Anytime the baby is mentioned, the sweetest smile takes over her face. It’s a nice change from the look of shock and panic that was on her face when we first found out. I don’t blame her, though; it came as quite a surprise.
I look around the room and laugh to myself. When we first looked at this house when we were just about to graduate college, I never pictured this room one day as a nursey.
“I think the crib should go there…” She points to the far wall. “…and a dresser and changing table there, and a rocking chair right there in the corner.”
“Wow. How long have you been sitting there, babe?” I joke, earning a judgmental look from my girl.
I laugh and shift against the doorframe, and the pink gift bag in my hand catches Haylee’s attention because her eyes grow wide with excitement. Not long after we had found out about the baby, I had gone online and ordered these.
“What’s in your hands?”
“What?” I say, playing innocent.
“Zach.” She goes to stand, but I quickly stop her, bringing the bag into her full view. “Oh this bag, you mean?”
I ended up having the package delivered to the office because I knew that if it arrived here, she would have snooped. I’m proud of myself for keeping this from her. And I’m even more proud of myself for wrapping this myself. Okay, so shoving items in a bag with just tissue paper isn’t rocket science.
I settle next to Haylee on the floor and set the bag next to me on the opposite side of her. She goes to reach for the bag, and I pull her into my arms.
“First thing’s first.” I lean in and press my lips against hers. When I pull back, her eyes are still closed.
“Hi.”
As if my voice finally brings her back to reality, her eyes pop open. “Hi—now give me my present. That is for me, right?”
“Well, it’s for that one in there.” I point to her belly. “And since they’re in you, I guess you get to open it.”
She reaches over me and grabs the bag. “I don’t care even if I win by default.”
I laugh and settle back on my hands while watching her tear through the tissue paper.
“Oh my God, Zach… These are…these are…” She pulls out the onesies I had ordered and sighs in awe as she reads each one.
There are a total of four, each with a different phrase: “Daddy’s Drinking Buddy,” “My Daddy had fun making me,” “Sorry, ladies, my daddy’s taken,” and “My Daddy is Jealous I had Boobs for Breakfast.” The last one earns a loud laugh from Haylee.
She places them all on her knee and turns back to me. Her eyes are brimming with tears. I cup her cheek with my palm and swipe my thumb over the tear that falls. Her voice is barely a whisper.
“I love it—it’s the baby’s first present.” Her smile widens. “She’s going to love them.”
My back quickly straightens. “Wait, what? You already know it’s a girl?”
Haylee places her hand on my chest to calm me down. She rises to her knees in front of me and places both hands on her belly. “No, I just feel like maybe it is. We won’t know for a little while.”
I place my forehead against hers. “You wanna know something?” I pull her into my lap, and she rests her head against my chest. I put my hand over her belly. “I feel like it might be a girl too. And I hope she looks just like you. Absolutely beautiful just like her mama.” I kiss her forehead. “Now how ’bout you tell me what else you were thinking in this pretty little head of yours about this room. I want to hear it all.”
Lately, our weekend brunches have turned into wedding- and baby-planning central, and the Jacobses’ house is home base. Today is no different. Mom, Kelly, Dani, and I are sitting at the dining table surrounded by color swatches, guest lists, and catering menus. I swear, between our wedding, the baby shower, and Dani and Kyler’s wedding, our moms are in planning heaven. Dani and I already set our dates, just six months apart. Zach and I decided to wait until after this little peanut is born to get married. We’ve waited this long; what’s a few more months? He already knows I’m his and he is mine forever—this is just a formality making it legal.
I sit back in my chair and rest my hands on my growing stomach. The first trimester was rough with morning sickness, but so far, I feel great during my second trimester. Things are totally normal—just add a growing stomach, huge boobs (which Zach loves), and a sex drive that is out of control (also something Zach loves). Don’t even get me started on the cravings. I crave carbs constantly. We buy macaroni and cheese like it’s going out of style. We also buy Yoo-Hoos in bulk—I drink chocolate milk with just about every meal.
“Anything for my girls,” he always says.
Yep, that’s right—our intuition was right, and we are having a girl. We just found out a few days ago. It’s been hard to keep it a secret from everyone.
I’m off daydreaming of pink dresses and tutus when my mom touches my hand, pulling me back to reality. “What do you think of this?”
I snap my head to her. “Huh?”
I realize I must look like a deer in headlights. Oops, I’m caught not paying attention because I have no idea what she asked me. A giggle escapes Dani as I shrug.