My fabulous baby shower!

My baby shower was Sunday at noon, and it was fabulous! A big thank you to my friends who hosted it and friends who attended -- especially Missy who took the train down from NJ just for the shower! You all absolutely made my shower the most amazing day ever. Little Lima Bean is so lucky to have tons of great "aunties" like you gals!

Now, check out the fabulous decor! Libby used vintage Lima Bean labels to decorate soup cans filled with pink flowers! She also used the vintage labels to make favors that were filled with green jelly beans! It was the most creative and cutest thing ever! Even the balloons matched the Lima Bean theme!

Now, check out the food! Oh my goodness it was delicious! And the cupcakes... Red velvet all the way. But all of them were seriously delish! Wow! And check out the adorable diaper cake that Chimmy made! Holy cuteness meets practical!

Finally, the gifts! My goodness but you ladies spoiled me and baby Lima Bean. She is so lucky to have you all looking out for her and dressing her in all these adorable outfits! I'm now set on clothes, bath stuff, baby toys and gear, even a manly Diaper Dude bag that Papa Bean can carry!

Papa Bean came to pick me up after an amazing afternoon. Can't wait for Little Lima Bean to try on all her new outfits and play with her new toys... What a lucky baby (Week 32, Day 4)!

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 24 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 13 pounds (That's down a pound. Weighed at my doctor's office on Wednesday. Hmmm.)

Maternity clothes: Oh yes, daily. Although I did wear one outfit last week that was made up of completely non-maternity clothing and was very proud.

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Forgetful. Big belly. In this past week, discomfort and backache from fibroids.

Exercise: Prenatal yoga and walk with Papa Bean and Ruben the Dog on Sunday; did an hour on the ellypitcal machine last week during American Idol.

Best moment: We bought a house! Yay!

Movement: Lima has been moving daily, kicking or turning over or just doing something that makes my belly jump and shift. It's fun to feel, watch and let Papa Bean feel too!

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt, smoothies, fruit popsicles, bagles, pita and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Gender: Es una seniorita!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Soft cheese! Love goat cheese on my salad and brie at events like the White House Correspondent's Dinner!

What I am looking forward to: So many things... Bruce concert on Monday! Seeing Lima Bean during another ultrasound on Wednesday! Buying a car! Moving into our house so I can decorate the nursery!

Weekly wisdom: Check out Nymbler, an amazing baby naming tool that suggests names based on other names you like!

Milestones: Bought a house! That is HUGE! We also have started asking around and looking into pediatricians! Now that we have a house, we can focus on finding doctors who are nearby.

The stars were out tonight!

Baby Lima Bean will never believe the multitude of stars her mommy and daddy just rubbed elbows with at tonight's White House Correspondents' Dinner!

All while proudly displaying my baby bump, which really looked more like I smuggled a basketball into the gala event! And, yes, this was the red carpet scene we had to walk past as we entered the event... It was certainly a scene to see and be seen at!

We arrived shortly after 5:30 p.m., scooting into the Gannett and USA Today party. Then we took off for the National Journal party, where we heard that Jon Bon Jovi might make an appearance. Just as we were about to take off, he showed up (with George Stephanopolos)!

Papa Bean went over to tell him that one of the first concerts he ever went to was a Bon Jovi show. Jon was very nice and agreed to take a photo with us!

On our way back upstairs, we brushed past Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, turned around to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus, then ran into Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon!

Then, as the dinner started, Papa Bean took off, pausing to chat with Jim Cramer of MSNBC's Mad Money and shake Warren Buffet's hand on his way out! Meanwhile, I headed into the ballroom and stopped to take a photo with Glenn Close!

I then walked past Owen Wilson flirting with a gaggle of girls before running into Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon again, and this time I got a photo with Kyra, who was super nice!

Then my dinner guest, a press secretary at the White House, and I got a photo with Eva Langoria Parker!

Then I told Kal Penn that Papa Bean and I looooove his "Harold and Kumar" movies! I also congratulated him on his new White House job. And, of course, took a photo with him.

