Fun with STEM

Disclaimer:I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.


Up next in the review series is a super cute little game that is good on the go!  We tried out Stratos Spheres recently and I can really see some great uses for this product!  Here's the official link: Stratos Spheres by ThinkFun  (I do not use affiliate links and will not receive any bonus for you clicking the links on our page)

On first look, this game reminded me of those chemical strands that you can build.  Which (Nerd Alert) look like so much fun. So, I was already excited to try this game.  Since Lucy is only 4 we didn't really use the rules as much as we explored with it.  I want her to see learning all around us.  So we played.  We stacked as many as we could, we built them passing back and forth, we built it upside down.  Then, she didn't want me to play with her anymore and took them to play by herself for about 20 minutes.  Clearly, a hit!

Newest item to be reviewed... We like it a lot! #building #STEM #girlsdosciencetoo #thinkfun #recievedfreetotest

A photo posted by Allicia Faber (@alliwait) on Feb 18, 2016 at 1:03pm PST

Some likes/dislikes:
The spheres have two strong connectors, these wont break off, and they stay well connected.  It was a little hard for Lucy to fully connect some of the pieces.  I believe this is due to hand strength, which means the game actually works to strengthen that! Also, this durability means this game is ideal for the car.  It can be easily passed back and forth even to a sibling in the third row.

I was happy to see that a drawstring bag was included. While adorably shaped, the box Stratos Spheres comes in is not too durable itself.. thus, happily, the drawstring bag. It's mesh on one side and the ThinkFun logo is on the other.  Great to be able to see what is inside.  All of the pieces fit in the bag.

Honestly, I enjoyed tinkering with this game and look forward to some 3D thinking and playing in our home.

Check out the cute little video about the game,

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Brilliant Baby Food, a review of Cutielunch Reusable Squeeze Pouch

Reusable Pouches might just be my new favorite thing!



Just starting with the legal bit: I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

Now for the fun part!  Ever thought to yourself it's so expensive to buy those baby food pouches at the store? And then, your baby turns into a toddler and wants the "fun" ones with the pudding which cost an extra dollar... well, solution found!   Cutielunch Reusable Squeeze Pouch to the rescue!

I always wanted to make my own baby food, but since we always qualified for WIC we got tons of baby food jars from them. I am very blessed to have received all this free baby food, trust me.  I always cry when the kids move up to "real" food!  It is great at home, but when we have to go anywhere it is such a mess taking the little container and trying to use a spoon with a wiggly kid.  Besides, I ALWAYS manage to spill on myself opening the foil top.. seriously, how hard does that have to be.

So, reusable pouches have been on my mind for quite a while.  They always scared me a little bit.  When I had the opportunity to review these and receive a set for free I jumped at the chance.  I wasn't going to spend hard earned money on something I just wasn't sure would work.  Boy, was I wrong.

First, cost.  This particular set of 4 pouches is normally $14.99 but right now is marked down to 10.99.  If you have amazon prime (which seriously is a lifesaver in our house) you get free shipping. That comes out to $3.75 a piece at full price or $2.75 a piece if you snatch them up on sale. You might be thinking "but the grocery store ones are only $1" .... and that brings me to the second point...

Second, YOU DON'T THROW THEM AWAY WHEN YOU ARE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a huge issue, the pre-filled pouches at the grocery store get tossed when you are done.  Hello, landfill.  These are sturdy, and meant to be used over and over again.  I love that they are reusable, I will be saving so much more money than buying pouches at the grocery store every week.  Even if I still bought baby food at the store the savings just keep going up. The little glass jars are always cheaper than the new plastic ones, and can be used for neat projects afterwards.  Or, instead of buying 15 little plastic boxes of apples I can buy the big applesauce in the fruit section and save cost and trash.  Huge win. Want to have Apple/Squash mix? They don't sell that... you can just grab two single flavors, throw them in a pouch (I added cinnamon to mine) mix and eat!  So awesome..

