It’s official: the bean is a girl! We’re over the moon.
Well, okay—Burger seems blissfully unaware of the excitement.
We found out the day before Christmas Eve, on December 23rd. We’d asked for a later appointment, but we couldn’t resist telling our families before the holidays, so we begged the clinic for an earlier scan. Best. Christmas. Gift. Ever.
Luckily, our little one wasn’t shy. The ultrasound tech captured a crystal-clear image that left no doubt: we’re having a daughter. At first we considered the classic envelope method—having the tech write the result and seal it for a private reveal over dinner—but neither of us wanted to look away during the scan. We decided right then that we wanted the moment in real time. So there we were: Sherry, belly covered in gel, and me, on the edge of my seat, learning we were expecting a girl. I kissed my beaming wife right there on the table. It was a truly joyful moment.
To keep the fun alive, we hadn’t told our families about the last-minute appointment. They expected us to wait until the 30th, when Sherry would officially reach 20 weeks. After a celebratory dinner filled with name ideas and nursery plans, we stopped at the store and picked up gingerbread cookie mix and pink icing for a special family reveal on Christmas Eve.
Our gingerbread girls might not win any cookie-decorating awards, but they were perfect for announcing the news. We arrived at my parents’ house in Northern Virginia—timed perfectly after a day of tiling the bathroom—and I presented dessert with a flourish: “Surprise! We made gingerbread cookies for the bean…” Sherry finished the line: “…and we learned yesterday that they should all be PINK!”
The reaction was priceless: shouting, jumping, and an all-out burst of holiday pandemonium. We had successfully surprised everyone, and they were thrilled. My niece Olivia was especially excited—our family is already welcoming two boys from my sisters in 2009, so adding a baby girl felt extra special. The cookies vanished in record time, which was festive and funny—let’s just hope our daughter’s arrival inspires the same kind of celebration, hopefully with fewer crumbs.
We expect plenty of girl-specific advice now that the secret’s out, so a few clarifications: first, knowing the gender helps narrow down name ideas, but we’re not committing to anything or sharing finalists until we meet her in May. Second, despite the pink cookies, our nursery will likely lean toward a more gender-neutral palette—soft greens, blues, and yellows with touches of pink for warmth. That said, it’s been fun to imagine feminine accents and DIY details that make the space feel cozy and special. Many of our decorating projects will work whether you’re expecting a boy or girl, so others can adapt the ideas easily.
We’d love to hear your stories about revealing a baby’s gender—whether via ultrasound, gender reveal party, or the surprise of the birth itself. A close family friend recently welcomed twin girls after expecting just one for nine months—she declined ultrasounds and had a double surprise at delivery. Those moments are unforgettable, and it’s always heartwarming to picture how people share such life-changing news with family and friends.
So, tell us: how did you announce your big news? Was it a quiet ultrasound reveal, a festive party, or a complete surprise at delivery? We’re excited to read your memories and ideas as we prepare for our baby girl’s arrival next spring.