We also met Bradley Cooper, who starred in "Alias" and also "Wedding Crashers." He was really nice! He stopped to introduce himself to me.

The dinner itself was a stitch. President Obama was hilarious! You can watch his remarks on C-SPAN, and I really suggest you do!

Back to star sightings. Near my table sat Stevie Wonder. And from my seat, I caught a glimpse of Beyonce and former "West Wing" star Dule Hill. I also saw figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. After dinner, I got a photo with dreamboat actor Colin Firth!

Finally, my way out of the hotel, I saw Mariska Hargitay of "Law and Order SVU" and walked past Richard Belzer, also from "Law and Order SVU."

Then, outside, I nearly ran right into Whoopi Goldberg!

What a night.

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 21 weeks/2 days

Total weight gain: 12 pounds (up 1 pound since last week!)

Maternity clothes: Finally, we have some warm weather in Washington! So I am wearing today this totally cute maternity dress from Target. I am waiting to wear a black maternity skirt I got on clearance from Target and this cute J Crew skirt/dress from Hawaii Grandma Bean!

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Sort of tired a lot. Frequent bathroom breaks. Bigger. Harder to lean over and tie my shoes. Dry skin. Getting kicked in the abs a lot!

Exercise: Walked to the Lupus Walk last weekend.

Best moment of the week: We just got our wedding DVD in the mail! So we watched it last night... Amazing. Can't believe I was that skinny. The ceremony was great. We both got emotional watching it and Little Lima kicked me so I think she wants to see it someday!

Movement: Yes! Feeling Little Lima daily now! Mostly in the evenings, but also during the day when I am sitting at the computer and typing. Wonder what she thinks of the sound of me typing. Any time I eat, she starts Usually after I eat or when I am still, like sitting at my desk or reading in bed at night. It's great!

Food cravings: Bagels. Decaf Lattes. Virgin margaritas (might have to get this book!)

Gender: Papa Bean's little princess is on her way!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes and walk around without waddling.

What I am looking forward to: Having Papa Bean tie my shoes for me. Hee!

Weekly wisdom: Pregnancy pillows are the bomb.

Milestones: Put an offer in on a house! Waiting to see if it's accepted. Researched cribs, mattresses, bedding and glider rockers! Planning to visit Great Beginnings this weekend. More to come on the nursury purchases I am planning to make!

21 weeks down, 19 to go!

So this week Little Lady Lima is about the size of a banana. That doesn't really make sense to me because the cantaloupe last week sure looked bigger! 

Regardless, she is growing in weight (not quite a pound yet!) and length and I am feeling her kicks all day long! 

Here is the fruit shot: 

So what else is happening with our baby? 

• Eyebrows have developed!

• Her senses are developing, especially her sense of touch. She can feel her face and stroke her arms and legs! Just wait until Papa Bean introduces her to back scratching and Momma Bean introduces her to massage at our mother/daughter spa day!

• And this is interesting: Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid! That means that you should think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own meals... I guess our little girl will love chocolate, ice cream and pizza. :-)

Papa Bean just felt Lima kick!

Just now... I was sitting at the computer in our bedroom listening to Bruce Springsteen singing "Growing' Up" and "Janey Don't You Loose Heart" when I started to feel a series of kicks or pulses in my lower abdomen.

Excited to feel Lima Bean, I rolled up my shirt and started watching my belly. Then I saw a definite movement! Startled, I yelled for Papa Bean to come quickly! He was in the other room watching TV and came running.

I told him to stand behind me and look down at my belly and see if he could see the same twitching that I was seeing in my lower abdomen. Then he saw it! Excited, he put his hand on my belly and his eyes widened as he FELT it too! 

Yay for Lima! Way to kick, little gal! Maybe we've got a little soccer player in here! At least we know she's becoming a big-time Bruce fan! 

