It's a boy!

We found out this morning at the ultrasound testing at Shands. The purpose was actually to test for any genetic disorders like Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 13/18, and Spina Bifida, but as a bonus we got to find out the gender.

Of course the tests were very good - no signs whatsoever of genetic issues. In fact, the genetic counselor told us that we are at an advantage since we are from different countries. So the chances of us both having problems with the same chromosome would be much lower than if we were from the same background. Go generation beige!

The little boy was curled up tight in a ball, but then he kept jumping around when they were prodding my stomach with the probe. It was a resident doing it at first and she was quite rough. But there was clear visual confirmation on the screen - IT'S DEFINITELY A BOY!!!! They gave us a picture and recorded the whole session on DVD, too.

Two other ladies (Pat and Gaby) at my work had babies last year - both boys. My stepsister had a girl, so a boy will be a nice balance for dad. He's had 3 daughters, 2 step daughters, one (step) granddaughter, and now finally a grandson! (Though he does also have 2 nephews, so it hasn't been completely all girls...) For mom, I guess this is the first direct boy relative (besides 2 brothers of course. There are a bunch of nephews scattered throughout her family, but she doesn't get to see them regularly because they live at some distance).

I have to say, I felt more comfortable thinking it might be a girl, just because that feels more familiar to me. But now that we know, I've realized I'm going to have a lot to get used to. I used to babysit my 2 little boy cousins when I was a teenager, and also two young boys who lived up the road from us, and I found the boys were always so hard to manage - probably too much energy for me. My sisters are thrilled it's a boy - probably because he'll be more likely to stand up to all their on-the-go activities better than their slowpoke sister... ha ha

Sameer's mom and dad are delighted. And of course Sameer is thrilled that he'll have someone to play sports with in about 10 years... I told him he has to stay in good shape, though, to make sure he can hold up to it!

This is definitely going to be an adventure!