It's a...GIRL?!

Dave here. As many of you have already heard, Kathryn and I found out this last week that she is going to be giving birth to a real live human girl on December 4 (ish), 2010. All I have to say about this is, huh? It took quite a while for the sonographer to identify the gender, because besides being a thumb sucker, our little kiddo is also a leg-crosser. While looking at the ultrasound pictures that were coming up, two thoughts went through my head: "Wow, this is really quite voyeuristic," and "That totally looks like a dude's head." Here's a shot from our ultrasound:

As you can see, it's all good. (Actual ultrasound shots will come later--we forgot to scan them when we were at my parents' house.)

I have five younger brothers, so I am used to growing up around young, immature boys. I can handle little boys, and I know how they behave (and misbehave). Therefore, the news that we were having a girl came somewhat as a shock to me (and to Kathryn, who was practially telling everyone that we were going to have a boy). My reaction echos that of my father's, who, when he heard the news, said, "What?! What went wrong?" I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. I mean, all that...pink! The dolls, the dress-up, princesses, ponies...I know nothing about this stuff! I'm hoping I can convince her to get into GI Joes so that I can play too, but I don't know if I can handle tea parties (or, in our case, juice parties). This is going to introduce me to a whole new world in which I am a complete alien (I come in peace...usually). As if being a first time father wasn't enough! And now with my brother Josh getting married next month, the estrogen levels in the Ricks family are on the rise, and I'm starting to get defensive (we will still outnumber them 7-4 though, but we're losing ground).

This is not to say that I'm not excited about having a daughter. I am. I'm also really excited that this totally gets me out of the "birds and the bees" talk (it's never too early to be aprehensive about that piece of awkwardness). But this does mean that training bras and slumber parties of giggling girls are on the horizon (although I, fortunately, will have nothing to do with the training bras either).

You may be thinking to yourself, "Dave, you're the most macho of all macho men that I know. How does this feminocity bode for your manliness?" Good question, thoughtful reader. Let me tell you: it will only increase it, because I will have to become an even greater protector than I naturally am. Everyone knows that all girls are wimpy and fragile and cry incessantly. They need a pillar of strength that they can rely on, with rippling muscles and possibly a battle axe (mine is coming through FedEx). I can be, and am, that man. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.

If you're wondering how Kathryn feels, the answer can be summed up in one word: really excited. She has already bought the baby's first pair of clothes, but we are waiting (at my request) to buy the bigger stuff. We're both just excited that the baby (whose name shall be Jocelyn Focha Ricks) appears to be healthy so far.

Thanks to everyone for your support. We (Kathryn) will keep you updated.

Lots of Posts

I just caught up. There are 5 new posts below so make sure you scroll all the way down. Enjoy!

"Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun"

The day after we got back from the family reunion, I had a Young Women's sleepover. I am the Beehive Advisor. The girls are so much fun. We had a dinner and then we played lots of games like these:

The Skittles Game. You were only allowed to chew the Skittles in your mouth if you guessed the right color you drew out of the bag.

There was freeze tag and tunnel tag. Myself, along with 2 other leaders didn't play because we are all pregnant and due within about a week of each other.

This is the Fruit game. You couldn't show your teeth or you were out.

We tried to teach the girls some useful skills such as lock picking.

There were mud masks and toenail and fingernail painting.

We played other games and talked alot and the night ended with "The Princess Bride." Then it was sleepy time.

Hardy Family Reunion

This past week was spent in Aberdeen, Idaho. We had the Hardy Family Reunion (that's Dave's mom's side of the family). I have to be honest. I was a little apprehensive about going because I don't know very many of the family members on that side but I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome they are. I had a blast. We drove all day Saturday and then left the next Thursday. Since we traveled on July 3rd, we missed most of the Independence Day celebrations. We did catch some fireworks from the nearby town but on Sunday we had a BBQ to make up for it. There weren't too many people there when we first arrived because the reunion didn't officially start until Monday. We headed there a few days early so we could meet the future sis-in-law, Tara (Josh's fiancee.) We all approve.

Anyway, the rest of the days were spent playing and getting to know each other better. I do have to tell a funny story. The first night there we hadn't set up our tents yet so we were sleeping inside Uncle Archie and Aunt Carolyn's house. Uncle Dean and his family were also staying in the house. Can I just tell you, I have never heard someone snore so LOUD. I hadn't met Uncle Dean yet but I asked Dave in the middle of the night if it would be rude to wake him up and tell him to turn on his side. But he was already lying on his side. I also thought about throwing things at him but again, I didn't know him yet. Dan was the first to go upstairs, then Matt who was also starring a mouse in the face. After that, I couldn't sleep because of the snoring and the thought of a mouse running over me, so Dave and I moved upstairs too. Needless to say, we all slept better. Dave and I slept inside the rest of the time too. We set up our tent but the first night the wind was so loud we couldn't sleep and the air mattress felt much better on my pregnant body.

So here are some pictures of the events throughout the week.

We played alot of the marble game (which Mom and I finally beat Dad and Dave at). Here is Matt, Dave, Josh, and Tara playing.

We were also in charge of the horseshoe tournament. This is Dan and Matt showing their mad skills.

We had a talent show. Both Matt and Dave played the piano. Dave is Matt's teacher.

We played Hardy bingo. These sheets had pictures of all the family members on them.

