We actually found out we were having a boy a looooooooooong time ago. I had some extra genetic testing done around 12 weeks because my first tests were “borderline”. That testing includes the option to find out if it’s a boy or a girl. As much as I loved being surprised when Linc was born (I also REALLY loved not having to have the following conversations with a million people: Are you happy it’s a boy? Do you have a name? Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll have a girl next time. Well you can always try again…) I felt strongly that I wanted to find out this time. Partly because I was expecting it to be a girl and I didn’t want to go through my whole pregnancy convinced I was right and have to deal with my feelings when I was already dealing with birth hormones, and partly because if it WAS a boy I could get rid of a TON of girl clothes. Also, I already have 3 kids and I’m pretty busy on a regular basis. I am definitely not spending a ton of time sitting quietly and deeply connecting to the new life I’m growing. Knowing it’s a boy and thinking of him as a HIM has definitely helped me feel more in touch with this baby.

Also, we have NO BOY NAMES, so it’s good we have so much time to think about it. All suggestions welcome.

Please note: Evan is not actually sad it is a boy. After the video, he started laughing and said “I was just kidding. As long as Caroline doesn’t get to be the boss of me.”

More photos from our reveal (plus some fun in the orchard):

p.s. Don’t you love my orchard? It’s FULL of treasures.

One of the things I like about photography is that although I try my best to capture real life, I’m able to frame real life as much more attractive than it might actually be. I can bring the better parts into focus and blur out the junk.

But this week has been all junk for me. I’m still recovering from whatever the horrible, straight-from-hell plant bloomed this month that caused my allergies. Today was the first day in weeks I’ve risked wearing real pants in public because I was 90% sure I wouldn’t pee myself when I had a coughing fit. I’m at that point in my second trimester when being pregnant starts to be uncomfortable in minor but annoying ways – my back hurts, my hips hurt, my knees hurt when I go down the stairs. I still have morning sickness in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I am trying very, very hard to focus on how much I should treasure this last pregnancy but I’m struggling.

To make things worse, our spring this year has been terribly rainy and cold. Spring in Connecticut is usually our beautiful, flower-filled reward for surviving winter. But this year has been dreary. It’s keeping us inside and depriving me of some much-needed vitamin D. It’s almost making my children COMPLETELY insane. No one can sit still for more than 20 seconds without poking someone else or grabbing someone else or kicking someone else or trying to stand on their heads and falling off the couch onto someone else. My patience – which would be thin from pregnancy and allergies to begin with – is so worn it’s almost nonexistent. Bad weather is so isolating for me as a mom, since most of my friendships involve things like taking long walks or our kids to the park or the aquarium or other outdoor-heavy activities. And once I fall into a pattern of being along more often than not I find it very, very hard to climb back out.

I’m clinging to the thought that we have a vacation planned in 3 weeks, the kind where the weather will DEFINITELY be warmer and my children will wear themselves out every day and sleep like rocks. Friends + sunshine + food + what will definitely feel like herds of children + the ocean = a total attitude reset. And boy do I need one.

I’m also crossing my fingers for a military move for the first time in a long time. Right now it’s just a maybe, possibly, there’s a tiny chance it could happen. But I’m not going to fight it and I’m not going to talk myself out of it by thinking about the logistics. I’m just going to think pleasant, tropical thoughts about what MIGHT be in our future.

And for today, right now, I’m going to edit some more pictures showing my family as fun, pleasant people who sometimes go outside and do things besides scream at each other. Today’s photos were taken on the last evening we had a break in the rain. It was far too cold for Caroline’s outfit but don’t tell her that.

This was one of those weeks where when I look back at the pictures from Monday I can’t believe it was less than a week ago. The long weekend on top of all our regular activities plus a busy work week for E meant I spent a lot of time in the car, a lot of time with all 3 kids and a lot of time wearing leggings.

Sunday:

That looks comfortable.

NOT OK

Happy Valentine’s Day?

Monday:

I abandoned my children to video games

…and whatever this mess is…

…to take VERY IMPORTANT PICTURES

Tuesday:

Of course the morning we have plans is the morning he sleeps in

They are way too big for that cart

I let him play on my phone during Caroline’s ballet and found a dozen of these.

Wednesday:

Yes dear, your toes are very dirty, I see.

KEEP DOING THIS

I swear I feed him, he just really wanted cake

Thursday:

That’s his eating seat

SNUGGLES

Check out my leggings I will never wear again because I ripped a HUGE HOLE across the butt. In public.

Friday:

My toddler + extra ginger toddler = a game where they jump off chairs

Linc INSISTED he needed to wear these boots to the grocery store

He also insisted on helping me drive while we waited outside Caroline’s piano lesson

Saturday:

Just when I was ready to pass on the trains, everyone loves trains again

New hair color

NEW FIT BIT!!! All my walking COUNTS AGAIN!!

I swear I washed those leggings in between days I wore them. I also washed that grey sweater. Twice. Because I’m wearing it again right now. I’m pretty ready for spring so I can start wearing dresses with cardigans again instead of JUST leggings. Although I’ll probably still wear a lot of leggings.

Sorry, planning a party, no time to remember anything else including my blog, my children and where I put my keys.

Sunday:

CUTEST PRINT EVER

My town can be pretty cute

Driving directly into the sun – scenic but inconvenient 

Monday:

The only time he is EVER still

We introduced Evan to video games

SO HELPFUL

Tuesday:

He’s pretending to be the more mature one

I MADE THOSE WHICH IS NOT AT ALL CRAZY

Editing and watching Arrow, two of my favorites

Wednesday:

HAPPY PEPPERMINT SEASON (ignore my nails)

Thank goodness he loves sleeping

Caroline is in that box

Thursday:

Doin’ important baby work

SURE HAVE A COOKIE JUST STAND STILL

She’s very excited Darth Vader is on her pajamas

Friday:

Post-flu-shot faces

She got send home from school for “feeling sick”

Hot chocolate stirring spoons: chocolate marshmallow, white chocolate peppermint, salted caramel

Ok, be back next week when I can think straight again and not spend all my time trying to imagine Nutcracker themed names for various cookies.