{Gender Reveal September 2016}
I love surprises, and my husband loathes them. I waited until Sayla’s birth to know her gender, and I could do it again with this baby! Whereas, Patrick would pay hundreds of dollars to find out gender at 10 weeks with genetic testing. We decided to compromise and both be surprised at a gender reveal party at 17 weeks gestation. My best friend Alana, offered to throw us this shindig, and it was seriously the best party anyone has ever given me. We had the gender scan 9 days before scheduled party. The results were made available for front desk pick-up by Alana, ONLY, and required ID verification. She guarded this secret with her life, and says it was the hardest secret she has ever had to keep, BUT was totally worth it when she saw our reaction. We had the reveal at our home, and invited close friends and family.
All of our immediate family lives out of state (actually, 4 different states) so not all were able to attend. We decided to stream the reveal on Facebook live for all to see, and experience the surprise in real time. This baby of mine is due on Valentine’s Day, so we initially considered a cupid’s arrow theme which turned into “Bows or Arrows?” The actual reveal would be for baby-daddy to shoot an arrow at a blue or pink paint filled balloon.
We decided last minute to hire a photographer to capture the party, and special memories of reveal. I am so thrilled we did and I am in love with the photos! (Shout out to http://www.kaylieplummer.com/) We have battled both infertility, and loss in our 2 year journey before conceiving this angel. We want to celebrate this miracle we have longed for, and this party was the beginning of joyous celebrations for many years to come! Every detail of party was perfectly planned out by my bestie, from decor to food.
I voted girl, and Patrick voted boy, along with most of the party guests by sporting their arrow pins. Big sister, Sayla, also seemed to smile and light up more when asked if she thought she was having a brother.
Due to all old wives tales, including a gender dream, I was sure this baby was a girl. We had Facebook live streaming, and everyone was in place (out of harms way from crossbow), so my brother-in-law, Daniel, gave the count down: 5-4-3-2-1, aaaaand the arrow misses the balloon. Patrick says it was the 22mph winds, and others say he was building suspense. Cross bow was reloaded, and count down again: 5-4-3-2-1, *POP*
IT’S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!
We are ecstatic to have a baby baller, and a Patrick Parker III. And I’m already freaking out about baby boy clothing, as seen below when gifted baby boy Cons.
Patrick “Pax” Stout Parker is already so loved by many, and we are blessed to have family and friends who are just as excited as we are for his arrival!