Re-cap of our 20-Week Appointment

Yesterday's news cycle was dominated by the announcement that we're having a girl! But I wanted to get back to the appointment to share some other details from our big day.

First of all, we're at the HALFWAY POINT! Pregnancy is 40 weeks, so I am half done growing our daughter! Of course, I didn't know I was pregnant until Week 5, so this half will seem longer. And, I'll LOOK more pregnant this half. But still. Yay!

Back to the appointment.

I weighed in at +11 pounds since my first appointment. My doctor said that usually women gain about 10 in their first 20 weeks and then about 20 pounds in their second 20 weeks. So I'm right on track with the weight gain. But now I'm starting to think about the 30 pounds that I'll eventually be carrying and it's freaking me out! Eeeeek!

Also, if you recall, last appointment, my blood sugar spiked, but I had just eaten. This time I ate a full two hours beforehand, so it came out normal. Good sign. Don't want to get gestational diabetes! And my blood pressure was also normal, too.

I discussed running (well, slow jogging and walking) with my doctor and he said he sees no reason for me to discontinue this. However, after the recent Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, I have decided to cut back to short jogs and lay off the distances.

Finally, have I mentioned here yet that I have fibroids? I didn't know until our first ultrasound, which my doctor says is a good thing because that means they weren't a problem either in comfort or in conception. During the ultrasound, the technician said one of them is a little bigger, but that's normal. She also said one of them has moved to the side and should no longer be blocking the birth canal, which is good news. I'll have more ultrasounds as I progress to check on these. But, really, it'll just be cool to see more pictures of Lima!

Now back to the gender news.

We're super excited for a little girl! Papa Bean says he knew I was growing a girl the whole time! He says it's his destiny to be surrounded by women. Ha! But I have to say that I'm a little surprised! Since I had no morning sickness and my pregnancy has been pretty easy so far, I figured it had to be a boy. I thought girls would be more difficult!

Well, as it turns out, maybe that's not the case. Our ultrasound technician said that our baby's demeanor suggested that she was a girl even before we got a look at her, um, stuff. She said our baby shows a very calm and laid back manner, as opposed to a boy, who might be flipping, bouncing, jumping and basically rough-housing around my uterus!

Papa Bean says it's only a manner of time before this laid-back baby turns into a diva, however. So we'll see if it's possible to raise a laid-back girl. Maybe? Until she turns 13?

Also during the ultrasound we saw her playing and sucking on her fingers, so cute! My mom, who is an OT, says that shows that even early on she knows how to entertain herself and keep herself busy. I did some looking and finger sucking does appear to be a sign of a baby who knows how to soothe themselves. This is a good sign both cognitively and temperamently!

Papa Bean is convinced that she'll either be the first female member of the Yankees (how about the name "Dereka"?) or the first female president.

Oh, and in terms of houses, we now have new criteria. Papa Bean says there is NO WAY are we getting a place with our room on a separate floor than hers and her room must be on the 2nd level. You know, so that boys can't sneak in and date her. Because, like, that's what infants do, apparently!

It's a ...

........ Boy or a Girl? Your last chance to vote in the poll (right) or leave a guess in the comment section!

We find out at our big ultrasound this afternoon what the sex is, assuming Lima Bean isn't shy and shows us his or her stuff!

(You can tease Lima Bean later that you knew him or her way back when we were talking about his or her private parts on the Internet. Oh, the scandal!)

In the meantime, to aid in your guesses, here is some random information:

• I did not experience morning sickness; my face has not broken out
• I have gained about 10 pounds and it's all in my belly
• It's too early to say if I'm carrying high or carrying everywhere though
• I crave BOTH sweet stuff (frozen yogurt! OJ!) and salty foods (nuts! cheese! meat!)
• The Chinese gender chart says I'm having a boy (age 32; conceived mid-Dec)
• But if you go by lunar months, then the Chinese chart says it's a girl!
• According to this quiz, we have a 76 percent chance of having a boy...
• But according to this chart, we have a 56 percent chance of having a girl!
• Papa Bean's dad sired a girl first, then a boy; his maternal grandfather had a boy first, then a girl; his paternal grandfather sired two boys, then a girl.

