Oh, BOY! Here we go!

What a day! When I woke up this morning, I knew I would be in for a special day. It's hard to imagine that Julie and I have been married for 500 days, but the rising of the sun meant a milestone in our marriage ... another would come before the moon.

As usual, it was exceptionally hard to get out of bed after the long weekend. As Julie got ready for school, I remembered the words of the Peek-a-Belly staff: eat well and have a little caffiene before the visit. (As a side note, Peek-a-Belly is a great little shop in Woodstock where moms and dads-to-be can visit around the 16th week of the pregnancy for a sneak peek at the baby's gender. Our appointment had been booked for a couple of weeks and we were very excited about finding out if pink or blue would be in our future.) So I fixed Julie's lunch ... a very hearty BLT on sourdough, chips and french-onion dip (an early pregnancy craving), a bowl of fruit (the good stuff, strawberries, watermelon, cantelope, blueberries and grapes) and an apple. I also assumed a good breakfast would help, too, so I fixed a grilled cheese sandwich, another bowl of fruit and a dannon sure shot.

I quickly cleaned up after Julie left for work and readied myself to meet the day. I must confess that all day long I checked my watch ... excited about seeing the baby! I tried to stay focussed on discussions about property acquisitions, loans, and traffic counts ... but the baby had my attention.

Julie decided right after school she wanted to go to Rita's for some Italian Ice. I met her there for a little date. She enjoyed her Florida Orange/Black Cherry ice, while I delighted in my vanilla custard. We laughed outside how last week there was ice on the ground and today it was pushing the high 60s with a beautiful sunshine. I said, as I have all along, that we would be having a girl. Julie has been stubborn about her insistence of a boy ... but I sensed (for the first time) some waivering. We both are hoping for healthy more than anything.

Julie, knowing she needed to kill some time, headed to the local consignment store in search of comfy ... fashionable maternity-wear. The public servant I am, I headed back to work to wait until our appointment. As I arrived at the Peek-a-Belly a few minutes early, she wheeled in. Giant soft pretzel and cherry coke in hand. I knew she was secretly excited when she was told to have a little caffiene before the baby's performance. I don't know what the pretzel was for :)

After a little paperwork, we went back for the big moment. Video camera in hand, I shot the quick clip below (sorry the sound isn't so great). So we watched and there it was. I say it, but based on size, it should have a name! The tech said she couldn't be 100 percent sure, because of the stage of the pregnancy, but that she's never wrong. I saw a tinkler. Julie saw the same tinkler. I'm pretty sure I know what one looks like. Julie's "mother's intution" must be right. We're having a little boy and I couldn't be more excited.

Starting off the day with an milestone ... ending the day with a memorable moment. Oh, Boy! I can't wait to see what the next few months bring!