Another Dr. Visit, Another Ultrasound, Another Issue?

If you read back through my posts for Jun's pregnancy with Casen, you will come across a post where Jun had gone in for an ultrasound and everything was going good until they found some kind of unidentifiable mass in his abdomen.  It turned out to be nothing, but still scary none-the-less.  (Off topic, but how strange is that little phrase "none-the-less"?  No one talks like that anymore, so why is it still in our vernacular?)

Well, once again we find ourselves at an ultrasound appointment, where we get one of these little surprises that our little girl has some fluid in her kidneys.  This could mean that the baby has a condition called pyelectasis or hydronephrosis, which basically means that urine is not flowing to the bladder like it should be.  Not good stuff.  Usually, these things tend to clear up on their own, but this would mean that we need to come back soon and have another ultrasound soon to make sure everything is OK.  It helps that our doctor didn't act like this was a HUGE concern.

Great.  I mean, this isn't as bad as the "mass" scare from last time, but still, you never like hearing that something may be amiss with your child.

The good news is that our baby has continued to grow on schedule, which means that our early estimate of a conception date was off by about a week, which we thought might be the case.  So much for being know-it all parents!  This is a huge relief though.  Now let's get this other issue out of the way!

Our ultrasound tech was also able to confirm that we are having a girl, which matches with our blood work that we had done a few weeks ago.  Science! Yeah!

Now to figure out just how I'm going to handle a baby girl!  To say I'm a little freaked out would be an understatement.

Keeping Up With Pinterest Fads; or The Gender Reveal Party

It's crazy how much things can change within just a few short years.  One thing that is "in" now is called the "push present"  This is a gift that the husband is supposed to give to his wife for all the hard work she puts in during the pregnancy and especially during the delivery.  When we had Casen a few years ago, this either wasn't a "thing" yet or I just wasn't aware of it.  Sorry honey, you didn't get one with Casen... maybe I'll do better for you this year...

Another trend that I blame on the rise of Pinterest, the social arts/crafts/shopping/ideas site which lets you look at ideas for everything from refinishing an old army knife handle to maternity photo ideas, is the Gender Reveal Party.

Once again, I wasn't aware of this when Jun was pregnant with Casen.  When we found out the gender, my mom was actually with us in the ultrasound room and immediately afterwords I called my dad to let him know he was going to have a fishing buddy.

The concept is pretty simple, you gather all your friends and family, drink some punch, eat some cake (of course all blue and pink colors), then you "reveal" the gender to everyone at once.  Some ways which I have seen couples do the reveal is opening a box full or blue/pink balloons, or maybe popping an opaque balloon filled with blue/pink confetti.

We chose to go with a cake which would either be filled with blue or pink icing.  When you cut into it and take out the first piece everyone would know the gender.

Isn't it pretty?  Thank to Becky Beagle for the cake.

On the 30th, we had the party at my parent's house and invited all of our family out to witness the reveal.  We had everyone line up on the side of the cake which they thought would be correct.  Before we had my mom cut into it, nearly everyone was on the boy side with the exception of my dad and my sister-in-law Keli.  Wow, everyone is so sure it's going to be a boy.  Would they be correct?

Nope.

That's right, Casen is going to be having a baby sister.  While I'm excited on the prospect of getting to experience raising a boy and a girl, I'm still just a little terrified.  I'm not really sure how to handle a little girl.  Boys are easy.  Cars, trains and dinosaurs.  All things I am familiar with.  Dolls, tutus and tea parties?  Not really up my alley.  I'm sure I'll learn, though.  Wish me luck!

What has been funny, is how Casen has reacted to the news.  I mean, he has no comprehension of what is going to be happening in a few months, but we've taken to asking him if wants a "bubba" or a "sissy" over the last few weeks.  Without fail, it's been "bubba" every time.  We correct him and tell him the coming baby is going to be a "sissy", but he immediately retorts "No, bubba."

Sorry to burst your bubble, kiddo.  Better get used to having a little sister.