Lets talk about the practicality, the logistics if you will.  Because we all know it's no good if the food just pops out of the seal and we're no better off than before... guess what?! DOUBLE SEAL! BAM. The bottom has two zip-lock like seals, they are deeply ridged so they catch the other side really well.  After I made my first batch I opened it to check and could see that the cinnamon had gotten between the innermost seal but the outer seal was there to make sure nothing spilled.  It was my fault for using the shaker instead of a spoon to put the cinnamon into the pouch. Learn from my mistakes! Use a spoon if adding spices! But still, there was no leak.

Only for babies? NO WAY! Lucy thought the picture was so cute. She is very picky about which pouches she will get from the store (they have to be purple or pink lately) but with the fun fruits on these she is happily asking for them!  I can up the flavor level when making pouches for Lucy or keep it bland for the baby.  I am tempted to make some for myself!  I'm thinking a little peach and cinnamon with a splash of vanilla might taste just like cobbler!  Cutielunch Reusable Squeeze Pouch has changed the way I look at snacks on the go.  Want your own set? Click here!  (this is not an affiliate link, I'm not cool enough for one of those yet): Reusable Baby Food Pouch (4-pack) for Homemade Baby Food. Squeeze Pouch Is Great As a Food Container and for Food Storage.

I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

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Friday Quick Takes #8

--- 1 ---

I spent money this week.

For those following my "The Year of Living With What We Have" series this is clearly contradictory.

I tried to stick to things we needed instead of things I wanted, but ended up with a few of both.

--- 2 ---

Lucy had her 18month check up today.

She's doing fabulously.

We don't need to worry about her not talking with ANYONE else, as long as she is talking with us and is clearly understood.

--- 3 ---

We're going to start potty-training.

I was going to start today, but she is in a FOUL mood and I really wasn't feeling excited about the idea of dragging her to the bathroom!

--- 4 ---

I crafted this week. Made a pin board for hanging art to dry or to display.

It worked great for Lucy's fingerpaints (that I needed in #1 above since I didn't want to use food coloring like all the "homemade fingerpaints" on pinterest require.

I take issue with food coloring since it stains EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I use it.

--- 5 ---

Dustin has been working an overnight shift.

It's hard on both of us.

I would prefer to get to work a little earlier than I have been but with one car we don't have much choice.

It is hard to spend time together, but we were chosen to do a TV Talk Show about BONES so we'll have at least 90minuts to spend together every monday!

Ccheck out www.tvtalkapp.com for more info and we'll probably have a full length blogpost about it soon.

--- 6 ---

Lucy has been trying to climb in and out of her dolly stroller this week.

It's adorable and nervewracking at the same time.

She can only fit one foot in the front of the stroller, I am terrified she will fall and break her ankle.

he is not concerned with this possible outcome.

--- 7 ---

Everyone should go listen to the new Jars of Clay album.

It is awesome.

It has some fresh sound and awesome lyrics.

If you've never listened to them, or didn't like them before I URGE you to check this album out.

My favorite lyric so far is "made you a ringtone with a voice that sounds like mine saying 'the boy of dreams is calling' when I'm calling" and "Don't know enough about love so we make it up"

$2 off coupon for In-stores or on-line: http://bit.ly/Inland_BestBuy.

You can preview it here. CLICK!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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The Quickest Quick Take Evah! (#8)

--- 1 ---

I'm going to be quick like a bunny because every time I start getting a long flowing thought the baby makes a noise that sounds an awful lot like "Momma, I refuse to sleep any longer" and I get nervous and lose my train of thought

--- 2 ---

I started a new business selling Thirty-One.   I L-O-V-E the products and will have a give-away here and there, in the mean time I will tell you that I think everyone in the entire world needs an Organzing Utility Tote (pictured below) and my website for shopping and browsing is: www.mythirtyone.com/alliciafaber

--- 3 ---

Lucy has 4 teeth... the front four teeth... the teeth with which to bite a Momma in a very special 'Momma and Lucy time' place.  And all the Mommas said "Ouch!"

--- 4 --- 

The dog got out today. She's such a pest. I was actually standing out there watching her and she went up to the fence, sniffed a little to fool me, and darted. Luckily she takes her time sniffing things and I can get to the end of the block to meet her before she gets into the street. Surprisingly, she always seems so happy to see us and comes running into our arms when we get to the end of the block.  Silly dog!
 

