Calm down, everyone.
This ultrasound is of AA,
last July.
We did not find out JP's gender until the moment I heard his cries in the OR during my last minute C-section. A and I prepared for his arrival by purchasing both girl and boy bedding, clothing, and gear. (Let's just say that my maternity leave was filled with many shopping mall trips to make returns!) JP's nursery was painted by my mom while we were in the hospital. It was absolutely exhilarating to keep the surprise of his gender until the very end. Many said our decision was very uncharacteristic of my personality. As my belly grew, I waffled from time to time, but I really thought I was having a boy. We honestly didn't care and just prayed for a healthy babe.
So when I found out that I was pregnant (AGAIN!) when JP was only eight months old, I was overwhelmed. A and I decided from early on that we would find out the gender when we had our anatomy ultrasound at week 20. We needed to do as much preparing as possible ... after all, we were going to be the parents of two under two! Actually, we probably didn't really need the ultrasound ... I was absolutely certain I was having a girl. I was horribly sick my first trimester, my butt grew in more dimensions I knew was possible, and I was so emotional.
It was last year at this time when A and I dropped JP off at Miss Emmy's and headed to our ultrasound. We were so excited to find out that our baby was healthy ... and to see if we were having a boy or a girl. We debated about having the ultrasound technician write down the gender on a piece of paper for us to open later at a special dinner versus finding out at the time of the ultrasound. In the end we decided (well,
I decided) to find out at the time of the ultrasound ... I wanted to see the pictures with my own eyes over and over again to be absolutely certain the technician was correct.
I will never forget the moment when the technician (and old family friend, oddly enough!) asked again, "You want to know the gender?" A was holding my hand as we both nodded eagerly ... "You are having a girl! Congratulations!" I was right! We started crying and I asked her to show me the "parts" again and again. The same feeling of exhilaration that I had when JP's gender was announced filled me once again.
We decided to keep AA's gender a secret from everyone ... well, the grandparents just had to know ... and JP found out too! I loved knowing that my babe was a girl throughout the rest of my pregnancy ... I didn't have to spend any extra energy trying to figure it out or planning for the wrong gender. It was a special time too ... keeping the gender to ourselves (though I know my brothers were upset!).
Finding out a baby's gender seems to be such a strong topic of debate. Of course, everyone has their own opinions and desires. For both JP and AA, I couldn't imagine it any other way. Both ways were filled with anticipation, excitement, gratefulness, and love.
We joined them again to tour the Miracle of Birth center. We saw baby chicks, piglets, and sheep while the rest of the party was witnessing a cow give birth. The baby animals were actually quite cute ... and my attitude about our outing quickly softened.
After washing our hands and wrists and elbows very thoroughly, it was time for a snack. We let JP have his own chocolate malt. He was so excited! 
We ended our afternoon at the fair with one ride. Thankfully JP was content with riding the Carousel. I enjoyed seeing how happy our kids were.
All in all, we had a fun afternoon. Although I'm not ready to call this outing a new annual tradition, I just may be up for going again next year. 
