For the Record

Thank you all for your congratulatory comments and well wishes. To respond to a few of the comments -- the Red Raspberry Pills might be working, because I'm not as nauseous as I was with the other two. Also, I take them at night. They would probably be more effective if I took them during the day, when I'm actually experiencing the nausea. The problem is the thought of swallowing pills is kind of gag-inducing. I've tried the Unisom with B6, but it makes me oh so sleepy, so I only do that at night. Which does seem to help a little for the next day.

Now, as the question of what we tried for. TMI WARNING: The rest of this should not be read by people who will be embarrassed reading about people "trying" for a baby --although I assure you, there are no graphic details. Katy, don't read it unless mom says you can.

This will not be a short answer. For those who don't know, we follow the "Shettles Method" of gender selection. My mom used it for at least 3 of us and had 100% success. She is known in various parts of the world as the "witch doctor" because she is a big advocate of this method and has aided countless people in getting the gender they want by sending them "the article." I have become her little apprentice as I too feel the need to let the world know about this method and tell anyone and everyone who wants to hear all about it. We tried for a boy with Harrison and a girl with Elizabeth so we are two for two. Let it be known that I have also successfully helped one friend get the girl she wanted. I am currently helping another friend who is trying for a boy. I'll keep you posted on that one.

This time we wanted another boy. Due to extenuating circumstances (a 3 week business trip that was ill-timed), our timing was thwarted, so we somewhat left it up to chance. THE RECORD SHOWS THAT IF WE DO NOT HAVE A BOY, WE KNEW WE WERE TAKING A RISK GOING INTO IT. If it is a girl, it will in no way effect our success rate as we did not follow the method strictly enough. Also, if it is a girl, it will be okay because I DO want another girl, and I want one more child, so we would very diligently try for a boy for the last child. However, I do feel like it is a boy, because I'm not nearly as sick as I was with Elizabeth and I am craving salty things more than sweet things (I craved salty with Harrison and sweet with Elizabeth.)

Also for the record: These are my feelings on whether we really have control OR Heavenly Father has control. I believe that ultimately Heavenly Father has control. He can make miracles happen and He can do whatever he wants. However, I also feel that He has given us agency to make choices. For instance, people try to plan WHEN they want to have children and take measures to prevent conceiving children when they are not ready for them. Usually, these measures are successful and people do not have children unless they are trying to. Sometimes, these measures are overridden by what seems to be the hand of God. I think the same goes for trying to choose WHAT gender of child you want. There are biological facts that can be used to put your odds in favor of having a certain gender. If you are aware of these facts and use them to your advantage, you will most likely get the gender you tried for. HOWEVER, if you are meant to have a different gender, I do believe that Heavenly Father can override biology and make that happen. So, I figure, if you do everything in your power to get one gender and end up with the other, you can take comfort in the thought that you were truly meant to have that gender and that Heavenly Father intervened on your behalf.

I also believe that some women's/men's/couples' chemical make-ups strongly favor one gender (as evidenced by families with all of one gender), and that they may be unable to produce the other gender. To those people I say, it's still worth a shot. You may as well try. My mom can tell you lots of stories of couples who had all one gender and then did the method and got the other gender.

So, there you have it. I hope I haven't ruffled anyone's tail feathers.

There is an early detection test you can get at the drug store for $30 that is 80% accurate to tell you what you're having. I could take it next week. If I decide to, I'll let you know. Otherwise, we'll all have to wait until September for the ultrasound. Unless this baby is uncooperative, like Elizabeth and I have to go back once a week for a month to finally get a good view. Then it will be October.

Pregnancy is all about patience, of which I have very little.