An Early Christmas with the Zapps in Kearney, Nebraska

The Pencil Test

Thanks to our sister-in-law Brandy, we learned about the Pencil test-an old wive's tale used to predict a baby's gender. It was a wild and crazy night at the Zapp house in Kearney, Nebraska, as we got the necessary equipment:

-A number 2 lead pencil, newly sharpened

-A needle and thread

According to folklore, you stick the needle with thread onto the eraser head of the pencil. Then you hold the thread and dangle the pencil over the pregnant lady's belly bump. If the pencil turns clock-wise, it's a girl. If the pencil swings back and forth like a pendulum, it's a boy. If the pencil swings, stops and then swings again, the stop indicates a "break" with the second swing indicating your next child's gender, etc.

The folklore has worked so far for Brandy and the "wise" pencil indicated that Leif and I will be having a baby girl. Should we skip the ultrasound on December 21? Nah, I think we'll keep the appointment and see what the Doctor's have to say about a Baby Girl or Baby Boy Ullman.