Nonian, the Dr Pepper thing makes sense. I have never heard it specificially recommended, but once you start feeling the baby move regularly, if s/he seems too quiet for too long, one of the things you're supposed to do is have some cookies and juice, and lie down, and see if that doesn't get him/her going.

I have no in-law advice. I can't imagine caring about a baby's sex.

Is the situation too touchy with him to preface the news with a kind of jokey-stern "Now, no grumbling either way but it's a (Insert Minion gender here)"?

Pre-emptive medical-ma for Hubby on Thursday. I get to go in with him while he has a test on his spine, something myo-something or other. His ongoing pain is either one or all of three potential bad discs--or he's allergic to the stainless steel in the clamp they put in before.

I'm hoping it's the metal, because taking that out is easy, just not cost-effective.

The test is apparently one of the bad ones, where everyone is apologizing ahead of time for what they're about to put you through. And I can't hurt the people who are about to hurt my husband. Do you think our esteemed future Attorney General needs some back testing done?

(if he/she cooperates. BTW, i've been told to drink a can of Dr. Pepper prior as the sugar/caffeine will make the baby more active. Anyone heard of this?)

Trust me when I say that even an active baby can be MOST uncooperative. (Which is why my scan Wed. will be #5 instead of #4.)

OJ works pretty well, too. It takes about a half an hour before the sugars make the baby go hyper, but I've found it's pretty reliable if I'm feeling like I need to be kicked.

Much medi~ma to connie's DH, and much strong~ma to you, connie!

Pre-emptive~ma for the hubby, connie. And {{{connie}}} for strength at not kicking the hurty people in the balls or other painful parts of their anatomy.

I'm hoping I'm utterly misunderstanding what the test does. Because I don't think they're going to try to make the discs fail. Not with me in the same building as the ones responsible, at any rate.

Much ~ma to Connie and Connie's DH.

Nonian, I think the "I'm sure you're as delighted as we are..." approach to the gender is the best way to go as is email. Also, is there a MIL attached to the FIL who can be approached to give a pre-emptive clue-sticking should such a thing be needed?

Nonian, I'm with Cindy. I can't imagine caring. The pre-emptive "I'm sure you're as thrilled..." sounds like a good thing. Or, any way to tell the MIL and let her tell the FIL?

{{connie & DH}} I hope everything goes quickly, painlessly, easily and has a quick, painless, easy solution.

Cereal:

I am calling in "sick" to work tomorrow so I can get stuff done around the house *and* get some rest.