Baby 2 - Gender Reveal

I don't really have a lot to update on but I did want to share our gender reveal for anyone that doesn't follow my Instagram page and already know. So like all 7 people, this is for you.

Our ultrasound tech double sealed the gender results envelope for us, but then I realized I had to get the information to my sister somehow because she was the one putting together our reveal. Since we were in different cities and wouldn't get together until the weekend we couldn't figure out how to do that without ruining the surprise for someone. I ended up blindfolded, face-timing her the results. Blindly I opened both envelopes, flashed the paper in the general direction I thought my phone camera was in, and then sealed them back up again. And no, I wasn't tempted to peak! I enjoy making these memories and while I'll admit it was a little difficult not to leave the doctor's appointment knowing the gender it was definitely more fun this way.

With Mackenzie we did a balloon reveal and it was such a fun experience! A week later we gave our family the news by eating cupcakes with pink icing in the middle. I never thought that I would be planning two gender reveals in a six month time span so I had to scramble for ideas pretty quickly. This time we went with silly string cans (with the label covered) so it shoots out pink or blue silly string for us, and then popping balloons filled with colored confetti for our family. If anyone wants to see what a confetti reveal is there is a video on my IG.

Ironically enough, I went through the exact same guesses as I did with Mackenzie. I was convinced it was a girl at first, then I had a feeling it was a boy, then back to girl again. Just because this bean was actually growing in my tummy didn't mean I had any special super powers or vibes that I missed before. I really had no idea.

So, the reveal! My sister came over that afternoon with the goods. We ended up using our backyard because it was easier to let Mackenzie play in the house while we ran outside to do it. Last time, Allen and I were so nervous we definitely took our sweet time opening the balloon box. This time though I just kept thinking okay lets hurry this up, I have a weebee inside who could explode any second now! It was still very special but it definitely didn't have my full attention. I remember this making me feel a little sad, like the second baby is already getting jipped. I know tons of parents have more than one child and I'm sure they all have a freak out moment when they realize their attention will suddenly have to be split between the two of them. Anyway, once Mackenzie was content playing on her piano play mat (she's a future musical genius) we rushed outside to shoot silly string.

The wind carried my silly string so that's why Allen is so covered in pink. That, and maybe just because he realized he's now the dad of two girls and his life will forever be Barbies and baby dolls. We're both very excited though and are glad that our girls get to grow up together and be the best of sisters. I'm close to my sister and I couldn't imagine going through life without her.

For months we had been discussing possible name choices. Discussing actually means disagreeing, though. With Mackenzie, we had her name picked out and at the top of our name list for years. When we found out that she was a girl I think it took all of a day to agree that she would be named Mackenzie Marie. Marie is my middle name and for some reason we were drawn to naming her after me. Maybe it has to do with our struggle with infertility and the fact that we didn't even know if we would even be blessed with a baby. I don't know but it was an easy decision. Since Mackenzie was named after me I thought it would be nice to name the next child after Allen somehow. If it was a boy we thought giving him Allen's middle name/family name (Russell) would be cute. Since we're having a girl that obviously didn't work out so my next idea was using the same initials, ART. It took a little while for him to get on board with that idea but after awhile I think we're actually decided on Addison Rose. I think it matches Mackenzie Marie pretty well, too. Mackenzie means "son of a wise ruler" and Addison means "Adam's son". For some reason I just absolutely love the fact that both names were traditionally masculine names way back when. Then paired with an extra girly middle name and I'm in love! For some reason everyone always asks about possible nicknames. I don't get it, but I've also never had a nickname. Heather. Heat? No. Anyway we call Mackenzie Kenzie sometimes and I figure Addison can be Addie.

Okay, that's all for now. I leave you with a few recent pictures. It's weird, I have two different countdown (countups?) going on. Mackenzie is 12 weeks now and I am 23 weeks pregnant.

Alright.

Love love.

Heather