this week. Poor kid has only gotten to use it once and not for very long at that.

I am really enjoying the camp. The community college is fairly new so the buildings are fresh and clean. All the people are so friendly and the camp is very low stress. I also enjoy driving to work and seeing lots of trees and grass, cows in fields and open land and rolling hills. I know that if I were to move my family here that we would be bored soon and miss Target and having a grocery store around the corner, many restaurants to choose from, and the energy that comes from a city. But the country life has much to offer as well and having lived in both sometimes makes me very sad because I always miss the other when I am in one. I think it was Thomas Wolfe who said you can never go home again. But one can dream.

Coming to you from Kids College

Hey everyone! It is my lunch break at Kids College, the camp where I am teaching this week in Batesville, AR at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.


In my first class today (crafts) I had a kid throw up some red liquid item. Great. There I was trying to divert attention of the other 14 kids and clean up after the vomit kid while calming her all the while not throwing up myself. I don't know how my mother did it for five kids. I really, really, really dread when Ruth starts getting sick.

This afternoon I have a theatre and a dance class.

I am sure Ruth is getting spoiled by my parents rigth as I write this. Oh well. Since we don't have any family anywhere close to us, she might as well enjoy it while she gets it.

Until next time....