Two flu shots and a gender discovery!

Yesterday was the day that I have been look forward to for a very long time. Long before I found out I was pregnant, I've wondered who else would be in our family, if we ever had anymore children. I've also hoped for a girl, deep down, not really for any particular reason, just because it would be fun to have one of each, at least.

So when I found out I was pregnant, I immediately wondered who it was that was growing inside of me. We also happened upon a cool name for a girl that we both really loved and that meant alot to us. So we have been praying for girl as has our family, since there are already two boys!

It seems like such a frivolous thing to hope for: hoping for a gender, or more accurately, a person, but for some reason, I think that's also why we were glad Amos is a boy. We were hoping for an Amos in our family.

Because of Amos' story and many other stories that have happened to friends recently, I have been more anxious and worried that we would have a healthy, full term baby, in February and that things would be ok. The odd thing, is that I know very deep down that if we didn't, that we would be sad, that it would be difficult, and painful, but that we would be ok, because we were ok after Amos was born early and because of the testimonies I've heard from friends in their difficulty and pain and in the end, being ok. They are forever changed, but comforted and loved by God's surrounding care. And I have no doubt that we would be cared for and loved, just as we were with Amos.

My mom gave me good wisdom, during the first trimester--think of your baby as being healthy and fine until something happens to change that status. This past Thursday, after a week of worry and anxiety that we would see an abnormality in the ultrasound, I remembered those words and that became my mantra. When we went in on Friday, all I felt was excitement, and even remembered to pray for comfort (in the midst of the peace I felt) if we did see something wrong, and to be excited for either gender.

Now, onto the ultrasound...

We were so so excited to see the baby. There were alot of things the technician had to do: get measurements, look at organs, the spine, bones and brain. It was all so fascinating and exciting and we were enthralled. Even then, when we were looking at our baby, it didn't even matter to me that we didn't know the gender...it was so amazing to see our baby's heart--all four chambers--pumping and going; to see the spine, the hands and feet, even the eye sockets. Amos loved it too and even said that he was excited!

I don't remember being this enthralled with Amos' ultrasound...I remember thinking it was cool but for some reason, this ultrasound was so exciting and engrossing.

Finally, she went to look for the gender. As we zoomed in, the obvious lack of parts made the technician exclaim, "I think this is a girl!" Then the baby moved and she said, "Oh yeah, she just flashed us...we definitely would have seen some boy parts if this was a boy! But if I'm wrong, it's not my fault!"

She typed girl on the picture and I was crying tears of joy! It was the most magical 15 minutes that we have had in a long time.

After that, we had an appointment with our OB. She checked my blood pressure, which was a bit high from all of the excitement and then we heard the heartbeat again. She asked if we had any questions and we were surprised that she hadn't mentioned the ultrasound. So we asked if everything was normal and healthy. She picked up her computer readout and said, "Yes, there isn't anything abnormal, everything is great!"

It was as if we were having our cake and eating it too!!

After that, I got the flu shot. No fun. And then we took Amos downstairs to his pediatrician for his flu shot, also no fun. But then we got to go out for lunch and celebrate! We are thankful for a healthy baby, and we can't wait to meet her!