--- 5 ---

Baby is awake.  Gonna see if I can get these last two in before she gets annoyed.

--- 6 ---

Lucy will be a ladybug for halloween. I was a ladybug for the last 3 Halloweens. Yes, I love ladybugs. Yes, I got it at a yardsale. No, I will not make my husband dress up as a ladybug!

--- 7 ---

Happy Birthday to Lino Rulli.  Who's Lino Rulli? You'll have to click on The Catholic Guy to find out. It's legit I swear!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Friday Quick Takes #6

--- 1 ---

It's been a while since I've blogged regularly.  Maybe you didn't even notice I was gone. If you did, I missed you too. If not, oh well.  I'm trying to get myself back into blogging more often. Lucy is a little older now and goes to bed around 8-which means two whole hours to be a real person before I'm exhausted.

--- 2 ---

I saw this tonight on pinterest, CLICK, and it got me thinking that little things will get me out of this funk.  I have always struggled with depression, I came off medication while pregnant and really would like to stay off of it while breastfeeding. This means I have to work at being happy. The article I linked to there has a few good tips that will take so little time each day how could I not include them in my day.

--- 3 ---

I entered Lucy in Gerber's next baby search.  Voting doesn't start till September, so get ready for me to drive you crazy asking for votes.

--- 4 --- 

The town is doing construction on my street, it has been several weeks. They are systematically working their way up and down the street... Well, yesterday they made it to my block. There are trucks, rocks, cones, and men out there daily.  The machine that breaks into the concrete is my *favorite* it shakes the whole house and makes a lovely nap-interrupting-bang-like noise!

--- 5 ---

Olympics. Since giving up cable I don't have many options during the day. It isn't so bad, I like the swimming trials. Volleyball isn't really my thing, but I do find myself rooting for team USA no matter what sport is on. Also, I wish the good stuff was on at 930 instead of 11pm. I really cannot stay up til midnight!

--- 6 ---

I cut the dog's hair yesterday, it looks HORRIBLE! I thought i would just cut most of it then use the trimmers to finish so I didn't clog said trimmers with doggy hair... well, the trimmers weren't that good and I don't think I will find a good pair any time soon. Here's to hoping in grows in soon.

--- 7 ---

I like to imagine Lucy will want to be in sports. Our preference is soccer. It's a good sport for team work and we like watching it, so we won't be bored sitting there for hours... I should stock up on sunblock now. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Lucy's future. It's stressful!

Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.

Naturally, it's another one of Christ's rules that I break, because tomorrow freaks me the freak out. Along with the normal future worries (retirement, savings, lunch), now I start worrying about my daughter. And you know, I worry more about her than anything I've ever worried about.

True, I worry about things that are important. But since my daughter is only 22 days old, my worrying could be taken as a sign that her old man is nuts. Don't believe me? Here are the things that I have found myself thinking about more than once.

• Lucy's first car date. The puppy love doesn't worry me. It's that first time that some punk kid shows up wanting to take Lucy on a date. I was once one of those boys, and my intentions sometimes were less than pure. I'm naive to think that just because it's my daughter, some boy won't be putting his penis' well-being above everything else.



Thank God I'm an excellent shot with a shotgun. I really need to start working out. If I can put in 15 years of nonstop weight-lifting, I'll be much more imposing than I am now.

• Lucy's tonsils being removed. I know all parents worry about their kids getting sick, but the tonsils being removed is the real bummer. Sure you get to eat ice cream, but what parent wants to see their kid in so much agony for an entire week? I don't want to see my daughter in pain like that.

I'm hoping that she never gets sick, but alas, that's a foolish thought.

• "Daddy, I don't really like video games." Somehow, I've always envisioned my daughter and I exploring the greatness that is Megaman 2 or Mickey Mania. My sister and I played the heck out of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and it's one of those fun memories I'll always have. The idea that I won't get to share those memories with her kind of makes me sad, as I have so many video gaming moments mapped out in my brain already.

