… HE!
We haven’t done one of these posts since 2010, so it feels kind of strange and exciting to be sharing this kind of news with you guys again. We found out on Wednesday, and then scurried to tell our families over the last 48 hours. Of course, the most important person to tell first was Clara. We didn’t want her to learn the news from an ultrasound technician, so we scheduled a playdate for her with my dad during this particular appointment. Then when we were back together, we surprised her with a baby boy doll (which are surprisingly hard to find, we learned). It was a cute little “OK, look in the bag to see if there’s a little boy or a little girl in mommy’s belly!” moment.
And if there’s one thing she enjoys more than tearing through some tissue paper, it’s baby dolls. It was love at first sight and, more importantly, she completely connected the dots that this meant she was getting a little brother. She pretty much immediately started giving him his bottle and changing his diapers and even bragged that she knew it was a boy the whole time. When we asked her what she wanted to name the baby doll, without hesitation she shouted: “Barnacles!” After Sherry and I completely failed at stifling our laughter, Clara explained that its full name was actually Captain Barnacles (a character in one of her new favorite shows, Octonauts). So yeah, she won’t be naming her real brother… but we have called the bun “the barnacle” a few times since then.
She (okay, well all of us) originally guessed we were having a girl. But our instincts started to shift to boy when Sherry’s morning sickness wouldn’t let up (this pregnancy is pretty different than the last). Which is good because Clara started asking for a brother, probably because a few of her best friends have baby brothers. Regardless of the reason, she couldn’t have been more thrilled at the news. And so are we.
After about the sixteenth Captain Barnacle diaper change, Clara called up Nonna to tell her via FaceTime. She was really excited to deliver the news – and Nonna was just as excited to hear it!
For telling my family here in town, we decided to make a little game out of the announcement. We managed to get my parents, my sister, and her family to meet us out to dinner last night (at Panera, since we’re super fancy and all). We came armed with a bunch of blue and pink envelopes, so each person could make a final guess by picking a pink envelope if they thought it was a girl and a blue one if they thought boy.
Then we had them all tear into them at the same time to see if their baby-dar was on point or not. All of the blue ones said some iteration of “yup!” or “bingo!” or “you betcha!” and all the pink ones said “nope!” “try again!” or “wrong-o!” We had about a 50/50 split in guesses, so even though half of ’em were off-base, everyone was thrilled. It was really fun to watch their faces as they all figured it out at pretty much exactly the same moment.
Then we got to make a whole bunch of other family & friend calls to spread the news (Clara was awesome about boasting “I’m getting a baby brother!” about 100 times to various friends and relatives on the horn). And that, as they say, is history.
Sherry and I are both really excited. We’re mostly just thankful to hear there’s a healthy bun barnacle growing in there, no matter its sex. But being able to picture this child – this boy! – a bit more clearly makes the excitement that much more real. As much as two little girls would’ve been fun, we’re really looking forward to the experience of raising a son along with this great daughter of ours. Not to mention that Sherry’s already going crazy looking at nurseries on Pinterest.
It’s fun to think about the possibilities for that room now that we know better who will be occupying it. Not that we’ll fill it with “man things” or make it all blue and green (actually, come to think of it, Clara’s original nursery was blue and green) but it’s just fun to talk about potential projects and colors and art now. The funny thing is that the nursery is the only room in this entire house that had pink trim when we bought it.
Good thing it’s already painted white! Bad that the room is currently housing a bunch of random junk. Guess it’s getting time to start working on that…
We’d love to hear your stories about finding out the sex of your baby (whether halfway through with an ultrasound, one of those early blood tests, or right there in the delivery room). And feel free to share how you told your family and friends. Was it a photo on Facebook? One of those blue/pink cakes? A box full of balloons? Or did you just call or visit people and blurt out the news? Any way you play it, it’s a pretty exciting moment.
Laurie says
SO excited for you guys! We had our girl first (27) and then our boy (24). Clara is going to be a wonderful big sister!!! So enjoy your blog. You guys inspire me in more ways than you know. Blessings to the Petersik family.
Ashley says
We have the same boy doll for my son(after much searching.) He is named Costco which we find puzzling and hysterical. We have a girl doll named Bacon. Kids are weird.
YoungHouseLove says
Bacon The Doll = hilarious and awesome.
xo
s
Mel says
We recently had baby number 4. To say that it was a surprise pregnancy is putting it lightly. Our oldest is 17! Because I am slightly over the age of what is considered normal pregnancy age our OB requested that we visit a genetic specialist for an ultra sound. Since all of our other test came back fine we decided to bring our other children in for this appointment. We all found out together. It was priceless watching everyone watch the monitor to see what the sex of the baby would be. We are blessed to have a healthy baby girl. That gives of 2 of each and we couldn’t be happier!
