George talked to Ivy tonight!

Today is Ivy's 10th birthday (can't believe it; when we first started dating, she was in diapers--but that's another story). We haven't talked to her, seen her or had any contact whatsoever in over two years (again, another story). I asked George tonight if he was going to try to call her; he said he didn't know and I told him he should. And, if you can believe it, he did!

Ivy answered the phone and George talked to her for a few minutes. He said she was pretty monosyllabic/non-responsive, but what can you expect from no contact for over two years??!! The last time we saw her, she was 7! She said she got lots of stuffed animals for her birthday, and that her favorite subject at school is Art (go figure) and her least favorite is Computers, because they take tests (although she does well on the tests).

I was in shock when George came upstairs and told me 1) he called and 2) he got to talk to Ivy. Good thing I was sitting down. Do you know how many times in the last two years I've suggested/ranted/pleaded that he call? Has he ever done it? Never! Maybe there was something about her hitting double digits that convinced him to do it, or maybe it's that he knows she'll be thrilled to be a big sister. Who knows.

At any rate, he told Ivy he'd call her mom soon so we can start seeing each other again. Please, PLEASE pray that he follows through. Not getting to be part of her life is heartbreaking.



This picture was taken September 15, 2006, over the last weekend we saw her.

Newest ultrasound photos (viewer discretion is advised)

Here are the ultrasound photos from two weeks ago when we found out gender. Be advised: They're a little creepy!

Baby will be appearing as Voldemort for Halloween!

It's Alien Baby!

Looks immensely comfortable, huh?

Baby as the Joker! Scary!

We're starting month five--just four months until January 26!

It's a...(take two)

It's a BOY!!!

Belly pics coming soon, by request!

It's a...

Secret!

It was my idea to find out baby's gender but not tell anybody--but now that we know, I want to tell everyone!

Ultrasound was fun, longer than the first one--lots of measuring brain, heart, etc. We got some fun pix, including some 3-Ds (baby's name will have to be Skeletor! Some pix are a bit creepy.) and another of the genitals. Apparently our child is an exhibitionist! The ultrasound tech kept saying, "Well, baby's not shy!" because everywhere she went with the sensor, there were the genitals. Not a habit we want to encourage, for sure.

As SOON as the tech pointed out baby's gender, I knew it would be next to impossible not to tell anyone. And it's so hard!! For me, anyway, but not for George. He's giving me crap about wanting to tell people after saying I wouldn't...so I guess we'll keep it a secret for now, but I know I'll let it spill eventually, whether accidentally or on purpose, in conversation or via registry, one way or another!

I'm so excited!!!

Next Thursday is the

ULTRASOUND! Well, the big ultrasound: the one when we find out if we're having a boy or a girl! I get to take the 11th entirely off of work (since who knows how late the ultrasound, and then Burk, will run?), which makes the day doubly exciting.

I am almost positive we'll find out Baby's gender--although I'm having second thoughts, I'm too excited not to find out--but we're contemplating not telling anyone else. Why? Mainly because some people have been driving us nuts every time we see them: "Ooh, I just know you'll have a boy because..." or "I definitely know you're having a girl because..." and this drives us (OK, me) crazy!! Maybe it's that I have no patience with anyone these days, or maybe it's that I want to be able to enjoy the wondering that comes with not knowing, or maybe it's just that NO ONE knows but God, and since no one we know is God, anyone saying it's definite is just really annoying.

Of course, keeping Baby's gender a secret may turn out to be next to impossible. I have a tough time keeping such big secrets, some stuff we register for may give it away, or we may just break down and spill it. Either way, we are thrilled to find out and can't wait for next Thursday!!