True story, the day before we were supposed to find out the gender of our child, I cancelled the appointment. It’s not like I didn’t want to find out or anything, something just didn’t feel right.

I’m a people pleaser, and I often struggle with the putting my happiness and feelings first without feeling an extreme sense of guilt when I do. Something my clients also go through when it comes to taking time out of their day to workout or cook a healthy meal for themselves. So I put a major focus on it in 2018 because if I struggled with it, how would I be able to best help my clients overcome this and reach their goals?

So why did the original gender discovery feel so off to me? When I sat back and reflected on how I was feeling, I realized I was feeling SO much pressure around finding out the gender that I was rushing a plan I wasn’t too happy about. I was scheming and planning on how to appropriately announce it with rules and stipulations for our immediate family so I didn’t leave anyone out or hurt anyone’s feelings for not telling them first. It all just became too much and a bit overwhelming, especially because I felt the need to plan something so intricate since we live in Washington and all of our family is in Oceanside, CA.

Deep down, I knew I wanted to find out with JUST Dave and I in an intimate but BIG way. A way where we both could have our true and honest reactions. A reveal with no expectations from bystanders. Contrary to popular belief, I’m actually not a big party person where everyone finds out with us. Something about that felt weird to me too. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE attending those parties for my loved ones because they are a blast and everyone comes up with creative things. Being the center of attention like that for something so monumental was just not my cup of tea. I’m more of a whiskey girl anyways.

So why not find out in the Doctor’s office with just Dave and I? First off, I didn’t really know the Doctor. And secondly, I didn’t want him to look at me and me not have the correct reaction. Hi! Remember me? The people pleaser? Was I supposed to cry? Scream? Be upset it wasn’t one or the other? Truth be told, I didn’t know HOW I was going to react. And yes, this is a major first world problem, but I’m over that judgement at this point.

In my insomniac ways after I decided to cancel my original plan, I found the cutest and most unique way to find out the gender, the Great Wheel in Seattle otherwise known to non-locals as, the FERRIS WHEEL!

I emailed them to get the details and immediately felt a sense of calm come over me and went to planning! Ironically, it was cheaper and way less stress than my original plan!

Not only did it check off all my boxes: BIG, intimate with just myself, Dave, and our good friend Steve there to photograph (and appropriately celebrate over a few drinks with Dave after- because, duh!)

But only 3 people knew the gender: the Doctor, my friend Lisa, who I dub my “Gender result dealer”, and the actual coordinator for the Great Wheel, who was amazing, prompt, and very detailed in all of my questions.

I confirmed the date and time with the Great Wheel Coordinator and planned a staycation with Dave- which was perfect because we were in desperate need of a date weekend.

We got a room at the Edgewater Hotel, which is walking distance to the Aquarium (where we were instructed to stand for the best view). Note for the reader: If you are looking to stay at this hotel, I suggest looking on Hotwire for a room because it was IMMENSELY cheaper. And when we told them our reason for the visit, they helped us upgrade our room! Everything went perfectly.

When the time was right, we all walked on down to the Aquarium and got everything settled.

So without further adieu, cast your final vote, enjoy the sweet video I made of the reveal, and comment on this blog if you guessed right or wrong! This beautiful moment and perfect weekend will forever be burned in my brain. I already feel bad for our second child if we have one, because how am I going to top this??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Clifton Gender Reveal

Music: Alex Clare- Three Hearts
https://www.alexclare.com/

 

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE