Love Expecting

Chapter 7: July Gender Reveal

After finding out about our baby's gender, we have been planning the gender reveal party for our families. We already agreed on the name: Phoenix Liliana Neri-Purdy. It did take some time, but we eventually settled on that name. While I was the slightest bit upset for not getting a son, I immediately perked up at the fact that I will have my own little princess to go with my queen. Now the next thing is telling the family, yet I knew a creative way to show it.

About 2 days before the party, my wife started getting her cravings again. Unlike the cliche cravings of pickles and other strange things, she craves things I can actually understand. Yesterday it was peanut butter and plain potato chips, which may be a strange combo, but I at least had them on hand. Today was something a bit different.

"Honey, do we have any pineapple and chocolate?" That was a bit surprising, considering she doesn't eat pineapple all that often. "Well, we have some in a can. Just give me a few minutes and I'll be out in a bit." About 5 minutes later, I come to her with a bowl of Philly vanilla topped with pineapple bits and melted dark chocolate. "Well, that's one way to do it." she said as she started to gulp down the cold treat. I simply sat next to her and continued to watch television. I knew that she would be going on maternity leave eventually, so I'll have to get used to doing more around our home while she isn't able to.

The day of the party has arrived, and everyone is excited. I had a last minute thought a few hours before in order to make it interesting. I pulled out an old fish bowl and some pink and blue paper. I cut them into strips and put a note by the setup that says "Write your name on the paper based on what you believe the baby will be. Those who guess right get a prize." The bbq itself goes pretty well, with my father on the grill with burgers and chicken and everyone else mingling and guessing among themselves on the baby's gender. Pretty much all the women are guessing a girl, while the men guess a boy.

"Alright everyone, I guess we should start with the main event." I say as everyone burst into mild cheers. "Now, you know there is a prize at stake for those who guess right." my wife starts, "So, without further adieu, let's show what the baby is!" she says as she hits a button. The button activates two air cannons on either side of us filled with pink confetti. All the women scream in glee, and Caitlin's friend Ari just screamed "I CALLED IT!" "By the way," I yell over the cheers, "the due date for our little baby Phoenix is November 15th!" We were then flooded with questions from friends and family about our future baby girl, but not until after those who guessed right got their prize of strawberry Ring-Pop candies. We ended the party with a short fireworks show, which everyone loved. With the reveal out of the way, planning the baby shower was next on the list.