So, last Wednesday we had our first ultrasound- and yes faithful reader, we did find out the sex of our child- but you'll have to watch the videos to figure that out! In any case, we didn't tell our parents. They were all coming down on Saturday for Elisabeth's graduation. (BTW, I'm super proud of my wife!)
Elisabeth had read about a clever way to share the sex of a child with its grandparents. First, you bake a cake, then you ice the inside with either blue or pink icing. When it's time to let the grandparents know if it's a boy or girl, just let them cut the cake. So, that's what we did. Check out the video below.
Now I'll pass this off to Elisabeth so she can fill in more of the details!
- Russ

Hi y'all! So let me just start off by saying it was super hard to keep the sex of JBM top secret. Mainly I didn't want someone to accidentally say something on FB and spill the beans to our parental units. So on Saturday, I did my 'thang' and got my diploma...after which we went to The Olive Garden for lunch. My mom, Sister, Mimi, Nana, Pop, Cindy, Uncle Tony, Aunt Jane, and William were in for a big surprise, but I waited until lunch was finished to announce...

I thanked everyone for driving down on my special day and explained that we had a special treat for them (enter my super hard of hearing but beautiful Mimi who began talking-I guess she could not hear me, ha). I told them that we had been fibbing since Wednesday and we really knew the sex of Baby M. Needless to say, everyone was in total shock! Russ and I invited everyone back to the house for cake, explaining that the sex could only be revealed by cutting into the cake and looking at the icing inside. Would it be pink or blue??? I did calm some fears, telling all that he/she was very healthy...enter my mom sobbing at the table. haha

TGIF!!!

So I finally wrapped up my last and final day of class on Wednesday.  It was very bittersweet for me because I met a lot of great gals and became really close with them during my time at AUM.  So for now, I am looking back on my fond memories and looking ahead, dreaming of the adventures that await.  I can tell you that I spent yesterday catching up on laundry and getting a mani/pedi (thanks from my mentor teacher from internship).  We got the carpets cleaned this morning and I decluttered the kitchen...now I am BORED!  Russ wants me to relax and take it easy, enjoy my time off (sigh)...

There was a time when I would've loved being a SAHM (stay at home mom), but working for so long really puts a cramp in this plan, ha.  I can tell you that I will be working at the Early Childhood Center some starting in August plus some substituting at my surrounding schools.  I need the interaction plus work on getting my foot in the door in case I start working next year. 

Anyways, I graduate this Saturday!!!  My whole family is coming down and taking part.  We will be celebrating with lunch afterwards, and I cannot wait to see everybody.  My only hope is that I do not get overly emotional during the ceremony (that's how this preggo rolls these days).

New Developments!

An update from Russ...
So I wasn't feeling well at all today. Generally just really nauseated. (I guess now I'm having sympathy pains.) So I'm laying down in bed talking with Elisabeth. She'd told me that the baby was pretty active, so I was rubbing her tummy and looking at it. Suddenly *BAM* I got kicked- Hard. Hard enough that I could see her tummy actually move! I think that Baby M is going to be one awesome kick-boxer! I suppose Baby just wanted to let Daddy know that he/she was there. Anyway, it was pretty exciting to see baby moving...
Can't wait for a few more weeks to find out what sex baby M is going to be! :)

Baby M has a STRONG Heartbeat!

Baby has got quite a strong ticker!!!

Airline Wifi is the best!

This post has absolutely nothing to do with the baby, or the family. I just wanted to post on the Blog from 35000 feet. :)
Now the nerd in me has been satisfied.

The "bump" is growing...

Elisabeth typically posts all the written material on this blog...therefore I've taken it upon myself to add all the media. Here's a new photo of the "bump"!
(I think Elisabeth is looking great too!)
-Russ

Avocados and a Flutterby!

So here I am on base at Maxwell with McChuckles (aka Russ).  We're having to update his military ID or some such nonsense.  I am flipping through a Redbook magazine to pass the time while we wait, and I think I felt a flutter on the left side of my tummy!  It kinda felt like bubbles but it was really quick.  It happened so fast that I am second guessing myself.  My mom said that she believes it to be a flutter of movement since they generally begin between 16-20 weeks.  Now I'm anxious to feel more!

Welcome to Moe's!!!

We are a house full of McKinneys this weekend.  Nana and Pop are visiting and the kids are also here!  We went to church this morning so naturally we all set out for an awesome Sunday lunch.  Well, this preggo luvs to eat!  In all honesty, I really think I was Mexican in my former life... 

Side Story: Coincidentally, the day my mom went into labor with me she had Mexican food for lunch (psst, bday is fast approaching).  I am accepting all types of gift cards (wink, wink.  nudge, nudge). 

Anyways, Russ asked me if Moe's sounded good and naturally I said "YES!" 
Okay, let me preface that Moe's should be illegal for preggos such as myself.  It is super delicious and I ate waaayyyy too much.  I was miserable for hours!  Apparently I need to eat smaller meals b/c I was about to explode.  I am barely even showing but I feel as though I have no room to spare...Anybody else felt this way?  Sorry, I cannot bring myself to post pics of the misery that ensued...all I can say for myself is that I felt more like a roly poly and I totally deserved it b/c it has happened numerous times before.