And all that means... I give up! I have no clue!

But I do know that if you make a guess you have a 50 percent chance of being right, which Papa Bean says is actually pretty good odds.

So guess away! And check back here later for an update!

And just like that - We've got a mover in here!

For most of the last week, I have been wondering whether the weird, occasional things I was feeling were Lima Bean or if it was just gas or my imagination.

Well, folks, I am now pretty certain that it is indeed Baby Bean kicking and flip-flopping around in there!

This certainty started on Friday and has continued throughout the weekend. Even this afternoon at work and now as I sit down to type, I feel the little sucker doing something in there.

Usually it's at night when I'm laying in bed reading. Or when I am sitting at the computer. And definitely after a big meal! Tonight I made butternut squash pizza and Bean is now having a field day with it!

But the movement is hard to describe. Sometimes if feels like a fish is swimming in my stomach. I imagine that a round glass bowl is in my belly and there is a gold fish fluttering about.

Other times, it feels like a my stomach turning over. It's similar to what you would feel on a roller coaster. It definitely feels like something (Lima Bean, I presume?) wriggling around or flipping around.

And if I'm really still, I swear I can see my stomach ripple! Papa Bean tried looking at my belly on Friday and I think he saw it twitch too.

I can't wait to see Lima Bean on the big screen at Wednesday's ultrasound!

And I can't wait for Papa Bean to be able to feel Bean moving for himself. Kick, baby, kick!

We are #44 on The List

When Papa Bean suggested way back on Week 13 that we get on the wait list for the day care facility at his office, I admit, I thought he was a little nuts. Sign up for day care for a baby who won't even be born for another 6 months? Insanity!

But, apparently, that's what you do.

So we are on the wait list for the Bright Horizons day care center at his office. There are six siblings on the wait list, who get in first. Then there are 50-something other babies on the wait list and we are #44. Some people on the wait list (two that we know of personally) are only on the list as a back up. Considering that we probably won't need care until January, we should be OK.

So on Thursday, we took a tour of the facility so that I could see where we are planning to send Lima Bean every day. Here are some observations and things that we learned:

• Security is intense. Visitors must show a government I.D. to get in the door, then show it again at the desk and have your photo taken for a temporary badge. Parents are welcome to drop by anytime, without an appointment. And once you are accepted and your child starts at the center, you can undergo security clearance to get a permanent pass.

• The center just opened a little more than a year ago, so it's very nice and new. A definite plus. Plus it's on the ground floor, has an outside playground and lots of windows with lots of light. The infants go outside for occasional stroller rides. Otherwise, they play and nap in their areas with the caregivers.

• Speaking of caregivers, according to D.C. law there is a maximum of four babies for every caregiver. And there must always be two caregivers present in the room, even if there is only one baby.

• The infant area is for children aged 6 weeks to 1 year old. There are 16 spots for infants and the area is divided in half so that eight babies are on the right side and eight are on the left. On each side is a play area next to a sleeping room in which each infant has their own crib, identified by their name and a photo. In between the two infant areas is a kitchen and two changing tables.

• The infant area is a no-shoe environment in which everyone must wear house shoes or disposable booties that cover their shoes/socks. And everyone who enters must wash their hands immediately using the hand sanitizer.

• For food, parents can look at the menu of provided food and select what their child will eat. Or, they can prepare and send their own food for their child to eat. For babies, you can send formula milk or breast milk, up to you. Breast milk is kept in a separate fridge and each bottle is labeled with the child's name, photo and a color tape that assigned to them to make it easier to identify who gets what.

• Each baby also has a cubby hole where parents can keep an extra change of clothes or other supplies. Parents supply the diapers and they can be either disposable or cloth, whatever you prefer.

