SD truly is a joy. I am so blessed to have her in my life and every time BM is acting up, I remind myself that if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have this lovely girl as my SD, or as my daughters' doting big sister. I feel terrible for those stepparents out there who not only deal with a vindictive BM, but disrespectful skids who blame them for all that is wrong in the world. I am so fortunate to love and be loved by her. I can't get over what a wonderful little girl she is.

SD was so very excited to find out if she was getting a brother or a sister, that the moment her dad picked her up tonight she called me and left a looooong message about how she was dying to know and when would I get there and how dare I not pick up when she calls and the whole school knows that she's finding out today so I'd better not disappoint everyone and oooooh this is so exciting, etc! Her message just melted my heart! I'm especially tickled that she told everyone at school. It used to be that she "hid" her life with us somewhat to protect her mom's feelings. Progress!

She ran out to greet us when we got there and my little one was in the back seat squealing her name in excitement when she saw her and we were all giddy and silly and laughing and excited. We sat down and my mom and stepdad called at that moment, it was just perfect timing - I put it on speakerphone and said "we're about to share the news with SD. Now you can find out together!" I made SD close her eyes and I put a strawberry in front of her. (All along we've been saying "will it be a strawberry or blueberry flavored baby?") She opened her eyes and she lit up like a Christmas tree squealing "it's a giiiiiiiirl!" and my mom and stepdad were crying and whooping and hollering on the other end. My mom said "so Alex is an Alexandra! Do you have a middle name picked out?" And I told her we were honoring her with her name and we just bawled like babies because she was so touched and I was so pleased that it moved her so much. Both my fiance and SD's eyes were gleaming too. Such a great moment!

We had a lovely celebration dinner and then SD ran off to get us a surprise. She came back with a Congratulations balloon and card that she bought with her own money! The card said "Dear Cait and Dad, I TOLD YOU! Congratulations! I love you, SD xoxox" How sweet is THAT?

When we dropped SD off, BM came out and SD yelled across the parking lot "It's a GIRL!" and BM said cheerfully "of course, it's all Daddy does!" and we just smiled and made a little bit of small talk and said good night. It was all very cordial, no drama. BM is really on her best behavior for these therapists coming to her house 3 times a week. I'm loving the happy plane she's flying on right now! If only it could always be like this!

My fiance and I just relished our lovely evening with our whole family. It couldn't have been a more perfect night! This is what makes it all worth it!