Post-Grad and Loving It: Gender Reveal Party

Since I gave all my friends the go-ahead to post the exciting news, it’s no surprise on the blog that we are having a baby GIRL!

Patrick and I are beyond excited. At first, we thought we wanted a boy. We had convinced ourselves we were having one, since his family BREEDS boys! Because we had convinced ourselves it would be a boy, we didn’t want to get excited about the possibility of a girl. The video of us finding out it’s a girl is PRICELESS since our reactions are so stunned! I had to shorten the video because it was too large to upload, but I was in tears thanking everyone for coming to the party, because Patrick and I couldn't be happier or more blessed by the support we have. You can see me wiping the tears away. Also, Patrick saw the cupcake filling before I did, but once I heard everyone's screams I KNEW it was a girl! Once we found out, however, we were even more excited than if it had been a boy. All of our friends and family wanted a girl, since all the Laiti’s seem to be are boys (except my little niece Caitlin)! Our parents and grandparents all wanted a girl, and all my friends and his friends wanted a girl, but even they expected a boy. So everyone was shocked when we saw pink! I’m very glad that everyone wanted a girl, since that’s what she turned out to be.

Basically, we had the ultrasound technician write in a card we had bought if it was a boy or girl, and stick the ultrasound pictures where you can tell in the card as well. She sealed the envelope, and I drove it over to Cupcaked Bakery in Clifton, VA. Our friend Kristina owns Cupcaked, and I handed her the envelope, so only she (and the ultrasound tech!) knew if it was a boy or girl. She made two regular-sized cupcakes with the filling inside either pink or blue, and then made two orders of cupcake minis with either pink or blue frosting. We weren’t allowed to open the box of minis until we had bit into the regular-sized cupcakes with the pink or blue filling!

We had picked names well before the gender reveal for either boy or girl. We decided on the name Olivia Grace for her. It does not bear any family significance, but we just really like it! I think I convinced Patrick when I told him her initials are “O.G.” (like “original gangster”….haha). But either way, the name is a “normal” name but very cute. We aren’t into the weird baby name trends.

So, what was the next thing to do? Start on our baby registries, of course! We picked Pottery Barn: Baby and Target….and let me say, shopping for a girl is WAY more exciting! Monograms and baby pink & grey everything. My mom and I can’t wait to start decorating the nursery. Knowing what the gender and name are, Patrick and I feel like it seems more real (not like my large baby bump doesn’t make it seem real!). It makes us increasingly more excited. Also, she has been kicking like crazy! Patrick felt my tummy and felt her kick the other day. It’s really neat!

At our 20 week appointment we had, the ultrasound technician told us she looks healthy and that she couldn’t stop moving around the entire 45min appointment! She said we will definitely have our hands full. It’s so neat to watch the ultrasound and see her actually moving. It’s like watching TV! She kicked, waved her arms, and sucked her thumb. She also is measuring a week bigger than she should (big baby!) and her head is on the large side, which made me laugh. Overall, the appointment went very well!

We are so thrilled and can’t wait to welcome our little girl. The gender reveal was better than we ever could have asked for (there were almost 70 people there to support us!), and everyone that attended made the event even more special. It's so nice to be able to include our close family, friends, and coworkers into our exciting life events. Patrick and I couldn't say a million "thank you's" to justify how "on cloud 9" we are from it all! Now, to find out on Friday what my sister-in-law is having!

-LL

20 Week Ultrasound

Inside of the Cupcake!

DG's - Past and Future

Future Big and Little! Madelyn and Olivia

After the initial shock - love this one

Me and the Hubby in our Pink and Blue! Lots of compliments on the dress - a huge THANK YOU to my mom - she MADE this dress for me since we couldn't find any cute pink and blue maxi dresses!!!