I'm so glad we have decided to "find out" each time we have had a baby. Each time I have toyed with the idea of waiting, but I just LOVE to know. And last night I realized that it really is a BONUS day in the process of having a baby and right at the needed time too. The day of delivery is immeasurably exciting and rewarding whether you know or don't know, so when you get to announce the sex at 20-ish weeks, it's like you gain a delivery day of sorts. And for someone who loves everything about babies and would have 20 if there wasn't a cap on energy, money, and age in my life...I soaked in "BONUS" delivery day yesterday.
The day started off unexpectedly great. A friend came by for a long visit and she brought me a coffee too. Those two combos are a favorite of mine. And she's not just a friend I enjoy, but a friend I need. Without her visit, the time would have gone S L O W. But as it was, it went super fast!
Then I dropped off Ruby and Maisie at another sweet friend's house. I didn't even have to ask for her help - she made sure to offer. It was a really quick drop off and I squeaked into my regular appointment a few minutes late. But not too late, because I was able to do a couple texts in the waiting room and have a busy Mike join me just in time too.
Mike got to meet our new midwife for the first time in her work environment. She actually attended our Financial Peace class too, so we know each other now on two different fronts. How cool are small towns?! Not a long appointment either because when it is your fourth baby there aren't many questions left to ask :)
Then it was off to the ultrasound across the hall. Again, we love the fact that we live in a small town, because the ultrasound tech has been with us with each baby, she lives around the corner and her daughter and Daphne are in the same class. In fact she was one of six 7 year olds at the recent slumber party we held at our house.
It was awesome because she was really excited for us. When she told us we were expecting a BOY in the first minute of the scan, she announced that she had the goosebumps! We were completely shocked. I keep using that word in my texts and emails to people...but it is true. I expected a girl and frankly didn't think Mike and I "made" little boys. But there it was...staring back at us. So obvious too.
Of course I smiled the entire hour of pictures of my baby. I could have frozen time, but at the same time I couldn't wait to tell everyone either. We texted our good friend and neighbor, who was in charge of a special task: to gather a "It's a Boy!" balloon and deliver it to Daphne's school. These are our past Pastor and Pastor's wife and they mean the world to Daph, so it was super special. They took pictures for us too. At the end of the appointment our tech and friend, said that it was an "absolute privilege" to have been there with us when we found out the news.
After that it was back to our separate jobs and lots of texts and phone calls. I was in heaven bombarded with the most "congratulations" sent my way in a long time. And everyone was as surprised as us. It was hard too because I was really tired, and my nap-less little girls were crabby.
Luckily my mom came over soon after we got home and helped me by playing with them. I had to run an errand and then cook a homemade meal and clean up the house for our next round of guests. Bless my mother for always being the servant behind the scenes. She was thrilled with the news too.
Mike and Pam came over at 6pm to hear the announcement in person. They were adamant that it was going to be a girl, so we chuckled as we told them they were wrong:) Mike's dad was like, "Are you sure?!!" And when you see the picture, you will know too that yes we are sure! They even brought a little girl and little boy outfit all wrapped up for the occasion. Luckily the little boy outfit was the cutest one this time - I love it!
By then, I was running on adrenaline alone, but barely still functioning. And yet feeling so amazingly blessed and thrilled.
I have to end with our last reflection of the day when we went to bed. It's honest and I can't judge our feelings because they are pure. Mike and I both said we were a bit sad it wasn't a girl. Isn't that funny? Now, that doesn't mean we didn't want a boy too. It's just that people thought we were being P.C. when we said we didn't care either way. We weren't lying. We wanted a little girl. We wanted a little boy. So we went to bed letting go of the idea of one more pink bundle, but blown away that we are going to get to experience a little blue one.
No more ponderings of names like Verbena May, Violet Sue or Mike's favorite Izzy (Isabel Ann). Or even Dottie, Hattie, Lottie, Eliza Jean etc etc. I think I am mourning little girls names more than anything.
My sister and law and I will probably go into a baby name business for the stars, because we are obsessed.
It's now my passion to find the most rugged and yet classic...I could be a cowboy or baseball player boy name that fits my husband. I've got a partner in crime in my husband who likes the name game too.
I still can't believe it everyone...and the girls are getting used to the idea too...in a few months, we will have our fourth and final child...a little boy!
My scanner didn't too so hot with these:
