Today is our baby’s due date, but we had our scheduled cesarean five days ago!  Since we knew the exact date our baby would enter this world, most of our family (including both sets of grandparents) were able to be present for the big day.  Our friends and family celebrated with a Birth Day party in the Labor and Delivery lobby, while I was in surgery, as they patiently waited for the gender reveal announcement from Patrick.  One of my brothers, who does videography and photography, was able to be present and document this special occasion for us.

Disclaimer: No one was harmed in the making of this video.  I promise my mom is okay.

I will spare you the details, but unfortunately my last two cesarean births were somewhat traumatic. My prayer during this whole pregnancy was that I would have a positive birth experience that would be calm and joyful.  One of the ways I imagined my birth to be joyful, was by finding out the gender during the surgery.  We have kept the baby’s gender a surprise this entire pregnancy, and lovingly referred to this baby as “Pepper” Parker, since it has been extremely active and caused me lots of heartburn.

I have thought the baby was a boy the entire pregnancy, and my husband has guessed girl.  As you can see in the video, we had a sign given to us right before delivery.  Our girl name did not fit the baby born to us with a head full of dark curly hair, and dark eyes.  This baby just looked like a “Pepper.”  The nickname stuck and we now have a Pepper Fawn Parker.  The delivery was perfect and everything I had hoped and prayed for.  We are so thankful to God for blessing us with this angel who is fearfully and wonderfully made, and completes our family.

{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.

View Post