Gifts: Waiting and Willpower Not my Strong Suit

I'm a kid at heart, and nothing brings that out in me as much as the holidays. I don't like surprises and have no willpower, so it should not come as a shock that waiting until Christmas day to open presents is difficult for me.

This has only become worse as an adult. I know, I'm supposed to be more mature. Problem with getting older . . . I have gained the knowledge necessary to justify my impatient actions. Each time I was pregnant, I was chomping at the bit to know the sex of my baby. My husband could have waited until the birth, but not me. I had to know. It was still a surprise, just a quicker one.

My family has learned not to send my Christmas gifts early. Instead of just shaking the package or ripping a small corner to figure out my gift, sometimes I'll just open it. I'm an adult. Who says I have to wait until Christmas or my birthday? It makes my family crazy, so they cut it so close with my presents now that sometimes they are late.

Don't worry. I don't let my kids peek. But I do peek at gifts people send my kids. I don't know why. It's a bit of a sickness.

For our 15th wedding anniversary, my husband wanted to surprise me with a trip. After I asked a zillion questions, he finally told me. It was a wonderful trip to Costa Rica, made no less special because I knew in advance.

My sister, Dana, even holds birthday cards to open on her birthday. Forget it. I'd walk by those cards a couple of times and it'd be all over. So I just open them as they come in. This way I spread the pleasure over several days.

Do you like surprises? Does it bother you to have gifts sitting around for weeks? For the moms out there, did you find out the sex of your baby before delivery?

Please tell me I'm not the only grown woman who can't bear to wait for fun stuff!