Someone has to beat Mommy at Tetris, ya know!

• She won't like spicy foods. Daddy loves to put tabasco sauce on EVERYTHING. I love cooking with spices. Peppers are my best friend. My goal is to build up her spice tolerance so much so that she'll be able to eat the hottest stuff in the world and win a few bets with that strength. But if my daughter grows up thinking cherry peppers are too hot, then that plate of hot wings won't be as much fun to share.

• She grows up hating the New England Patriots. Not going to happen. The trick is, don't be such a zealot, so she won't identify football as this crazy obsession that dad makes me partake in. That said, I'll make sure that she never owns a Jets jersey.

I think every dad should be proud of that resolve.

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Friday Quick Takes #3

--- 1 ---

It has been a while since I blogged in general, even longer since posting a quick take! Sorry about that. The last month or two of pregnancy really drained me and I basically spent my evenings horizontal on the couch!

--- 2 ---

Baby Lucy arrived one day after her due date.  I spent the whole day in labor (starting at 4am) and at 10:30 pm the doctor said a c-section was in order. at 11:08pm on 2/28/12 Lucy Amelia Faber entered the world.  Yes, 52 minutes shy of Leap Day! Yes, we finally picked a middle name!

--- 3 ---

The one thing I have learned in my short 3 weeks of being a new mother is: Don't beat yourself up if you change your mind. I went into parenthood with all kinds of ideas about what I would and wouldn't do with my baby... Then the baby came, and cried, and got jaundice, and wouldn't eat right, and has congestion.  Basically there is no choice but to reevaluate priorities-  Changing your mind about how you are going to do things doesn't make you any less of a parent. 

--- 4 ---

Breastfeeding is HARD in the beginning.  It really does get easier, but it sucks in the beginning (three weeks in and it still kinda sucks.)  I never though I would discuss my sore nipples with so many people in such a short amount of time.  Some tips for you ladies who want to be mothers one day: Nipple Shields are glorious, without it I don't think we would still be breastfeeding.  There is a difference between sucking and chewing.  A pacifier is NOT the devil. A solid two hours of sleep in a row at night is not enough, but you will make due (cue pacifier).  WAKE up your husband for anything that makes you get out of bed, especially if you had a c-section.

--- 5 ---

 
My husband sleeps like a rock.  A snoring rock, but a rock none the less.  He said he'd change every diaper and at first I figured why wake him- I am already up feeding her, what sense did it make for both of us to be up. Turns out, it makes a difference, if I had him change her when she is done eating he can rock her back to sleep and I can already be in dreamland. Sure it takes a minute to wake him up, but taking care of a newborn while recovering from delivery takes a toll on your body. That extra 3 minutes of sleep is totally worth it.

--- 6 ---

My baby is adorable.

--- 7 ---

Sorry about all the Mommy stuff. I hope my future posts are a bit more balanced. I'm just getting used to this new "job" and had lots of stuff to get off my chest this week.  I'm very pleased I could get out a Quick Take this week, and super happy I could spend some time on the internet the last few days-it made me feel like a human again (and now Human Again from Beauty and the Beast is playing in my head)

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Nine Days Later

It feels like so many changes have happened.

Wow, did I really start a post about being a newborn father in such a cliche fashion? I might as well write that it's a dark and stormy night.

Thing is, every cliche about being a new parent is true. No sleep. Gutted personal time. Losing track of days. All of that has happened with Lucy Amelia Faber's arrival last week. However, here are a few more things that I didn't anticipate.

• Everyone around me is suddenly a worse driver than before. When I had Lucy in the car with me on the way home from the hospital, every person around me drove like a crazed lunatic straight out of Arkham Asylum. Perhaps it's just being nervous about a new passenger in the car, but I swear that truck in front of me did not pass his driving test.

• Mornings are a lot more fun. My workday actually starts at 11:30. Three months ago, I'd sleep until 9:23. Now? I'm up no later than 8:0. Perhaps it's just a phase that will go away when Lucy starts sleeping in, but I doubt it: It's nice being up early, as I feel a lot more productive.

