the big reveal

well, it happened today. the big reveal happened today. amidst rain and thunder and sporadic sunshine and warmth, we found out what this new little babe is going to be.

after having the ultrasound tech write it on a card and seal it up in an envelope, i gave it to my friend julie (who was immaculately secretive) and gave her the responsibility of bringing a giant box of balloons, which when opened, would fly up into the air and answer the burning question riding high in our minds: boy or girl? she was the ONLY person who knew beforehand - she didn't even tell her husband! - so we all got to find out and be surprised together. it.was.awesome. even though the rain played some hide and seek with us throughout the entire day, we took our chances and braved the park and i'm so glad we did. there may or may not have been a few minutes of torrential downpour, but everyone played it cool and we just hunkered down and ate under the pavilion and let it ride. it didn't last long and finished up just about the time everyone was done eating and it was time for the big moment.

10... 9... 8...


and when that big giant box of balloons opened, i genuinely could not contain my excitement.



can you tell???


we were SURE those balloons were going to come out pink. just sure of it. and while that would have been great, we are so, so happy that our little family is going to be balanced out by another boy. i think hank and hyde are both relieved. (secretly i kind of am too...)

my soul feels rich and deep and my heart about to explode with joy. this was such an aweseome day. i was really excited, but i wasn't prepared for just how special it would be to find out with my dearest friends and family there with us. i am so grateful for today.



beth has said for the last year and half (before leah was born and we knew what she was) that she had one brother and two sisters. she has always said that and never wavered. even the ultrasound tech said that little kids like her are almost always right. they just have that intuition. and i totally believe that's probably true, which is why hank i both thought for sure it was going to be another girl. "they are almost always right." almost always... needless to say, she was a little bit disappointed. i'm sure she'll get over it. the rest of us on the other hand, are just fine with adding another boy to our family. in fact, we are STOKED.





man, what a good day.

ps: thank you to julie for taking care of the box (and being extremely good at keeping that one under your hat for so long without even a hint of a clue), and to sarah for taking the pictures. you both rock. thank you.