Gender Reveal Video

Gender Reveal Done!

The Big Gender Reveal was last night, and it's a girl! I would have been just as happy either way, but I'm selfishly proud that I've been saying the baby was a girl since we found out Katie was pregnant. (Unless they change their minds) it will by Lyla Joy Biem, which is a beautiful name. "Joy" is named after Mark's mother who passed away last year. We never met her, but I think there's something perfect about remembering her with this beautiful name for her granddaughter. We like the tradition of middle names from the family. Our kids were Kaitlin Kristine (after her mother), Courtney Rebecca (after her Aunt), Kelsey Barbra (after her Grandmother) and Kurt Gary (after his Grandfather). It was really a wonderful day, but I have to admit that the day before Kris and I were convinced it was a boy. Katie and Mark were keeping it secret until Thanksgiving, but we peppered them with questions and tried to get hints all night. We thought they acted funny everytime we said maybe it was Stas (the boy name). They also said the Ultrasound Technician knew right away, and sometimes this means it's a boy. The funniest one was Grandma Frymier. Kris called her Thanksgiving morning and told her we thought it was a boy. She said "well, just let Katie and Mark have their fun", so we thought it was a boy for sure. At the "reveal" we set off poppers all at once, everyone was there- Kris and I, Kurt, Courtney, Kelsey, Aunt Karen and Jim, Colleen, Brian, and Alex- and I was stunned to see pink ribbon come out of the poppers. For a second, I thought I wasn't seeing the colors right (I don't see colors all that well most of the time) because we had been fully bamboozled by everyone into thinking the baby was a boy!

Pre-Gender Reveal

So, this is the day of the big gender reveal! We didn't have these back in the day, but it's the big thing now. For the record, I'm Team Girl. No real evidence supporting that, I just have a contrarian hunch. I don't care either way, I'm just happy to be a Grandfather. For Katie, the Doctor told us she was a girl months ahead of time, but I was so sure she was going to be a boy I was shocked when I saw her that she was a girl after all--- so I guess my track record isn't so good! It will be good, happy news today either way.

First Baby Picture

From last night's 3D Ultrasound. I'm in love!

Baby Announcement

The baby announcement video referenced earlier. Listen carefully to hear Kurt say "Is it a dead animal?"

3D Ultrasound

Katie and Mark are having the 3D Ultrasound tonight. They should know the gender of the baby, and the "Gender Reveal" is planning for Thanksgiving Day around 4:00. The 3D Ultrasound is a relatively new technology, and has only recently become available in most places. I've seen video where they can actually make out the baby's face, and I hope that's the case this time. I do have to say that the first ultrasound picture definitely looked like the baby had my tiny little Grossman/Heltzel nose, so here's hoping it does on the 3D!

They call me Grampa

A couple months ago, I found out I was going to be a Grandfather for the first time. I have to tell you, I had a feeling about it. Katie and Mark were engaged and their wedding was coming up, and I just had a feeling Katie might be pregnant by the wedding. I said something to Kathy at work the week before and made several comments to Katie the day she announced it to us. I didn't really "know" but I definitely had picked up on something. That evening, I could tell they were stressed about something. I was tired and wanted to go to bed, but they were trying to get me to stay up until Kurt got home. I guess Katie had texted him to hurry home from work because she had big news, and he ripped in the door like Kramer on Seinfeld. Still, I know Kurt had no idea, because when Katie and Mark handed out packages to everyone Kurt said "Is it a dead animal?" (only Kurt would say something like that). They were actually T-Shirts that said something about being a Grandparent, Aunt or Uncle. Min said "Grandpa Dogs". It was a very good night.