I haven’t been looking much into “gender prediction,” but goodness knows there are many theories out there on how to “predict” a baby’s gender in utero.

The fact of the matter is, we could’ve found out at our 16 week appointment (21 weeks ago!), but chose not to.  We also could’ve found out at our 20 week or 20½ week appointments, 23 week appointment, 27 week appointment, 30 week appointment, 32 or 33 week appointments, 34 week appointment, or any of my weekly (or more!) future appointments.  Point taken?  Yes.  If we wanted to know in advance – we would’ve found out by now!!!  The whole point is, we never wanted to!

via here

All of that being said, I LOVE hearing everyone else’s thoughts, feelings, and philosophies!  We have thought girl all along with absolutely no good reason. Just a feeling.  Here are the results of the gender prediction theories (that are on my radar, anyway!)…

• According to the needle test (dangle a needle on a thread over the belly…if it sways in a circle, it’s a girl..if it’s sways back and forth, it’s a boy), it’s a girl.
• According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it’s a girl (so I’ve been told!).
• According to baby’s average heart rate (between 150 and 160), it’s a girl.
• According to this hot bod, weight gain, and my not-so-great complexion (a girl is said to “steal your beauty” – nice), it’s a girl.
• According to the presence of the single umbilical artery, there’s a higher probability of this baby being a girl.
• According to my clumsiness, it’s a boy.
• According to my dreams, I’m having both a boy AND a girl…and this my friends is impossible.
• According to painting the nursery walls blue, it’s a girl.
• According to us thinking all along it’s a girl, it’s a boy.

So, as you can see, there is overwhelming evidence suggesting that we’re carrying a little princess.  Truth be told, we honestly and sincerely just want a healthy baby!!!  (I know that sounds annoying, but it’s 100% true!)  And, most importantly of all, Baby T. will look cutely gender-specific leaving that hospital.  I purchased a newborn outfit for both a boy AND a girl!

What do you think we’re having?  Why?  Please refrain from referencing my width from behind – I’m still trying to find out when I deliver the baby that’s in my bum.  

Here’s an updated pic of this belly…

Let’s poll it, for fun!

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xoxo

p.s. Mom and Dad are going to join me for a cooking-to-freeze marathon today. Here’s to hoping that my feet hold up!

p.s.s. Scott has taken out his hospital bag…big step!  Now onto packing it!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

This year was the first time that I actually paid any attention to the buzz that surrounds Shark Week.  It never really caught my eye or sounded of any interest to me in the past.  But since we now live by the ocean and frequent floating in it, I figured I’d better educate myself.

Bad. idea.

I watched bits and pieces of a few shows.  Frightening!  My favorite was the episode narrated by Craig Ferguson, the self-proclaimed 3rd best late night TV show host.  Haha.  He lightened up the shark-y mood!  Otherwise, the rest of the programming scared me speechless (yes, this is hard to do!).

After getting a little worked up due to some unnecessary learning, we went to Sullivan’s Island.  Long story short(ish) → A father was yelling at his son not to go too deep into the water because of sharks.  Yes, he was yelling “sharks” at the beach (which is kinda like yelling “bomb” on a plane to me, but who am I?).  The father continues to explain to his son that a bartender from NY at Taco Mamacita said that Sullivan’s Island has had the most shark sightings of all of the local beaches.  (We know that bartender – Hi Jackie!)  I went to lay on my towel at this point while my fish of a husband stayed in the water much longer.  When Scott finally joined me back on the beach, he tells me that the guy fishing right near the young boy (note: right where we were swimming) just caught a 2 foot shark.  Really?  REALLY?  I don’t care if he was only 2 feet…it was 2 feet too long.  Yeah, I was done with swimming that day.

Do you think that sharks have some sort of meeting prior to Shark Week to make sure their teeth are all on the same page?  If so, I think it goes a little somethin’ like this…

Oy – I have an active imagination, huh.

Moving on!

The best part of Shark Week was going to the South Carolina Aquarium in downtown Charleston for a viewing of Jaws on the lawn.  First of all, this event was free (minus a few dollars for parking).  All were encouraged to bring chairs/blankets, but no coolers.  Luckily, food and drink were for sale.  $3 beers, $2 sodas, $1 waters; $2 hot dogs, $1 popcorn, and cheap nachos, too.  Seriously – the prices were generous!  They were giving away sunglasses, I ♥ Shark pins (I couldn’t get my hands on one!), providing shark facts, and walking around with shark teeth.  It was very cute.  Oh, and we got free Shark Week koozies.  Score!

Truth be told, I had never seen all of Jaws before.  I’m glad I finally have!

We had a great time!  Especially when the blow-up screen slowly collapsed a few times.  It made the movie that much more dramatic…the lightening going on in the far distance added to the drama!

Ahh, Shark Week.  It was fun while it lasted, no?  Anyone get really sucked in?!

p.s. I must face the facts – I’m back to work this week.  Hmph.  One last beach hurrah of the “summer” tomorrow, if the weather cooperates.

p.s.s. Did you know that each year there are only 3 reported shark injuries in the U.S. versus the startling and just-plain-weird 60,000 reported toilet injuries?  Yeah – chew on that!

Beach Count: 56

Pool Count: 18

High Temperature: 95° 

So I promised a blog a day in July…and somewhat made a liar out of myself.  I kinda changed the rules without consulting with you.  Are we fighting?

I missed a few days.  But in order to sleep soundly at night, I’ve given you 31 blogs in 31 days.  Good compromise, right?!  I thought so.

I really enjoyed this challenge.  So much that I think I’ve going to average 4-5 posts a week, on a normal week.  This is exciting news…for me anyway!  Who am I kidding – my getting-it-all-out-to-you helps my husband’s ears from bleeding on the daily from overstimulation.  Blogging has been deemed healthy for our relationship.  Extra super duper bonus for Scott?  It’s a FREE activity!  He’s one lucky man.

Haha from here

So, how’d I do?  Here are the most viewed posts from this month.  I wanna know – which post was your favorite?  Voting closes Wednesday, August 3rd.

Thanks for your participation!!!  Knowing what you like the most will help me to better sculpt the posts of the future.  Your input is important!!!

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Beach Count: 54

Pool Count: 17

High Temperature: 96°  

Alright – time to help a sister out!

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Jenn, a great NY friend, suggested Lady Liberty.  That way we will be constantly reminded of our roots!   Thanks for the suggestion, Jenn!  =)

Do you have a name idea that beats the rest?  Give it to me in a comment below!!!

p.s. This is my first poll ever, PLEASE VOTE!  Our little girl deserves her own identity (versus “Spikey’s sister!”).

Beach Count: *50*

Pool Count: 12

High Temperature: A sizzlin’ 99° (the heat index was 118°!)