Meghan says
We found out we were having a boy at our 20 week ultrasound. We had taken pictures holding a blue and pink elephant cookie (I love elephants) that said it’s a boy and it’s a girl. Immediately following the appt we sent the boy version picture to our families via text and then posted it on Facebook!
Jeanna Sanchez says
Yey!! So exiting! Congrats on having a boy! I have two boys, my sister has 3 girls, boys and girls are sooo different but in good ways :) and some not so good, starting with the pregnancy, the morning sickness,I think with boys that morning (or all day sickness) lasts longer :( but its gonna be such a new adventure for you guys! Cant wait to see the nursery!
Terresa says
One of each, such a joy:). Congrats!!! Oh so happy for you!
Lauren says
Congratulations! Our son was born right after Clara (5/28/10) and our second baby is due April 24th, right after the bun! We’ll hopefully find out boy or girl on Monday. So there’s a little family of fans in PA that are right behind ya :-)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!!
xo
s
Melissa says
So exciting! I have’ve never had a kid (thus no sex reveal), but I think the baby doll reveal for Clara is adorable, and, if the doll survives the kids’ childhoods, he’ll become a really sweet memento of the day Clara found out she was going to have a little brother.
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
Yayyyy, congratulations guys!! So happy for you! :)
Sarah says
Congratulations! As a mama of one girl and two boys, I will say that it is so nice to have (at least) one of each! You will be amazed at the difference between girls and boys even though you may aim to treat them the same. So happy for you!
Cait says
CONGRATS!!! I am really looking forward to seeing more of the nursery and hear more about the barnacle as you guys progress. I can’t wait for my FAS sometime in January but for now I shall live vicariously through your excitement :)
Corie says
Congrats! This is so exciting, I couldn’t be happier for you guys!
I have two boys, and they’re so much fun. Boys love their moms!
Heather B. says
We had picked out our boy name and our girl name. My favorite moment (aside from holding the baby for the first time!) in the delivery room was hearing my husband say, “It’s Emery!” and I cried, “My baby girl!”
Best. Surprise. Ever!
Jeanie says
Congratulations on your little son! Also glad to hear he is healthy. What a merry Christmas for all of you!
Katrina says
Congratulations! Sherry you are going to love having a boy. There isn’t anything like a relationship between a boy and his Mama.
As for how we shared the news. With our 3rd we waited to find out and after she was born we brought our other 2 in to meet her first. Then we sent them out into the waiting room to tell everyone else. It’s so much fun, however you do it. So happy for you.
Erin says
Congrats on a boy! They are so different from girls!! (But equally awesome:-) We had 2 girls already, and I was positive the third was a girl. When the sonogram tech told us it was a boy, I burst into tears! I know the tech thought I was disappointed – I wasn’t, just extremely shocked! I have a little niece that thought the gender of a baby determined if a person was called ‘aunt’ or ‘grandma’ (girl baby) or ‘uncle’ / ‘grandpa’ (boy baby). We told my mom by calling her and telling her she was going to be a ‘Grandpa!’ She totally got it!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome. When my little sister found out my other sister was pregnant she said “I’m going to be an uncle or an aunt!” She’ll be glad she wasn’t the only one with that misconception. :)
-John
Sarah W. says
Oh so exciting! I totally thought you were going to have another girl, but I’m happy to be wrong if it means Baby Petersik #2 is healthy either way.
My sister and her husband are waiting to be matched for a second adoption, and when they ask my 3 year-old nephew what he wants to name the baby, he says “Blue!” He must be a Beyoncé fan, though he does sometimes say different colours instead.
Rachel says
My kids are 17 & almost 14, girl & boy, we chose not to find out their sex until delivery, which was awesome. I was pg at the same time as my sis in laws both times & they found out, so my there as a little pressure from that side of the fam to find out. I held my ground. =) This was before reveal parties & pinterest ideas, so maybe would feel differently now.
When my nephew was born, his parents asked his 3 year old brother what to name him & his response was “snow cone”. They went with Alex. I still call Alex snow cone sometimes. =)
Rachel says
Oh… I hit submit before proofing & just noticed the typos, sorry. Should be “so there was a little pressure”
Katherine says
We invited our friends over for a sex party every time. Everyone came dressed in blue or pink, and we opened the envelope at the party to find out what we were having. I’ve guessed wrong all three times! It is a fun way to find out, provided you don’t mind finding out at the same time as everyone else:)
Erin says
Congratulations! Finding out who and what this little person(s) will be is pretty amazing. My husband and I had the US tech put the sex our our twins in two envelopes, we took them to our favorite restaurant and video’d eachother opening them. It was pretty awesome to have that moment on film. Almost two years later we are thrilled to have two healthy little boys :)
meg says
hello!