• Energy is a precious commodity. Remember my Lenten goal of no food or drink during daylight hours? Yeah, not happening now. Before baby was born, I was able to handle that with ease.  But now, so much energy is demanded to take care of Lucy that I need to find another sacrifice to make. Perhaps a rosary twice a week is in the cards.

It's a learning experience for sure. But it's one that I'm really embracing.

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Lucy is born!

Just wanted to sneak away from the hospital to post this update (and eat lunch free of charge, put away laundry and let the dog out). Lucy Amelia Faber is here!

She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, was 19.75 inches long, has all of her openings, and is extremely healthy. What happened was that Allicia's water broke at 4 a.m. Tuesday, and we went to the hospital shortly before 7 a.m. In my brain, I was thinking that the labor would only last a few hours. However, it kept going on. And on. And on some more!

Finally, I thought we were going to get a breakthrough. Early in the evening, Allicia was dialated at 7 centimeters. Great! I did want a Feb. 29 baby, but more than anything, I wanted my wife to no longer be in pain. I'd never seen her go through something as painful as what she went through on Tuesday, and it was nearly heartbreaking to me.

But then she got stuck on 7 centimeters. Around 10:30 the doctor came in and said that she would go through a C-section delivery instead, because the baby's heart rate jumped a little, and stalling at 7 cm was not a good thing.

Waiting for the C-Section to start, I prayed. Said a decade of the rosary. I knew that things would turn out well, but I was still scared. Surgery is never 100 percent, and I wanted my little girl to be ok.

Thing is, when the C-section started, I didn't have enough time to think of bad things: The C-Section was quick! Extremely quick, maybe 10 minutes to get the baby out.

"Stand up and look over the curtain, and get your camera ready," the doctor said.

I was completly unprepared for what I'd see. A head. A baby. Our baby. Bloodier than Ric Flair and CM Punk, but still absolutely beautiful. I don't think I'll ever live to experience a moment as wonderful as that moment in the OR. Maybe I didn't cry, but holding that baby, I was a giddy, giddy mess.

I'll have more to say on the subject when time permits, but I just wanted to post an update for everyone. Thank you so much for the prayers.

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Spinning records cause me to reflect

Whew! Finally, I have a free moment to type.

The reason I haven't blogged more often is because my customer service job has gotten crazy busy in the last few weeks. Due to tax season and some new programs we are taking part in, work has been offering overtime. So my schedule the last few days has actually been 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. By the time I come home, kiss my wife and hug my dog, there isn't much time to do anything else.

It's tiresome, doing all of that overtime, but I somehow feel spiritually obligated to do so. I think it would be wrong of me to pray for God to provide us with more financial assistance, then turn down an opportunity to get that assistance.

So I'll keep working until baby Lucy gets here. Then it's paycheck be damned! Well, for a week at least, then back to work (my job does not offer paid paternity leave).

Also today, I was able to dust off some of my old records (once I found the power cord, as it had been a while since I had listened to them). There's something, as horribly cliche as it sounds, magical about listening to records. You don't get that big album art with an iPod, and the way that newer records are manufactured, you don't get as much scratching and popping like you do with older albums.

Anyways, I was listening to Rainy Days and Monday by The Carpenters tonight, and despite the depressing lyrics, somehow the song puts me in a good mood. Maybe it's just Karen's voice, or maybe it's the knowledge that there are other people who get down and out for no real good reason at all. Sure, rainy days and Mondays get me down too, but I dunno, maybe it's just working so many hours that gets me discouraged sometimes.

There's no positive flip side to it: If I didn't work as much, we wouldn't have the money to pay bills and that would get me down too. Don't get me wrong, I'm super elated that my beautiful wife and I are going to have a baby soon. I guess it's just fear of screwing up as a parent that has me feeling sad. It probably just makes me a normal parent who's scared of the future though.

I'm sure a little prayer and some happier Carpenter's songs will help.

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Give a Little Gift

I was born 8 weeks early. I have spent my entire pregnancy praying my baby would not be premature. I have a friend, Janet, and her husband, Mike, who weren't as lucky as I have been.  They don't know I'm writing this post, and I really hope they don't mind. I'll show it to them when we're done here...

