Baby Holmes is a...

Baby Holmes is a GIRL!!!!

We were delighted with the news we received yesterday afternoon, and I am looking forward to cute pictures in bows and bishop dresses!

Mike and I would have been equally happy with either gender. Growing up in families with two boys and having friends with pairs of boys, a boy would have been neat for the special brother bond the baby and L.J. would share. On the other hand, a girl will give us the opportunity to parent each gender. And cute clothes, baby dolls and a shopping buddy (if she's into those sorts of things, of course).

I was on pins and needles going into yesterday's appointment. More than anything, we wanted the baby to be healthy (she is), but I was so anxious to learn whether we'd be having a baby brother or a baby sister! The days leading up to it felt like Christmas Eve.

We are just thrilled to be welcoming a baby girl into our family! It's still sinking in that we can now refer to the baby as "she" or "baby sister" instead of "the baby." It's pretty awesome though :)

Baby girl, we can't wait to meet you in January and it goes without saying that we love you to pieces already!