My husband and I are expecting a boy in April as well! Our first baby!
We found out through the early blood test and I had the doctor write on a sticky-note and put it in an envelope so my husband and I could find out together.
I tried to surprise my family with a gender reveal party – we had not done anything fun about the baby yet (first grandchild) since my sister was newly engaged. I was not trying to steal any thunder and wanted her to have her special time to celebrate. But, by week 17, I wanted to do something fun.
So, I had my family over for pizza and cake. I dyed the cake blue but I had stupidly bought yellow cake mix. Pregnancy brain, totally was not thinking of color, just of taste. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is the best, right? Anyways, I ended up with a green cake, lol! Oh well, I served it up anyways! I am way too cheap to buy a cake and did not have time to make a new one.
My dad summed it up well – “I know! You are having a Martian!” and proposed Marvin as a potential name.
It was still a great and funny moment!
Kelly says
Congratulations! Happy to hear the baby is healthy, overall. But I know many people enjoy the experience of having both a boy and a girl. My sister has one of each. We thought the opposite sex each time based on her morning sickness. Oh well. Everyone is happy and healthy 12 years later!
DJ says
Oh, Congratulations! How exciting!
I found out the genders of my twin daughters in the delivery room. We really, really wanted to be surprised, and had already had the fun surprise of finding out they were twins… so we didn’t mind uncertainty.
The only tough part was coming up with four first and four middle names (two for girls, two for boys) that we loved, and ranking them, so that we’d be ready for any combo.
FR says
I tried to post this right around 10 but the page timed out twice…amazing that this announcement overloaded your site!
Anyway, I said congrats…how exciting for Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun! Love all the videos and stories and links guys! It has been so much fun for John and I to hear/watch them!
xo
s
Dana@chocolateandsunshine says
This was one of my favorite posts of yours to read! Congratulations. I have a boy and a girl and it’s so lovely to have one of each.
I love the way you told Clara! How sweet.
My son is now 27, and my daughter just turned 13. But for my son, Max, I met his father with blue wrapped cigars. Nothing as cute as yours. Much happiness to your family!
Sydnie F. says
Congratulations on your boy! I could have sworn it was a girl with all of Sherry’s sickness (I’ve always heard lots of nausea = girl, which was true for me) and I’m so excited to see all of the decorating ideas. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! I hope you feel better soon.
Also, Clara’s haircut is adorable.
jenny says
I posted a pic of two nail polish bottles ( a blue teal and a pink). Then, when we found out it was a girl, I posted a pic of my toes painted pink. The hard part was painting my toes in the car right after we found out. Ha!
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo
s
Karin K says
Congratulations!!!! El Burrito! I would have bet money on a boy because all your symptoms were just like mine with #2 and my #2 was a boy, but that’s not really scientific…. So happy for you guys! (by the way – loved your holiday spread in Richmond Mag!)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Karin! We haven’t even seen that yet but can’t wait!
xo
s
Katie says
Congratulations! We waited for a birth day surprise. And one week ago we welcomed a beautiful baby boy! Excited to follow along in your little man’s adventures.
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats!!
-John
Jane says
Awesome!!!!
That is so exciting!!
They say that the best sibling relationships are older sister-younger brother. : )
Michelle says
YAY…how exciting. Very creative on how you told Clara. With our first(he’s 20) we told the tech that we didn’t want to know the sex but she told us any way. And with our youngest(he’s 14) my husband was at officer boot camp OCS(he’s retired Navy) I found out the same way. I was going to send him a pair of little blue booties but I was so excited that I couldn’t wait and told him on the phone. Your little Clara is going to make an awesome big sister.
Lindsey says
I have tears!! CONGRATULATIONS :)
Evie says
Oh, so much fun! Exciting week, for sure! Petersiks, you’re a wonderful family, growing so beautifully!
Christina B. says
1. Congratulations! How exciting!
2. On a completely different note, your photog skills are on the up-and-up! Seriously, my first thought about the photos in this post was “Man, these photos look amazing!”
3. I’m loving reading through all of these comments. Instant happy day.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! We broke out our nifty fifty lens for most of these since it’s better with low light / fidgety kid. It’s a miracle worker sometimes!
-John
Kristin says
YEA!!!! Congrats to you guys!!!!!!!!
Melanie says
Awww guys! Congrats! I didn’t even know what to think when I found out we were having a boy. I grew up with all girls, and just felt like it was going to be hard for me… Can I say wow was I wrong. Totally luvin that little goofball. I am so incredibly thrilled for you guys!