• The caregivers keep a portfolio/journal for each baby where they note any observations for the parents and include photos for the parents to enjoy. Also, every day, a log (below) is filled out that tells you what time the baby ate, what they ate, what time they slept, and when they were changed, and anything else that happened.

• The caregivers try to put the babies down for naps on your preferred schedule, but that doesn't always happen. They always lay the baby down on their back. If the baby is able to roll over, that is noted on their sheet so that they'll know that a baby found on their stomach rolled over. They don't go around turning the babies over to their back though.

• The babies will move up at about age 1, depending on the openings. When they move up, they center tries to get them all on the same nap schedule. The next group is made up of toddlers who are age 1 and 2. There are toilets for them to explore but some don't get potty trained until later. But if they want to learn, they can learn.

• The next group is the children age 3 up to age 5. They go for walks and play in the playground and have a computer and arts and crafts. The children leave the center around this time for preschool and/or kindergarten.

All in all, we were very impressed with the center and I think it'll be a good place for Lima Bean to spend his or her days. It's a definite bonus that it's right downstairs from Papa Bean's office because that will make dropping off and picking up much easier. Plus, he can go visit anytime!

So, in retrospect, it was a good thing that we signed up at Week 13. I just hope that we signed up in time! But, really, it would have been strange to sign up any earlier. (The other couple on the tour with us isn't even pregnant yet!)

I'm all for planning ahead, but paying $100 to get on the wait list before I was even pregnant? Um, overkill.

What we're reading

Those who know me probably wouldn't be surprised to find stacks of pregnancy books lying around our condo. And it's true, when I start something, I like to be thorough in my learning! 

So it's about time I let you all know what I'm reading. 

We have five books: four for me and one for Papa Bean. I plan to order more, but for now, these books have kept us entertained and informed about all the ins and outs of pregnancy!

The first two books are both comprehensive reference guides to pregnancy. I could have ordered just one, but I couldn't decide. In the end, I am glad that I have both because they are a little different in their approach and, taken together, really contain everything you might need.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

The index on this book is great! When I had the stomach flu, this was the one place where I found the information I needed when I needed it (while I was waiting anxiously for my doctor to call me back). The chapters are long and filled with good details. I don't like how it's broken into months and not weeks and I'd like more details on the baby's growth each week. 

Your Pregnancy: Week by Week

I love reading this book every Wednesday, which is the day we officially "turn" another week along! I also love the descriptions and how the chapters are easy to digest and marked week by week. Plus, the book offers a new exercise for pregnant moms each week and tons of "Dad Tips." It doesn't have quite the breadth of information as "What to Expect," so I am glad I have both.

The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy

I am three-fourths of my way through this book and it's a stitch! The author cracks me up and I certainly appreciate her candor. I don't agree with everything she says (she's not a fan of exercising while pregnant because you're going to get fat anyway), but I appreciate her perspective. It's not a comprehensive guide, but it's fun to read and compliments the more serious guides. 

Belly Laughs

I am also about three-fourths of my way through this book and I love it! The chapters are very short and you could finish this in one sitting easily. I am reading it like eating a chocolate cake - one or two chapters at a time to make it last longer. It's hilarious! I love McCarthy's stories, like her hot tub scare and peeing on the side of the road. They leave me shocked and laughing out loud!

My Boys Can Swim!

This is the book that Papa Bean picked out. It's a short read that is not comprehensive and dwells on odd things, like weird baby names. But then, it's written by a guy for guys! It also has details about what we women are going through, so that's good. Papa Bean seems to like it and I hear him laughing when he's reading it, always a good sign.

Like I said, I am collecting a list of baby books that I plan to order, such as Baby Bargains, Eating Well When You're Expecting, Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads, and Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. It never ends! 

If anyone has recommendations for additional books, you know that I'm all ears! (er, eyes)

Fabulous Wedding Fun

Some more photos of Papa Bean and me, both taken on Saturday at the ceremony & reception of a good friend's wedding! It was a beautiful day and a gorgeous wedding. Note my new haircut - I chopped 5 inches off!

