Ivy accepts gratefully, trudging over to Solana so she can sniff and take a guess. I’ll admit, it wouldn’t be my first choice of a game, but I know Ivy’s worked really hard planning this, so I’m not about to tell her that. As the day got closer and she really threw herself into it, I realized that she never got to have these moments during her pregnancy. She missed out on so much. And quietly, I have made a promise that the next baby she and Santi have, I’m going to make sure she doesn’t miss out on a single thing.

The diaper game continues, the women being the only good sports in the room until it comes time to measure my belly and take a guess at the circumference. Another horrifying game, but one the men seem to think they’ll have in the bag.

“Remember, boys, you’re calculating with real inches here.” Solana wags a finger at them. “Not the generous measurements you’d give yourselves.”

I roll my eyes and thank the Lord above when it’s finally time for something I can sit back and enjoy. As it turns out, watching the men blindfolded and trying to put diapers on plastic dolls is quite entertaining. So much so that we’re all in a fit of laughter by the time it’s over.

The only one who seems to be taking it seriously, of course, is Judge. He’s obviously been doing his homework, and I find the way he’s concentrating so hard on everything to be equally hot and sweet. Now that I’m getting closer, I’ve sensed he’s getting worried. But at the same time, he tries not to let it show. Yet I’ve found his stash of research in his study, printed packets of instruction manuals for first-time parents. He’s even swiped a few of my books to read too.

I get why he’s nervous because we’ll be thrown in the deep end with twins. But oddly enough, I’m not that anxious anymore. Mostly, I’m just excited to meet them.

“Okay, okay.” Ivy raises her hands, trying to quiet everyone. “It’s time for the gender reveal.”

This time, my stomach does do a little flip, and I know Judge feels the same when he comes to join me. With the assistance of Lois, Ivy wheels in the cart with the custom cake she ordered for the occasion. She’s known since my last sonogram what the genders were, but Judge and I have been waiting for today to find out.

After a heated debate about which would be easier as first-time parents, boys or girls, we still haven’t quite settled on a compromise. Regardless, we’re about to find out what the reality is, and I know we’ll both be happy whatever may come.