Susan says
A huge congratulations, Petersiks!! Let the naming games begin :)
Lauren says
Congratulations! We just had a boy after having 2 girls. They all have their own personalities, but it’s been fun to have each gender. He’s not as calm as the girls but he keeps a grin on his face. I am very excited for you all! Clara looks like she will be a great big sister. I’m sure he will adore her.
Brittany says
I am sooooo happy for you guys and I can not wait to hear what you will name him!!! And btw, seeing how happy Clara is with her new baby doll is making me want to give my daughter her christmas present (which is a baby doll from American Girl) early, geez! lol
Kim says
Congratulations, Petersiks!!! So thrilled for you. It’s been a while since I’ve popped in to comment, but I still read faithfully and love hearing about your family! I’m just as excited for you as I am for all of my real-life friends who are expecting!
Jessie says
We had our girl first and our boy when our daughter was about 6, I will tell you get ready for some fun times! Boys are a whole ‘nother breed! We decided to have one more to make three total and couldnt seem to get pregnant…for a year…and when we did we decided not to find out because we already had one of each, so everyone made their predictions, most thought girl,I had no prediction because I am not good at that stuff, but it was a boy and everyone was like uh oh, another boy…look out! Congrats guys! Soak up the rest of the pregnancy!
SamanthaRI says
Well, the sex of the baby wasn’t half as shocking as finding our “bonus” baby at six and a half months gestation. There’s nothing like going in for an ultrasound to check fluid levels only to have the technician casually mention “the second baby” like we knew already. Huh??? Now, nearly five years later, my husband and I still look at our identical daughters and their old sister and marvel at how it all happened!
Congrats on baby boy bun barnacle!
YoungHouseLove says
What a discovery!
xo
s
Emily says
I laughed out loud reading that Clara wanted to name him Barnacle. I actually have a friend who I have called Barnacle for many years (and she in turn calls me “Host.”) Regardless of his name, what a blessed addition to your family. Congratulations to the four of you!!
amber says
we have a 4 year old boy and 3 year old girl. We had decided not to find out with our third since we already had a pair. Everyone thought we were nuts. I gave birth 3 weeks ago to our surprise baby. After all 9 months of waiting, 24 hours of labor, and a MD recommended c-section. Everyone in the room knew we did not know the sex of the baby and my husband was going to call it out to me but I guess the c-section surgical tech didn’t get the memo and yelled it out as they hoisted our 10 lb 8 oz baby boy out of my belly. I didn’t care in the end, I cried but my husband was like man that lady! :) We named him Oliver Quinn Pray.
amber says
Oh and I KNEW it was a boy, I had this strong gut feeling. :)
I secretly bought really cute baby boy outfits on clearance from Target behind my hubby’s back, like 4th of July stuff and random cute outfits. I had two nephews who were due 1 month ahead of my son and I just said well if it’s a girl I will just give them to my sister in laws. Well I get to keep them now :)
Gwen, The Makerista says
How exciting! Congrats!
With our daughter, I had to have 4 ultrasounds before they could tell! We knew she would be stubborn early on. :) By the time we found out it was less excitement and more “about time!” Ha! I’m just glad our doctor let us keep having them without charging!
Megan says
It’s a boy! Exciting for you either way, but congrats to your cute little family.
We announced to my son the same way you did with Clara. He was about the same age as she is too. When we asked him what she should be named, he said “Baby Bobo”. Well, that nickname stuck! She is 10 now and we still call her that!
Kiley says
Congrats!!!! 30 weeks pregnant with an active little baby boy! Already have one of each, but there is something about a little boy that just melts your heart:)So glad you will get to experience that feeling, and so excited for Clara to have a baby brother! Wish you guys the best!
B. Hess says
Congrats! We found out we’re having a girl via the ultrasound. When she said girl my husband asked if she was sure (First baby, I think he was hoping for a boy). The cute little older lady (the very skilled ultrasound tech) replied, “well sir, let me put it this way: if it’s a boy you’re going to be very disappointed in the size of his… ‘equipment’.” We were dying laughing, we couldn’t believe she said that!
shelly hendriks says
YAY!! Congrats you guys! I don’t know you in real life but feel like I do because of the website. Thank you for sharing!!!
meredith says
we opted to not find out until birth, 1 year ago today :). so everyone was thinking it was a boy even the midwife on duty (not my official ob). so I was in the midst of pushing, the midwife says to pull the baby out and onto my chest…a la kourtney kardashian. I totally didn’t want to but I didn’t think I could say no. So I pulled him up to my chest but he was facing away from my husband. The nurses and the midwife knew what he was but wouldn’t tell me. soooo annoying. i know they wanted my husband to tell me, but he’s as slow as molases and I couldn’t move. it was frustrating but he’s been an absolute joy these last 365 days!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! I love the Kourtney Kardashian reference. That’s awesome!
xo
s