… 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.
Diane says
Congratulations! They’re going to be best friends!
Alsiha says
Oh, and gosh, I’m certain you’ll just love having a boy. =) I found it fascinating just how “boy-like” he was right from the get-go. If that even makes any sense. ha!
Ms. Magpie says
I thought it was a boy all along! So excited for the nursery plans.
Andrea Dalpino says
Oh!Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you!!
Alice says
So glad that everything is going well and you get the opportunity to raise a little boy. It is fun to raise both genders. Congratulations to your family!
Wendy @ New Moms Talk says
When I was a little girl, I’d always pray on how many children I’d have. I’d get 2.5. It befuddled me. .5? Miscarriage? Adoption? Huh?
Then I met my husband. He had a son from his first marriage. The .5 made perfect sense, and his son loved that I always had a sense about him. It brought us very close!
A few years before my hub and I met, he had a dream with a little girl who told him her name. I always felt I’d have a girl before a boy. Shortly after we met, I asked, “what’s the little girl’s name?”
It was Susanna Hope. When I shared with my not-yet-hub, he was silent. It was the same name in his dream.
Naturally when we became pregnant and told his son, he responded, “well, I’ve only been waiting 13 years for this?” and then he wanted to discuss names. We told him about the dreams and that the name was decided already. He was cool.
Of course, this was all before we medically knew that Susanna was Susanna. We just knew in our hearts. The night before the confirmation ultrasound, I had another dream in which the little girl said, “how many times do I have to tell you I’m a girl?” (We believed, but family and friends didn’t.)
… We’re not yet expecting the final part of our family, but should he be a boy, we have his name. Yep, the name I wanted for a girl, but was later turned into a male version and shared in a dream. It’s a cool name and my hub’s son gave the approval! …
BeccaK says
Wow – that’s amazing!
Jessica says
Huge congrats! Either way is wonderful, but how exciting to have a sweet boy! We are due with baby #2 the first week of June and I’m dying to find out but have to wait until the end of January. The anticipation!
Selma Harris says
Congratulations!!! Praying all goes well and looking forward to seeing his new room and his arrival next year!
Kerry says
WOW!
Congrats on Captain Barnacles!
I would have chosen a pink envelope, too. I was CONVINCED he was a she.
Can’t wait to see the nursery. Congrats, again. How wonderful.
Randy R. says
Congrats to you and your family! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the years by the way. My wife and I are currently expecting in January but we plan on finding out the baby’s gender the old fashioned way…in the delivery room!
Kati says
And what’s the due date again? Sometime in April? Healthy healthy healthy babies, that’s what we love!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, sometime around the middle of April (I have to be monitored due to complications at Clara’s birth, so there’s not really a set date yet, but the middle of the month is the best guess). My brother’s birthday is on the 22nd, but we don’t think we’ll be allowed to go that long.
xo
s
Erika m says
My first child (boy) is on April 22nd, a day after my brother in laws bday the 21st, maybe your little guy will be the 23rd, a day after uncle haha…so excited for your little boy! April 22 is a good day!
Nancy50 says
Congrats! Good thing John likes to run – now you will know what it’s like to chase after a little boy! Wishing you a healthy and easy delivery :)
Heather says
Congratulations! That is such wonderful news that a healthy baby boy will be joining your family!
amyks says
Congratulations! So exciting…we found out the sex of our children through ultrasounds for 2 and the last one was through blood work because of early complications. We didn’t tell anyone what the sex was until they were born though. It was hard keeping the secret for that many months and most tried to guess frequently or get us to give it up, but we weren’t talking.
Karly says
Congrats Petersiks!!
Sara V says
Yaay Congratulations!! I have a 2 1/2 year old son and just found out a couple weeks ago that my current inhabitant is a girl!! Due April 3rd. My husband actually couldn’t come to the ultrasound appointment so I had the technician put the sex in an envelope for us to open together, and I was so excited I pretty much just sent out a mass text to all my friends and family. I’m the worst at keeping exciting news to myself.
I can’t wait to see what you guys do with a boys’ room!
Laura says
Congratulations!! :) I got tears of joy in my eyes while reading this post. Following along with your home and family adventures brings such happiness to me (and so many others) – thank you so much for sharing such a precious and special moment with us all. xoxo
Dawn says
Contragulations!
When my husband and I were in the ultra sound room with baby #2 (#1 was a boy) and the tech said “it’s a girl”, my husband, very politely, told her to look again becase “I don’t make baby girls”. HAHA 7 years later and she still has her daddy wrapped around her finger!
Brittney Everett says
Love this!
Elisa says
Congrats! And the boy doll for Clara – inspired! How great that she totally gets it.
