Wait, What?!

We picked out a boy name. I was looking at boy nursery themes and birth announcements. I mean, after all, I knew this time around we were having a boy. I just knew it, because my pregnancy has been so different. I have felt great, haven't been sick, haven't even really felt pregnant. I had Kit convinced too. So when the sonographer said, "It's a little girl.", I looked at Kit and said, "I'm sorry!" He just laughed and said, "Why?! It's fine. She's perfect and healthy, and that's all that matters!"


And of course, I felt horrible for practically guaranteeing my husband that he was finally going to get the son he wants so badly. I really want him to share the special bond with his son like I share with Rayleigh. It was a polarizing experience because I knew we both wanted a boy but at the same time, I was elated that Rayleigh is going to have a sister!! Most importantly, we are both just happy that she looks perfect & healthy! We were both pretty quiet for the rest of the appointment and on the way home. I think we were both trying to wrap our brains around the fact that we are going to have 2 girls. 2 girls. HOLY COW. 2 little "Mini-Me"s? Double the dresses, hair bows, and jewelry. 2 first dates, 2 proms, 2 beautiful little girls to have to chase the boys away from. For Kit, 2 times walking his daughter down the aisle and giving her away to some buffoon who will never love her like we do. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.) But also twice as much love, twice the adventure. 2 times as many sleep-overs and heart-to-heart talks with my girls. 


Now that I am crying, I will stop there and get back to the story!!


After a while of quiet in the car, out of the blue Kit says, "I'm going to have to get a shotgun." I just laughed and agreed. More silence.... then, "Maybe both of the girls will want to get married at the ranch. It would be a lot cheaper." More giggles from me.... It's so funny how differently our minds work. Kit was already thinking of 20 years down the road, and I was busy thinking of how I was going to do her nursery and that I probably wouldn't have to buy a whole lot of new stuff since we were having another girl. 


I had Rayleigh convinced it was a boy too. Oops. She had decided a long time ago that she wanted a brother, and that was that. Kit was excited to tell her the news. It went like this:
K: RayRay, we found out if you are having a brother or sister today!
R: Brother!
K: Noooo. Sister!
R: Noooo. Brother! 
K: Noooo. Sister!
R: (Silent pause)....Sister? Oh.


Ha ha. It's been a mental adjustment for the whole family, but we are so excited! (So Harper, someday when you read this, don't feel bad we wanted a boy. We love you and are so happy you are YOU!) 


Naming our little girl was pretty easy. Right after I had Rayleigh, I heard the name Harper and fell in love with it. I knew that our next little girl would be named Harper! For a middle name, that was pretty easy too... My Granny, JoAnn, has been one of the most influential people in my life. She is so strong and hard-working. She always puts everyone else before herself. So many of my fondest memories include her and my PoPo. I knew that I wanted honor her, and hopefully Harper will inherit those traits too!


We can't wait to meet you Harper Jo! You are so loved, and we feel so blessed that God has chosen us for you! I can't wait to see your beautiful face and to watch you and your sister grow up!!! 

Cruisin'!

Kit and I took a little "Us" time in July and went on a cruise with my Dad, Piper, Paige, Piper's mom Louise and nephew Tanner. We left out of New Orleans, cruised down to Cozumel, and back. Rayleigh stayed with Nana, Doodles, and KiKi for the week. We had a great time, but I have to say that being away from Rayleigh that long was tough on me this time. I guess Baby #2 is making me a little crazy! 


We loved New Orleans. What a neat place! Yes, it smelled funny. Yes, it was crowded. But wow! It was so fun too... There is so much history alive there! We all felt very safe in our hotel because there was a real life Vampire Hunter checking in behind us at our hotel. I knew immediately I was going to love New Orleans! We enjoyed walking in the French Quarter, seeing the river boat, Andrew Jackson memorial, the Catholic cathedral, and all of the neat sights. We also went to Bourbon Street for dinner and hanging out one evening. It was really fun, but I don't think Mardi Gras will ever be in my future! It was plenty on a plain-jane Wednesday night. 

The infamous Bourbon Street!

I loved all of the bands!! It was awesome!

Enjoying some time in a little outside bar on Bourbon St. 

What a cute couple! 

Kit really wanted his picture taken with this guy. You just never know with my husband!!

Kit then insisted that I have my picture taken as well.

Dad had his palm read. He & Piper were both a little freaked out by it!

The Riverboat!

We went to the Jax Brewery just for Doug. I wish they would have sold stuff. 

The square was beautiful!

One of the oldest Catholic parishes/cathedrals in the U.S. 

We had a great time on the cruise. I think that 5 days was plenty of time for me on the boat. Kit loved the casino and did really well playing poker! Because of Baby #2, I wasn't able to participate in any excursions or anything in Cozumel, so the ladies went shopping! Kit LOVED the snorkeling, which was funny because he didn't think he would enjoy it at all. He's not big into swimming, so he didn't think he would have as much fun as he did! He really, really enjoyed the fish and seeing an octopus! The dune buggy ride was fun too. 

I didn't try the slide, but Paige said it was fun!

Dressed up for dinner one night. 

I am officially an animal towel folding expert (as long as you want a dog)

Just because I could not partake did not mean I couldn't be supportive! 

At the cantina after a full day in Cozumel

Our boat is on the left. (we actually knew 2 other groups on the boat to the right. It sailed out of Galveston.)

Kit & I (with Baby #2 on board)  It was so beautiful there!! 

The trip was relaxing, Kit & I didn't strangle each other in the car, and Rayleigh got to spend a week with Nana. All in all, it was a lot of fun!! Thanks to Piper for getting it all together and to Mom for watching RayRay while we had a little vacay!