We visited Grandpa and Grandma Hardy's graves and did a service project which consisted of pulling weeds at the cemetery.

This is part of Rock City. Dave said it reminded him of the Easter Island head in Night at the Museum. "Hey Dum Dum. Me want Gum Gum."

Our last excursion was to the hot springs. They had 3 different pools and all different temperatures. This was the coolest which I could go in. I did dip my feet in the burning hot pool and it looked like I got sunburned when I took them out.

In addition to the above activities we also napped, watched movies, ate alot, had a birthday party with white elephant gifts for everyone, watched a slide show, and some went to caves . After the hot springs, we said our goodbyes and headed to a hotel and then drove home the next day. It really was a great reunion and I can't wait for the next one.

"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandee"

I just realized I don't have a clue what that song even means. What the heck is a Yankee Doodle Dandee? I get the Yankee part but what about the rest? Anyway, this is about the 4th of July. We were actually traveling on the 3rd when most places were celebrating but we did celebrate on the 4th but that will be included in with the family reunion post. This post is about my work party on the 2nd. We closed down for two hours while we partied like it's 1999. We had an incredible BBQ with lots and lots of food.

Meet Bill, I mean Uncle Sam. I work with him and he takes holidays very seriously.

My brother-in-law, Mike won a game of Connect Four. It doesn't happen very often so I had to document it.

After the BBQ, as is tradition apparently, we had a watermelon seed spitting contest. There were 3 different divisions: children, girls, and boys. I got 4th in the girls but there were only about 6 of us so that's not that cool but I was pretty impressed with my skills. I didn't know I spit so far.

Mine is the one the arrow is pointing to. I spit it from where Uncle Sam is standing. Impressive, I know.

Then we had a water balloon throwing contest. Mike (my brother-in-law who I work with) and I were partners. We didn't win but got 2nd place which is AMAZING. You can congratulate me when you see me. Our boss is incredibly generous and gave $2 bills to winners/participants of the games. And the winners of the seed spitting contest get like $25. Jealous? I was. Anway, it was a super fun party and then we actually got to leave early that day so it made it even better. Hope you all had a very fun 4th of July!

Some BIG News!

This is probably not news to most of you because I've either called you or you've seen the announcement on Facebook, but I'm PREGNANT! I'm currently 19 weeks along and the baby is the size of an heirloom tomato. Check Facebook weekly for updates and to see which fruit the baby will be. Dave and I are very excited. We don't care if it's a girl or boy, just a healthy baby. I have a feeling it will be a boy and I've had two dreams already. Obviously, that doesn't mean anything but we'll see. We find out this Friday what the gender is, so check back next week to see.

I'm feeling pretty good. The nausea is gone but I occasionally have the minor aches and pains that come with pregnancy and yes, I know it only gets worse. It still doesn't seem real yet but I know it will when my belly gets bigger. I have started to feel the baby. At first I wasn't sure and people were always like, yeah you can't tell if it is gas or the baby. My doctor however, put it quite nicely. Basically she said, if there is no product of the "gas" (meaning a burp or fart), then it's the baby. I've felt the baby alot.

It was really cool to see the baby move and hear its heartbeat on the ultrasounds I've had. Right now I have appointments about once a month so that's always something to look forward to. I also get an email weekly from babycenter.com. That's where the fruit comparison comes from and they also tell me the new growth and cool things the baby can do now. As of now, the due date is December 4th though I'm shooting for a November birthday (don't ask me why because I don't have a reason.)

Anyway, here is a picture of our first ultrasound. The baby was very wiggly and the doctor had to keep poking it to get it to turn the right direction so she could get the measurements. The baby already has a mind of its own. Also, on my last visit, they checked the heart beat and the doctor had to push on the upper left corner of my stomach to trap the baby down in the lower right corner just to get the heart beat. It really likes to move apparently. Can't wait until those movements are more noticeable.

New York, New York

I realized I never wrote about my trip to New York, so here it is. Last May for work, I got to go to New York City for a week. We had a booth at the National Stationery Show. It went by extremely fast but I had a lot of fun. We flew out on a red eye on a Thursday night and the next morning after getting to NY, we started to set up for the trade show. The show didn't start until Sunday, so we had the rest of Friday and Saturday to see NY. We went to Time Square (holy bright lights), Central Park (longest walk of my life), Rockefeller Center (didn't know what that was until we stumbled upon it), took the subway (you can easily get lost), ate ALOT (we had 3 guys with us), saw the Empire State Building (we didn't go inside but could see it from our hotel), and did some shopping (there are some great deals). I did enjoy visiting NY but I would be okay if I never went back and I could never live there. It is so busy (endless people) and dirty (everyone smokes) and noisy (everyone and their dog honks their horns). Once the show started it was mostly just work and then we would go to dinner afterwards and then I would go to bed. The night life isn't exactly for me and especially since I am pregnant. But again, it was a great experience and I'm glad I can say I've been to New York.

Me standing in front of Time Square.

Me at the M&M Factory.

Right across from the M&M factory is the Hershey Factory. For those of you who don't know, Hershey is my favorite type of chocolate. I didn't buy anything because let's face it, you can buy Hershey's anywhere, but it was pure bliss to be surrounded by so much goodness.

Me at Central Park.

This is where the Trade Show was located. And it did stretch the entire length of the building. It was ginormous.

This is our booth. I work for a company called ClearBags. Visit our website at www.clearbags.com. We have really cool stuff.