Baby You're a Firework

It all started out as a sarcastic comment made by my husband. Isn't that always how it starts out?

We were talking about how we wanted to find out this baby's gender. I knew for sure I wanted it to be something memorable. Something meaningful. Something original. "Gender reveal" parties are increasingly common, and while I think the whole "cut the cake to see if the icing is pink or blue" idea is great, it's getting a little overused.

So, we're sitting around one evening tossing around ideas. The ultrasound was scheduled for June 23, a little more than a week before July 4th weekend. Stew blurts out "maybe we should just shoot some fireworks and when they explode pink or blue, that's how we'll find out?"

Of course, my brain started spinning with creative ideas. We could invite all our family and close friends, do a July 4th theme, complete with red & blue fireworks, and BAM! (no pun intended) we have the perfect gender reveal party. I even knew the perfect date for the party. July 3rd is the anniversary of the day we started dating (way back in 1998). What better way to celebrate? After several weeks, I successfully convinced Stew (Sure we can fit 70 people in our house! 27 year old a/c system? No problem!), then began taking steps to turn his sarcastic comment into a reality.

At the ultrasound, we turned our heads as they scanned "the area," then had the doctor write down the baby's gender, print a picture of "the area," and put everything in a tightly sealed envelope. We asked Stew's best friend Eric if he would do the honor of secretly reading the envelope contents at the party and then shooting the corresponding firework. He agreed. Then we waited until the local firework stands opened up and purchased red fireworks and blue fireworks. We did a test run a few days before the party to make sure the fireworks had the right effect. We forgot to tell my elderly neighbor we were testing the fireworks. Needless to say it was pretty funny when he ran outside at 9 pm, pistol in hand, thinking the explosion was signaling the end of the world.

I won't go into detail about the million things that threatened to ruin this party (3 hour power outage the day of the party, anyone?) but I will say that thanks to the neverending stream of help from our incredible family and friends, this party turned out to be more perfect than we could ever have imagined. Baby Stewzie, you are surely loved by everyone already.

Here are just a few of the photos from the party. Photo credits: My super-talented brother Tim.

You can find him @ tjmohrphoto.com

Team Boy: (the majority)

Team Girl: (the minority)

Team undecided: We wore black in honor of the power outage.

Red fireworks or Blue fireworks?

After much anticipation and suspense, Eric lit the fuse. Aaaand...

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were shocked! Stew was convinced it was a boy.

Big brother Austin was surprised too:

This was by far THE BEST surprise of our lives. I seriously watch this video multiple times a day and I still get chills.

Baby GIRL,

We are so excited for you to be our daughter.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Buttah Face

Some folks have the Virgin Mary appear in the burn marks of their grilled cheese.

Some folks have seen the face of Jesus in their dental x-rays.

Some folks notice the image of Mickey Mouse in the spots on a cow.

Some folks find a potato chip that resembles Elvis Presley.

As for me? Homer Simpson just made a cameo in my newly opened tub of Country Crock Butter.

D'oh!

Doppelganger

Austin vs. South Park Cow...

Am I the only one who thinks the similarity is striking?

All you can art

I got bit by the creativity bug and came up with the bright idea to paint a little something for my Brotherford B. Hayes (Jeremy) for Father's Day.

I present to you...my work of ahhhhht.

Please keep in mind that I took complete, unashamed artistic license with this rendition of the New Orleans skyline. In no way are any of these buildings located in this configuration. Except for maybe the proximity of the New Orleans Arena to the giant grey cupcake Louisiana Superdome.

At least the Crescent City Connection has sexy legs, thankyouverymuch.

Can you hear me now?

You know how sometimes you're driving along and then your cell phone starts ringing and so you do a one-handed rummage through your purse and when you are unsuccessful at locating said phone you think to yourself, "Oh, I must have left it at home,"?

Meanwhile, you still hear the phone ringing. YET YOU ASSUME IT IS STILL AT HOME.

What? You don't?

Oh. Me either.

This stop sign brought to you by Joey Lawrence from "Blossom"

On the glass and contents thereof

You've heard it before.

There are 2 types of people in this world. Those who think the glass is half-full, and those who think the glass is half-empty.

Wrong.

There is another type of person. Me. Given the situation at hand, I think we need to re-evaluate the size of the glass. If the water only fills it halfway, get a smaller glass. Then the glass is full.

Problem solved.