What we've been waiting for!

In the days following that first home pregnancy test, I was so anxious to get into my doctor to confirm that this little one was indeed on the way. Knowing my history, thankfully Dr. Myers wasted no time in getting me in for some bloodwork followed by another round a few days later to confirm that those hCG levels were indeed rising as they should be. What's more, he brought me in for an ultrasound as soon as the baby was big enough to show up, which was such a relief as I saw my child's heart beating on the monitor. What a beautiful sight those pictures were to this mommy and daddy.

A month or so later, I got another glimpse into the womb. I'd prayed on the way to the appointment just as I had the first time, and once again, God relieved my fears by allowing me to see this special baby tucked inside my tummy - healthy and with a strong heartbeat. Dave didn't get to go with me that time but thankfully was able to see our sweet child again too thanks to the souvenir photos the tech sent home with me. I wish I could share them with you since in just a few weeks they really showed how that little blob above had developed to look so much more like a baby, but sadly somehow I have misplaced those precious photos that I remember placing inside of some book or another for safe keeping.

A couple weeks ago though, the Father blessed me with another opportunity to sneak a peek at who He is creating inside of me. While His gaze is on this child continually, I am so grateful that He has gifted others with the ability to create the technology that gives us a glimpse for a moment in time of what He savors daily as He knits together each delicate part. 

Hands

Feet

By the time this sonogram rolled around though, the fears that tormented me at times in that first trimester had subsided. Instead, it had been replaced with the excitement of finding out whether this miracle that would be joining our family was going to be another rough and tumble little boy or a sweet princess. 

What a sweet face!

Trying to say something little one?

Hadley has been hoping for a sister from the beginning, putting aside hand-me down clothes and toys for the new baby in anticipation. No matter how much I tried to warn her that it might not be a girl and we'd be happy with what we got, she still always referred to her new sibling as a "her." The boys have flip flopped on me though, changing their minds here and there. Reid kept saying "a boy and a girl" when we'd ask what he wanted and Caleb said triplets - two girls and a boy. At one point Reid told me he had a boy in his belly and I had a pirate in mine! 

Dave said it didn't really matter to him either way. In my mind though, I have to admit that I was anticipating a girl because I already had a second girl name picked out from when I was expecting Hadley that I never got to use - not to mention that I wanted to put all those adorable little girl clothes I've collected to good use again. Logistically it just seemed to make sense to me too to have two girls in one room and the two boys in the other. My heart kept reminding me though that no matter what I would be satisfied completely with whatever we were blessed with. I prayed over my baby, knowing that God doesn't chose the gender of a child based on what logistically make sense to us or seems like it might be the best fit. He looks at more than just what cute outfits I might want to reuse or the name I have picked out. He creates each of us male or female with a distinct purpose and role in this world and was forming this child to be exactly who He planned it to be. 

The big day, Dave, the kids, and my mom squished themselves in the small ultrasound room waiting with overflowing excitement as we were about to find out what we'd all be wondering for months. It just doesn't get old you know? We were just as anxious to find out this time as we've always been - maybe more so. Honestly, I could hardly get myself to sleep the night before. December is usually filled with the excitement of the count down to Christmas, but this year for me awaiting the news of what we were having trumped the holiday countdown for sure. 

The boys had both decided to root for a boy but had a feeling they were getting a sister, and Hadley stuck firm with her prediction. What would it be?

So, do you want to know too? Drum roll please....

It's a boy!

To be honest, we were all a little shocked but still thrilled anyway....well all of us except for Hadley. She took the news a little hard. "But I wanted a sister..." she proclaimed. The poor girl went pale and I thought she might get sick on her stomach. "Are you okay, Hadley?" I asked, a bit worried about her. It wasn't long though before she came around. By the end of the day, she was even pretty happy about getting another brother. She did a good little acting job though for our announcement picture above, putting on a pouty face even though she said she was really happy about the baby even if it wasn't a girl. 

It has been so wonderful for me to know who's hanging out in my belly and to be able to daydream about the little man he'll become. Trying to come up with a name that we'll all agree on has been a challenge, but with my other kids I've learned the best thing to do is just to pray about it because God already knows his name and will reveal it to me soon enough. (I can hardly wait to know!) 

Knowing that we're having a boy has made it a little easier to clean out Reid's side of the closet and pack away some of those clothes that were getting a bit too small but that I was in denial about that he'd outgrown already. Now I'll have another cutie to don a few of those precious baby blue outfits that my older boys can't squeeze into anymore. Since Reid is the youngest, it will be special for him to have a little brother to pal around with too, especially since he loves babies. 

Oh, I am so looking forward to our little fella's arrival. He is so treasured already. I hope he'll always know how much he was anticipated and loved even before we met him.