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Yeesh.
2016 is flyyying by.
One of these days will be the day that I can catch up with life (&laundry) without time literally slipping between my hands. I think.

There have been some monumental things happening over at the Holt Haus lately.
We spent most of the fall/winter doing some remodeling which was a good, distracting, complicated, annoyance -- and just enough to keep me focused from the hell that surrounded me last Halloween.

Spring is partially here and because the weather doesn't want to make up it's mind some days still feel like winter unfortunately. Hey winter, buzz off.

Ricky and I had been saving up for a trip to the Dominican Republic for sometime in April/May -- A Charley FREE trip but with all the Zika virus issues and with us not knowing whether or not I'd be pregnant we started thinking about other vacation options. In February we were really feeling the Winter Blues and decided to take our DR monies and plan a trip to Disneyland which we left for about a week later. I spent the entire vacation dealing with a sinus infection from hell. I actually caved and took antibiotics because after 2 boxes of kleenex, a raw nose, a gallon of distilled water (nasal irrigation) and a lot of essential oils, sometimes you just need antibiotics. After beginning the antibiotics I endured some night sweats, some clammy hands, and a clear nasal passage. I usually always get the most awkward side effects so I chalked it up to that.

Oh, and the Kleenex box I had signed by Doc McStuffins.

After coming home from Disneyland I had a pregnancy test lying around so I pee'd on it and there it was. THE line. I know better than to get excited when it's that early. I told Ricky and we both were excited of course, but completely guarded and cautious. Me more than him.

I spent a few days the next week miserable with the flu.
After the flu subsided the nausea, heart burn, food aversions, constipation, and hunger all kept me company for the next 2 months. Alongside some sour patch kids, 7-11 nachos, and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider. Healthy, I know.

I had my first appointment mid april at 10w and had my due date pushed back a week, due to ultrasound measurements but so far everything was good -- minus the severe pregnancy symptoms that had me molded to the couch.

This last Monday May 9th was my second appointment. It was Ricky's flex day off so he was going to stay home with Charley but to be honest with you -- I am TERRIFIED to go to the OB by myself anymore. I don't know that I am strong enough for bad news by myself right now. So Ricky AND Charley came with me. The wait was quite lengthy. I am seeing a new, new OB because my first choice now delivers at an out of network hospital and my second choice switched practices before my first appointment. So my new, new had me all stressed out in the beginning.. BUT things are going well with him and I like & trust him as my provider.

Anyway,
After our lengthy lengthy wait and watching "Work from Home" "Try Everything" and "NO" on YouTube a dozen times each my Dr came into the exam room and fired up the ultrasound machine.
I was so not expecting an ultrasound at this appointment and we had plans to find out the gender on the 21st of May at a private scan after Charley's dance recital. We really wanted Charley to see her sibling on the ultrasound machine and be part of the experience. We however, were going to have them write down the gender and do a reveal -- LIVE via Facebook -- just the 3 of us. (The Facebook didn't know about our growing secret yet).

My doctor had no trouble finding the babe and went to work examining the brain, length, heartbeat & then said let's take a peek at the genitals and in that split second I knew we were likely about to find out the gender -- just the 3 of us and I was so glad they were with me!

Our babe was spread eagle and there was no denying the nub. The perks of having a doctor do your ultrasound is that they tell you a LOT more information than the ultrasound techs ever will -- because they can! So he takes a picture and says "I can't tell you to paint the room blue but that's a penis."

With our upcoming trip I knew we had to tell our parents in a fun way before my big mouth spilled the beans. Of course, Ricky and I were happy for anything at this point but we are both over the moon to have one of each.

We stopped by the party store for some blue confetti poppers and headed to his mom's first. We showed up un-announced and had her pop the magic! She had said this one was a boy the entire time & right she was!

Next stop unannounced was my parents house. My brother helped us out with time to make sure my mom was awake and let us know when he and my dad were back from golfing.
We showed up again, unannounced & asked who wanted a push pop. (Confetti popper). My mom said she didn't want one and my dad asked what flavor to which I replied "Cherry or Blue Raspberry" CLEVER. I KNOW!

You can watch the shenanigans here.

So our plans changed a little bit and WE WENT LIVE on Facebook and boom goes the dynamite!
An impromptu gender reveal and pregnancy announcement all in one.

Hudson Alexander Holt should be here around November 14th, 2016!