psychic or psycho?

A couple of weeks ago I went to the local grocery store to pick up a few items. As I was putting my things on the express lane, a funny (looking) older woman with white-blonde hair and pink eyeliner talked to my three boys.. She asked them their names and ages and made a bit of small talk. As she rang up the items, she told me that I was lucky to have such fantastic boys. I agreed and proceeded to pay for the items and be on my way. But before she handed me the receipt, she said, "No. I really believe they are wonderful children." Again, I said that I was going to hang onto them and thanked her for her kindness. She looked me straight in the eyes and gave a half smile as she said, "Three beautiful boys and a girl on the way." I was totally speechless and said something like, "Excuse me?"

She replied, "You are expecting, aren't you?" I said that I was. She then said matter-of-factly, "You must know it's a girl." I laughed as I said, "Nope. We don't know that." I never have a problem talking to strange strangers, but this was awkward for me because my groceries were bagged and in my cart and there were impatient customers behind me (particularly a man purchasing fresh flowers) and I hated to keep them waiting. I said something short like, "I will keep my fingers crossed" and turned around. She then raised her voice so she could continue the conversation and said, "Oh, you KNOW it's a girl. Deep down, you know it." I could not help but laugh out loud as I walked away. Again, she said even louder, "Please come back when you find out that it is." I smiled as I pushed the cart out to my car... not because I was excited to finally be having a girl, but because I had just had a conversation with a crazy lady. I called Aaron on my way home and he told me not to get my hopes up. I shrugged it off and thought it amusing.

Today I just happened to be back in the same grocery store. I only had Luke with me this time and made sure to get in her lane even though I had to wait. As I approached she recognized me right away and said, "Where are your other two boys?" I explained that they were playing at a friends house and I was spending a little bit of one-on-one time with my 6 year old. (There's nothing like mommy & me trip to the dentist :) I could hardly wait to tell her that we had an ultrasound of our baby and it was indeed another BOY. Her reaction was priceless. She didn't bat an eyelash as she said, "Oh no, honey. Your doctor is wrong." I told her that I was very familiar with what boy parts look like and that I was sure. As serious as possible, she laid down my receipt and said, "You must have seen swollen girl parts, sweetie."

I walked away smiling and told her only time will tell.. On the drive home, half of me was convinced that I should go back to the doctor and make him give me another ultrasound. But I know what I saw and it's pretty hard to mistake two little balls and a stick for something else. If those are picture of my little girl, she's gotta be mighty swollen. Honestly, I am just at a loss for words. There is not an ounce of me that is disappointed in the ultrasound results, but what if we were mistaken? Then again, if this crazy lady is so sure of herself, why is she working in a grocery check out lane instead of stealing people's money doing psychic readings?

When I was just a few weeks pregnant with Luke, my dear Korean friend told me I was having another boy. I didn't even know I was expecting and when I missed that first period, I seriously KNEW it was another son. I didn't even need an ultrasound because I believed my friend. Sometimes people just know. I also have a sis-in-law who was told she was having a baby girl by a Vegas' gas station attendant. Sure enough, a few months later, a baby girl joined their family. I believe some people have special gifts and may be able to read auras. But how do you separate the crazies from the truly inspired? I don't know... but I will find out soon enough. If it does happen to be a girl with swollen parts, I am definitely going back to take a picture with my psychic and ask for her autograph. If she isn't right, I will make sure to take baby boy #4 grocery shopping with me and pull down his diaper to finally convince her that she's wrong and needs a new hobby.

After assessing my ultrasound pictures, don't you think it's obviously a manly baby? Have you ever had pregnancy predictions or psychic readings? Part of me wants to believe her, but common sense tells me that anyone who wears pink eyeliner everyday isn't playing with a full deck of cards........