drum roll >> our new baby is a...

Finding out what gender your ever-growing baby will be is the best doctor appointment ever. Hands down.

We first went to find out at 16 weeks, but the baby was shy with ankles crossed. We left with nothing more than an impression of what it may be.

Yesterday I went back in for my check-up. Finally we would know for sure!

We decided that the best way to let three year old kids know what gender their new baby will be is over color-coded snow cones, naturally.

Nora wanted a pink snow cone for a girl and Byron wanted blue for a boy. I was expecting some drama. Someone was going to be disappointed. I made sure we had some video recording going on to catch the fit so we could laugh later (such a caring mother, I know).

Here they are waiting for the grand snow cones to arrive....

...and what arrived is a pink snow cone for our sweet baby GIRL!

Nora was excited! Her dreams came true!

We honestly expected this little boy to throw his head back and wail because he didn't want a pink one. He surprised us with contentment. This is is "happy face". It's new.

After leaving the doctor's office I shed a few happy tears. I am sure it was partially because I am pregnant and hormones have a way of really activating your tear ducts, but it was mainly because Nora will have something I never had and desperately wanted: a sister. Women need women. And I will have my girls. And they will have each other. Sure--we will see plenty of cat-fights and many differences. My hope is that in the end they appreciate having each other.

I may or may not have already bought fabric for her bumpers already....maybe.

And now I leave you with her sweet semi-profile that makes her look like an alien. I love that little alien face already.