The Big Day

Today was our ultrasound appointment to find out who exactly this baby is.

Mom and Dad joined our family, so waited first with James and the kids, while I went back for the first part of the scan. The sweet tech, Abby, has done many ultrasounds for me before, with my past problems/surgeries, as well as happy occasions like this one. She remembered seeing me just over 10 weeks ago, to verify the fact that there was actually a baby growing in me, and was really kind about reaching this point. She mentioned I was a little early to have this ultrasound, and sometimes that made it harder to see everything, if the baby was small. Thankfully, she began measuring and clicking quickly, and said that the baby was showing up great, so there was no problem. I waited while she completed those moments of detailed work, and asked about the placenta, which I was thankful to hear was in the anterior position, NOT a previa like last time. First answer to prayer - Mama has no pesky placenta!

Then, she said she saw everything she needed to, that the baby looked perfect, and that it even measured ahead of my due date. I was not even surprised when it measured right where it would have been if we had kept the original date, but that was changed when we couldn't find anything in the yolk sack at the first ultrasound appointment. So, instead of measuring 17 weeks and a day, the baby measured 18 weeks. Nothing changes as far as the due date goes, but it was wonderful to hear that things have progressed steadily and that the baby has developed well. Another answer to prayer - development seems appropriate! Then, I asked if she could see what we were having, and she said that yes, she did know. As she printed off her information, I just was overwhelmed with emotion. I think it hit me, that we were actually going to have this little person join our family, and it was apparently very much healthy and seemed perfect, and I just burst into tears. I assured her, they were happy tears. But, after the rough beginning to this journey, I still feel shocked at times that we have made it thus far, and that this baby is still with us. That initial doubt is hard to get over!

So, the family came back, and enjoyed seeing the wiggly little person on the screen. The kids loved it, and we saw organs, bones, the brain, and heart ventricles, and little fists, eyes, feet - it was just beautiful. James was looking for diaphragmatic hernias, spina bifida, and intestinal issues, which Abby pointed out were all absent, thankfully. She said, "You know too much!" It's a curse sometimes, having the experience and information he does from being an NICU nurse. And, another prayer was answered - the baby appears very healthy.
Then, it was time to get over to the baby's bottom, and before she even paused, I saw the scan show an obvious scrotum, and then, she stopped, scooted back, and clearly showed every necessary part, and said, "There it is. You're having a little boy!" I glanced at Abigail, who calmly just smiled, squeezed my hand, and was just fine. Everyone else cheered, and we were genuinely so happy. I felt so full of gratitude that God had given us exactly who He desires to join our family, and another prayer was answered-God knows perfectly who our family needed.

Then, in a very sweet moment, Abigail leaned over smiling, and said, "It's Owen!" which is the name we'd chosen for a boy. It means 'mighty warrior,' which is fitting since this little guy has had to fight just to prove he existed from the beginning. We pray he is a brave, courageous warrior for Truth as he grows. We are honored to get to raise another son, and praise the Lord for His blessing us so!

Another post coming, about my appointment immediately after this ultrasound. It deserves its own entry, because of the great news I got then!

Follow-Up Ultrasound

This was the post on our main blog announcing the happy news:

We went into today's appointment for a follow-up ultrasound fully prepared (as well as we could be) for confirmation that the pregnancy wasn't going to last, and for the next step to possibly be surgery. Though I have continued to feel very pregnant, with fatigue, nausea, hunger, and other weird, normal symptoms, I told myself repeatedly to guard my heart and remember that my body would still do this, even if there wasn't an actual baby growing. Abigail had steadfastly reminded us that she, Isaac, and Elijah were all miracle babies, and that God could choose to give us another miracle. I agreed it was possible, but tried to prepare her for the possibility that He may not give us another baby at this time. It has been hard to balance faith with reality, and believing God is capable of a miracle, when science is giving all indications that is unlikely and improbable.

However, I am so grateful, shocked, humbled, and amazed, to present to you, our fourth miracle:



As soon as the sonographer began the scan, I saw the flickering heartbeat, and a tiny little being. She happily announced, "I see a baby!" James laughed outloud, while I cried for joy. We are beyond thankful, and truly overwhelmed by God's graciousness to our family. He has strengthened us this past week through so many kind prayers and words of encouragement, and I know we would have been all right if today's news hadn't been so wonderful. Even now, we know that especially this early in a pregnancy, there are still things that could happen. But for now, we are rejoicing and celebrating that early in 2010, it appears that we will be parents again.

Our sweet daughter's faith has been an example to us all, and we are now awaiting the determination of whether this will be the little sister she's been praying for. If so, we have a very fitting name for the little stinker, who hid from sight last week. :-) I'm starting a new baby blog, and updates will be coming on that site, if you'd like to check in as our little one grows. The new address is http://ourbonusbaby.blogspot.com.