Susie has informed me that the uterus is quiet this morning. I replied Ms. Uterus is accumulating strength for the big exit.  The countdown continues.

As I listen to Zen chants I imagine itty bitty flying hearts and rainbow pacifiers.  Susie is calm and so is baby.  

Great day.  New Pope to be announced within minutes  Local time Rome: 8:00 pm.

Congrats Pope Francis I.  Wishing you a very healthy long life.

Back to baby watch.

Nada. Countdown continues.

I am waiting for my daughter Susie to give me the go-ahead to board a plane and exit east to MA.  Grand baby #6 is due somewhere between now and the end of the month. We don't know if we are pink or blue yet.  Mom and Dad want the big surprise. I want to know what color to paint the baby's bedroom walls. They do not.

There are three older siblings ages 7 - 11 who are anxious to meet the new arrival.  The dog - not so much.  Tia the Pom is oblivious to the situation. There are the Great Grandmas, Uncles and Aunts, a slew of cousins and of course Grandmas and Grandpas.

I need/want/wish/hope for another Granddaughter. This baby girl will even up my 'Grand' count to 3 and 3.  I have secretly carried a pink teddy bear adorned with a pink tutu since last July when Susie made the official announcement. I've been wearing pink for a month.  My toenail polish is pink with pink sparkles.  I've eaten pink cupcakes, pink cotton candy, pink malted milk balls and the drink of choice is a Shirley Temple.  Even my lipstick is pink.

On March 10, Susie had her weekly appointment.  The Doctors and Nurses at the OB office know that Susie and Matt do not want to know  the baby's sex.  They have been surprised with the end result for the last three births.  The files are stamped with 'top secret'.  The tech (new guy)  who was in charge of Susie's ultra sound announces "Yep, he looks fine. All is well"  Susie's heart sunk.

Not because she has a boy on the way into the world.  Not because she now gets to paint the walls blue.  Not because my quota will be 4 & 2. Not because she really wanted pink sparkly ruffles.  Not because of a lot of  - things.

She is upset because her last big surprise is no longer a surprise.

Moral of the story:  Read the file.  At all costs, people, read the file.

How can I reward myself if I once again failed.  I attended a beautiful baby shower for my beautiful cousin.  Nothing but pink from wall to wall.  Nothing but sugar from floor to ceiling.  The trophy of the afternoon consisted of pink cake frosted with pink icing sprinkled with white edible pearls.  The dessert table sported pink cotton candy, pink and white malted milk balls, pink Hershey's kisses pink jelly beans and pink gummie bears.  Thank all that is heaven that I do not eat gummie bears.

Is it a true failure.

Yes.

Pink cotton candy. My ultimate downfall.  Pink Champagne Cupcakes.  My ultra ultimate downfall.

Maybe next Lent I can try for a sugar free penance.

Thank goodness I cannot tolerate gummie bears of any color.

I can't believe I started this 2 years ago.

I'll start again tomorrow.