Katie T. says
Congratulations! So excited for you guys!! Excited to see everything progress over the next few months and so glad he is healthy!
Elaissa says
Congrats! We had a surprise baby (boy) and the Drs were so excited. It was there 2nd surprise baby that night!
Dana says
Congratulations!! I love being a momma to a little rough and tumble boy :)
Erin says
ahhhhhhh so exciting for you and your family! congrats!
Devon says
I call my 10 month old the Barnacle… Because she is always attached to me! Congrats!
Amy E. says
haha! hilarious!
Jayme @ Keeping Up With Myself says
Congratulations! I am so excited to see all the future little boy-themed stuff.
I must say I was a little confused this morning reading the post’s title because my sleep-addled mind thought you were talking about my daughter. Her name is Peyton but I call her Baby P on the internet all the time and the name is always in my head now. Baby P this, Baby P that. It took me a second to process that you were referring to your last name haha! I may need coffee…
Sam Frank says
YAY!! Congrats!! So excited to see what you guys come up with for the nursery!
Calista says
Congratulations!!!!!
We are due on May 25th and having a boy as well! Found out early with the 12 week blood test. They told us it would take 7 to 10 days to get the results, and they give you a phone number to call in and a code to use. Hubby couldn’t wait 7 days, so after 4 days, he said “Let’s just call and see…” And lo and behold the message was there! Super exciting stuff :) We told the family at Thanksgiving with “gender reveal” pumpkin spice cupcakes from a local bakery with a little blue surprise inside. So fun!
Emily H. says
Congratulations!
Like people were saying when you announced your pregnancy, I’ve never been so excited for a family I don’t know!
Clara is just adorable in this post – She’s going to be such a great older sister. I can’t wait until the “Clara Convos” include her giving what is sure to be awesome “advice” to her little bro!
Yay, Petersiks!
Laura C says
We’ve got a little one on the way, due just a week or two after your little man. We had our ultrasound on Monday and DID NOT find out, which was really hard to do seeing as I’m an obstetrician and know how to read ultrasound … Nevertheless I’m SO excited to see what you guys do with the nursery, hoping to get some good ideas for ours!
Dana says
Congrats!! How exciting!
We are going to wait until delivery day to find out the gender of baby #2 (due in March). The wait is SO hard. We found out early with our son. I’ll have to live vicariously through you guys in terms of planning out a nursery design. :)
Brittany says
My husband and I had the ultrasound technician write the sex and put it in an envelope. I took it to the bakery and had them make the inside blue or pink depending on the sex. We had a party at our new house with about 50 of our friends and family. After everyone had their food and had mingled, we all couldn’t wait any longer. With all 50 of us crammed together in and around the kitchen, my husband and I cut the corner of the cake and we all found out together that we were having a boy! That moment was one of the most exciting and precious moments I will ever have.
Congratulations on your little guy!! He will have your heart!
Lisa E says
That is so cool. Love that!
Caitlin says
Yay! Congrats! Boy was my official guess :)
We have immediate family spread out in Florida (Key West & Gainsville) but we are in Ft. Lauderdale. We used skype to get everyone together so we could tell them at once. I order cupcakes from the Publix bakeries in each city that had chocolate frosting on top with a big white frosting question mark. We had them filled with pink frosting and had everyone eat their cupcake on skype. It was a pretty fun and tasty way to tell everyone!
Lisa E says
So creative!
Sarah says
Congrats!! We had a 2 year old little girl when we were expecting #2, and we actually waited until birth to find out the sex. (All my husband’s idea.) The nurses and doctor forgot that we didn’t know, so when the baby was lying on my chest just after birth, I suddenly yelled, “WHAT IS IT!?!” I’m certain they all thought I was nuts, but I got to discover for myself that we had a second baby girl. Having two is so fun! Enjoy :)
Chelsea Wilson says
I’d been refreshing the page all morning, waiting for this post! So excited for you all! Congrats!
Leigh Anne says
CONGRATS!! A daddy’s girl and mama’s boy – I can’t imagine anything sweeter! I was pregnant last year when I met you all in Cincinnati, and now have a crawling, pulling up, so much fun and getting into everything 9 month old baby boy! We found out at the ultrasound appointment, and although I know nothing of the medical profession, it was quite apparent that our baby was a little boy;) We went home and decorated the house in pink and blue balloons, made pink and blue lemonade, and had a great friend bake a cake with a blue inside but iced in white with “Boy or Girl?” written out the outside. The grandma’s cut the cake and a lot of hooting and hollering ensued. What a special time for your family, and I hope that the next half of your pregnancy is filled with the fun of nursery planning and the images of holding your sweet baby boy in your arms. He’ll have amazing parents and a wonderful big sis and big doggy bro!
