Our first harvest of 2012

Today was the first day in a week that we've had sunshine.  It has done nothing but rain for days.  I know it's spring in NH, but I was starting to get stir crazy.  Rain and cold aren't my favorite.  Some of the plants are enjoying it though.  The boys got to enjoy some rhubarb today and it was HUGE!!!!

They didn't eat very much of it, so I turned it into rhubarb sauce that they will enjoy over yogurt.  While the boys enjoyed their snack Veronica relaxed in her favorite outside chair.

Baby #7 - Gender Reveal Linder Family Style

We LOVE babies around here.  Each announcement of a new baby is received by joy and excitement (such as here).  Questions, comments discussions about what baby will look like, what name baby should have, who baby is going to let hold him/her.  And of course, the most important question...is baby a boy or a girl?  This is probably the most discussed question and the one most anticipated until the first ultrasound.

Baby #7 is no different except I think I get more excited with each one.  A new baby never loses it's excitement.  I think I'm more excited now than I was the first time.  The miracle of a baby growing inside me is more real now that I look at my other children and the excitement of meeting this new little one and welcoming him or her into the family gets more and more exciting.  The wondering about who baby will look like, what will their personality be like.  The anticipation of introducing the newest member of the family to the other children just grows.

So today was the day that answered the question...would we be welcoming girl #2 or boy #6 into our family.  I was so excited for today.  Maybe because I knew it was possible to have a baby girl.  I always wanted a sister and the thought that Veronica could have a sister was so exciting for me.  Brad met me for the 9am appointment and we were welcomed by a very friendly ultrasound tech who happily showed us everything...4 chamber heart, perfect nose, brain looked great, etc.  All the things you really ultimately want to know.

Then came time for her to tell us boy or girl.  And I knew right away what baby was.  She froze the image on the screen and I just knew...it was very clear.  So after being reassured that baby was healthy we left; Brad went back to work and I went to Target to shop for the gender reveal gift.  Every baby is announced to the siblings by buying a gender specific gift for baby, wrapping it up and putting it in a gender neutral bag and then allowing the kids to open it and find out.

Then anticipation grows with each baby as the kids get older and know what this gift means.  And I have the best time shopping for that first baby specific outfit and blanket.  Especially since after this many children we don't need much and this will be one of my only shopping trips for baby.

Baby gift wrapped....

In the bag....

And ready to present to the gang anxiously waiting at home for me to return.

Let the gift opening commence.  Grant was convinced he KNEW what it was going to be...

Samuel really got into it this time

Tissue paper is out and now it's time to open the gifts

Anyone have any guesses????  I think Grant and Parker have a good idea

And finally the very gender specific color.....

BABY GIRL #2!!!!!  I was thrilled.  I got teary on the way home thinking about how exciting it will be to have another girl.

Veronica's reaction to...IT's A GIRL!!!! 

Here she is checking out the onesies that match the ones she wears

This is what baby girl ended up getting...a pink blanket, a blue and white dress and a pack of onesies that match Veronica's

I am now dreaming of matching Christmas and Easter dresses!!!!  God is so good, he has blessed us with another daughter and the kids with another sister.  Now we wait with great joy, anticipation and excitement for the day we can meet our newest little girl and hold her in our arms.  The day we can welcome her home and into our family.  Oh, how loved she will be!!!!