Janet and Mike are a sweet couple, smart, and funny. I enjoy their company.  I met them through a friend a few years ago.  

Janet and Mike got pregnant with twins after being married over a decade.  They delivered their babies early, 16 weeks early.  Which means their twins Jaina and Cade were born at 24 weeks. Sweet baby Jaina fought hard for a few days, but is now waiting in heaven for her family.  Cade spent about 4 months in the NICU surrounded by nurses and doctors who cared for him expertly.

I cannot imagine travelling back and forth every day like Janet and Mike.
I cannot imagine the pain of bringing Cade home without his sister.

Cade 4mo old and home!

Why am I telling you this story and showing you an adorable baby photo?  Janet is participating in the March Of Dimes walk and is raising money in honor of her beautiful son Cade, and in memory of her precious daughter Jaina. I'm hoping that by being a friend of TheCatholicLovebirds and all that we love, you might consider donating to this fight.  There are so many babies born early, March of Dimes is doing everything they can to prevent this. When it can't be prevented March of Dimes does what they can to support these babies and their families.  Think of all your friends, how many have been affected by miscarriage, early births, premature or preterm births, birth defects?  Then click the link below and donate.  Donate in honor of the babies that fight to become adults.   Could you give a dollar? One dollar isn't much of a sacrifice really when you think of it... You've probably got that much between the couch cushions.

I've committed to donate a dollar amount equivalent to the weeks at which Lucy is born. What will you commit to?  Pickel Family MOD page

MOD mission statement

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Middle Name Game

I've always know I wanted to name a daughter Lucy, but now I'm struggling with a good middle name for our little gummibear.  I could use your help!

I've listed a bunch of names we've been throwing around and I'd love to get some input. Please feel free to share what you think.  Do you know someone with one of the names and they are awesome(or horrible?)  How about if you think the name sounds right sandwiched between the two permanent choices?

I think I just need an outside perspective.  


Potential Middle Names for Lucy ________ Faber

Amelia (one of my favs, also belongs to Cousin of hubby and MIL's middle name)
Hartley (originally a guys name, shows up several times on my mothers side)
Anne
Aurelia
Virginia (a grandmother)
Helen (a grandmother)
Janine
Faith (my mothers name)
Elizabeth (a grandmother)
Ella
Ellen
Catherine
Also taking new suggestions if you think of something adorable!
 

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It just got real

Sorry for the delayed posting. Been a hectic few weeks due to a new shift change at work (now working 11:30 to 8, as working into the evening gives me an extra dollar an hour).

But I did want to write quickly and let everyone know that after visiting the doctor, we are having a girl (Lucy Hartley Faber)! Yes, I was hoping for a boy. Since my sister has two boys, we would have gotten more hand-me-down items, and when our kids get to high school, an older brother would be added security when it comes to my daughter bringing home some boy who just wanted to get into her pants.

I'm not going to go King Henry VIII on my wife for not giving me a male heir, but part of me was a little disappointed.

For about 45 seconds. Then I started thinking about how amazing it would be to have a daughter, and since that Ultrasound, I'm counting down days in my head until our daughter is born.

Ironically, the ultrasound showed something I'll appreciate later on in life. The nurse was unable to actually see the baby's reproductive organs on the screen, instead pointing out three little white lines. These lines are apparently what is used to determine gender.

And it was then that my wife made an outstanding observation. "The one time you want your daughter to spread her legs, she doesn't do it!" Yes, our daughter being uncooperative during the ultrasound (delaying the gender reveal by 30 min or so), was frustrating, but I'm sure when she hits high school, I'll be thankful that she's already made the right decision to keep those private parts hidden from the world.

Before the gender was revealed, we knew we were having a baby. But finding out if the baby would be a boy or girl just seemed to make it more real. Instead of us having a baby being some abstract idea that would get here on Feb. 29, 2012, it got real. As if a candle was lit inside my brain, it dawned on me that I'm going to become a father.

I'm going to have a daughter.

God help us all.

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