Jamie says
Comgratulations! My little bit is eight weeks old and already I’m dreaming of adding a sibling to the mix. We found out the sex at our 20 week ultrasound, and shared the news by talking a picture of our pooch with pink balloons attached to her harness. We took pics with both blue and pink the week before, and she only smiled with the pink balloons. I guess the pup just knew!
Meg says
Hooray!!! Congratulations that he’s a healthy little barnacle (I’d so call him “Barney” but that might have some womanizing “How I Met Your Mother” tone to it. ;-))
Sounds weird, but as I was cataloging books, something just hit me, “John and Sherry are going to have a boy.” Had no sense before that. So happy for you guys!
For our first, we decided to be surprised (which I’m sure drove our family NUTS, hee hee), and found out in the OR when they announced it. Tears! Such a classic moment to hear “It’s a boy!” We plan on being surprised with any future bambinos, too. ;-)
Laura says
YAAAAY!! I am so happy! Congrats! :) We have the same children of an older sister and a younger brother. She is 2 and he is 7 months! You (and we) are so blessed to have one of each! Boys are SO different than girls (obviously) and from our experience, our little prince is much more high maintenance than our princess! Does that make us King & Queen? Our whole office follows your blog and we all collectively squealed when we saw your post! Congratulations again! Yay for the little barnacle!! :)
Susan Clark says
Congratulations!!!! this was so fun to read and be a part of this morning!!!!
Leah says
Congrats! Oh, I second the difficulty of finding a boy doll. We got one for our son when we were expecting his sister, and I couldn’t find one anywhere!
We didn’t find out with our son, it was actually really fun to find out in the waiting room (even though I was 99% he was a boy), I liked the “It’s a boy!” from the doctor and nurses.
We did find out at the 20-week appt. with our daughter, though I was in so much shock that she was a girl (again, I was 99% sure she was a boy!) that I just called and blurted out the news, nothing fun or creative.
Now to wait until Monday to see what Baby Bower is!
Sam G says
Congratulations! So very happy for you all. Boys are so much fun!
Deme says
So exciting!!!! Our 1st was a girl and we felt the same way about our 2nd – thought another girl would be fun. It’s what we knew and our daughter was so awesome….and then Sully arrived. Turns out he was exactly what we hoped for, I just didn’t know it until he got here :) Healthy baby is the perfect gift – so excited for you guys!!
saVUryandsweet says
CONGRATS PETERSIKS!! I had an inkling after looking at the Clara Conversations that you’d be announcing today :) We just posted a profile sonogram picture with the text “It’s a boy!!” when we found out in February. I had our baby boy in August, and the first few weeks were trying but now that we’re three months+ it’s more and more fun everyday. So very excited for you guys!
Kristin Aune says
YAY! Congratulations. I knew my second was a boy because of the terrible morning sickness, I had no doubt! With my first, a girl, I didn’t even feel one bit nauseous. We found out the gender with all three, but with the third we looked away during the ultrasound and the tech put the photo revealing the gender in an envelope and we found out together with our family and friends at a reveal party. My neighbor who bakes cakes was the only one who knew, and the icing inside was blue!
Gina F says
Thanks for sharing! It’s so fun to find out about your life. My 3 year old girl is in love with Clara and her videos. We are also having a little boy any day now and just bought our first 1950s rancher in Maryland last year. Your blog has been great for me to be inspired and follow along because I feel I can relate. Good luck – hope the nausea is getting better. Mine gets a little better about the 7th month.
Jessica says
congrats!!!!! this is so exciting!!
when i was pregnant (and even before we conceived) i knew knew knew i was going to have a daughter. i had dreams about her and i just felt like i could see her in my future. we found out during the ultrasound, and when the tech confirmed it was a girl i just started to cry. i had no words, we were just so happy!! we didn’t do anything cool, i have no patience or self control haha. i have to tell everybody immediately! we told family, then announced it on facebook with the ultrasound pic. today my 15 month old daughter is the joy of our lives. can’t wait to see baby BOY petersik!!
Jen says
Omg, congrats.
I had to smile at “barnacle” because my friend (who is a grown adult, BTW) nicknamed my son that because of how he would snuggle up and cling to everyone’s chest. Sadly, that nickname has been phased out though now that he’s a very mobile 9-month old.
Looking forward to some little dude decor ideas!
Christie says
Congratulations!!! That is so wonderful and Clara is quite possibly the sweetest little girl. I am positive she will be an amazing big sister. :-)
Ashleigh says
Yay! So excited for you guys! I was so much sicker with my son than with my daughter too; hopefully your starting to feel better!
Monica says
Congrats! I was totally thinking the baby would be a girl.