And, since I was unable to partake in the wine, champagne and signature "cherry blossom" cocktail, I helped myself to THREE of these scrumptious chocolate-covered strawberries! I also enjoyed a slice of the delicious chocolate wedding cake, and had a bite of Papa Bean's too!

What can I say, Lima Bean had a bit of a chocolate craving... ;-)

Happy Birthday Papa Bean!

Your gift will be delivered in a little over five months from now... But in the meantime, here's a sneak peek of what's coming!

Houston ... We have a heartbeat!

Yes, yes, we have already heard Lima Bean's heartbeat. But today's Week 17 appointment with our doctor was the first time we have head the heartbeat since our last appointment on Feb. 25. That's FOUR WEEKS ago!

Since Lima Bean entered our lives, we have not gone THAT LONG without hearing bean's little heartbeat. It felt like forever waiting, but it was all worth it today.

It took our doctor just a few seconds to find the heartbeat with a handheld doppler because she said the baby must be moving around. But when she found it, we could hear it loud and clear: thump-thump, thump-thump. She said it sounded strong and about 150 beats per minute, which is what it's supposed to be!

She also said my uterus is in the right place and feels normal. It's about an inch or two below my belly button. (Yes, I still have one!)

Plus, my blood pressure was normal and my weight gain is also on target. I am up 3 pounds since our last appointment, giving me a total gain of 7-10 pounds since getting knocked up.

When I stepped on the scale, though, it seemed for a second like I might have massivly overeaten it in the last few weeks as the scale seemed to say I was weighing in a good 20-30 pounds over my last week's weight. Eeeeeeek! But that was just Papa Bean tipping the scale behind me and the nurse! Funny guy, that Papa Bean.

The only minor concern was a spike of sugar in my urine, but my doctor said that could have been caused by the Starbucks decaf latte and sandwich that Papa Bean got for me right before the appointment. I'll need to watch what I eat right before coming in next time. And, generally, eat healthy and continue to exercise so that I can avoid gestational diabetes, which is common in pregnancy but not ideal. I'll be tested for it later on, between the 24th and 28th weeks.

Finally, I gave MORE blood (two vials!) for yet another prenatal test. I'll do a run-down of all the tests I've had to date in another post. But the one I did this time is called the AFT, which measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in my blood to rule out spina bifida and anencephaly. I should have the results next week.

Meanwhile, our next appointment is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15. Tax day! So, mark your calendars, because that's the day that we get the BIG ULTRASOUND during which we find out how many arms and legs Lima Bean has... And whether the bean is a "he" or a "she"!!!

Start placing your bets today...

I *think* I felt Lima Bean!

I can't really describe it, but I felt something in my gut, about where Lima Bean should be, and I think I felt the Bean!

I was sitting at my desk at work, e-mailing with Papa Bean, when I felt it.

It was like my stomach lurched. It wasn't gas or hunger pains, but it was a sharp, definite feeling - like nothing I've ever felt before! It was like I was on a roller coaster. Like someone was pinching me from behind my belly button. Or a fist was doing a summersault in my belly. It felt so weird!

So I did the most natural thing in the world, I e-mailed Papa Bean!

His response: "Wow."

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I Googled "fetal movement" and found this description. For those of you who have had babies, is that what it feels like in the beginning? So cool!

At the turning point

Week 16, which I am approaching, is called the "turning point" because that's when you are supposed to turn over in bed (or during yoga) and lay on your side.

Lying flat on your back puts extra pressure on the aorta and vena cava. Not really sure what those are, but putting pressure on them can result in reduced blood flow to your baby, which is a bad thing!

Since I usually sleep on my side, I didn't think this would be a problem. However, lately, the only position I've wanted to sleep in is on my back! Obviously I wouldn't do that on purpose, but who knows what happens when you are sleeping.

So I was woken up one night by Papa Bean shaking me and saying urgently: Turn over! Turn over! You're on our back!

