Drumroll please...

Eliza is getting a baby brother! Or, as she describes it (she came with us for the ultrasound), "a nurse came in and turned off the lights and said 'the baby has a penis!'". Of course we are thrilled and Eliza is coming around. She has asked me several times why it's a boy and not a girl. I tried telling her God decided we needed a boy. Then of course she wants to know why God felt that way. S got to feel the baby kick about a week before our ultrasound. Eliza hasn't felt a kick yet, but she thinks she has. I'm already hearing lots of "Mom, Beanie is kicking me!" I can't wait to see her face when she really feels a kick. And odds are she'll feel it soon, as she probably kisses my belly 50 times a day. We've had to talk about not pulling up my shirt in public. She always says, "Hey Beanie!" and then makes me do a little "Hey Eliza!" voice back. I hope she understands he doesn't really talk and won't for a while. We've tried explaining this.

The questions keep coming. She has a lot of gender questions lately. On the way to school this morning she asked why she has "yellow" hairs on her legs and I don't. Then she wanted to know why most women shave their legs. I just sort of fumbled and said, "yeah, it's pretty dumb. Gender norms are pretty dumb sometimes." She also wants to know why I'm giving away her pink dresses from infancy and not saving them for Beanie. I told her *most* boys don't like to wear pink and of course she wanted to know why and really, there's no good reason. She makes a lot of valid points. :)

On an unrelated note, she was talking in her sleep the other night, yelling, "I don't want to eat salad!" over and over. As if I've ever gotten her to eat anything other than croutons. Perhaps I will choose a different battle...

14

Me: Eliza, do you want to know a secret? Today is a very special day. 14 years ago today I met your dad! (I smile at her nostalgically...)

Eliza: Mom?!

Me: Yes, sweetie?

Eliza: I have a booger.

Ah, romance just emanates from our household....

A few Christmas pics

Opening one of her many gifts.
Checking her stocking.
With her much anticipated Gingerbread House.
Spinning under the Zilker Tree with her BFF.

Milestone

Earlier this week Eliza and I were working on some thank you notes. I asked her if she wanted to draw a picture on the cards; she said yes. As she got out her crayons, I said, "or you could sign your name if you want." She said okay, then easily wrote out the letter "E" on a card. I was shocked. She proceeded to do the same on all the other cards. She was so proud!

New Year

Celebrating New Year's Day in jammies in the backyard.


First day of new semester at school.

So today our little family is back to the grind. S has been at work for most of the past 2 weeks, but Eliza and I have been on a staycation. We had a great break, and best of all, my morning sickness stopped just in time for Christmas so we really got to enjoy ourselves! I couldn't have asked for a better gift. Speaking of gifts, Eliza is so spoiled! She got such amazing, thoughtful gifts this year and our family put so much time into making her holiday special. We are very lucky. With our down time, E and I played with friends, including a few bouncy castle trips, a movie (with a lot of popcorn and a "scary horse" as she describes it), a trip to Gattiland and more. Today Eliza very proudly went back to school wearing her new light up boots (thanks Aunt Jules!). She said she missed her friends and was excited to see them. In fact, all the girls ran up to her this morning to hug her; it was pretty adorable. Out of the past two weeks, we really only had one major tantrum and that was thanks to skipping nap. What was she so angry about? She was mad that Beanie wouldn't tell her if s/he was a boy or a girl. She really was furious, but I had a hard time not laughing. Those fetuses are so stubborn sometimes. :) As Eliza will tell you, we'll find out for real on January 19th. I think until then, Eliza will keep asking my belly for the answer.