Since then, I have taken to sleeping with a pillow between my knees. I use the "cushie" pillow that is made for air travel. However, there are a vast array of maternity pillows out there, from the ever popular Boppy to full body pillows and smaller wedges.

Since it turns out that Amazon carries Boppy pillows, we might have to order one - or two. Because I'm sure if I start using one, Papa Bean will want one too!

Update: I just learned in prenatal yoga class that it's not just sleeping on any side. You're supposed to sleep on the LEFT side because the aorta and vena cava are on the right side. Well, that makes it difficult! I always sleep on my RIGHT side! Doh!

Another Update: I asked my doctor about this at our March 25 appointment and she said not to worry, sleeping on either side is fine. Also, she said that if I want to sleep on my back I can just stick a pillow under one side of my back so that I'm uneven. But she said it's not a huge concern until I'm farther along, like 23 weeks or so. Whew!

Where would Lima Bean like to grow up?

Just back from another day of looking at open houses. Saw some good ones!

We are getting our Logan Circle condo painted and ready to list while also looking around at what houses are available in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.

We are looking at bigger condos in the city as well, but it sure would be nice to have a big back yard!

Lima Bean has 5% chance of green eyes

Just for kicks, I went ahead and tried this nifty tool for computing the color of your child's eyes.

Now, we all know, Lima Bean will most likely have brown eyes. I have brown eyes. Papa Bean has brown eyes. My parents have brown eyes. His parents have brown eyes. I don't think there is a blue-eyed person in either of our families!

And this test confirms that, giving Lima Bean a 92.5% chance of having brown eyes.

But what's interesting is that it also gives Lima Bean a 5.5% chance of having GREEN eyes! And, get this, a 1.8% chance of having BLUE eyes!

No kidding.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see ...

U P D A T E ! !

Since writing this blog, I have learned that Papa Bean's grandfather, Gramps, had GREEN eyes! So... There is hope for Lima Bean getting some green stunners. 

However, as my source pointed out, Papa Bean's brother-in-law has blue eyes but our niece and nephew both have brown eyes, just like Papa Bean's sister.

Is Lima Bean a boy or a girl?

Funny thing is, little Lima Bean is the only one who knows the answer to that question right now. And even funnier, Baby Bean most likely does not even know that the other sex even exists! (There was a day...)

As you all know, the sex of a baby is determined at the moment of conception by the father. So, whether we have a boy or a girl, you can blame - or congratulate - Papa Bean!

After conception, the ball of cells that turns into an embryo looks about the same whether it's a boy or a girl. It isn't until Week 8 that the magic starts happening. By Week 8, Lima Bean's genitals began development, although they are difficult to identify this early on.

At Week 10, Lima Bean officially graduated from the embryonic period and became a fetus. Bones and cartilage began to form, elbows on little Lima Bean's arms started working and tiny buds of baby teeth started forming under the gums.

Farther down, Lima Bean's stomach started producing digestive juices and the kidneys started producing - get this - urine! If Lima Bean is a boy, then by this time he had already started producing testosterone (boys will be boys, even this early on!)

If Lima Bean is a girl, then by Week 11, she already started developing ovaries!

And by Week 12, the pituitary gland at the base of the brain already started producing hormones - so that Lima Bean will one day be able to make babies of his or her own!

Unreal.

All this before we, the parents, even get to find out whether Lima Bean is a boy or a girl!

By the way, if you have not voted yet, what are you waiting for?! We should be able to find out the sex by Week 20, so considering that we are at Week 13/Day 4 right now, you have about a month and a half to register your guesses!

In the meantime, we can't help trying to figure out on our own whether Lima Bean is a boy or a girl...

According to the Chinese conception gender chart, we're having a boy! But according to this version of the Chinese conception chart, using lunar months, we are having a girl!

According to this quiz, we have a 76 percent chance of having a boy! According to this chart, however, my age means that we have a 58 percent chance of having a girl!

Let the guessing begin!